Oswestry Town Council rules out running under-threat services

The council said it will not take on the running of the two services after being warned to protect taxpayers from excessive precept increases by the government.

Town mayor Councillor Paul Milner said the advice came from Marcus Jones MP, parliamentary undersecretary of state for local government.

In order to have provided the services, the town council would have had to have increased its council tax by 260 per cent. It would mean the average band D property would have seen its bills increase from £69.92 to £181.16 per year.

However the council is looking to take on youth services, open spaces, play areas and heritage sites.

Oswestry Town Council, had previously asked Greg Clark, local government minister Greg Clark, about increasing the town council's precept in order to provide services currently delivered by Shropshire Council.

Responding to the council, Mr Jones said: "If the town council wishes to take on some services from other tiers of government, then that is a matter for the council. However the government is very clear that it expects town and parish councils to behave responsibly and protect their taxpayers from excessive precept increases.

"If they fail to do so, the government has the option of making them subject to the referendum principles in future.

"Referendum principles for 2017-18 will be subject to the approval of the House of Commons."

Mr David Preston, clerk to the town council, said it had been "extremely hard" to reach the initial conclusions.

Councillor Milner said: "In recent weeks we have attended various meetings, researching much local information and approached the government for their views on large council tax increases and the implications.

"We have been told to behave responsibly and mMembers feel that a council tax increase of 260 per cent to accept the services on offer would be unacceptable."We understand Oswestry Library, as a statutory service of Shropshire Council, is not under threat and therefore at this time we believe it is best for it to be continued to be run and funded by Shropshire Council.

"Oswestry Leisure Centre is a long term, complex agreement and is part of a county wide network that we see no mutual benefits by becoming involved."

However Councillor Milner confirmed the council had expressed an interest in potential land swaps, in order to consider taking on the town's various open spaces, as well as willingness to discuss the delivery of youth services.

He said: "We remain committed to talk with neighbouring parishes and Shropshire Council to look for local solutions but we also respect government advice and threats as we do not want to be capped in future."

Mr Preston said these decisions were not final but conclusions would have to be reached by the end of July for Shropshire Council's deadline.

He said the town council was committed to securing the continuation of "valuable services" for Oswestry and its neighbouring parishes.

He added: "The town council has worked extremely hard to reach some initial conclusions given the short timescale, and we appreciate the help Shropshire Council has given us."