Regularly I am told the standard of equipment and presentation is below what our residents and visitors have a right to expect.  The image of Shrewsbury they portray to visitors is one of not caring  whether they have a comfortable and  relaxed visit at all.  It is vital for the economic health of Shrewsbury that we make the most of the opportunities and income well planned tourism offers.
The current provision of public toilets in Shrewsbury is just not doing that.

What a massive shame it is that our Tory led Borough and County Councils instead chose to waste some £750,000 on the Darwin “celebrations” and the hugely costly Quantum Leap slinky sculpture.

Investing wisely in our basic facilities in my view would have been the sensible course, and would be far more likely to bring the repeat visits the Darwin fiasco has so conspicuously failed to produce.

Shropshire Council and HM Revenue & Customs will be holding a free advisory day in Shrewsbury on 11 March to help explain to newly-registered businesses the importance of filing their VAT returns online.

Under government proposals it will become compulsory from April 2010 for VAT registered business to complete VAT returns online and pay any VAT due electronically.

Shropshire businesses affected by this change are being invited to the exhibition and seminar programme at the Prostar Stadium on Thursday 11 March to meet experts from government department agencies, and to find out more about help and support to start, survive or grow in business today.

Jill Poole, from HM Revenue and Customs Business Liaison Team, said: “I am pleased to be able to invite businesses to this event which offers a wide range of advice for small and medium sized businesses. In addition, we will be offering assistance to VAT registered businesses for the VAT Online service.”

Councillor David Roberts, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for local environment and economy said: “I’m pleased that we are able to support this important event which I would urge businesses to attend. One of the main aims for the Shropshire Business Board is to work with partners and other organisations to simplify the information available to businesses and to make it easier for them to access existing support services. This event will help to meet this aim.”

For more information about the event, call 01682 755214 or 01743 252531

Well, the problem has not gone away. I fully appreciate, and sympathise, with village residents concerned about the risk of closure to their school. On top of the loss of the local shop, pub and bus service this can seem like the last straw. But we must all accept small rural schools cannot be considered in isolation. Surplus places kept open mean less funding for the rest of our schools, including those in both village and town.

In my opinion what is required is an approach that considers the whole of our school system, and whilst listening fully to the people,  is not then derailed by narrow local electoral considerations. The issue is very emotive and inevitably supporters of some schools will be disappointed. The ruling Conservatives on Shropshire Council face some very tough decisions on the matter, but to do nothing is no longer an option.

What was not acceptable was the stance of certain prominent local Tories, who sought to blame the Labour Government for Shropshire’s surplus place problem. Spouting misleading and  inaccurate claims will not solve the problem, and does nothing to foster the informed debate we all need to have on the subject. The funding figures per pupil are largely a product of past failures to tackle the surplus place problem. No Government, of whatever party, is going to pay us to maintain significant numbers of empty desks.

If the same people repeat these claims now, they will truly have exposed themselves to be unable to understand simple mathematics, or worse, to be total cynics.

In a Parliamentary debate on Local Government in March 2007 MP Daniel Kawczynski said of the Borough Council “It has an excellent chief executive and a formidable council leader, Peter Nutting.” Yet less than 3 years later Cllr Nutting has been ejected from power by his own Party, and Robin Hooper seems long gone.

As a Councillor on all of the Borough, County and Unitary Councils I always respected Peter Nutting as a hard working local representative. But I had deep differences with him over policy, particularly the spending spree the Tories indulged in with the sale proceeds of the Borough council houses. A recurring problem I found was getting information to scrutinise these spending decisions. The regular exclusion of the public under the exempt item rules, such as happened with the secret sale of the Barker Street car park, is just one example.

Sadly this is still going on. I have found great difficulty in getting details out of the Tory led Shropshire Council, to try and get to the bottom of of the huge Quantum Leap spending total. Yet both Peter Nutting and Keith Barrow are now publicly claiming they want more open and democratic local government. They can start by holding a full investigation into the huge sums spent on the Darwin celebrations, and why local residents  seem to have got so little in return.

