'Dull' Shropshire Council sports strategy is shown a red card

Members of Shrewsbury Town Council also questioned why there had been a "lack of engagement" before Shropshire Council drew up its draft sports facilities strategy 2016-37.

The report outlines the authority's approach to which facilities are needed for the county, but the town council sent a scathing letter in response to its consultation.

In it, town clerk Helen Ball said: "In terms of this document it remains wanting on detail, there are significant typographical errors and inconsistencies which suggests a document that has been ill-thought out and rushed and, due to the lack of stakeholder engagement in its construction, one that's real reason for collation is questionable."

The strategy set out a plan to invest in and support three main community leisure hubs in Ludlow, Shrewsbury and Oswestry, as part of its strategy for the next 20 years.

But the town council said it also made heavy reference to the potential re-location of Shrewsbury's Quarry Swimming Pool.

Councillors also criticised the decision to take a "preferred decision" to cabinet in July, which suggested the pool be moved to the Shrewsbury Sundorne Village.

However, the local authority also allowed 12 months to campaigners to come up with a business case to keep the pool in its current location.

Mrs Ball said: "The document appears largely to be a justification for the relocation of swimming facilities in Shrewsbury to the Shrewsbury Sports Village, as there are references peppered throughout of poor quality facilities and management capability in the town centre location, and yet spare capacity at the out of town location.

"It makes the decision taken to present a 'preferred location' report to cabinet in July more understandable, as it would have been embarrassing that the consultant used for both the pool consultation and this strategy document were advocating a non-town centre location, when the council had not made any formal view point."

The town council's response was discussed earlier this week at a meeting, where councillors also questioned why the town's Meole Brace Golf Club was mentioned only once.

Councillor Peter Nutting, representing Copthorne, said the report showed a "lack of ambition" and focused on current financial strains, rather than future possibilities.

Councillor Miles Kenny, representing Underdale, said the report was "dull, tedious and repetitive".

He said: "It should be looking at the bigger picture."

Councillor Stuart West, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure services said: "We acknowledge and thank Shrewsbury Town Council for taking the time to consider and respond to the draft Leisure Strategy. Theirs is one of a number of responses received so far so it would be premature and unfair on others who have also responded to comment on the Town Councils letter.

"However we will carefully consider all responses once the consultation closes on September 30 and provide feedback to all comments which will be publicly available.

"We encourage people and organisations to continue to get involved and to send their comments to facilitiesstrategy@shropshire.gov.uk by September 30."