Taxpayers are likely to stump up more than £100,000 over the next few years to finance Telford’s new role in the West Midlands City Region, it was revealed today.  

Borough councillors are being urged to spend £22,571 on “management and administration costs” in the current financial year. And this is likely to be an ongoing demand on the authority’s budget, says a report to Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet.

The decision to join forces with Birmingham, Coventry and the Black Country in a new role on the West Midlands City Region was made by the cabinet in April.  

Supporters say joining the city region will prove a multi-million pound boost for Telford, attracting jobs and more investment into the borough which the region would otherwise miss out on.

Critics say it is part of a trend away from elected councils, with power placed into the hands of unelected regional quangos.

Gerry Dawson, the borough’s head of regeneration and economic development, says in a report to cabinet that considerable progress has already been made on the city region.

But Telford is expected to foot its share of the management and administration bill – a sum of £22,571 for 2006/07. Mr Dawson says this will be an ongoing requirement and plans are being made to allocate £100,000 for the period 2007-2011. His report to the cabinet also outlines the ambitions of the city region’s 2020 Vision.

The wish-list for Telford and its city region partners includes:

Higher than average earnings
Higher than average employment rate
Increasing numbers of highly-skilled, high paid jobs
Less congested roads
More people using buses and trains
A cleaner and greener environment
An international reputation for culture, sport and leisure.

By Peter Johnson