PLANS to cut Hampshire’s budget for the environment and transport will be decided upon later this month.

Councillor Mel Kendal, executive member for environment and transport for Hampshire County Council, will decide on the two per cent cut at his decision day on Tuesday, January 22.

The budget currently stands at nearly £110million.

A statement from the county council said the savings will include £660,000 on improving administrative procedures, such as sharing depots for council and contractor highways staff, and “streamlining back office systems”.

A further £300,000 will be saved by renegotiating the energy supply contract for street lighting.

The statement said support for concessionary fares would continue, but warned the scheme would come under pressure in future years because of the county’s ageing population.

It added: “There are no planned reductions to the £5.1million subsidies the county council pays bus operators to run services that are not commercially viable.

“Public and community transport services are expected to come under increased pressure due to rising fuel costs and reduced public sector funding, leading to changes in the availability to public transport services.”

The meeting will take place at 2pm in Winchester.