Approach to creating town council for Shrewsbury

Press release - 1 August 2007

County Council Leader urges constructive, realistic approach to creating town council for Shrewsbury

The Leader of Shropshire County Council said today that there was no doubt that Shrewsbury should have a strong town council, capable of looking after those local issues which are important to the people of Shrewsbury. He expressed strong concern, however, that setting up a town council for Shrewsbury must be done in a realistic and affordable way, involving all interested parties.

Last week, Government decided to implement the One Council for Shropshire proposal, which calls for the considered establishment of a town council for the urban part of Shrewsbury which is currently not parished. The proposal says “We will work with local stakeholders and citizens to agree the civic, mayoral and ceremonial functions of a town council, as well as the level and degree of services that should be delegated.”

Leader of Shropshire County Council Malcolm Pate said, “We have already had discussions with Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council about this, and by a third meeting, last January, we were finding amicable agreement on most issues. Last week, however, the borough council announced – without any reference to its partners – that it would consult with the public on its own plans.

“Any recommendations about creating a new town council for Shrewsbury must be approved by the Secretary of State. To gain that approval, recommendations will clearly have to make sense alongside the implementation of the One Council proposal which the Secretary of State has just agreed.

“To make sure that happens, everyone involved needs to get round the table and talk through constructively how we can make a new town council for Shrewsbury which delivers the civic functions people say they want, along with appropriate services which deliver good value for money for Shrewsbury residents,” Malcolm Pate added.

Peter Phillips, Leader of the Lib Dem Group at Shropshire County Council, said, “The One Council for Shropshire proposal has all-party support at the county council, and creating a town council for Shrewsbury has always been an integral part of the plan. Clearly we need to do this in a carefully considered way, involving stakeholders and the public, to make sure we get the very best outcome for local people and businesses.”

Alan Mosley, Leader of the Labour Group, said, “I represent Castlefields and Ditherington and so I am particularly committed to ensuring that Shrewsbury remains the vibrant capital of the economic, social and cultural life of the county, with an appropriate town council to match. Along with other Shropshire County Council leaders, I have been involved in fruitful discussions with our Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council counterparts. There was a high level of agreement in the shape, size and functions for the future. I hope this can continue so that we can concentrate on the real issues of getting improved local government and more efficient, better services for all.”

ENDS

For further information, call Malcolm Pate, Leader, via (01743) 252003
For media contact, call John Hargreaves, Head of Communications, on (01743) 252813