THE downgrading of Kidderminster Hospital has been a disaster for the whole county and the opening of the new hospital, although improving the buildings for Worcester residents, will not improve access to health care.

All patients will still be expected to make the journey to Redditch for routine "waterworks" operations. The medical unit and A&E department will still be stretched and nursing staff will still have to be supplemented by importing the excellent staff from abroad who ought not to be poached by a supposedly affluent country.

The immediate short-term answer is simple. Re-open inpatient beds for elective surgery at Kidderminster. Provide doctors qualified in A&E medicine in the minor injuries unit at Kidderminster. This would be a welcome first move but I remain determined to restore more emergency services to Kidderminster, in partnership with Worcester, to re-establish the fairness and equality of access that exists in other areas.

THE planning application for the Stourport Road incinerator was turned down by the county council to the great relief of Wyre Forest people. If it goes to appeal and then to a public inquiry I will fight it all the way on the grounds that adverse health risks can never be totally excluded and that the inevitable traffic problems have not been accurately forecast. I will also object if a heavily populated site anywhere else in the county is chosen as an alternative.

The answer to the waste disposal problem lies in much more recycling, which is only practical for the public if it is made easy and convenient. Doorstep collections of sorted recyclable waste must be made available as in other towns as soon as possible. It is only when this is effective that we can approach the levels of recycling achieved by other European countries.

WE all wish to see a fair share of the financial cake coming into this country's schools as it is unfair that our schools receive less Government money than schools in other counties. Lack of a common, understandable, transparent and equitable funding system leads to many anomalies. Better resources with more trust and freedom would help restore morale among teachers. This now is at an all-time low and recruitment and retention of qualified and experienced teaching staff to fill the increasing vacancies is at crisis point.

So many of our best and most experienced teachers are just hanging on until the earliest practical date for retirement. Morale could be improved by bringing working conditions into line with those prevailing in Scotland. Improvements could also easily be affected at little cost by sensitive government allowing teachers to do their exacting jobs free from bureaucratic restraints and a crippling load of paperwork.

CRIME, whether drug-related or not, is increasing despite Government claims. An international study has shown that Britain has the lowest number of police officers when compared to similar countries. We need more policemen especially on the beat as a deterrent. Now, the police have not time to investigate small-time drug peddling which could be prevented.

With the inevitable stresses in an underfunded and understaffed service morale is low, sickness rates are high and early retirements compound the problem. I believe there are answers as well as the obvious one of greater resources. Civilians could do liaison jobs. I do not support the greater use of private security firms but an increase in the Special Constabulary would be helpful. International action is required to reduce the rewards of drug trafficking. More preventive work among the young at risk would be very valuable.

IMPROVE driving standards by making a test, such as that of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, an automatic challenge to young drivers after their initial driving test. The rewards for this must be worthwhile, for instance considerably reduced insurance costs, lost if traffic offences were committed or claims made.

Improve risk awareness for small children and their parents. Young children are still seen loose on our narrow pavements and crossing roads unaccompanied from between parked cars.

I support continued introduction of speed humps in residential estates if handled sensitively.

Cycle tracks on main roads should be evaluated. If value and usage were proved then inconvenience to other road users would be accepted.

Review speed limits - some are still too high but some are too low for modern vehicles in the hands of trained, skilled and interested drivers.