Unitary council poll next week

A poll to give people across the Bridgnorth district the chance to have their say on plans for a single local council will take place next week.

Ballot papers for the unitary authority vote will be arriving through letter boxes on Monday and Tuesday.

Bridgnorth District Council is conducting the opinion poll, which will be sent out to all eligible electors across the district. It will ask which of two options they prefer – continuing the current arrangements of county and district councils or creating a single unitary council for Shropshire.

Voters are being urged to return their completed ballot paper immediately, in the pre-paid envelope provided, to the Independent Scrutineer at Electoral Reform Services.

The final date for receipt of ballot papers is noon on January 22.

Councillor Elizabeth Yeomans, leader of Bridgnorth District Council, said: “The implications of a major local government reorganisation for people who live and work in the district would be significant.

“Some of the concerns we have about One Council for Shropshire include the fact that local people need local services that are delivered and managed locally – the case produced by Shropshire County Council and its partners does not provide detailed evidence to show how services will get better.”

Residents from across Bridgnorth district have been emailing their views via Bridgnorth District Council’s website www.bridgnorth-dc.gov.uk

Councillor Yeomans added: “The council feels it is very important to know the views of residents.”

The results will be discussed at a meeting of council to be held on January 24.

See Also: