THE deputy leader of Worcestershire County Council has defended the latest budget - proposals - saying they are "not just stopping doing things".

Cllr Anthony Blagg has pointed to other local authorities making huge cuts to services around Britain and insists County Hall is far better placed.

He has also appealed to the public to help shape the final plan, saying he wants people from all walks of life to get across their views before it is voted on.

As the Worcester News has revealed in recent weeks, the 2017/18 budget includes a 2.94 per cent council tax rise which would kick in from April.

But it still requires almost £3 million to be found in new savings, despite more than £26 million already being identified.

The budget includes several 'big ticket' spending items like £6 million for pavements, £2 million on town centre upgrades and £5 million on easing congestion pinch-points, with Cllr Blagg calling it "a development budget".

"When you look around other parts of the country, and you see people wanting to shut 12 out of 14 libraries and seriously curtail an awful lot of other services, plus putting up their council tax - we are not in that position," he said.

"We've managed the economy as well as we could over a number of years, and through lots of constraints.

"As the leader (Cllr Simon Geraghty) says, we're increasing our income base to become more self-sufficient, and we're in a position where we can put more money into adult social care, but also into the towns and infrastructure of this county.

"We are not just stopping doing things."

He added: "I'd welcome members of the public, businesses, parishes and anybody else who wishes to give us their views to take part in the consultation.

"We see ourselves as a 'value for money' authority but we don't have all the answers, and will listen to any positive comments wherever they come from."

The comments come amid criticism from the opposition Labour group that areas like libraries have been squeezed badly, despite none of them closing.

Back in the summer the leadership published controversial proposals to shave 78.5 hours off library opening hours, but rocked back on it and ending up reducing it by 55 instead - with 17 sites being affected.

Cllr Peter McDonald, Labour group leader, said: "They say services are just fine but we know it's a load of nonsense."

A 2.9 per cent council tax rise, due to be voted on in February, would add at least £33 a year to the typical band D bill with two thirds of the money - £4 million - used to prop up adult social care.