MAJOR projects could be axed as part of a dramatic tightening of the purse strings by Cotswold District Council.

The redevelopment of Cirencester's Corn Hall - including a dual screen cinema - and the town's traffic and environment plan are being re-examined as part of a massive review of authority spending.

The building of a new leisure centre in the town will also come under the spotlight, along with investment in the Corinium Museum.

Council leader Julie Girling, who put the motion to the executive committee last week, says many of the schemes will continue as normal and that the electorate shouldn't panic.

But she admits that some may fall by the wayside as the authority looks at new ways of tackling its financial crisis.

She says changes will also have to be made to the way the council operates.

Cllr Girling said: "I've been a member of the council for four years and a lot of what it does I'm very proud of. But, there have been things it does too slowly, really without enough thought or long-term strategic vision. These are the things we are trying to put in.

"It's more a case of re-examining some of the decisions that were made. Our financial position has changed a lot, mostly because of government action. We're just trying to make sure we're doing the best we can.

"There are many projects which cause a lot of anxiety. It's not a brilliant idea to go back on that but if we have to we will."

The provision of affordable housing is another key topic that will be looked at as part of the review.

The planned £250,000 refurbishment of public toilets in the district, the community projects fund, and the council's E-Government partnership, which will help make services more accessible via the internet, are also set to be re-examined.

The move comes a year after CDC axed £2 million in public services, including the Cotswold Heritage Centre at Northleach.

That decision was taken behind closed doors, but Cllr Girling is determined to keep residents informed of any developments.

She said: "We as Conservatives have a reputation for being prudent with financial issues. Every penny we spend is someone else's money.

"These changes will be what we believe to be in the best interests of the district as a whole.

"We can't carry on as we have been because we haven't got the finances."