West Worcestershire Liberal Democrats

In his keynote speech to the Liberal Democrat Conference, Party Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has outlined his goals for the Government and the country over the coming years. He reiterated his commitment to liberal values on the environment and human rights and his determination to ensure a fair chance for every child, saying "every child can do good things, great things, if only we give them the opportunities they deserve."

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THE worst-case scenario has befallen Worcestershire County Council, meaning hundreds more jobs are likely to be lost at County Hall as chiefs seek to cut a whopping £40 million from next year's budget.

LEADER: Adrian Hardman CUTS: Worcestershire council leader Adrian Hardman

The Connexions careers service and other activities for young people are at further risk of reductions and redundancies because the Government has put a stop to about £20 million of specific grants, many of which are thought to have an impact on children's services.

COUNCIL taxpayers in rural areas will see rising charges for some services as Government cuts come sooner than expected.

Rigged bids could have hit taxpayers Rural taxpayers face rise in charges

The cost of garden waste bins in Wychavon looks set to go up (it is currently £32 per year) and other charges will rise as all the county's councils digest news of cuts to their government grant.

MALVERN Hills District Council says it is counting the cost of one of the harshest government financial settlements in the country.

Council leaders are set to hold urgent talks with the government in London next week after being hit with a 26.9 per cent funding cut - about £1.2 million -over the next two years.

ST Anne's Well Cafe tenant John Redman has been offered a new lease on the building by its owners, Malvern Hills Conservators. The offer marks the end of a dispute between the Conservators and Mr Redman which has been going on for 14 months.

Following his election in October as the board's new chairman, Cllr Clive Smith reopened direct negotiations with Mr Redman. Speaking this week to the Malvern Gazette, Cllr Smith said: "This was a situation I felt had been going on far too long, and it was time to resolve it."

St Anne's Well Cafe tenant John Redman has been offered a new lease on the building by its owners, Malvern Hills Conservators.

The offer marks the end of a dispute between the Conservators and Mr Redman which has been going on for some 14 months.

Mr Redman said this week that he is still in negotiation with the Conservators, but, all being well, he hopes the lease will be signed within the next few days.

WORCESTERSHIRE County Council is not doing enough to safeguard young people, an Ofsted report has found.

The authority is one of 12 councils across England that has been condemned by the watchdog for its children's services department not meeting minimum requirements.

In an annual assessment, published today, it was rated as performing poorly and not fulfilling its duties to safeguarding services and looked after children services.

An Ofsted report has found that Worcestershire County Council is not doing enough to safeguard young people. The authority is one of 12 councils across England that has been condemned by the watchdog for its children's services department not meeting minimum requirements. In an annual assessment, published today, it was rated as performing poorly and not fulfilling its duties to safeguarding services and looked after children services.

The Malvern Gazette has reported that a decision will be made next week on how Wychavon will be governed in the future.

Councillors will agree to adopt one of two new leader models at a special meeting next Tuesday in response to orders from central government.

A public consultation on the matter ended on Friday and of 38 respondents, 23 were in favour of a strong leader who would be elected by the council at its first annual meeting after the 2011 elections to hold office for four years.