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 this 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 already received the backing of town 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 this group has gone on to meet on a number of occasions to discuss the issue and a way forward.

The update, from Councillor Mike Webb portfolio holder responsible, was provided at the council meeting, held at the Council House on September 24. It reported that more than 50 residents attended the last forum in July.

Interested parties were given the opportunity to question officers and members on the level of grant and the basis of calculation for the grant received.

An email address was set up to receive input from resident on the bonus, which received 150 responses.

In the update Councillor 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 full council meeting there was confusion whether questions could be asked on the item. The authority's chairman June Griffiths initially did not allow it, but later in the meeting she went back to the item.

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

Earlier this 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.