CONCERNS have been raised about Winchester Town Forum finances following the announcement of plans to cut £19 million from the Hampshire County Council budget.

At a meeting of the forum city and county councillor Martin Tod warned members that the funding may have to be found for school crossing patrols and bus subsidies in the city if the proposed cuts go ahead.

It comes after a majority of councillors on the county council’s economy, transport and environment select committee voted last week to support the proposed cuts, which could see the cash for crossing patrols lost completely, along with funds for a raft of other services.

Cllr Tod, who voted to reject the cuts, said: “Some areas were explicitly selected to be picked up by parish councils, one of those was school crossing patrols, another was bus subsidies.”

The forum represents the wards in the city that do not have a parish council, and would therefore be responsible for footing the bill if parish councils had to fund crossing patrols and bus subsidies.

While discussing the forum’s budget, during which councillors also raised the possibility of installing more flashing speed signs to slow drivers down, Cllr Eileen Berry argued that the forum should be living within its means.

Cllr Berry said: “We have to be so cautious. You have to remember when you open that door there are so many who want it. You can’t do it all, we have not got the money.”

As previously reported, the county council proposed to save £19m to plug a £140 million shortfall by April 2019.

Following months of public consultation, officers at the council suggested saving the money through slashing funding for services including school crossing patrols (£1.2m), subsidised bus services and community transport (£4m), and closing up to half of the county’s household waste recycling centres and amending the hours of the rest (£1.2m).

The proposals will be put to the county council’s cabinet on Monday, October 16.

, with a final decision being made on November 2. Further consultations with residents and stakeholders will then be conducted where necessary.