Massive cuts to services are being discussed by Hammersmith and Fulham Council as it prepares to reduce council tax by three per cent in the next financial year.

A leaked document shows a senior management team is considering slashing £400,000 from highways and £250,000 from the borough's play service.

Paddling pools at Bishop's Park in Stevenage Road, Fulham, and Ravenscourt Park in King Street, Hammersmith, could also shut, saving £55,000.

But despite the savings, the papers called FSB/CMT Awayday, dated July 2008, show the Conservative council's budget would still be left with a £3million funding gap.

Hammersmith and Fulham's Conservative leader Stephen Greenhalgh refused to comment about specific proposals, but said: "Curiously it would appear The Chronicle has been given a summary of an officer brainstorming session which includes a whole host of proposals that will never see the light of day.

"We have reduced council tax by cutting red tape and bureaucracy, while investing in things that matter - schools, more police, better parks and a new library."

Another £200,000 might be saved by charging householders for bulky household rubbish collection, while £100,000 could be saved by ending rate relief to charity shops.

The 30-page report reveals two libraries could be axed in 2011, saving an annual total of £145,000. It earmarks Baron's Court Library in North End Road, Fulham, and Sands End Library in Broughton Road, Fulham, for closure, leaving Hammersmith and Fulham with just four libraries.

Ealing, Acton and Shepherd's Bush MP Andrew Slaughter said: "It is inconceivable that cuts like this are considered without the knowledge of cabinet members. If they want to balance their budget then most, if not all, of these savings will have to go ahead. This is the pattern we have become used to, with cuts targeted at children and the most vulnerable in our borough."

June Bennett MBE (pictured), 83, of Bishop's Mansions, Fulham, said: "Who's going to pay for the cuts to council tax? The elderly, the disabled, the mentally ill and people on council estates."