FEARS are growing about the consequences of major cuts to a kitty for drug addicts, the homeless and domestic abuse victims - with councillors calling for a reprieve.

As your Worcester News first revealed in July, a £26.5 million Public Health fund is being slashed 12 per cent in the austerity drive.

The reduction has already led to Worcestershire County Council raiding its reserve money - cash stashed away for a rainy day - to keep a raft of contracts with outside providers intact.

But talks are now taking place about what happens from April when the new financial year starts and the cuts are expected to kick in.

County Hall's overview, scrutiny and performance board has met up to discuss the impact.

Lib Dem Councillor Tom Wells said: "It would be wrong of me not to express concern at the way so many useful, preventative services in key areas like obesity and mental health face these cuts.

"There is an inevitability about this and it's difficult to see the areas where we can make these savings.

"When you at where the cuts will fall it worries me, there is a contradiction between what we're having to do and what we are trying to achieve in terms of public health.

"The irony is I think this will cost us more in the long-term, we'll make short term savings but end up spending more dealing with these issues."

Labour Councillor Chris Bloore said: "In-year cuts are deeply unhelpful and the (Conservative) cabinet members and director were right to use reserves now so the reductions were not passed on to providers.

"But let's be clear, there will be quite a significant impact from these decisions."

Tory Councillor Liz Eyre added: "With the use of reserves, there was no other option because some of these areas are so complex."

The overall savings required are around £3.3 million, and the early proposals include spending £463,000 less on domestic abuse support, £100,000 off community safety work which goes to the police, £95,000 off homelessness services and £960,000 from mental health.

The £4.3 million spent on drug and alcohol services faces a 10 per cent cut, as does the £1.1 million sunk into housing advice for the vulnerable.

Sexual health, obesity, school nursing and child development services also face reductions.

* See what we said about this in the summer HERE.