CRITICISM that Bromsgrove fails to get value for money for the £2.5m allocated to it by Worcestershire County Council to be spent on roads and footpaths is to be investigated.

Councillors, who met for a full meeting of Worcestershire County Council last Thursday, unanimously agreed that a scrutiny task group be set up to look into the matter.

The move follows a motion put forward by among others Labour county councillors Peter McDonald (Beacon), Sean Shannon (Bromsgrove-West) and Glynis Blackmoor (Bromsgrove south) asking for an investigation into the Highways Partnership's performance.

The money, some £2.47m this year, is given to the Highways Partnership in Bromsgrove by the county to spend on small roads projects and maintenance in the district.

The partnership is based in rented offices in the Council House, but is independent of the district authority.

It was set up some years ago to decentralise highway matters away from County Hall, but has recently come in for some sharp criticism from some parish, district and county councillors who claim it is failing to deliver an adequate service.

Lack of communication is one major failing that some district councillors complain of.

After the meeting Councillor McDonald said: "I am delighted. At long last the county has realised it must now listen to the fears and concerns of residents and their representatives with regard to value for money."

County council leader, Cllr Dr George Lord from Marlbrook (Con-Alvechurch) commented: "No one should object to an exercise that looks at whether or not residents are receiving value for money on services."

The task force will consist of about seven county councillors, not all from Bromsgrove.