No merger with Telford & Wrekin, says Shropshire Council leader Malcolm Pate
Shropshire's two main councils are to hold talks on working more closely together – but a merger was today ruled out.
The new leader of Shropshire Council says he will be seeking talks with Telford & Wrekin Council.
Councillor Malcolm Pate said he wanted to mend a "soured" relationship between the two authorities. The move opens the way for co-operation between them, including the prospect of sharing services.
But Councillor Pate dismissed calls for the councils to combine.
Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski said there should be an independent investigation into the potential savings that could be made by a merger.
Councillor Pate said: "There are no plans as far as the administration goes to combine Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin." But the Tory leader said he wants to meet the Labour leader of Telford & Wrekin, Councillor Kuldip Sahota, in the near future.
He said: "I am talking to Kuldip again. The relationship between the councils had soured over the last few years and I am going to be asking if he will meet when the budget cycle is over to talk about working closer together, but we are not talking about merging councils."
Shropshire's chief executive, Clive Wright, says that the authorities are already working together "at a high level" to secure funding from the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership, and on getting money to improve the region's transport infrastructure.
Councillor Shaun Davies, Telford & Wrekin cabinet member for business, said: "It ignores the fact that Labour has been elected in 2011 and 2015 with a manifesto commitment of keeping Telford as a stand alone council.
"It also means council tax would be hiked because Telford residents pay less than Shropshire residents. And it would mean an increase in car parking charges.
"We would also not have a council fighting tooth and nail to keep services at Princess Royal Hospital."
