Shropshire Star

Council leader tells MP Owen Paterson: We're sick of your 'outrageous' interference

Telford & Wrekin is "sick to the back teeth" of being being told what to do by people outside the borough, according to its leader.

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Councillor Shaun Davies today hit back at claims made by North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson that the authority should be abolished.

Councillor Davies has called the suggestion "outrageous" and said the people of Telford deserve to have their own say on matters that affect them.

He has sent a strongly worded letter to Mr Paterson, the contents of which he today made public.

Mr Paterson called for the authority to be disbanded because of its interference after it threatened legal action over Future Fit.

He also backed the work of the project, which is likely to lead to a single A&E unit for the county supported by two urgent care centres.

Supported by Labour, Liberal Democrat and independent groups, Councillor Davies has sent the letter defending their right to champion the needs of their residents.

A final decision on hospital services in Shropshire has been delayed for a month after Telford & Wrekin Council voiced its intention to launch a judicial review.

It is unhappy at the prospect of the borough's hospital in Grainger Drive, Apley, losing its A&E department and seeing its women and children's services move to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

Councillor Davies tells Mr Paterson: "The suggestion that Telford & Wrekin Council should be abolished is outrageous.

"Telford and Wrekin residents tell me that they are really sick to the back teeth of politicians who don't live in, work in, or represent Telford telling our residents and businesses what they can and can't have.

"We wish to make it clear to you that Telford & Wrekin Council has both a democratic and legal right to exist and to champion and defend the interests of our borough and our residents.

"It should also be remembered that for many people in north and east Shropshire the Princess Royal Hospital is their hospital and they equally rely on its services including the £28 million women's & children's centre and accident and emergency.

"Our view is that ideally there should be fully functioning A&Es in both Shrewsbury and Telford."

In the letter, Councillor Davies also calls on Mr Paterson to lobby Jeremy Hunt, secretary of state for health, to ensure adequate funding is made available to enable both A&E departments to remain open.

The issue has previously been raised in Parliament by Shrewsbury and Atcham MP, Daniel Kawczynski and Telford MP Lucy Allan.

Mr Paterson said he would respond to the letter next week.

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