LAST week, the Government announced next year's grant for local councils and Worcestershire County Council is set to receive a large increase.

This is good news for schools that last year faced unexpectedly difficult budget pressures.

The Government has listened to the calls of headteachers for more resources. Now it is up to the county council to pass that money onto schools.

The cash rise this year is 6.4 per cent and is one of the biggest increases in the country and it has narrowed the famous funding gap substantially.

In total, the Government grant to local authorities has increased by 29 per cent since 1997 compared to cuts in the last four years of Conservative rule.

I will continue to support and vote for extra resources for our schools.

It is a shame the Conservative's record of opposing this investment is not challenged more often along with their plans to take much needed money out of our schools to get a few children into private education.

You would think sometimes that under a Conservative Government, schools would end up in a better financial position than now.

I am afraid their record and their policies are against them.

I was unhappy to learn of plans by the county council to move the taxi rank from Unicorn Hill to Bates Hill in the town centre.

This move will help no one and is a step backwards.

The current rank is in a well-lit location, there is a broad footpath alongside it and it is on the main thoroughfare for pedestrians.

None of these points can be made about Bates Hill.

I hope the county council changes this decision.

It's nearly as bad an idea as the road markings fiasco earlier in the year.