COUNCIL bosses have stressed they must get "value for money" amid criticism over how a plan to bring all workers together on a single site is being handled.

A special meeting of Wyre Forest District Council ruled out the option of bringing six scattered bases together in a converted former factory in Green Street, Kidderminster, in favour of investigating other options.

Both the Labour and Liberal groups have hit out at the ruling Health Concern administration for the delay in failing to come up with a firm plan.

The council is looking to relocate employees into new offices out of existing poor quality accommodation, where there are health and safety and access problems, and to provide members of the public with better access and services.

A single site in Kidderminster or Stourport would bring together up to 400 office workers - but this will not be at a base in Green Street which has been refurbished by developer Morbaine.

Liberal councillor Fran Oborski slammed this decision as "total folly".

"The council is rejecting the only option which guarantees the ability to relocate quickly and at no financial risk into a building which already exists."

She added the move had been made a priority issue in February but the council was now "blundering around in the dark".

Council leader Liz Davies said the Green Street building would be unsuitable to house the employees.

Labour group leader Jamie Shaw backed this verdict but echoed Mrs Oborski's criticism, claiming the council's executive had been "too timid" to take a lead on the move, preferring to look at other options.

A motion to narrow the choice down to the Stourport Civic Centre or rationalising existing buildings was defeated. Mr Shaw said the council had now made little progress on the issue since 1999.

Mrs Davies said the move had been on the cards for 20 years, and the executive would now look at the feasibility of all the other options.

"We need to have a clear and informed discussion about the issues and benefits of any move or rationalisation and I intend to see that the options are properly evaluated against the criteria already approved by the council.

"I am also very keen to see that the public will receive value for money whatever option is chosen."