THE city council has revealed its vision for the future of Worcester - but it is being forced to reduce management costs as it battles to stay within its budget.

Council leader Stephen Inman said the plans would allow the Conservatives to make their mark on the city and would help with the renaissance of Worcester.

The proposals include submitting a Heritage Lottery Fund bid for improvements to the Guildhall, and developing a city centre community centre.

There are also plans to move council staff out of Marmion House in Copenhagen Street and into Orchard House in Farrier Street to reduce costs.

However, he admitted a lot of the proposals set out in the Best Value Performance Plan depended on the success of bids for extra funding.

He also said the council had to choose priority areas because of financial constraints.

The Conservative-run council has chosen five key priorities, summed up in a new slogan, "Making Worcester a great place to live, work and visit".

It is looking to step up its recycling efforts and improve street cleaning, as well as regenerating the riverside and making the city more tourist-friendly.

It is keen to provide a greater range of evening entertainment, and to improve council tax and business rates collection.

But Coun Inman said changes to the management structure were already under way, which aimed to save £100,000 this year and more than £170,000 in 2004-5.

Chief executive David Wareing has taken on the extra role of director of community services following the early retirement of Tony Audas, and director of corporate services Philip Betts is now also deputy chief executive.

The council needs to save £1.3m this year, followed by £750,000 next year.

"We're in a stronger position than we have been in previous years," said Coun Inman.

"With the adoption of our new vision for the city, we know where we're going and what we're hoping to achieve.

"We have a duty to our citizens and our intention is to fulfil that duty to the best of our abilities and within the constraints of the available budget."

But Labour Group Leader Coun Adrian Gregson said the new plan was budget-driven rather than strategy-driven.

He also pointed out that the council only hit half its performance targets last year.

"A lot of what they are doing is haphazard," he said. "It's a plan, but there's nothing exciting or dramatic in it for the city."

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