Moves to bring in private companies as partners in running some Shropshire Council services are a ‘bad deal’ for the taxpayer, a union leader has claimed.

Fears have been raised about who would foot the bill should a new company being set up by Shropshire Council to run a range of public services make a loss.

Shropshire Council could become one of the first money-making authorities in the country in a deal which would see some services run for profit in partnership with private firms.

Shropshire Council slashed more than £32 million from its budget over the past 12 months in unprecedented reductions, chiefs will reveal today.

Shropshire Council spent nearly £350,000 on consultants last year, new figures revealed today.

Council chiefs have delivered a grim pre-Christmas message to Shropshire residents, warning them to brace themselves for a further public sector spending squeeze.

An e-mail sent from Shropshire Council bosses to all staff hours before this week’s 24-hour strike pleaded for some staff members to rethink the decision, it has been revealed.

Shropshire Council chief executive Kim Ryley was paid more than £200,000 in the last financial year, taking home more than David Cameron figures today show.