And what of our Tory MP Daniel Kawczynski, what has he got to say about this local Tory turmoil? When it comes to his own Party, he seems to go very, very, quiet.

The majority of these will not require road closures.

Listed below is an early schedule of roadworks. Please note that this timetable could be subject to change. This schedule aims to explain the reasoning behind each set of roadworks and what measures have been put in place to minimise disruption to residents, local businesses and road users.

January 2010

• Spring Gardens, Persimmon Homes site – 11 January 2010

Essential works to build access into the new housing development site on Spring Gardens. This housing development will provide much needed low cost homes for Shrewsbury.

The works are scheduled to start once the Christmas embargo enforced by Shropshire Council finishes. The roadworks co-ordination team has organised the majority of the works to be carried out under traffic signals rather than road closures and has scheduled the works to be completed before the Harlescott Crossroads improvement scheme starts.

Contractors McPhillips will be installing the new mini roundabout and work is expected to start from 11 January 2010 for four to five weeks.

Temporary traffic management should be minimal; however at some point temporary traffic signals will need to be used. Shropshire Council’s Environmental Maintenance teams are also taking the opportunity to carry out a section of road resurfacing to prevent future disruption.

Work to construct the roundabout is in progress at the moment with minimal traffic management. Carriageway surfacing (including maintenance surfacing) is scheduled to be carried out over three Sundays under manual traffic control.

• Frankwell - Connect 2 scheme- 11 January 2010

Works will be starting on 11 January 2010 for three weeks to improve and enhance access on this side of the Welsh Bridge as part of the town centre Connect2 cycleway scheme.

Shropshire Council’s roadworks co-ordination team have scheduled the works to start following the Christmas embargo and before Severn Trent Water sewer improvements commence on The Mount, to minimise disruption in this area of the town.

Traffic management should be minimal; however the co-ordination team will be working closely with Theatre Severn to minimise any disruption.

Works were brought forward due to the explosion on Bridge Street disabling the permanent signals at Frankwell Quay. These are complete.

• Wyle Cop, English Bridge, St Julian’s Friars, Beeches Lane – Gas main replacement works – 10 January 2010

A gas main replacement has been classified as urgent by National Grid with action needed before the end of March 2010, to comply with commitments to the regulators.

A provisional date had been set following the Christmas embargo starting 10 January 2010 with a proposed duration of seven weeks. This was subject to the results of trial holes carried out by National Grid to determine if the replacement can be carried out whilst maintaining two-way traffic flow past the works. The area of replacement is from Marine Terrace to and including part of St Julian’s Friars and will also involve a closure of Beeches Lane / Town Walls for up to two weeks.

A diversion route for through traffic will be signed for the duration of the closure on Beeches Lane via Wyle Cop, High Street, Mardol Head, Shoplatch, Barker Street and Bridge Street.

The essential work will replace an old cast iron main which has been subject to gas escapes over the last few years. This is part of the utility’s programme agreed with OFGEM and the HSE.

Shropshire Council’s co-ordination team had given the scheme an allocated time slot, scheduled to follow the Christmas embargo and avoiding other town centre works and key events during 2010.

Shropshire Council will be continuing to work with the town centre traders to reassure that Shrewsbury is Business as Usual and promote the town.

Following a site meeting on the due start date of 11 January National Grid’s contractors Enterprise decided they could not carry out the mains replacement safely under the temporary traffic management they had first planned. These works will now need to be rescheduled and further trial holes undertaken. The likelihood is that these works will now be programmed to take place during September to avoid the Flower Show and summer season.

February

• The Mount, Shrewsbury- 1 February 2010

Severn Trent Water had applied for a four week closure of The Mount starting on 1 February to carry out an urgent sewer flooding alleviation programme (again to comply with the programme agreed with OFWAT) Richmond Drive and Barracks lane will also be subject to road closures.

A signed diversion route will be in operation for the duration of the closure on The Mount via the B4380 Shelton Road and B4386 Copthorne Road.

Severn Trent Water’s improvements will help to alleviate a long running problem of sewers “backing up” and flooding residents properties in this area.

