There are calls for a change of administration in control of the county council after years of “salami slicing” of the public sector and a “cycle of decline”, the leader of the opposition said.

It comes as Hampshire County Council faces a recurring gap of £175m for 2025/26.

For a year, the council has been consulting the public on its plan to address the multi-million-pound deficit and generate extra funding through service cuts and changes and the application of new fees in various services.

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The intense cabinet meeting (October 14) was the D-Day to finally give approval, change and reject some of the 13 proposals developed in the county council’s savings plan.

These included the objection to close 12 tips across the county and keep the 17 school crossing patrols, among others.

From now on, the council will focus on generating the extra money it needs through an “innovative”, “commercial”, and “transformative” way since the approval provides a total savings of £84m from the £175m needed.

However, the leader of the opposition, the Lib Dem councillor Keith House, warned that a “desperate” change is needed in the administration since the proposals were “dangerous” to public services for generations and were only “scratching the surface” of the £175m deficit.

Cllr House said: “These proposals in front of cabinet are dangerous to Hampshire people in the coming months, they are dangerous to Hampshire people over time and they are dangerous public services for a generation.

“There are still only amount a modest contribution to the savings your administration needs to find. They are just scratching the surface of the £175 million deficit facing this county council.

“It really does need a new approach. It needs a fresh administration to be fair.”

He added: “We’re in a cycle of spiralling decline and cuts which are irreversible if it isn’t addressed now.”

Cllr House emphasised the need of Hampshire to find solutions through growth rather than cuts, generate income by delivering “more homes on county land”, and generate renewable energy, as they have been calling for more than a decade, yet there is “little progress”.

He said: “Change is desperately needed, so we need investments and growth, not cuts and the 14th year of salami slicing of public services that simply can’t be cut any longer.

“We see the desperate cycle of decline in front of this council today and Hampshire residents’ genuine concerns.

He added: “I’m not critical of any of you as individuals; you’re nice people. You are! But it’s time for change in Hampshire. After 14 years of this cycle of decline, we need a new approach. […] Public services have come first. The people of Hampshire have to come first. Otherwise, we are just in this continued cycle of decline.”