MEMBERS of Bromsgrove District Council are being kept in the dark and have to read the Advertiser/Messenger to find out what is really happening, the paper can exclusively reveal.

The extraordinary statement was made this week by a disillusioned Tory councillor who has quit the ruling group and mounted a savage attack on the leadership.

He says he has resigned because he can no longer stand by and tolerate the "undemocratic" and "shambolic" way the authority is run.

Cllr Stephen Peters, the member for South Wythall since 1999, will in future attend meetings as an Independent Conservative.

He said he remains loyal to the party and claims other councillors feel the same, but are too scared to stand up and be counted.

In a long list of criticisms, mainly aimed at the style of leadership, Cllr Peters says councillors are kept uninformed, and are held in contempt when daring to question decisions or policy.

"Democracy is dead in Bromsgrove, councillors have to read about what is going on in the Advertiser/Messenger," he said.

Other criticisms are the Tory's hike of council tax, rents and imposition of sheltered accommodation service charges, poor performance leading to criticism by the council's auditors and Best Value inspectors and high staff recruitment when the authority is cash strapped.

Denying there is a major split in his group council leader Cllr Nick Psirides (Con, Norton) said: "I find his comments somewhat nave. Does he really think the leadership makes unpopular decisions unless it absolutely has to?"

He added the rents and service charges issues had been discussed at great length and the majority of members had backed the decision.

Labour group leader Cllr Peter McDonald (Uffdown and Waseley) said he echoed Cllr Peters views adding: "The Tories are failing Bromsgrove people."