CONTINUING financial problems, and a need to speed up change to bring the district council back on track, are just some of the criticisms in a report which has now been sent out to local councillors.

The report was compiled by the Audit Commission which last summer criticised Bromsgrove District Council after carrying out an inspection of the way the local authority manages its business.

Wasting tax-payers money and "serious problems" in its financial management were just two items highlighted in the independent report.

However, a pre-Christmas progress report by the commission on the council's progress, was not sent out to councillors.

Instead, the authority issued a press release, a move which angered a number of members of all parties, including Councillor Peter McDonald (Waseley) the leader of the opposition Labour group.

The council has since furnished all councillors with a copy.

Cllr McDonald said: "At long last the public and members can see for themselves that the council did cherry pick favourable bits from the report to put in the press release.

"The report clearly shows the council is still failing the people of Bromsgrove and still has serious financial problems, especially in accounts and financial management and control."

On the plus side, the report says recovery and change is slowly being made, while finance remains a key area for improvement.

On internal matters it says the council has moved from a "reactive to a more proactive approach," and efforts are being made to encourage better communication between all political parties.

The council's interim chief executive Graham Essex-Crosby commented: "The report last July put the council in a bad light. But there is a great deal of energy and commitment to change. The changes will take some time. We are making progress but much remains to be done."