MORE than �2m has been slashed off Welwyn Hatfield Council’s budget in the first of four years’ of cutbacks.

Following October’s Comprehensive Spending Review, which saw Welwyn Hatfield become the second worst hit borough in the country, the council made its first steps into reducing its expenses.

A bumper crowd turned up at Thursday’s full council meeting to hear how �2.2m is being chopped off revenue and capital spending for 2011/12 – while council tax is being frozen.

The cuts include Meals on Wheels transferring to Hertfordshire County Council, a review of the Pcso and street warden service and the creche at Hatfield Swimming Pool being removed.

While the council is making cuts, it is still investing in areas including housing and garage stock, leisure and community facilities including a possible development on the Splashlands site, Hatfield town centre and the High View development.

For further coverage and reaction buy his week’s Welwyn Hatfield Times.