TENBURY MP Harriett Baldwin is making a bid to help the town's local district council claw back money.
The West Worcestershire MP, whose constituency includes Tenbury, has offered her support to local councils which are facing a multi-million pound shortfall after being forced to make a rates rebate to GP surgeries.
A tribunal decision in June meant that doctors surgeries were owed a rebate on their rates paid between 2005 and 2010 – leaving councils to make huge repayments.
Malvern Hills District Council has had to return £1.72 million and faces similar payments over coming years.
The council briefed Mrs Baldwin on the issue and enlisted her support as it lobbies the Government for support to meet the sudden budget shortfall.
“Malvern Hills District Council briefed me on the problem regarding the GP surgeries rates rebate and I have written on the council’s behalf to the communities secretary,” said Mrs Baldwin.
“The change could have a major impact on the council’s budget and I have offered the council my full support on this matter.
“There is a process allowing the council to secure emergency payments from the Government and I hope that this will be available to Malvern Hills.”
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