Two of the three community safety wardens roles for Hart District Council could be axed because external funding has dried up, councillors heard.

Caroline Ryan, community safety manager at the council, told the latest overview and scrutiny committee that funding for only one role came from the council’s own funds, and the rest of the money was not guaranteed. 

Funds for the two at-risk warden roles used to be given directly to Hart District Council from central government, but now funds are being distributed by Hampshire County Council.

Cllr Tim Davies, Conservative ward member for Fleet West, said: “There has been a reduction in the money going to Hampshire and a reduction in the percentage that they are redistributing to Hart.

“The combination of what’s happening at county level and what’s happening nationally is we are getting more than a 50% cut in funding.”

Councillors also heard that Hart is likely to be given less money in the future from Hampshire County Council because Hampshire will be sending funds to areas where there is more crime.

Cllr Viv Street, Liberal Democrat member for Frogmore and Darby Green, said: “I feel we ought to say with the outmost realistic outlook that at some point we’re going to have to cut our cloth accordingly and it’s not going to be very nice.”

The wardens act as the eyes and ears of the community, helping to reduce crime and disorder and the fear of crime.

They also work to improve community spirit, community safety and responsible citizenship by giving presentations to local schools and community groups about their role.

Their uniform consists of black trousers and a white polo shirt with either a maroon fleece bearing the “Safer Hart” logo or a jacket with “Community Warden” on the back.

Cllr Denis Gotel, independent ward member for Fleet Central, said he thought that Hampshire Constabulary, under its new chief constable Alex Marshall, would continue to make community safety a priority. 

Cllr James Radley, Community Campaign Hart, said that Hart’s beat officers and PCSOs did a very good job, but that they couldn’t be expected to fill in for the safety wardens.

The ward member for Church Crookham East said: “What we do with community safety supports what the police do.

“They work in conjunction and I wouldn’t wish to be seen to be complacent and lessen our hold on community safety. I don’t think we can expect the police to take up where we left off.”

Cllr Stephen Gorys, the portfolio holder for people and partnerships and the deputy leader of Hart District Council, said the threat to Hart’s community safety scheme was “serious”.

He said funds would have to be spent in the wisest way.

Cllr Gorys added: “We all feel that community safety is important, the public certainly do, and we’re working hard in the background to alleviate some of the costs. We’re going to have to cut our cloth accordingly, but we’re going to have to be very clear about what we can do and what we can’t do.”