Councillors form new plan to improve Telford for residents, businesses and visitors

The draft document, put together by Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet members, covers a number of key priorities aiming to create a better town for everyone who lives, works and visits.

Priorities include making sure every child, young person and adult lives well in their community; everyone benefits from a thriving economy; all neighbourhoods are a great place to live; the natural environment is protected and the council has a leading role in addressing the climate emergency; and a community-focussed, innovative council providing efficient, effective and quality services.

The new council plan sets out how each priority will be delivered and will be reviewed and updated as necessary each year to ensure outcomes continue.

In 2019, the council’s administration launched its first council plan following elections in May. More than 150 commitments and promises were made, of which the council said nearly 90 per cent have been achieved.

Council leader Shaun Davies said: “Since 2011, we’ve made many great strides to improve our services and the outcomes for local people, while managing continued financial pressures.

"We have delivered budget savings of £123 million, largely as a result of funding reductions from Government, while experiencing a significant increase in demand on our services.

“Despite these challenges, we have continued to deliver for our community. We have protected the most vulnerable through 'outstanding' ratings for Children’s Safeguarding and Adult Shared Lives services and attracted and secured investment to create jobs for local people.

“Our co-operative values, which underpin this plan, set out the basis for our relationship with our residents, our commitment for what the council will do but also that we are asking our residents to accept and the responsibilities they have.”

Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet will consider the new council plan at their meeting on Thursday, October 8.