DISTRICT councillors must set aside party differences and work together if major problems facing the failing authority are to be overcome.

That's one of the chief priorities for Bromsgrove District Council set out in a hard-hitting letter from Phil Hope MP. The letter was sent to members of the council delegation who visited him in November.

Mr Hope, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for among other portfolios local government, is overseeing the authority's recovery plan, which has been submitted to the government for approval. Earlier this year the council, realising it needed outside guidance to get back on track, called on the government for help.

At the government's insistence, details of the meeting are secret and have not been disclosed to councillors. But we can exclusively reveal details of a number of key action points.

As a priority, Mr Hope stresses the council's poor record in financial planning, management and says reporting progress back to councillors must be addressed.

Another high priority is to improve working relationships between members of different parties and members and officers. This, Mr Hope says, is essential if the recovery plan is to succeed.

"What is in the interests of the council and the people of Bromsgrove must be put before political differences," he stresses.

He concludes by saying he is concerned that everyone should play their part in delivering improvement in Bromsgrove.

Council leader Dennis Norton (Con-St John's) was asked for a comment but had not responded by the time we went to press.