The leader of Hampshire County Council has issued an update on the council’s finances after 14,000 responded to a consultation to help make council savings.

From areas such as household waste recycling centres, streetlights to library stocks and road maintenance, this autumn will see key decisions made on the future of HCC services.

The council will hold seven Select Committee meetings this month to scrutinise proposals developed off the back of the Future Services Consultation held at the start of the year.

More than 14,400 people responded to the consultation which asked for the public’s views on 13 options to change and reduce some local services to help make savings towards an annual £132 million budget shortfall.

At each committee, councillors from across political parties will examine the consultation results and savings recommendations.

It’ll then be for the County Council’s Cabinet to carefully consider the officers’ recommendations and come up with a collective final decision on October 14.

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Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Nick Adams-King said: “This autumn is a pivotal point for the County Council, as like many local authorities nationally, our budgets are under huge strain.

“We remain resolute in our firm commitment to the delivery of vital social care services such as safeguarding vulnerable children from harm, abuse, and neglect; providing school transport for children with disabilities and additional needs; and supporting older people and adults with complex care needs and disabilities.

“I wish to thank Hampshire residents for having provided their feedback on potential ways to make some of the overall savings, and I would like to assure people that we have heard very clearly, their comments and concerns.

“In our challenging financial position, I understand why officers are making the recommendations in the reports but I wish to emphasise that the proposals are just recommendations at this stage.”

The Select Committee and Cabinet meetings will be held at Hampshire County Council’s headquarters building, Elizabeth II Court in Winchester.