SIR - What is Worcester's future? A one per cent grant settlement from the Government, plus only half per cent for the following two years shows that something is wrong.
Since inflation is much more than this it represents a cut in funding. Even to maintain local services is difficult when faced with this inadequate settlement.
The bus pass situation is especially perverse. The Government gives a fixed, inadequate sum at the start of the year. The cost to the council and Worcester taxpayers is an open-ended cheque.
We pay for every journey, but cannot present a bill for the actual number of journeys made to the Government at the end of the year.
Worcester City Council has cut senior officer posts, concentrated staff into one office complex at a saving of £400,000 and runs a lean administration, with legal and committee costs the lowest of any of the Worcestershire district councils. We are always looking at ways to be more efficient. The way forward to securing the long-term future of local services will be tough, but we should at least try.
FRANCIS LANKESTER, Worcester city councillor.
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