CHANGES to Bromsgrove District Council's constitution, which will in future enable some important decisions to be taken by just a handful of councillors, have been branded as undemocratic by the leader of one opposition group.

Some of the changes involving delegating responsibilities were approved at a meeting of the full council on July 18. But they have angered leader of the Independent group Councillor Nick Psirides (Norton).

He said fees and charges, such as those at the Dolphin Centre, will in future be set by the cabinet without other councillors having an input.

And the cabinet alone will decide what capital sums are spent in individual wards irrespective of the views of the ward member.

Regarding golden handshakes for departing high ranking council staff, Cllr Psirides said the amount will now be decided by the cabinet, behind closed doors.

Similarly the choice of representatives at conferences and delegations will be made by the cabinet and not as was previously the case by the chief executive.

Former council leader Cllr Psirides said he is not against measures aimed at speeding up the council's business, but he believes the new measures are undemocratic. "Although some of the changes are routine and needed to be done, some important decisions in future will be taken by just a handful of councillors comprising the cabinet without any consultation with others and without regard for democracy," he said.

But council leader Roger Hollingworth (Con-Alvechurch) dismissed his claims saying things have moved on since Cllr Psirides' time as leader.

"He believes we are still running the council along the lines of the old committee system as he did when he was leader.

"He does not understand new modernisation programmes.

"If he actually listened to what was said in the council chamber he would realise that what he is saying is absolute rubbish."

by Pete Lammas