Councillor quits Lib Dems over devolution plans

A Lib Dem councillor has quit the party over plans to devolve power to town and parish councils.

Shropshire Council has invited them to take over services such as road cleaning, street lighting and public bins and a third of the 153 town and parish councils have so far said they would be willing.

But Jay Moore, who sits on Oswestry Town Council, said people would end up having to pay extra for services they already pay Shropshire Council for.

Alex Wagner, the deputy leader of Shropshire Council, said something had to change, adding that the financially under-pressure unitary authority did not "have the resources to deliver services as before".

"Rather than accept decline, we're embracing change and offering choice," he said.

Shropshire Council is seeking to make significant cuts to its budget, to avoid the risk of overspending and potentially becoming effectively bankrupt.

It said it was following the example of authorities elsewhere in the country, including Buckinghamshire and Somerset, in saving money by moving some services to town and parish councils.

At the same time, Shropshire Council is expected to introduce a 5% increase in council tax rates, while town and parish councils are also due to ask for more.

In Oswestry, it is proposed that the annual town council precept - the portion of the council tax bill which goes to the town council - would double to about £200 for the average household from April.

Moore said it was "a massive increase and the largest proposed in my time on the council".

He said he objected to the devolution plans, because it would mean taxpayers paying "twice" for services that are already delivered.

Moore also argued the town council was "not equipped to deliver these services," because it did not have the staff, the equipment, or the expertise.

He will now sit as an independent councillor and said with the rising cost of living, "the last thing we need is more financial pressures".

Wagner, however, defended the move, saying devolution would allow the councils to "work more closely together to plan and deliver local services, ensuring that decisions are made closer to communities".

He said interest in the devolution plans was growing and "the worst outcome would be for us to block those who can deliver more for their communities".

"I pay £7 per month in Town Council precept where I live, less than the price of Netflix. Many residents pay less," Wagner said.

"I'd happily contribute more if it was directly invested in bread and butter local priorities like cleaner streets, and speaking to local residents, there is strong support for taking action."

Town councils including Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Ludlow, Shifnal and Broseley have agreed in principle to take on the running of extra services.

In the case of Shrewsbury, services coming under the responsibility of the town council could also include maintenance of The Square and the town's museum and art gallery.

Pilot schemes are due to take place in the new year, with Shrewsbury taking on full responsibility for street care, Oswestry caring for parks and green spaces and Shifnal and Broseley taking on lesser roles.

The lessons learned will then be passed on to other town and parish councils.

Shropshire Council has not revealed how much money "Town and Parish Devolution Programme" will save, but said without it, services might have to be cut.

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