MEMBERS of Hampshire County Council’s Cabinet have approved the savings proposals that will close the budget gap to 2017/18, and are already looking ahead at the prospects for the Medium Term Financial Strategy up to 2020.

Leader of the council Cllr Roy Perry said: "With Government needing to find billions more in savings to eliminate Britain’s deficit by 2019/2020, it’s widely expected that their Comprehensive Spending Review announcement on November 25 will set out more tough times ahead for the public sector.

"Therefore, it’s essential we start preparing as early as possible for the financial picture ahead - taking into consideration the prospect of further likely cuts in our grant from Government, alongside the additional pressures we expect to face on our budgets, by the end of the decade.

"On-going demand for social care to address the complex needs of growing numbers of older people, and vulnerable children and adults in Hampshire, continues to be a major factor in our financial considerations.

"As we head towards 2020, we must also bear in mind the future cost implications of the national living wage when it’s introduced next year, particularly in the area of adult social care. With growing pupil numbers across Hampshire, the provision of secondary school places will also significantly influence our budget forecasts. Taking all these factors into account, it represents the greatest financial challenge we face yet, and coming at the end of a previous eight years of austerity in the public sector."

Hampshire County Council’s grant from Government has more than halved in recent years. To date, the county has made more than £240m of savings, it is transforming the way services are delivered and how the county council works, and it has allowed Hampshire to maintain its share of Council Tax at the same level for six years in a row - at one of the lowest levels in the country.

The key actions and activities that aim to deliver the £98m of savings to 2017/18, and on which the county council sought residents’ views this summer, were approved by Cabinet at their meeting on Monday October 5. A final decision on the proposals will now be made by the full county council on October 22, followed by a number of further consultations with residents and stakeholders where necessary.