£1m Telford & Wrekin high streets scheme backed despite criticism

The opposition Conservative group on Telford & Wrekin Council has branded the fund as the "great £1 million giveaway", as the council continues to consult on proposals to close libraries, markets, youth clubs and community centres to save £30 million over the next two years.

The Pride In Your High Streets fund gives residents and businesses in Donnington, Dawley, Hadley, Ironbridge, Madeley, Newport, Oakengates, St Georges and Wellington the chance to bid for cash to improve their town centres.

It was approved unanimously at a meeting of Telford & Wrekin Council's cabinet last night at Addenbrooke House – but not before questions were asked about it.

Councillor Nigel Dugmore, standing in for Conservative leader Councillor Andrew Eade at the meeting, said: "From our point of view the idea behind it is very sound. However, since the plan was put forward, times have changed.

"We are trying to save as much money as possible, yet here we are just wasting cash on things the council cannot afford."

Among the projects to benefit from the cash are Great Dawley Town Council, which wants to buy and refurbish the Lord Hill building, an empty former pub, and the Gower Heritage and Enterprise group, which is renovating the Gower School House in St Georges.

But Councillor Eade, speaking before the meeting, said: "It is baffling how Telford & Wrekin's Labour councillors can claim to be cash-strapped and then offer to give a parish council £100,000 to reopen a derelict pub as part of a great £1 million giveaway.

"Despite having this money to burn they are now threatening to shut down our library service in the borough, a shameful proposal and totally unnecessary."

Councillor Shaun Davies, cabinet member for neighbourhood and business on the council and putting forward the scheme, defended it and insisted the authority did not want to see libraries close.

Speaking about the nine areas selected to receive cash, he said: "These areas will benefit greatly – the response from our communities has been absolutely first class.

"I think we are really lucky in Telford & Wrekin to have such a wide range of district and town centres. This cash is about revitalising them to ensure they remain strong."

On libraries, he added: "We do not want any libraries to close as a result of this.

"That's why we have put the savings from the libraries into year two to give us time to speak to partner organisations.

"We are having a number of really positive conversations about saving the libraries."