Telford Labour party unveils pledges ahead of local elections

The party's manifesto for the forthcoming Telford & Wrekin Council elections contains 100 pledges, leading off on five main commitments.

Councillor Shaun Davies, who has been Labour leader of the authority for the last three years, said they have plans and funding in place to deliver on all the pledges.

The five headline commitments include fighting the closure of Princess Royal Hospital Telford's A&E and women and children's centre, keeping council tax one of the lowest in the Midlands, and investing £80 million in protecting vulnerable adults and children – including CSE survivors.

They have also pledged to fight calls from some of Shropshire's Conservative MPs for Telford to merge with Shropshire Council, and said they will invest £50m on roads and footpaths.

Councillor Davies asked the public to look at what the Labour party had done over the last four years and judge them on their work.

He said: "We have a proud record of protecting, investing, and caring for Telford & Wrekin, whether that's investing in footpaths and roads or fighting for our health services. We know there is more to do but we are committed to doing that.

"We have a good record that despite savage government cuts we put Telford & Wrekin first."

Delivered

Councillor Lee Carter, who has been the authority's cabinet member for economic development added: "Our priority will be to deliver on the manifesto. Everything here we know we can deliver. We have the team to deliver it, funds are in place from the last four years.

"The last manifesto, every pledge has been delivered on.

"We are a committed team of councillors, a Labour administration that is really positive and proud of this borough.

"The manifesto tells people what we can do and gives the assurance that even though we are facing massive government cuts we will be creative to try and use all resources we have to make a difference to all the people of Telford & Wrekin."

Councillor Davies also stressed that Telford & Wrekin would continue to work best as a standalone council, giving the example of persuading castings firm Magna to set up in the town.

He said: "In terms of our own council we have a strong identity and we have made difficult choices. We have kept council tax lower than Shropshire Council, we do not have car parking charges in our district centres like Shropshire. Also we are able to have our own priorities and we are small enough to punch above our weight.

"When we went to Magna to speak to them we were fighting competition from the Welsh Assembly, but we were able to do that deal and make it happen.

"If you lose that you do not have a voice for local services or policy, you become one part of a wider area and have to compete for investment and attention.

"Some residents will remember the days before Telford & Wrekin where Telford was controlled by Shirehall and we always used to get the worst possible deal.

"We are a very confident and growing place and it would be a backward step to have one council for the county."