Shropshire Star

I'll fight for A&E, says Telford & Wrekin Council's new leader-in-waiting Shaun Davies

The new leader-elect of Telford & Wrekin Council today pledged to make retaining A&E at Princess Royal Hospital his number one priority.

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Solicitor Shaun Davies was elected unopposed as the new leader of Labour in Telford at the group's annual general meeting last night. He is expected to be confirmed as the new leader of the council at the authority's AGM on May 26.

Councillor Davies succeeds Kuldip Sahota, who announced his retirement from the role he has held since 2011 earlier this month to spend more time with his family.

The new leader said retaining an emergency ward in the town would be key in his first year in the role.

"We will be committed to campaigning that Princess Royal should be the location for the single 24-hour, seven-days-a-week A&E alongside the women's and children's unit," he said. "It is the cheapest and safest option.

"Losing an A&E would have an impact on businesses deciding to come to Telford, and having one here is something that is also important to residents.

"We have never said we wanted one A&E for Shropshire, that is a thing that government health bosses have decided.

"But we will do absolutely everything we can to demonstrate Telford should be that location."

Cllr Davies said he wanted to work more closely with Lucy Allan and Mark Pritchard to bring more cash to Telford.

"One of my three main priorities for the next 12 months is to work with both MPs and with the government to get a fairer funding deal for Telford," he said.

"Even using government figures, Telford & Wrekin is £11 million under-funded year on year. I want to put the case to government, in partnership with both MPs, to make sure we should be getting some or all of that fair funding.

"I want Lucy and Mark to put aside their political differences with the council and work together with us for the good of the community.

"I hope that will happen, and I will certainly be doing all I can. I think that clearly there are differences politically, however it needs to happen for the good of residents in Telford & Wrekin.

"We are not asking to be a special case, we are asking for money that even on government figures we should be getting and which would make a massive difference to us."

The new leader has already announced his cabinet and it will see just one change in personnel, with veteran Hilda Rhodes being brought back into the fold in a new role with responsibility for public protection, safety and enforcement.

Explaining the role, Councillor Davies said: "Hilda has a lifetime of experience in a number of roles across the board. She is a former mayor, a former cabinet member. She is well-respected and I think she will be a great addition to the cabinet.

"It's about community safety, its about reduction of crime. It's about ensuring residents are safe.

"It's also about enforcement, I know for instance a lot of people are getting sick and tired about people who fly-tip around the town.

"I think in the past there has been a view that the council has been seen not to bring people to book.

"We will seek to educate in the first instance – but after that we will not hesitate to resort to enforcement activity if we need to. People will not be allowed to get away with it."

Councillor Richard Overton was expected to be re-elected as deputy leader at the meeting last night despite a challenge from Councillor Charles Smith. He will have responsibility for health, housing and leisure.

Councillor Lee Carter will retain his finance brief but also take on responsibility for commercial services and bringing income into the council through schemes such as the solar farm project and Nuplace.

Councillor Arnold England will remain the adult social care chief but also take on a role as an older people's champion, while Councillor Paul Watling stays as cabinet member for children, young people and communities.

Three women complete the cabinet and largely retain their old roles – Angela McClements (transport), Gilly Reynolds (employment, skills and regeneration) and Liz Clare (parks, green spaces and events).

Councillor Davies again rubbished claims that his predecessor, Kuldip Sahota had been the victim of a coup – and insisted he was as surprised as anyone by his decision to stand down.

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