RESIDENTS still have time to respond to Hampshire County Council’s survey asking people for their views on options for managing a shortfall in the money needed to balance its budget.

By 2019/20, the authority is expecting to face a gap of £140 million as a result of ongoing national austerity measures; demographic changes reflecting increases in demand for some services; and inflationary pressures.

Leader councillor Roy Perry said: “Although we have been preparing for this challenge for some time, finding these additional savings is inevitably going to be extremely tough.

"This is because we have already made significant reductions in our spending over the last nine years to the sum of £340 million. The picture is worsened by the fact that central Government revenue support grant funding for Hampshire will cease altogether in 2019/20 – but demand for county council services continues to rise.

“The consultation asks residents and stakeholders to give us their views on a number of high-level, strategic options including: potential changes to services; further ways to generate income; use of reserves; potential increases to council tax; and changing local government in Hampshire.

“It is important to stress that at this stage, the county council is not proposing specific changes to services. Any proposals will be informed by feedback from this consultation and subject to further, more detailed public engagement. Therefore, only examples of possible service changes have been provided.”

The consultation closes at 11.59pm on August 21.

Feedback will be used to inform final savings proposals put to Select Committees and Executive Members, before consideration by the full County Council in October this year.

The survey can be completed online. Paper copies may be requested by emailing insight@hants.gov.uk and are also available from Hampshire libraries.