Parks and green spaces in Hounslow could slide further into disrepair after councillors approved a £200,000 cut in the annual funding given to leisure managers CIP.

A recent survey of 24 local authorities by the Association for Public Service Excellence found that Hounslow is already bottom of the pile when it comes to spending on the natural environment.

And last week, Coun Adrian Lee, lead member for leisure, reported how the borough's parks and open spaces have suffered from underfunding in the past.

His report added that there had been "an inevitable reduction in the level of service provided in parks within an ever-decreasing budget".

In their Hounslow Plan, one of the Conservatives' main priorities was to "make parks and public spaces beautiful, safeguarding our inheritance for future generations".

Then, at Tuesday's budget setting meeting, Coun Lee spoke in support of a £200,000 cut.

He said: "What we are asking is for CIP to find £200,000 of backroom costs. We are not cutting parks and libraries. What we are trying to get rid of here is the slack."

Deputy Labour leader Coun Ruth Cadbury said: "I don't have a problem with encouraging CIP to increase efficiency ... but this is a panic cut not a planned saving."

Coun Andrew Dakers, leader of Hounslow's Lib Dems, said: "It strikes me as pretty extraordinary that we are looking at taking a further £200,000 out of the organisation."

Coun John Howliston, Lib Dem, said: "I'm not aware of any slack in CIP."