HUNTINGDONSHIRE District Council could cut funding to town and parish councils in a bid to save £2.6million in five years.

HDC had plugged a funding gap for town and parish councils following changes in the way Council Tax benefit is distributed.

Grants totalling £357,000 were made by HDC with Huntingdon and St Neots receiving more than £80,000 each and St Ives about £46,000.

But the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review last month requires county and district councils to cut budgets by a further 10 per cent and HDC is looking at a number of measures to save money.

As reported by The Hunts Post previously, HDC is working on a scheme to share its CCTV control room with Cambridge City Council, which would save the authorities a combined £200,000 per year, catering services will be reviewed and more people will be encouraged to use web services provide by HDC.

A spokesman said the council was also exploring schemes relating to income generation, partnership working and saving money by re-structuring – detailed discussions with staff would begin in the coming months.

HDC may also look to sell technical expertise and market its design and print service.