THE leader of Worcester City Council has shrugged off claims "profit is being put before community" - and has described the launch of Labour's election manifesto as "wafer thin".

Councillor Simon Geraghty has come under criticism in recent weeks over the Conservative bid to outsource key council functions like bin collections and park maintenance to the private sector.

The move, aimed at saving £500,000 a year, would see 120 jobs transferred over to one or more private operators from 2017.

Labour's recent release of its 2015 election manifesto has again highlighted the issue, with the party accusing the Conservatives of being "irresponsible".

But Councillor Geraghty has taken a swipe at the opposition, saying their blueprint left him "underwhelmed".

"The manifesto from Labour reveals to me what they're not offering, rather than what they are offering," he said.

"I would describe it as wafer thin, it leaves you underwhelmed.

"This city council can never forget its core responsibilities and I see nothing on council tax, nothing on car parking charges, so I can only assume under Labour they would go up.

"We are less focused on this distinction of who provides services because actually, our job is to get best value and hold those providers to account.

"It's about what service is provided to the public, not who offers it - overall, they've produced a list of statements rather than an actual plan for office."

The Labour group has called for the city's profile to be raised.

Its manifesto calls for a new tourism plan, protection of street lights in high crime areas, support for a City of Culture bid, the relocation of Croft Road lorry car park away from the riverside, work to address fuel poverty and a focus on more affordable homes.

The party's manifesto release says the Tory leadership has "hatched plans to privatise" too many key services.

Councillor Adrian Gregson, group leader, insists the Conservatives are taking a "backward step" and "putting profit before community need".

He added: "There are no reliable figures to make savings, no long term plan, no ‘plan B’.

"Frankly it is a return to the irresponsible budget management which we had halted in 2013."