SENIOR staff at Wyre Forest District Council are leaving in droves under the new Health Concern administration, according to a Conservative councillor.

Coun Stephen Clee, deputy leader of the Wyre Forest Conservative Group, has called for the leader of Wyre Forest District Council, Liz Davies, to meet with staff and reassure them that their future is safe.

He said he was "saddened" to hear the news that the council's senior planning and enforcement solicitor was leaving the authority.

It follows the recent announcement that the senior committee clerk had handed his notice in, as well as the conservation advisor, two Best Value officers and a licensing solicitor.

"The cost to our local council taxpayers is running into hundreds of thousands of pounds when talented staff like this leave after years of expensive training," said Coun Clee.

"These are terrible losses to the local authority and we will find it extremely difficult to fill their places.

"I would like to see the leader meet with staff in all the directorates and reassure them she is running a smooth ship and that there are no icebergs in sight.

"The leader will have our support if she calms fears and meets with the staff."

Coun Liz Davies took over from Coun Mike Oborski, who had been leader for the past two years, last month.

Health Concern seized power of the council at the local elections last month. The party - which gained 5,832 votes - was formed because of concerns about the future of Kidderminster Hospital, and hit the headlines last year when their parliamentary candidate Dr Richard Taylor was elected MP for the area.