Whilst election day temperature had reached fever pitch, the Conservative District Cabinet had to refocus its attention back to the affairs of the district, as it held a meeting at 6pm last night.

The former leader of the Council who was lost his district seat in 2004, and county seat in 2005, states that the tories are pushing ahead with a new district office, that will cost the tax payer tens of millions.  He states that the adminstration will have to borrow.  This is not the case.  That may be the way that the Health Concern administration did busniess, but it certainly is not the way we do buisness.

We want to see the District Council look at its six ineffecient offices, and see what FINANCIAL SAVING can be made from moving to one office.  The cost of building this single office WILL BE MET from existing resources.

Before mis-leading the good people of Wyre Forest, the former leader of the council should check his facts, but purhaps that is why he is the former leader of the council........

All three Liberal councillors were absent.  Only one (Peter Dyke) had bothered to send his apologies.  There must have been something more important on elsewhere ........ a more cynical person than myself would think that there was a by election on somewhere.

I say that it is just not good enough! The Council Diary is set back in June for the whole year.  If you cant make it, send your apologies and arrange a Sub.  Councillors not turning up could mean that meetings cant take place, wasting officers and members time.

Rant over.

Now that the work is started you can start to see how the Hub will function.  It is pleasing to see a building with such a long history be brought back into the function it was orginally built for, serving the people of Kidderminster!

We are campaigning on local issues, and what John Aston can do for the electorate, working with the Conservative Adminstration at the District and County Councils.  John Aston is a resident of the ward, and has been so for a long time.  The only other candidate to live in the ward is the Labour Candidate, you can read into that what you want!  John doesnt need to learn the local issues, as he lives them every day of his life.

It is good to be able to stand on the door step and tell local people that the Conservatives are working for them on the District Council, delivering The Lowest EVER Council tax increase, Multi screen cinema, more car parking, economic regeneration across the district, all whilst getting the councils spending under control.

This is quite confusing as the local Liberals always seem to pointing out that the Lib Dems are an ineffective voice on the District Council, when they vote at all.  It just goes to show that when it comes down to it, there is not much between the two parties.  At least when you vote Conservative, you know what you are voting for!

The resignation is un-timely as he would have been up for re-election next May.  His early resignation is likely to cost the people of Bewdley approx £2000 to hold a By Election to fill his seat (Bewdley EAST ward).  I would have thought that the Towns Tax payer had better things to do with this money.

Just imagine how good they will be when they are installed in the new state of the art Hub being built in the Town Hall.

The Labour Govt is commited to seeing forces with a minumum of 4000 officer or 6000 total staff (West Mercia has 2400 Officers and 1600 civilian staff).  I dont see the immediate advantages to the local communities, or the Council Tax payer that funds the service.  The changes are designed to promote efficency and improve the way in which higher level organised crime is dealt with.

My personal opinion is that as West Mercia is a high performing force, with a low spend, it doesnt need too much tinkering.  I believe that the Govt aspirations can be achieved by closer colaboration with our neigbours, not throwing the baby out with the bath water!

I wish John all the success...........................