Peter Nutting: We will push for change says new Shropshire Council leader

Peter Nutting was announced as the new leader of the authority following a private meeting of the county’s Conservative party on Monday night.

Now he says it is time to take on new opportunities for the county as he gets started on his fresh plans.

He said: “It is a busy time but an exciting time. I really want to drive Shropshire forward.

“Much of the next four years will be about economic development and trying to bring good quality jobs to Shropshire – as well as seeing if we can make the best of the opportunities that are coming forward.

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• MORE: New Shropshire Council leader Peter Nutting handed 'poisoned chalice', says Labour group leader

“We will be making our own plans in the next few months. That’s across the board.

“There was nothing wrong with the previous plans but I don’t think some of them were ambitious enough – we’ve got to really get Shropshire moving to provide the growth and job opportunities I think we need.”

Councillor Nutting was previously leader of Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council and also a portfolio holder for income generation at Shropshire Council.

Following the election, Steve Charmley will stay on as deputy leader of the Conservative led authority. As yet portfolio holders have not been announced.

However Councillor Nutting said the roles and positions would be revealed soon.

Councillor Malcolm Pate had wanted to stay on as leader following his 16-month period in the role, but his Tory group decided his colleague, who represents Copthorne, should now take over.

Daniel Kawczynski, who is bidding to return as Shrewsbury and Atcham MP, congratulated Councillor Nutting on his appointment. on Twitter.

And Keith Barrow, former leader of the council, added: “Congratulations to Peter Nutting and Steve Charmley, a great leadership team for Shropshire Council.”

Alan Mosley, the Labour group leader on the council, said: “While I have sympathy for Malcolm Pate on losing the position I also want to congratulate Peter Nutting on becoming leader.

“It is something of a poisoned chalice, however, with Shropshire’s finances in a truly perilous state with many services under threat.I hope that Peter will ensure a proper scrutiny process where all can review policy decisions on behalf of residents and hold the administration to account.”

“Shrewsbury Town Council has long expressed its desire to protect and promote our services and we will be pressing for more timely decision making to make that possible.

“Inevitably we will be looking for a reversal of Shropshire’s current policy to close the Quarry baths.

“We are fighting to keep the baths in its rightful place in a vibrant town centre and reasonably accessible to all.”

Councillor Nutting, who also represents Copthorne on Shrewsbury Town Council, said his approach to running the authority would be a “Shropshire-wide strategy”. He said: “I think Shrewsbury by its nature looks after itself largely and it is the market towns we need to concentrate on for the next few years.

“I’m particularly interested to see if Shropshire can benefit from HS2 and we also have to look at Tern Hill barracks and what we can to with that, or help others to do with that in partnership.” Another one of Councillor Nutting’s suggestions includes promoting Shropshire’s tourism and improving ways to facilitate that around the area.

He also emphasised the need to continue looking at generating income streams for the council as well as promoting growth and “quality” job opportunities in the county.