AS the Conservative group on Wyre Forest District Council, we would like to respond to criticisms in last week's letters pages on the subjects of education, health and this authority's leader Stephen Clee.

Opposition parties intended the schools review debate at the last full council meeting to embarrass the newly-formed Conservative administration on a matter in which they had no influence.

Education is a matter for the county council, and Wyre Forest elects its county councillors to represent them on county matters.

We wholeheartedly agree that the district council should have been consulted on the schools review, but the previous Health Concern administration refused a debate on the matter at the time.

The Conservative members had a free vote on the issue at the most recent meeting. Those that abstained did so for good reason.

A considerable number are local school governors, and as such have pledged not to play politics with the education of the children in our district.

Parents, children, and all those dedicated professionals delivering education throughout Wyre Forest deserve better.

The new two-tier system (used across the majority of the country) will bring much-needed investment to Wyre Forest schools, and ensure that standards are continually raised.

In relation to health provision, we will continue to work closely with our parliamentary colleagues, and will strive to secure the best possible health services for the district.

Rather surprisingly, at the last full council, the dwindling Health Concern group could not raise a member to represent the district council on the County Health Scrutiny Committee, and had to rely on nominations from other parties.

In another letter in last week's Shuttle/Times & News, two Health Concern councillors insinuated that Councillor Clee was stretched too far with his county and district commitments.

He is a very committed councillor, and an excellent leader. Ironically, the two former Health Concern leaders of the district council were also county councillors, and so the comments do rather smack of hypocrisy.

Councillor Clee works tirelessly for all of the people of Wyre Forest, and brings a wealth of experience to the new administration.

We do not believe that the interests of the residents of Wyre Forest are best served by its councillors engaging in cheap gutter politics.

As a Conservative administration we will carry out the duties that we were elected to perform responsibly, running an effective and efficient council for the benefit of the whole of Wyre Forest.

CONSERVATIVE GROUP

Wyre Forest District Council

(19 members)