Council leaves positive legacy after tough time
North Shropshire residents are more satisfied with their district council than they have ever been, a survey has revealed.
North Shropshire residents are more satisfied with their district council than they have ever been, a survey has revealed.
Satisfaction with the council has risen by seven per cent in the past year, according to the annual household survey carried out by the authority.
There were top marks from residents for the recycling collection, cleanliness of footpaths and the work the council does to improve the health and well-being of people in the area.
The findings confirm what has been a remarkable change in the fortunes of North Shropshire District Council in recent years, transforming itself from a failing authority into the most improved in the country.
The council had been described by the Audit Commission as "poor" in 2004. At the time its weaknesses were said to outweigh its strengths
But now the commission describes it as a "good council, recognised by partners and residents as providing effective and innovative leadership, well-founded ambitions and good services".
In September 2005 North Shropshire District Council was revealed to be one of the worst in the country, after being branded "poor" in a league table of more than 230 authorities.
The commission slammed the council's poor services, particularly street cleanliness and failures to meet the needs for affordable housing and facilities for young people.
The authority was inspected in March and April 2004 and after the damning report it had to work with Government troubleshooters to improve its public services and performance.
Today leader David Minnery can sound a positive note in his introduction to a booklet celebrating the authority's achievements since it came into being as a result of the Local Government Review of 1974.
He writes: "Over the years we have generated a greater level of self awareness which has led us along a path of continuous improvement, culminating in a remarkable increase in satisfaction with the council, bucking the national trend.
"The council strong believes that its work with the community and partners has set the foundations to enable the residents of north Shropshire to have a bright future whatever the local authority regime."
The booklet concludes with a thank you to residents and customers. It says: "You have engaged with us on many issues, giving constructive feedback and positive dialogue which has helped the council to improve and shape the services you want, in the ways you wish to access them. It could not have been achieved without you."
The council was formed through the amalgamation of Market Drayton Urban Council with North Shropshire Rural Council.
During that first year the new authority began to implement improved housing benefit schemes and leased land to Market Drayton Cricket Club to build squash courts and for parking.
The 1980s were a busy time and saw the introduction of warden-supported sheltered housing schemes, and the provision of public sewers in villages such as Dudleston Heath (Ellesmere), Hollinswood (Wem) and Hinstock (Market Drayton).
Council houses were built, the district became the first in Shropshire to implement a Housing Action Area (Ellesmere) and work started on developing the Waymills industrial site in Whitchurch and the Tern Valley Business Park in Market Drayton.
During the 1990s a new livestock market and supermarket were developed in Market Drayton, dog fouling by-laws were introduced and dog bins put up around the district, and the council started developing the market towns enhancement programme which was funded by a £1.6 million Advantage West Midlands grant bid.
In 2002 green wheelie bins were introduced. Two years later black wheelie bins were brought in to replace bin bags.
Between 2006 and 2008 the council moved up league tables to become the district with the 15th cleanest streets in England.
Last year the authority invested hundreds of thousands of pounds of efficiency savings into local community groups.
"I think we have managed to do good things for all the towns and areas," said Councillor Minnery, who was first elected in 1979.
On the issue of unitary, he said the council never took a view of whether it would be good or bad for the area.
But it had looked at the business case and had highlighted some fundamental flaws.
Councillor Minnery said there was "some satisfaction" that this had resulted in changes being made.
He added: "I hope that the unitary council is a resounding success. Everything we have been asked to do, we have done. We have seconded staff when asked to.
"It is important that everybody hits the ground running on April 1 and the people of Shropshire don't notice a change."
One of his main concerns is that taking on a housing service role could "drag down" the new council and the county could lose its current "excellent" rating.
