Over 70% of Shropshire Star readers say 'no' to Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin councils merger
This week Shropshirestar.com asked our readers whether they thought Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council should merge after the issue was reignited this week.
Of the 300 people who voted in our poll 73% of readers said the authorities should not merge and be kept separate.
The debate was hot with many of you commenting on the site and also on our Facebook page - here is what our readers had to say about the issue online.
One user Sapphire said: "No. Decision was made to be our own Unitarian Authority, we should not go backwards."
While LeeM said: "I don't think that shared Shropshire/Wrekin Council control would be anything other than in the worst interests of Telford.
"It's quite obvious from the outset that all decisions on budgets, services & development plans will see much needed funds steered away from Telford and towards towns like Shrewsbury which to put it bluntly, don't need the money as much as us."
Meanwhile on Facebook Louise Bremner said: "Lived in Telford and worked throughout Shropshire under both. Would prefer to see a merger with SCC than West Midlands council's if a merger is on the cards."
Liz Phillips said: "No. Telford just wants to take every thing from county town. Like they want our hospital. Come on Shrewsbury folk we are the county town not Telford."
Mark Jones added: "No chance. I will stop paying council tax if this happens."
Calls for a merger between Telford & Wrekin Council and Shropshire Council have been roundly rejected by leading members of Telford's administration.
Shropshire Council leader Malcolm Pate also said that while he wanted relationships to improve between the councils, a merger was not on the cards.
The response comes after Shrewsbury and Atcham MP, Daniel Kawczynski, reiterated his call for the councils to combine, claiming the move could save as much as £18 million.
