A REVIEW for proposed boundary changes to Clent and Hagley Parish Council areas has been given the green light by Bromsgrove district councillors.

In June it was reported that Hagley Residents Action Group (HRAG) petitioned more than 400 households in west Hagley that are currently represented by Clent Parish Council, with a view that local governance is transferred to Hagley Parish Council.

Hagley Parish Council submitted a petition for a community governance review which followed legal requirements by including signatures by the requisite number of local government electors, a map clearly defining the area to which the review is related to and the specific recommendations stating what they wished the review would consider.

The issue was considered and debated at the latest full council meeting held on September 24. Councillor Mike Webb, portfolio holder for finance, told members they basically had no option but to give the go-ahead to the review, which required £4,500 being released from balances to cover the cost of the consultation.

Leader of the Labour group Councillor Luke Mallett said it would cost the authority thousands of pounds but there was "nothing we can do about it", as it was the law, and so they would have to support it.

Conservative councillor for Hagley, Chris Scurrell, said he commended Hagley Parish Council for its detailed petition, adding he thought the whole of the village should transfer to Hagley Parish Council.

Brian Lewis, Independent Alliance for Woodvale, added that he felt £4,500 was not that much money "to put this matter right".

A vote was taken and the item was agreed.