A WRITTEN update was provided on the New Homes Bonus at Bromsgrove's latest full council meeting.

Angry Hagley residents handed a 1,429-name petition to Bromsgrove District Council in April urging them to pass the money on to communities, like the village, that have been affected by housing development.

The campaign started after councillors previously voted to place money from the New Homes Bonus scheme into a central pot.

The residents have received the backing of Hagley's MP Sajid Javid - who has written to Bromsgrove District Council leader, Councillor Margaret Sherrey, inviting her to reconsider and change council policy.

A New Homes Bonus Cross Party Working Group was established and the group has gone on to meet on a number of occasions to discuss the issue and a way forward.

Councillor Mike Webb, portfolio holder responsible, provided an update on the situation at the council meeting, held last night (Wednesday September 24) at the Council House in Bromsgrove. It reported that more than 50 residents attended the last forum in July.

Interested parties were given the chance to question officers and members on the level of grant and the basis of calculation for the grant received; and an email address was set up to receive input from residents - which received 150 responses.

Cllr Webb added: "At the present time officers have been requested by the working group to develop a number of options to address the concerns raised, with the aim to propose a scheme that would enable an element of the future New Homes Bonus funding to be allocated for community schemes.

"The aim is to report these options to cabinet and council later in the year to form part of the budget considerations and recommendations."

During the meeting there was confusion about whether questions could be asked on the item.

The authority's chairman June Griffiths initially did not allow it, but later went back to the item.

Labour councillor for Sidemoor, Chris Bloore, asked what percentage of the bonus would go to communities affected but Mike Webb, new portfolio holder finance, said no percentage had yet been set.

Last month Cllr Sherrey said she could not commit either yes or no while they were going through the process, and it needed to be considered within the council's budget.