Hills group to split with Shropshire Council over costs row

Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership will become independent from the authority after 58 years, it has been confirmed.

The move comes after Shropshire Council suggested merging the body's manager role with other council roles, which AONB Partnership chair James Williamson said could leave the organisation with "a third of a manager" and have major impact on the partnership's work.

Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for rural services and communities and a vice chairman of the AONB Partnership, said the move had been mutually agreed after talks and the body would maintain important link to both Shropshire Council and Telford and Wrekin Council.

She said: "We believe an independent structure will give the AONB organisation greater flexibility and security, as well as achieving savings for Shropshire Council.

"A transition period of up to two years has been agreed within which Shropshire Council would remain the host authority, but the AONB Partnership hopes to decide which independent governance model to pursue as its preferred option by this summer."

Mr Williamson said: "I am very grateful to the many people who have expressed support for the work of the AONB Partnership and its staff team over recent weeks, which has helped us to secure this agreement.

"In developing a new independent organisation for the AONB, we will need the support and involvement from local people and organisations more than ever before.

"This is a very significant stage in the 58-year history of the Shropshire Hills AONB, and one which I am very excited about as I believe it can place our nationally-important AONB landscape on a firmer footing for the future."