AN Alcester town councillor has extended a cautious welcome to Government grant increases for Stratford District Council.

The council is set to receive about £6.5million in the provisional settlement for next year's local authority spending settlement - £738,000 more than last year.

But town councillor Chris Gough said although it was good news, he hoped the money would be considered for areas where cuts had previously been made, such as the section 136 agreement on the maintenance of open spaces in towns.

"What I would be saying to Stratford District Council is this is an opportunity to look at the cuts you made and see if they are absolutely necessary," he said.

"It's only right they should be looking at the things they cut out, not thinking this is new money or extra money to do something new with."

The 12.8 per cent increase in Government grant includes £440,000 to help with the introduction of free fare concessionary travel in the district in April 2006.

Stratford District Council leader Councillor Les Topham said it was a good news story but added: "We still have tough decisions to make in delivering the budget for next year.

"We will be consulting our residents over the next couple of months to seek their views on the level of council tax and how it affects the services we provide."

And Mr Gough said although he welcomed consultation it was important the district council listened to residents' opinions, which he claimed they had not done in the past.

"If they are putting hand on heart and want to pursue the views of the electorate they will have to actually listen," he added.

"Let's hope this is not lip service, if they want to listen that would be really good but the closest people to residents are the town councillors - if you go to elected members you will get better ideas of what local people want."

A public meeting is planned for Monday, January 9 at Elizabeth House in Stratford.