Car park cash ultimatum issued over takeover of Market Drayton services

Thew town council has agreed in principle to provide financial support for the library, swimming pool, customer contact facility and street markets.

However councillors have said they will not take on these services unless they are given control of the car parks to help mitigate some of the costs to the tax payers.

The mayor of Market Drayton, David Minnery, said he hopes to start a public consultation about the plans soon.

He said: "This has been going on for some time.

"Now we have to indicate to Shropshire Council if we want to continue with the process.

"It is not set in stone; it is just the first step to formally indicate our interest.

"Hopefully we will be able to come back to councillors before Christmas with more details.

"A draft paper is going to cabinet later this month and after that we will get more information."

The future of the town's swimming pool, library and car parks, customer first point and street and indoor markets are currently being considered.

If agreements cannot be reached, the services face closure from April 2017 in a bid to help save £61 million from Shropshire Council's budget by 2018/19.

Councillor Mark Whittle said: "We need to know what cash is coming to us before we make a firm decision.

"We are looking at taking on numerous multi-businesses and will need more staff to cope with this. This will mean more cash."

However Councillor Roger Hughes said the day-to-day running of the services will not need to be managed by the town council.

He said: "The day-to-day management of the library, swimming pool etcetera will still be done as it is now. We will just need to help financially.

"If Shropshire Council is not willing to give us the car parks then we will not take any of the services on.

"Market Drayton Town Council is one of the only town council's in Shropshire that currently does not get an income from its car parks.

"We are totally reliant on the precept for income at the moment.

"If we are to take on these services we will need more than just the precept as income."

Councillor Val Taylor said she would like a full public consultation. She added: "This is going to cost money which will come off the rate payers."

Councillor Minnery said a consultation period should start before Christmas.