Questions over £180,000 held on to by Ludlow Town Council

But Andy Boddington, Shropshire councillor for Ludlow North, said he was concerned about the “inability” of the town council to spend its money.

The council underspent by £80,000 in the last financial year and this year it is planning to carry almost quarter of its budget across to the next financial year.

Councillor Boddington, said members “need to get on with spending the money they raise”.

He said: “The town council budget for 2018/19 year will be £863,000. Its finances look healthy. The council added nearly £11,000 to its reserves this financial year, increasing them to £181,000.

“I am, though, concerned about the inability of Ludlow Town Council to spend the money it raises. It is planning to carry forward almost £200,000 of unspent money from this financial year to the next. That’s one quarter of its budget.

“The previous year it underspent by £80,000. I cannot see any extenuating factors that justify an increasing underspend. Councillors need to get on with spending the money they raise.”

Mr Boddinton added that the council has been in talks about repairing the Guildhall, taking on Shropshire Council services and employing a deputy town clerk, but that none of this has been done.

“Last year the council talked about repairs to the Guildhall, taking on Shropshire Council services and employing a deputy town clerk but none of this has been done,” he added.

“When the council took the Guildhall over it was in a desperate state, it needs quite a bit of money spent on it.

“An advertisement for the deputy town clerk has just gone out now but the council agreed to have one last year.

“It’s like the council is going in slow motion.“They agreed to take over the play areas provisionally but that will only cost £17,000, which is not a lot compared to the overall budget. I’m not certain what’s happening with them. Most councils are broke and fighting for cash.”