The Leader of Shrewsbury Town Council says he is confident members have set a balanced budget that will safeguard local services, whilst also freezing Council Tax for the fourth year running.
Leader of the Council Alan Mosley said he was pleased to be able to present a financial plan for the coming year that would ensure the quality and standard of local services are protected for Shrewsbury residents. This is despite a reduction in income of some £500,000 in recent years, mainly in payments from Shropshire Council, and increased costs.
The budget was approved at a meeting of Full Council last night. [MON]
Highlights for the coming year include provision for Shrewsbury Town Council’s new Youth Service, named Young Shrewsbury, which launched yesterday, [MON] and the refurbishment of the Quarry Play Area and the creation of the new splash park facilities.
Young Shrewsbury will provide weekly youth sessions will run at Flaxivity, Spring Gardens, on Monday evenings, The Grange Youth Centre on Tuesdays, Sundorne Youth Centre on Wednesdays and New Lodge Youth Centre, Monkmoor, every Thursday.
Meanwhile, work to overhaul Shrewsbury’s Quarry Play Area is now well underway following the appointment of Shrewsbury-based company, Ray Parry Playgrounds, to transform the site after public votes were cast in favour of its Darwin’s Islands of Adventure theme. The play area and splash park are due to re-open in the Spring/early Summer.
The average rate of Council Tax in Shrewsbury will also remain at an annual cost of £39.89 for a Band D property, with the majority of Shrewsbury householders paying £26.59 and £31.03 for Bands A & B respectively.
Leader of the Council, Councillor Alan Mosley said: “I want to congratulate senior officers and all staff across the Council for enabling us to freeze Council Tax again, despite very significant reductions in income in recent years and increased costs. Their hard work and commitment have brought efficiencies which have enabled us to maintain such high quality services.
“We can be proud of the youth services we now provide, and the exciting developments in the Quarry, while we work on developing a new HQ and potentially operating library services delegated to us by Shropshire Council“Our mission to protect and promote value for money public services for Shrewsbury residents is certainly being realised.”
For further information about Shrewsbury Town Council visit www.shrewsburytowncouncil.gov.uk
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