STRAINED relations between Bromsgrove Council and parish councils look set to be healed with the introduction of a new charter.

Moves were made to introduce the initiative after the district council's executive committee met parish councils in Bromsgrove last month as part of a quarterly review.

Concerns voiced by parish councillors revealed the need for urgent steps to be taken to improve communication between the town and parish councils.

Alvechurch Parish Council clerk Bobbie Osborne said parish councillors were "deeply dissatisfied" with Bromsgrove Council's attitude.

She added: "The main problem was the district council's slow response to issues raised by parish councillors, which caused strained relations between the two bodies.

"We were becoming increasingly frustrated by issues such as overgrown hedges and planning matters, which we felt were not being dealt with as quickly and efficiently as they should have been."

Bromsgrove Council's head of administration, Vince Harrison, said the introduction of the Parish and Town Council Charter would enable the council to deal more quickly and effectively with matters raised by parish councillors.

He added: "The issue of the council's slow response will be addressed by the charter, which includes a timetable detailing matters raised by parish councils and when these matters will be dealt with."

The charter forms part of a national initiative devised by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), which aims to improve the relationship between and efficiency of town and parish councils.

It is currently being distributed to 20 parish councils in the area, including Wythall and Alvechurch.

Mrs Osborne welcomed the new initiative and said she felt hopeful of a positive outcome.

She said: "This is a really proactive step for Bromsgrove Council and I hope we will see a difference from now on."

Bromsgrove councillor Jean Luck added the council was to be commended for its attitude.

"The district council is trying very hard to gain a consensus of opinion and react accordingly," she said.

"It is important people realise parish councillors form the grass roots of local government and local democracy and they do a lot of good work."