Shrewsbury Town Councillors have voted by overwhelming majority to recommend that Shropshire’s Regulatory & Business Support Services do not move to IP&E Ltd, the company set up to run some Shropshire Council services for profit.
At a meeting of the full council on Monday [23 JUNE], members considered a formal response to plans to re-design the way these regulatory services, which include Planning and Development, Building Control, Public Protection, Private Sector Housing and Licensing, are delivered.
The proposals, by Shropshire Council, are currently out for public consultation.
Members of Shrewsbury Town Council voted to keep these services as part of Shropshire Council, rather than deliver them through the wholly owned private company, IP&E Ltd, which provides some public services on the council’s behalf.
The Town Council will now submit its comments as part of the formal consultation which will be considered by Shropshire Council’s Cabinet before a decision is made.
Leader of the Town Council, Councillor Alan Mosley said: “We voted overwhelmingly to support these vital services staying under the direct control of the Council and residents. We discussed the obvious risks involved in any transfer to IP&E regarding control, accountability and complexity. Our clear message is that the redesigned in-house Regulatory and Business Support Service is the way forward in promoting and protecting the interests of Shropshire residents, businesses and other organisations. We now hope that Shropshire Council will show that it is listening.”