SAVAGE cuts to public services in Gloucestershire were finalised and voted through by members of the county council today.

Proceedings at the council meeting this morning did not go smoothly, with heckles, jeers and one member of the public ejected from the building after shouting at leader of the council Mark Hawthorne.

Anti cuts campaigner James Beecher questioned cabinet members on their budget asking why the Conservative administration had not decided to use money from reserves.

He said: "Can you confirm this budget has nothing to do with the needs of Gloucestershire people, but is instead about Tory policy?"

Cllr Hawthorne suggested he listen to the debate because his understanding of council finances was "not too sharp", at which Mr Beecher retorted "I am intelligent I am a PHD student."

Cllr Hawthorne replied: "A PHD does not give you the qualifications to understand what this council needs to do."

Despite repeated interruptions and disagreement from opposition councillors the budget, which will reduce spending by £108 million over four years, was approved.

It will see council tax frozen at its current rate. However cuts will be made to libraries, day centres, public transport, council jobs and youth centres.

Cllr Hawthorne said he believed it was his duty to focus funding on the 26,000 elderly residents in care, the 11,000 disabled adults and 5,000 vulnerable children in the county.

He said the budget included radical changes to policy, but was a "budget fair for all."

A decision on the Dursley Training Unit, which was earmarked for closure in the budget, will be made in March.

For more on the council budget see next week’s Gazette.