MORE green spaces in Bromsgrove need to be identified following the success of Charford’s first community garden, insists an environmentally-minded councillor.

Dr Michael Thompson, councillor for Charford and leader of the Labour group, plans to raise the issue at the full Bromsgrove District Council meeting on Wednesday (June 26).

He will ask fellow councillors to put political interests aside in a bid for cross-party cooperation in identifying potential green spaces for local volunteer groups to create community gardens and similar ventures.

Cllr Thompson, a vegan and keen animal rights and environmental campaigner, added: “One of Bromsgrove’s most powerful assets is great community spirit.

“We have seen, with volunteer groups such as Charford Community Garden and Keep Bromsgrove Beautiful, that we have a wealth of expertise and willingness in Bromsgrove.

“During the election campaign it was clear that residents wanted to see politicians of all parties coming together and working with the community.

“As a council we showed great courage to come together to support bringing the market under council control. I hope we can do the same here.”

Cllr Thompson has also criticised what her perceives as a lack of input from the Green Party in Bromsgrove on such issues.

He added: “The Green Party may have a lot of rhetoric but the sad reality is they contribute very little to local communities.

“When I look at the work of the Labour Group in Bromsgrove over the last four years – the ban on wild animals in circuses, the use of environmental products in the council house, the plastics ban, the water fountains: all Labour Party initiatives - it is quite clear that Labour is the party of green action.”

Alistair Waugh, spokesperson for the Bromsgrove and Redditch branch of the Green Party, refuted Cllr Thompson’s claim.

He said: "It's unclear what's provoked Cllr Thompson's mud-slinging at the Green Party, in relation to community action in Bromsgrove.

“He's clearly not noticed the fantastic role two of our Greens play on Lickey and Blackwell Parish Council.

“Or, for that matter, the several Green Party members active in Bromsgrove on community solutions to the climate crisis.

"Our local party covers Bromsgrove and Redditch. In Redditch, it seems there may be more respect shown to us by other parties.

“The Greens there have been instrumental for years on social and environmental projects; community orchards, Repair Cafe, and the refugees welcome, to name but a few.

"If Cllr Thompson wants to blow his own trumpet - then that's fine. But surely the first step to cross-party partnership working is to show some respect to others."