COUNCIL offices serving rural communities in South Somerset could be under threat as local authorities face funding cuts.

Information points run by South Somerset District Council in Bruton, Castle Cary, Crewkerne, Ilminster and Somerton could be replaced by a mobile service operating on board a bus, according to one proposal.

District council leader, councillor Tim Carroll, said the community offices were under "active consideratio", although no decision would be taken until a comprehensive spending review of local government is published in October.

The proposal to axe the permanent offices has been submitted to HM Treasury as part of an exercise to gather ideas on public spending. The idea is that a bus could visit towns and villages on a timetable or when demanded.

The district council already operates a bus which attends hundreds of events around south Somerset each year.

A council spokeswoman said it was unlikely the existing bus would be used as an outreach office and more resources would be needed.

Mr Carroll said the council was committed to providing access to council information to people in outlying areas.

He said: "We don't want people to have to make a pilgrimage to Yeovil to find out about planning applications or welfare benefits.

"There is also a benefit to having fixed premises rather than a peripatetic service."

The community offices operate in conjunction with town and parish councils to provide information about council services and accept some payments.

Some of the offices are also used to house surgeries with local councillors and MPs.

Mr Carroll said the council would not withdraw its support for the community offices unilaterally.

He added that another three of the council's offices at the Lace Mill in Chard, Langport and Wincanton were not presently under review.

These larger offices house community development staff and act as hubs for their area.

In the case of Chard, the council office also shares space with the town's library.

Committee meetings of councillors are also held in the Wincanton office.

Mr Carroll said the council remained committed to providing the area hubs to serve large rural areas.

He added that many other ways of saving money were being considered.

"The council has been innovative in working jointly with East Devon District Council to achieve savings before contemplating cuts in services," Mr Carroll said.