Shropshire Council’s roadworks co-ordination team had worked with Severn Trent Water to schedule this scheme to take place as soon as possible after the Christmas embargo, due to the essential nature of the works. The teams have also ensured that works on the Connect 2 Frankwell scheme will not be happening during these flood works, to ensure that disruption on key routes into the town centre are minimised.

These works have now been cancelled by Severn Trent Water until further notice.

• Coton Hill Gas main replacement – 22 February 2010

This is an urgent gas main replacement scheme to replace an old cast iron main between Berwick Road and Janes Place, which again is part of the utility’s programme agreed with OFGEM and the HSE.

Shropshire Council’s roadworks co-ordination team has worked with National Grid to ensure that work on Coton Hill starts after the works on Spring Gardens are completed, but before the Harlescott Crossroads improvement works start.

Following the results of a trial hole to determine the exact location the gas main, National Grid’s contractors Enterprise have planned these works to be carried out under three way temporary traffic signals for the majority of the work.

• Berwick Road / Coton Hill – new traffic signals – 22 February 2010

This improvement will provide a safer route for pedestrians and vehicles at this junction and residents have been asking for this for some time. Wherever possible, Shropshire Council is taking the opportunity to co-ordinate this scheme with the gas main replacement works and hopefully minimise future disruption to road users.

All ducting work which requires full road width excavations will be tied in with the planned traffic management for the gas main replacement. National Grid will also replace a further length of old main which runs under the proposed new footway build out, in order to reduce future works in the new road surface.

Further work to alter existing kerb lines and install new signal heads will continue after National Grid has completed and will be under traffic signals or stop and go boards.

A road closure for up to two Sundays in March will be required in order to carry out carriageway resurfacing and application of anti-skid high friction surfacing. A signed diversion route will be in operation via : A528 Ellesmere Road; A5124 Battlefield link road; A5112 Battlefield Road; Whitchurch Road; A5191 Ditherington Road; Spring Gardens; Castle Foregate;A528 Chester Street; Coton Hill & vice versa

To coincide as much as possible with National Grid’s main replacement scheme.

March

• Coton Hill gas main replacement to continue
• Berwick Road / Coton Hill – new traffic signals to continue

• A458 Shelton Road / Welshpool Road junction – refurbishment

Work to refurbish the existing signals at this location due to commence from 1 March 2010 under lane closures where necessary and with temporary four way signals installed.

April

• Welsh Bridge / Smithfield Road / Bridge Street – Connect 2 scheme- April 2010

These works will improve and enhance pedestrian and cycle access on this side of the Welsh Bridge as part of the town centre Connect 2 cycleway scheme. The general public voted for Connect 2 funding from the Big Lottery.

Shropshire Council’s roadworks co-ordination team had scheduled these works to follow on from works on the Frankwell side of Welsh Bridge (January 2010) and to avoid the West End Regeneration works and Shrewsbury Summer season events. The teams will also ensure that this improvement / enhancement work will take into account how busy the area is and any works that involve lane closures will take place outside of main trading hours and busy traffic periods.

Shropshire Council is also taking the opportunity to resurface Welsh Bridge, to minimise future disruption. The work will be programmed with the Connect2 works and will be done overnight to reduce disruption

Works for this section have been scheduled to start on 6 April 2010 until 14 May 2010. Due to budgetary constraints work on this project must start before the end of March 2010.

Some aspects of this scheme will now need to be brought forward following the explosion in Bridge Street which destroyed the signal controller infrastructure and be carried out during February (new four way traffic signal controllers to be installed). If feasible all Connect2 works will be completed during February.

• Harlescott Crossroads – 6 April 2010

Shropshire Council will be carrying out work to alter kerb alignments, replace existing splitter islands and resurface the junction at Harlescott Crossroads. Work is expected to start after Easter 2010 for approximately 21 weeks.

After major commercial development in this area over the last few years, it is hoped these works will improve and update the whole crossroads and create a safer / better environment at a main gateway into Shrewsbury.

The council appreciates the volume of traffic that passes through these crossroads and will ensure that wherever possible any work which involves road or lane closures will take place at night or out of traffic sensitive hours. The roadworks co-ordination team will also aim to keep other arterial routes into the town free of works for the duration.

