MORE improvements are being shown in the finances of Worcester city council - with the budget on track to end up £129,000 over expectations.

Bosses at the cash-strapped authority, who have warned cuts of up to £4.1 million could be made by 2019, are benefitting from an ever-improving economy.

One of the top directors in charge of finance has shrugged off claims the council is doing things "ad hoc" by insisting it is trying to make savings earlier than expected to avoid making harsher decisions at a later date.

A new report has revealed how the council is leaving more and more vacancies open for longer and not filling posts once people leave, to avoid chopping staff.

It states that on current trends, by March 2015 the wage bill could end up £140,000 'under budget'.

In the first three months of this financial year, which began in March, the finances show a £33,000 surplus, and is forecast to reach £129,000 by next spring.

Although planning control fees are £8,000 down, sports centre income is up £2,000 and trade waste revenue, money from collecting rubbish for private firms, is up £41,000.

The trade waste figure comes despite severe competition from several private companies who are also bidding for customers.

Planning application fees are break-even, with the senior management saying they are pleased with the progress.

Councillor Richard Boorn, Labour's finance spokesman, said he believed it was too risky to use the surplus money to fund the costs of the ongoing 'transformation plan' at the Guildhall.

The council is batting with reducing Government grants and has drawn up the four-year plan to try and address further predicted falls in support.

Making a direct link between the two, Cllr Boorn said: "It seems very ad hoc that we rely on a surplus to me.

"To be blunt, we may as well nip down the bookies, put some money on a horse and hope that comes up."

His criticism, made during a meeting of the performance, management and budget scrutiny committee, was rejected by council bosses.

Corporate resources director Lesley Meagher said: "The cycle we are in means that we are looking to make savings year on year.

"We know we need to take steps early to be ready - for the last few years we have underspent every year due to making an early implementation of our savings plans."