BROMSGROVE councillors debated the distribution of money from the Government's parish grant scheme.

The scheme has been the subject of debate by councillors as some argue the money has not been used by Bromsgrove District Council the way the Government intended.

In 2013/14 the authority received £52,000 from the Government to mitigate the impact of changes for Council Tax support for parish councils.

It was decided £40,000 of this money was passed on to the parish councils while the remaining £12,000 went to fund projects in non-parished areas.

Last year the authority decided the money should be shared equally across all wards, both parished and non-parished.

Members could apply for up to £1,155 to fund socially vital projects or services.

This year the Government has given £38,000 to the scheme.

As reported in last week's Advertiser the authority's finance portfolio holder, Michael Webb, recommended the best option was to split this figure, with £30,000 going to the parishes and £8,000 for non-parished wards.

This recommendation was approved by the authority's cabinet and went before the full council at its latest meeting, held at the Council House on January 19.

Cllr Webb said the new system would benefit not just parished areas but every area across the district.

"It is a very, very fair system," he added.

But Wythall Residents' Association councillor Sue Baxter - a member of the Independent Alliance - said she continued to be disappointed that the authority would not use the money as the Government intended for parish councils.

Cllr Baxter said: "I welcome the money but I would have much more welcomed the £38,000."

Leader of the opposition Labour group Councillor Luke Mallett said the council had managed to make everyone unhappy with a scheme that made no sense.

The scheme was approved after a vote was taken.