SUCCESSFUL efforts to tackle homelessness in Winchester are under threat from severe cutbacks by Hampshire County Council, a meeting heard.

Winchester city councillors heard that the county is poised to slash parts of its adult social care budget.

The overview and scrutiny committee heard on Monday that rough sleeping in Winchester in places such as car parks had dropped from 14 at Christmas to two although it was again beginning to climb up to five.

Committee chairman Simon Cook said the city council was doing well in tackling the issue: “It is a bit of good news for a change.”

Labour group leader Cllr Chris Pines said: “A first-class job is being done."

But the committee heard that the good work was in danger from Hampshire redistributing its funding across the county.

Winchester has historically got a bigger slice than many other towns because of its services such as the Nightshelter and the Trinity Centre.

Cllr Martin Tod, who also is a county councillor, said: “There will be increased pressure. Funding this year went up from £21 million to £24 million. But this year it will drop to £14 million, an absolutely massive cut and will impact on the most vulnerable people in Hampshire. I’m so concerned about what the implications are.”

Cllr Pines said improvement needed to be made with the probation service, the courts and health agencies.