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A Single Council for Shropshire - Business Case

The leaders of Oswestry Borough Council, Shropshire County Council and South Shropshire District Council have welcomed the government's White Paper on the future of local government - and the opportunities it brings to benefit people in Shropshire.

The leaders of the councils believe there is a strong case - backed by public opinion, partner organisations and businesses - for streamlining the current two-tier set up of the county and five district councils.

The councils have now considered the business case for having just one, all-purpose principal council for all of Shropshire (excluding the Borough of Telford and Wrekin).

This business case has been discussed by all councils in Shropshire, and a joint formal proposal will be made to government by Oswestry Borough Council, South Shropshire District Council and Shropshire County Council.

The Updated Unitary Shropshire Business Case  (1.3MB) is available here.

Any new structure for local government will have to offer a number of major benefits for Shropshire people:

• It will have to provide strong, effective strategic leadership, capable of giving Shropshire a powerful voice in the region and the country
• It will have to deliver better value for money -- in better-co-ordinated services that show fairness across Shropshire
• It will have to give local people a greater voice in their local communities, including more devolved decision making

Malcolm Pate, Leader of Shropshire County Council, said: "I am convinced that any proposal we make to government will bring all these benefits to Shropshire people. I am equally convinced that having one council will be essential if we are to be successful in getting Shropshire a full share of the regional cake."

David Lloyd, Leader of Oswestry Borough Council, said: "It's important to remember that in proposing one council for Shropshire, we would not in any way be diminishing the role and work of town and parish councils. Far from it. We would be working with the Shropshire Association of Local Councils in seeking ways of involving local people even more in decision making in their local communities. Likewise we will not saddle any town or parish councils with duties they do not want."

Heather Kidd, Leader of South Shropshire District Council, said: "In clearing up the confusion that can often exist in people's minds as to which council provides what services, a proposal for one, unitary council will also make strong financial sense. Council tax payers will not be paying any more for this. The business case we have worked on so far demonstrates £7.8 million savings on day one, with no adverse impact on services - and this is just the start."

If councillors agree to submit a joint proposal, a final decision from Government would be likely by next summer.