POLITICAL rivals in Worcester have joined forces to stage talks on how to get better Government funding for the Faithful City.

Councillor Simon Geraghty, the Tory leader of Worcester City Council, and Labour MP Mike Foster sat down to discuss the issue recently.

Both of them want the city to get a bigger bonus grant' from the Government next year, after it received £84,000 this year.

As the Worcester News reported in February, the council was granted the unexpected money to spend on whatever it wants.

The money is based on the growth of the local economy and can vary between councils - Wychavon District Council received £921,000.

Both parties want the Faithful City to receive a bigger bonus grant next year.

The meeting also brought together various other Guildhall chiefs, such as Labour leader Coun Adrian Gregson and the council's deputy leader Coun Barry Mackenzie-Williams, as well as chief executive David Wareing.

Mr Foster said a "united approach" could result in more Government cash being handed to the Guildhall. He said: "Now the local elections are over, it was important that we met on a cross-party basis to see how Worcester can maximise the growth of the local economy.

"I believe the cross-party meeting, chaired by the chief executive, gave the priority that is needed to this matter.

"If our local economy grows, local people will have more jobs and the council will receive a larger grant to spend on local priorities.

"I believe a united approach by all of those involved in promoting Worcester could deliver a huge financial boost to the council. We agreed a series of actions that could help us in both the short-term and longer term."

Coun Geraghty said: "It was quite productive. It allowed us to look at long-term opportunities, and how we can lobby the Government in the future. I always said, back when I became leader, that I was up for doing things in a cross-party manner."

The £84,000 bonus grant the city council received in February has yet to be spent.

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