VOLUNTARY groups and the library in Matson could be threatened by budget cuts, it was claimed last night.

Councillor Steve McHale, Labour group leader of Gloucestershire County Council, is concerned recently announced £10 million savings will have a detrimental effect on Matson.

The budget cuts were announced in the county council's budget on February 24.

He said: "I am really worried about Matson and the services here.

"The council say there will be £10m efficiency savings, but isn't that a £10m cut in services?

"One of the problems I have got is I don't know where the cuts are going to be.

"I fear for the voluntary groups and also the library in Matson, which is always under threat."

He added more clarity was needed on what the efficiency savings were and how they would be made.

"I think this is a smoke screen until after the General Election," he said.

"I want the council to identify where they are going to be making these savings.

"I fear for Matson, being a deprived area, but this goes right across the county in all areas. We need to know what services are at risk from these savings."

He added that his group had voted against the budget. "We voted against it because it lacked imagination," he said. "We need more clarity."

A spokeswoman for the county council said: "The budget includes plans to cut costs and increase efficiencies across the council.

"Despite this, there is extra spending to help protect vulnerable children and adults," she said.

Councillor Barry Dare, leader of Gloucestershire County Council, moved to allay fears surrounding services being cut.

He said: "We haven't proposed any service cuts.

"We've proposed to save £60m by working more efficiently.

"What Councillor McHale is saying is that Labour would rather the council waste money and put up tax, than work efficiently and save people money.

"People in this county were sick of Labour waste on this council –which is why Mr McHale's party was kicked out in 2005.

"People are sick of Labour waste in this country."