Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin council merger row reignited
The row over whether Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin councils should consider merging has reignited, with claims that those living in Telford would end up paying more if the merger went ahead.
Calls for a merger between Telford & Wrekin Council and Shropshire Council have been roundly rejected by leading members of Telford's administration.
The response comes after Shrewsbury and Atcham MP, Daniel Kawczynski, reiterated his call for the councils to combine, claiming the move could save as much as £18 million.
But councillors from Telford & Wrekin's administration said they believe a merger with Shropshire would lead to the area's residents paying more in council tax and facing increased parking charges.
They have also warned of their concerns that a merger would leave them without a voice to campaign for Telford's Princess Royal Hospital.
Councillor Shaun Davies, cabinet member and representative of Malinslee and Dawley Bank, said: "Merger would mean more council tax for Telford and Wrekin, car park charges & no voice for PRH."
Cabinet member for finance, Councillor Lee Carter, said he believes a merger would save money for Shropshire but would cost Telford residents more.
Writing on Twitter he said: "When @KawczynskiMP says a merger would save £18m he means it would save Shropshire ££ but cost Telford ££'s."
Councillor Richard Overton, who represents St Georges, said that he would not allow a merger to take place.
On Twitter he said: "In Shrewsbury MP's eyes there should be one council and one hospital, we will not let that happen."
Mr Kawczynski said: "I have challenged Councillor Kuldip Sahota, the leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, to a debate because he refuses to acquiesce to the idea of a merger between the two councils.
"The councils have to find a way of reducing their costs and streamlining and maximising efficiencies and I believe – so does Owen Paterson – that the only way to do that is to have one council for Shropshire."
Mr Kawczynski said he wanted an independent review to find out how much the council's could save through a merger.
He said: "Independent analysis shows they would save on average £18 million per annum. Now is a time to have a debate and discuss these issues.
"I do not think we can afford the luxury having two different chief executives, two of everything, when we are one county."
Last year Councillor Sahota strongly dismissed the idea of a merger between the two authorities, saying: "We will not be merging with Shropshire Council through the back door, the front door or any other door."
