BATTLE lines are being drawn over a new five-year blueprint for Worcester - with councillors in dispute over what it should contain.

Worcester City Council's Conservative leadership is working towards the final publication of its Corporate Plan, which will guide all spending decisions up to 2020.

As your Worcester News revealed in December it includes extra resources towards improving the city's heritage offer, such as a £200,000 Commandery revamp, more cash towards the riverside, fresh resurfacing in the city centre and no cuts to keeping litter off the streets.

The contents were debated during a meeting at the Guildhall, where opposition councillors criticised the focus.

Councillor Liz Smith, a Liberal Democrat, said: "There should be something in there about trying to tackle congestion.

"I also think our neighbourhood centres are really suffering at the moment, a lot of people who go into the city centre have to drive past these places and this plan leaves them out - it's too focused on the city centre."

Labour Councillor Paul Denham said: "When I think of people in disadvantaged areas of Worcester, I do question what's in this for them.

"There's nothing in this plan about health, nothing in there about housing, I see there's also no mention of a new football ground for Worcester City." Other members of the performance, management and budget scrutiny committee said they wanted more focus on the environment.

Councillor Lynn Denham said: "The Labour focus was all about 'no community left behind' and it's disappointing that this appears to have been ditched, put to one side and no longer regarded as important.

"Yes, tourism and culture is important but there is nothing about sustainability, affordable homes, improving congestion."

The Tory administration, which has published the Corporate Plan in draft form, says it will listen to the feedback.

Councillor Simon Geraghty, the leader, said: "We'll not always agree but this is all about listening to the comments - I have always said I welcome constructive criticism.

"And just because things are not mentioned in this plan doesn't mean we don't value it - if we make absolutely everything a priority, then nothing is."

The strapline being used for marketing purposes is 'proud of our past, focused on our future'.