The left turn lane from Whitchurch Road onto Harlescott Lane (outside Lidl’s) will be closed for the duration of the works & a local signed diversion route will be available via Battlefield Road, the A5124 Battlefield Link Road & Battlefield Way.

May

• Harlescott Crossroads works continuing until 27 August 2010

June

• West End Regeneration works

Shropshire Council will be carrying out an improvement scheme to enhance and regenerate the west end of Shrewsbury town centre and improve the traffic flow. This work will involve changing the flow of traffic and carrying out the associated kerb, footway and junction realignments. High quality York Stone paving is also being used.

Work is expected to start on 7 June 2010 and end on 29 October 2010 and will focus on Bridge Street, Barker Street, St Austin’s Friars and Lower Claremont Bank. There may be significant utility service diversions to take into account. Again Shropshire Council will be taking into account the need to keep traffic flowing at these key locations.

Morris Properties also have plans to develop the old taxi rank area of Barker Street / Claremont Street during 2010. In order to minimise any disruption to pedestrians and traffic, Shropshire Council and Morris Properties will be co-ordinating both schemes together.

Shropshire Council has postponed the West End Regeneration works.

Given the volume of works taking place in Shrewsbury during 2010, this will benefit the program of works and hopefully reduce any disruption to motorists and trade during 2010.

• Hazledine Way footbridge replacement works

These works are scheduled to commence on 1 June for up to two weeks until Sunday 13 June under temporary signals. An overnight closure will be required for two nights

• Harlescott Crossroads works continuing until 27 August 2010

• Shrewsbury Carnival, wherever possible all traffic management is removed.

• West Mid Show, wherever possible all traffic management is removed.
  

July

• Harlescott Crossroads works continuing until 27 August 2010
• Quarry Concerts (not confirmed)
  

August

• Harlescott Crossroads continuing until 27 August 2010

• Shropshire Council insists on an embargo for the Flower Show. Wherever possible all traffic management is removed.

September

• Street Theatre Festival, wherever possible all traffic management is removed

October

None planned at present.

November

• Shropshire Council insists on a Christmas embargo on all works requiring traffic management on traffic sensitive roads

December

• Shropshire Council insists on a Christmas embargo on all works requiring traffic management on traffic sensitive roads

Shropshire Council is raising awareness of a programme to provide low income families with a free computer and free internet access.  The council wants to ensure that all eligible families across the county are made aware of this opportunity and apply for a Home Access computer and internet package.

The Government scheme is being rolled out nationally and is designed to close the digital and educational divides and to help parents keep in touch with their child’s progress.  It has been proven that using technology for learning can help children achieve more, do better in their studies and have fun while they learn.

Shropshire Council is one of the three local authorities nationally to have secured approval to run a special group ordering system which aims to provide families with further support and assistance in applying for a package.  If a family qualifies for a Home Access Grant they can either use it themselves to purchase a computer and internet package or they can take part in the council’s group ordering scheme.

Families may be able to apply for a Home Access Grant if one of their children is in years 3 to 9 and is in full-time education in an English state-maintained school and are eligible for free school meals or are receiving income based Job Seeker’s Allowance or Income Support.  Families can only apply for one package per household.  Further details on the scheme can be found on the following website: www.homeaccess.org.uk

Councillor Cecilia Motley, Lead Member for Children and Young People’s Services said: “We are seeking to maximise the number of Shropshire families who are able to secure a computer and internet package and to benefit from this programme.  It is essential that we raise awareness across the county and, where appropriate, support those families who need assistance in applying for a Home Access Grant.  We are currently briefing schools and other agencies and partners working with families about the programme.”

Families who believe that they are eligible for a grant should ring 0333 200 1004 to get an application form.

The Cultural Strategy, driven by the Cultural Consortium, which includes Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin Council’s and the private and voluntary sectors, maps out what we want to achieve over the years to come, working with local people and with creative and cultural industries to deliver our vision.

