I was disappointed, but not surprised, to read comments in last week's Gazette by Conservative councillors about the council's proposed senior management review.

The Liberal Democrat/Green administration has put in place plans to streamline top management and deliver substantial net savings over the coming years, releasing more money to spend on frontline services.

We are doing what the Conservatives failed to do when they ran the council, and by opposing our plans and trying to score cheap political points, they show themselves to be disingenuous.

The council will make huge savings in its salaries budget by removing a whole layer of senior management and reducing the next tier too.

The money saved will help to continue to keep rises in the Malvern Hills portion of Council Tax below inflation. Inevitably there will be redundancy costs, but these will be spread over a number of years and savings will start from the word `go'.

The officers who will leave have served the district loyally and well, but it has been rather like driving a Jaguar on a Ford Fiesta income. The structure was put in place by the previous Tory administration, who are now trying to cover their embarrassment and poor control by criticising the review.

We are proud of this council's record of positive management to keep the Council Tax down and of our focus on our priorities for service improvement.

Jon Rayner, Portfolio Member for Resources, Malvern Hills District Council.