Telford 50th anniversary: Council hits back in row over £200,000 celebrations

Council leader Shaun Davies said the celebrations would bring the "tourist pound" into the town, while Councillor Andrew Eade, who leads the Tory opposition, said the money would be better spent on community projects.

"There are many other things you could spend £200,000 on," Councillor Eade said.

"It's a wheelbarrow full of money – it equates to a lot of social care packages.

"I don't think that the events will bring a lot of people into Telford. There's much to celebrate in this town and it's been a great success. But it doesn't warrant spending to celebrate that. It's just a date. It's an anniversary. We've got greater priorities.

"The alternative is to spend this money on community project. That has far more meaning."

Councillor Davies hit back, saying that it would be a fantastic chance to show the world what Telford has to offer.

He said: “Next year’s celebrations of the success story that is Telford provides us with a brilliant opportunity to raise the profile of the borough and change people’s perceptions of Telford as a destination.

“Millions of pounds have been invested in the last few years to improve different areas of the borough, and Telford is a very different place now to what is was a few years ago. We have the Southwater development, improved transport infrastructure, investment in Ironbridge, Dawley, Newport, Wellington, Oakengates and Madeley.

“Telford is a great place to live now and the exciting year of celebrations that we have planned will bring thousands of people together and show the pride that we all have in our fantastic community.

“Over the coming months, the community will be heavily involved in helping to shape the celebrations and we have many events planned across the borough over the course of 2018.

“We are already attracting private sector match funding to support those celebrations and the rise in the tourist pound and increased destination profile of the borough will provide a substantial return on our investment, including funding for legacy projects which will help to create an exciting new chapter in the borough’s development.

“Some people have questioned whether the council should spend money on this and that it is better spent elsewhere – and that is their right.

"I say that where you see the best towns and cities across the country with vibrant economies and vibrant proud communities, you will usually find that right at their heart is a council investing in their town, being proud of what its represents and investing in its residents.”