Trust 'destroyed' in Shropshire Council payment row, say town councillors
A decision by Shropshire Council to keep more than £500,000 meant for town and parish authorities has led to a "breach of trust", say councillors.
Ludlow councillors have added their voice to those outraged by Shirehall's decision not to pass on £511,000 of Government money to town and parish councils as part of the Council Tax Support Grant.
As a result Ludlow Town Council has had to raise the annual precept it charges residents by eight per cent, and dip into reserves, to cover the loss of the £30,000 it would have got.
Councillors said it was an "event that should not have happened" and have written to Shropshire Council leader Keith Barrow urging him to re-instate the funds.
Their comments come on top of a vote of no confidence in Shropshire Council raised by Wem Town Council, which lost out on a similar amount and claims it was forced to raise its precept by 19.7 per cent to compensate.
Vivienne Parry, Ludlow town councillor, said: "We feel the same as Wem Town Council. It's an absolute disgrace, we're having to put our precept up while Shropshire Council are saving money and looking whiter than white."
Together with fellow Ludlow and Clee councillors Andy Boddington, Richard Huffer and Tracey Huffer, she has written to Mr Barrow saying:
"The town council has been placed in an unacceptable situation. The impact on Ludlow Town Council's budget is significant, but the blow to Shropshire Council's reputation is immeasurable.
"There has always been a degree of trust between the different levels of local government. That trust is being destroyed."
