Conservative Group Leader, Cllr. Marcus Hart says, “We will be looking very carefully at the Progressive Alliance’s proposals when they say ‘Ambitious Plans to close the gap’. It looks clearly like a plan to ‘close more services’. We fully appreciate that Covid 19 has changed local government finances this financial year and will do so next, especially when it comes to income generation but our government have given substantial financial support to plug the gap in the sum of £1.8 million. This is not an insignificant amount. We want to know what this administration’s ambition is post Covid 19.”

Cllr Nathan Desmond  the group’s budget spokesman added, “ When we left office this Council was in a healthy position with over £4.5 million in reserves and a solid plan for transformation and achieving our savings. The position is now that WFDC will run out of money in three years time if action is not taken. We feel that current Administration have drifted for the last 18 months without any direction or purpose and the transformation agenda to achieve greater savings for the council has stalled. Covid has undoubtedly accentuated the financial problem but is not the sole cause and the Progressive Alliance need a detailed plan that doesn’t just include dumping services on to the local Town Councils”

Cllr. Marcus Hart added, “Covid 19 should simply not be an excuse for cuts. There needs to be an ambition for reform and transformation to ensure front line services that our communities value are protected. We will also be looking very carefully at proposals for Wyre Forest House which is a major asset for this Council.”

Group Deputy Leader Ian Hardiman added,  “The Progressive Alliance inherited a very well run Council who promised to deliver so much and now it appears they want to short change our residents and blame it all on Covid 19. We are going to stand up for you and will be playing our full part in the process.”