'Funding crisis' at Shropshire Council hitting people hard, says councillor
Shropshire Council is in a "funding crisis" and residents are "suffering", Shrewsbury Town Council's leader claimed today.
At the town council’s finance and general purposes committee, members considered Shropshire Council’s public consultation for its proposed budget for the next financial year.
Councillor Alan Mosley, leader of Shrewsbury Town Council, said: “A combination of ongoing cuts in Shropshire Council’s funding from the Conservative Government and a rising demand for many of its services is resulting in a funding crisis.
"Shrewsbury residents and others throughout the county are suffering.
"I am delighted that the Labour-led Shrewsbury Town Council is speaking out in opposition to current policy while seeking to mitigate some of the impacts of the swingeing cutbacks, for example in protecting vital services for youth work in our town.”
With a number of areas discussed at the meeting, councillors raised issues with the unitary authority to ensure that the proposals will not have a "significant negative impact" on the residents of the town.
While the town council has stated that it understands the current financial position of Shropshire Council, councillors have expressed concerns that the proposed budget will have "significant detrimental consequences" not just for current services but also for the public purse in the future.
This includes the proposed changes to the Council Tax Support Grant, which has the potential to force more people into poverty by substantially reducing their disposable income.
Shrewsbury Town Council submitted its concerns over proposed parking charges in last year’s dedicated consultation. Whilst there have been some amendments to the original proposals, the town council feels that the increase in parking charges "will deter people" from using the town centre.
In addition, there is concern about proposals to reduce the waste contract by £1.5m and the potential for residents to be forced to pay for some services.
Councillors felt that charges for ‘green waste’ could lead to problems for many residents and substantial increases in the amount of fly tipping in Shrewsbury.
Shrewsbury Town Council has expressed its desire to work with Shropshire Council and other stakeholders with a view to ensuring that Shrewsbury’s future vitality and viability is maintained for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.
