The full, stark picture of how cuts will impact on nearly every corner of Shropshire life has been laid bare in grim detail.

Shropshire councillors have approved plans to save nearly £42 million by 2014 amid warnings that service cuts will be felt right across the county and will be “devastating”.

On a black day for the county:

• Council capital projects were slashed to save a further £35 million.
• Plans to axe nine schools moved a step closer despite Shirehall protests and pleas from councillors.
• West Mercia Police Authority warned difficult decisions would have to be made after announcing a £14.7 million shortfall.
• The loss of five criminal and civil courts was confirmed.

The Shropshire Council cabinet decision on plans to save £41.6 million taken yesterday includes just over £8 million from a reduction in senior staff, and changes to staff terms and conditions.

A further £8.1 million may come from a review of adult social care services.

Councillor Alan Mosley, Labour opposition group leader, said there would be “devastating” cuts for the people of Shropshire, the result of increasingly flawed national policies.

He hoped council colleagues would scrutinise the effects of the cuts.

Councillor Mosley said he was particularly concerned over the lack of public consultation.

But council leader Keith Barrow said the authority would consult and added: “I look forward to you coming forward with sensible solutions as to where we can make savings.

“Come up with some good ideas. I am looking forward to it, but I won’t hold my breath.”

On the capital programme savings of £35 million,Councillor Mosley asked if any thought had been given to the “negative impact” on Shropshire’s economy.

The loss of schemes would hit the building trade and other suppliers.

But Councillor Barrow said economic development was a top priority and the council would still be spending £171 million on schemes.

He also said schemes deleted from the programme would not be “dead and buried” and could be revived when money allowed.

His comments came as West Mercia Police Authority agreed a budget of £205.6million for 2011/12 yesterday.

The force, which covers Shropshire, will see a 17 per cent cut in its core Government grant over the next four years — leaving it with a £14.7million shortfall in 2011/12 alone.

Police authority bosses said reserves would have to be used for the shortfall to minimise the impact on the West Mercia service.

Her Majesty’s Courts Service said magistrates courts in Market Drayton, Oswestry and Ludlow, would close on March 31, and county courts in Ludlow and Oswestry will close in September.

The news comes despite warnings witnesses, defendants, victims and families in north and south Shropshire could suffer hardship because of limited transport links to Shrewsbury and Telford, where the bulk of the county’s legal proceedings will be held once the courts on the hit-list close.

Consultation on school closures starts on February 28 and last for six weeks.

The cabinet will meet on May 14 to consider feedback and decide whether or not to proceed with its plan for tackling empty classroom places.

The council is proposing to reduce overall capacity by closing the Wakeman School and Arts College in Shrewsbury and village schools at Hopton Wafers, Barrow, Onibury, Maesbury, Stiperstones and Lydbury North.

At St Martin’s near Oswestry, Ifton Health Primary would combine with Rhyn Park School, while at Shawbury there would be a single school.

Councillor Aggie Caesar-Homden, portfolio holder for children and young people’s services, said the council had already consulted on an unprecedented scale on the future of county schools. She said no decision had yet been made on any school.

By Dave Morris