THE Private Finance Initiative (PFI) has suffered further criticism in the national press and by the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee.

Sadly - to me - the warnings about PFI in the Parliamentary Health Select Committee Report were overshadowed by criticism of evidence against PFI from Professor Allyson Pollock's unit at University College, London.

This academic unit has consistently exposed the shortcomings of PFI and stark disagreement on the Health Committee about the value of this unit's work attracted the attention of the press more than the warnings about the calculations of risk transfer and the public sector comparator which together led to the decision about value for money.

The deputy comptroller of the National Audit Office has recently described some public sector comparators as "pseudo-scientific mumbo-jumbo" and others as "complete rubbish".

It is extremely sad that academics who argue against a Government sacred cow risk being condemned as having lost their objectivity.

At home, the most exciting news has been that the incinerator appeal has been rejected.

The contractors have six weeks to appeal against this decision.

Such an appeal would be heard in the High Court and would only consider points of law.

The county council chief executive is taking advice on who would be responsible for the costs of such an appeal.

We must hope that sense will prevail and that the decision will be allowed to remain unchallenged.

I have had a very useful meeting with the primary care trust chief executive and lead GP and I am pleased to say they are on the same side as the rest of us in recognising the overstretched condition and inaccessibility of hospital services in the county.

They aim to develop services at Kidderminster, but understandably this has to be a slow, cautious process.

I enjoyed the Bewdley Museum 30th birthday party and was pleased to hear of the plans to try to ensure its future.

It has recently won a prestigious award for the quality of education it provides.

Its recognition as a unique local resource is timely and underlines that its preservation is essential to all of us and crucial as an attraction to our area for tourists and school children.

Trimpley Church Fete was held on a gorgeous afternoon and attracted hundreds of people to watch traditional maypole dancing and sports and to spend their money on white elephants, plants and cakes.

The putting competition produced free spending among keen competitors for the adult and the children's prizes.