LABOUR councillor John Buckley attempts to get the previous Labour Council and present Labour Government off the hook for Worcester's serious budget position. But it won't wash. These are the facts.

First, Worcester has never been run by an Independent-Conservative administration. Personally, I believe it would have been better for Worcester if the Independents had signed a deal with one of the main parties. But they decided to remain totally independent. We have had a hung council, and, since May, a narrow Conservative majority.

Secondly, it is an incontrovertible fact that the Government has effectively cut its grant for Worcester over the last two years. It expects council spending to grow by 6 per cent a year, but last year gave Worcester 3 per cent more money; only 2 per cent this year. That represents a cut in real terms.

Thirdly, what really destroys Coun Buckley's argument totally is the Medium Term Financial Plan - adopted in the last year of Labour control. In this, the then Labour Council acknowledged that there would be a £600,000 deficit by this year. The problem was caused by running down the reserves. The District Auditor warns that this cannot continue.

The problem has been made worse by items acknowledged even by the Corporate Services P&R Committee, which has a Labour chairman, as unforeseen.

Yet despite this financial legacy from the Labour Council and Government, this Conservative Council has worked hard to keep its promises.

- £24,000 put into bulky waste disposal (a service Labour cut out).

- £80,000 extra on street cleansing.

- Increased spending on tourism promotion and economic regeneration to increase Worcester's prosperity.

There is tough action to take. But at least the Conservatives are doing it after years of Labour inaction.

COUNCILLOR FRANCIS LANKESTER, Worcester.