Sponsorship sought for police car to patrol Telford area
Councillors have been asked to sponsor a police car to patrol Oakengates and Ketley.
Oakengates parish councillors met Constable Nicky Lennon at the monthly council meeting last night, when the officer explained to members the funding needed to have a patrol car to serve the community of Oakengates.
The constable said: "Obviously cost cutting for vehicles has meant we are asking local councils for funding of a lease vehicle that will patrol a route of the patches. Our officers will remain on foot patrol, too, but this will help and add a presence in the area."
The council was advised there was no fixed donation and it was free to discuss what may be possible.
Councillor Bob Groom decided to abstain from the discussion and said: "I am going to abstain because Government cuts to public services are causing these shortfalls and we should not have to step in and fund police services that have been cut by central government."
Councillor Jamie Dey said the sponsorship was a good thing, adding: "We would be fools to say no. I can't see any downsides in putting our name to protecting our community."
Councillors agreed to discuss a possible donation into the scheme as part of the draft budget which will be discussed at the next meeting on February 17.
During the meeting councillors also agreed to change the date of the annual pensioners' outing to the last Thursday in July. Full details of the trip are still to be confirmed.
The next full council meeting will take place on March 4.
