'It can come down to fixing potholes or giving a child a safe place to live' - Deputy on council's 'difficult decisions'

The authority's deputy leader Ian Nellins has admitted that "difficult decisions" have been made as the county council seeks to make £62.5m of savings this financial year to close a funding gap.

Councillor Nellins remains optimistic for the future and stated that the council's "head is above water", but admitted that services including pothole repairs and other highway improvements will see a knock-on effect with some issues having to wait. 

In an exclusive interview with the Shropshire Star, the Conservative councillor pointed to challenges that rural counties such as Shropshire have faced. The local authority has moved out of its Shirehall base in efforts to save cash, as well as introducing garden waste subscription and recycling centre booking schemes. 

Mr Nellins said: "Shropshire Council, like a lot of local authorities, has been very honest about its financial position. It is important that everybody takes a bit of responsibility towards that.

"Over 80 per cent of the budget is spent on social care, it is what it is. For every five pounds Shropshire Council spends, four of it goes on social care, 50p of it goes in your waste contract, and that leaves 50 pence for everything else, your highways, street lights, leisure centres, and street lights.

"You can see how it becomes difficult. If somebody says we need a pothole fixed, it comes down to getting that fixed or giving a child somewhere to live that is safe. The visible thing is the likes of the potholes getting fixed, the invisible things are the important things that benefit some vulnerable people.