Councillor Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure said today, “We want culture to be for everyone, everywhere.  It is part of people’s lives where they live, work and play and that’s why it’s important.  The Cultural Strategy is a building block, a foundation stone and a tool to market Shropshire’s cultural assets.”

Over 360 people responded to the strategy’s participation survey providing a wealth of feedback in response to the needs and desires for culture.  Comments ranged from wanting more events for young people in rural areas to residents expressing pride in the beauty and diversity of Shropshire’s landscape and the cultural opportunities provided.

Culture in Shropshire is about places to go and things to do.  It includes arts, sports, libraries, reading, museums, heritage, archaeology, archives, architecture, crafts, children’s play, parks, open spaces and green networks, countryside recreation, leisure, tourism and the cultural and creative industries. It’s the things we choose to do in our spare time for fun and enjoyment.

Sue Goodwin, Principal Arts Development Officer at Shropshire Council said
“Culture is also much more than this.  It is also about our sense of identity – as individuals and as a society – the connections we feel with where we live and the people we live among. In short, it is about what makes us distinctive and how we choose to express this at community or individual level.”

For a copy of the Cultural Strategy call 0345 678 9000 or visit www.shropshire.gov.uk

These policies form part of the council’s Speed Management Strategy for Shropshire and aim to address peoples’ concerns about drivers speeding in their local area.

The Vehicle Activated Signs Policy, consulted on and piloted in September 2009, sets out criteria for where the signs should be placed and how the placement of new signs should be funded.

This policy will work in conjunction with the council’s Rural Speed Limit Policy, which was consulted on in December 2009. This sets out criteria for recommending speed limit changes on rural roads and also how they would be funded across the county.

Further consideration of the Urban Speed Limit Policy is in progress in light of some comments received during consultation. Also, the Government is currently reviewing guidance on 20 mph limits in urban areas. This will be reported back to Cabinet at a future meeting.

These approved policies follow the previously approved Village Speed Limit Policy, which has worked to reduce traffic speeds in the county’s villages since it was introduced in 2007.

Martin Taylor-Smith, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for strategic planning and transport, said: “I know that speeding is a major concern for local residents across the county. These new policies will hopefully work to reduce speeds where needed and make the roads safer for all users.”

It is very worrying that it appears the Tories are holding back on immediate cuts in an Election year, but when asked to protect vital services in the future they flatly refuse to do so. What other front line services are they planning to cut once the Election is out of the way?

Figures released today (Thursday Jan 21st) show that crime across the West Mercia Police area, covering Shrewsbury, has fallen by 6%. Across the country, crime has fallen by 8%, with burglary, robbery and violence all down this quarter.

This welcome drop, which will be welcomed by people across West Mercia, is the latest indication that Labour’s tough line and investment in frontline services is making our communities safer.

Labour’s Jon Tandy PPC said: “Today’s crime figures chime with the unemployment figures earlier this week. Just
as Labour’s investment has helped keep people in work through the recession, investment in policing and communities is helping make people safer in their homes and on the streets of Shrewsbury.

“Though every crime committed is terrible for the victim, and every job lost a personal tragedy, the evidence clearly shows that Labour investment is working, both on crime and the economy.

“It’s also clearer than ever that the Tories would be a disaster for both, choking off recovery with their irresponsible economic plans and opposing tough action on crime and anti-social behaviour.”
I know from recent debates in Shropshire Council that local Tories are fixated on future cuts in services no matter what the consequences for local residents in terms of our local quality of life.

“Today’s figures show that the crimes the public care most about are falling across the county with burglary, robbery and violence all down this quarter and overall police recorded crime reduced by six per cent.
“I’m very pleased to see that confidence in the police is increasing and the number of people worried about high levels of antisocial behaviour has fallen to 15 per cent – the lowest on record. The British Crime Survey also shows and the risk of being a victim is at its lowest point ever.

“The fall in crime across the West Midlands region shows the difference that can be made when we work together to tackle crime and is a testament to the effort and commitment shown by police and crime reduction partners around the region.”

Instead of the local Tories regularly knocking the Police, they should thank them for their part in these real concrete improvements, and support them as we seek to drive local crime down still further.