Budget cuts, housing and jobs are key issues, says Shropshire mayor
Jobs, houses and council cuts are key issues facing Bishop's Castle, the town's mayor has said, on taking up the chains of office for a third year.
At the mayor-making ceremony this week, Councillor Karen Bavastock said her priorities for the coming year included attracting businesses to the town and sorting out housing issues.
"We need affordable housing for local people to ensure that they are able to take their first steps in getting on the property ladder – but we also need jobs," she said.
Councillor Bavastock said one of the biggest challenges faced by the town was further cuts to public services.
She said: "Shropshire Council are withdrawing funding for many things which are currently provided in our community and already the town council are looking to contribute towards funding youth activities and other very important things.
"We will do everything in our power to ensure that the cuts do not hit people in the pocket but inevitably we need to prepare ourselves for this.
"I fear there will be many groups and organisations in our locality that are going to feel the pinch from the cuts made by Shropshire Council.
"It is my hope that sense prevails and those cuts do not hurt the fabric of our town or have any effect on our residents but I fear that this wish will not materialise. Let's hope I am wrong," she said.
"We need to work hard and retain our services – our hospital, our fire station, our police station and of course our medical practice.
"I am heartened by the work of Bishop's Castle Patients Group who has put in a massive amount of work in producing a proposal for Stone House Hospital to become an urgent care centre and link in to the proposals for our healthcare provision in the future.
"I was astonished when chairing a meeting at Stone House Hospital just how many people hadn't even realised that we have this wonderful facility on our doorstep.
"I certainly hope this bid is successful and it will be due to yet another band of unpaid volunteers who are looking to make this place much better for the people who live here and within the locality."
She concluded her address on Tuesday by saying: :
The mayor added: "I sincerely hope we can work together to make a difference in my third year as mayor."
"Our town and its people deserve no less and I am honoured to be chosen to continue with this role for the coming year."
