Redditch Borough Council

The deputy leader of Redditch Borough Council faces deselection by the Conservative Party following complaints about his behaviour.

A formal complaint was made against David Bush over claims he was verbally aggressive towards the authority's chief executive at a meeting earlier this month.

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The dispute has since been resolved and Mr Bush says they have a good working relationship, but BBC Hereford and Worcester has been told other complaints about his conduct were made to the local Conservative Association and involve a longer period.

Mr Bush is appealing the decision to deselect him and says he has an impeccable record after eight years of being a councillor.

If he fails, he won't be able to stand for the Tories in May's elections.

The Labour group leader at Redditch Borough Council says he believes the West Midlands is on the brink of "social collapse".

Councillor Bill Hartnett has signed an open letter with other local politicians, calling for a complete reform of funding for local councils.

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Labour argues that austerity cuts since 2010 have had a disastrous impact on services, but the government says funding changes will offer the region more power to capitalise on growth from business rates.

The leader of the Labour party in Worcestershire is defending allowing a convicted fraudster to take up an official role in the party.

David Roy Cartwright was leader of Redditch Borough Council three times betwen 2002 and 2005 but was jailed in 2009 after admitting to stealing at least £24,695 and making false claims totalling £63,467.

Now members of Redditch's constituency Labour party have elected him as their unpaid secretary, leading to one Conservative councillor saying he shouldn't be allowed such a position of responsibility.

But the Labour party says he deserves a second chance and won't be allowed near the party's finances.

He takes the minutes, he publishes the minutes, he helps draw up the agenda with me and other members. He contacts people to book places where we hold our meetings, that's the secretarial role, I suppose you'd call it a functional, nuts and bolts sort of role."

The result in Redditch means Labour have lost control of their last council in Worcestershire.

The final declaration was a hold for the Conservatives and, with a majority now of three, they have control of the borough council.

The first result's been declared in Redditch where it's a hold for the Conservatives in Crabbs Cross.

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I'm in Redditch today for the results of their local elections - counting got under way just before midday.

This will be a question of whether Labour can hang on to control or even improve it, as they have a majority of just one from the last local elections.

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The borough council says overall turnout in the election was 32%.

In previous general and local elections, the potential downgrade of Redditch's Alexandra Hospital has been key - that’s now a done deal and seems to have dropped down the parties’ lists of priorities.

A proposed redevelopment of the town centre is being opposed by the Tories and the sole surviving UKIP councillor as expensive and unnecessary.

Stoford Developments

Another development issue to the east of the town is the Eastern Gateway, a massive £100m development site on greenfield land near a key A road junction.

The idea is to attract more hi-tech businesses but the fear from local neighbourhoods is that it will simply draw in distribution companies and increase traffic problems. Very much Labour’s baby so they may be punished in wards like Church Hill and Winyates.