Redundancies likely as £100k cut from Shropshire Council parks team

Shropshire Council’s Outdoor Partnerships Team could lose some of its managers of country parks and sites with staff asked to apply for voluntary funding.

The Shropshire Wild Team, which care for footpaths and stiles, will end unless external funding can be found. Already earmarked is a £50,000 cut in funding for footpaths and rights of way.

The council’s communities overview committee heard that the proposed cuts are because of the withdrawal of public health funding.

In a report to Monday’s meeting council officer, Shona Butler, council officer, said: “The Outdoor Partnership Team continues to be focused on income generation; with £500k expected in 2018/19 and increased income targets for 2019/20.

“It is facing a £100,000 cut, 11.5 per cent of its budget, in 2019/20 due to the withdrawal of public health funding.

“This will be met by the voluntary redundancy among country parks and sites managers and ceasing to run the Shropshire Wild Teams unless external funding can be secured.”

Service impact

She said Outdoor Partnerships had already had a 58 per cent cut in budget since 2012/13 and said this would impact on services.

Ms Butler added that there are future concerns regarding pressure in the future, including the possibility of further budget cuts.

She also warned of a lack of capital investment, and a reduction in staff having an impact on services.

She added: “The management of the public rights of way asset is essential to maintain the network of access and character of the Shropshire countryside.

“This along with other access provision, the physical nature of the landscape and the uniqueness of the area make it a popular place to visit and live.

“The team do a remarkable job with very little funding.

“This is achieved by careful budget management, volunteer co-ordination, relationship building and income generation.

“While the Outdoor Partnerships Team has and is continuing to explore the most efficient and effective way of managing the network officers would welcome members thoughts on any other potential initiatives.”

Tough times

Councillor Cecilia Motley, committee chair, said she could see the team was doing the best it could to maximise its resources in tough times.

Councillor Nigel Hartin said he was concerned about cuts and said he was worried it went against the council’s statutory duty.

He said: “There’s an increasing level of work coming in, but so much of the budget for the team has been cut since 2012/13 – is this sustainable into the future? Somehow we have to keep funding it.

“Is this as low as it will get? Will it get cut more? Will it go lower? I am worried this goes against our statutory duty. Surely we have got to do it and keep funding it.”

But committee chair Councillor Cecilia Motley added: “It is all about balancing the books. Every area is getting cuts.

“We have had discussions on what is our statutory duties, but when the chips are down we have to prioritise. Other local authorities have thrown in the town providing these services.

“We have to look after our children and our elderly and they are the priority.”

Councillors are to write to cabinet said they are appalled at the cuts.

“Somehow we are keeping this show on the road and I pay tribute to the officers in this department for keeping it going as well as it has under the circumstances as other local authorities have thrown in the towel.

“I think we should send our concerns to cabinet and say how appalled we are at these cuts.”

By Andy Morris, Local Democracy Reporter