Shropshire today made its historic switch to unitary status with a single powerful council running public services across the county.

Staff and councillors from the county council and five borough and district authorities – excluding Telford & Wrekin – have been working for months to ensure the transition goes as smoothly as possible.

Malcolm Pate, chairman of the executive committee, which has overseen the change, said: “I am delighted we are finally here.

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“I would like to thank all the leaders of the political groups at Shropshire County Council, the leaders of the district and borough councils and all of the staff, for their support and co-operation in delivering the new unitary council.

“We are committed to providing services locally, and people will have greater access to their council than ever before.”

Sheila Healy, the council’s interim chief executive, said: “The move to a single unitary council has always been based on increased efficiency, better services and greater influence for people at a local level.

“It is important that we embrace those ideas from day one.”

The headquarter offices of the former councils are all being used by the new council, and receptions will be open to the public as normal.

For maps of the new authority wards, click on to the next pages