Unitary council to get £30m

About £30 million in capital funds will be handed over to Shropshire's new unitary authority by Shrewsbury's borough council officers, a leading councillor has revealed.

Peter Nutting, leader of Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council, made the claim at last night's full council meeting during a discussion on the authority's general fund and medium term financial plan.

Councillor Nutting said the £30 million would include £4 million set aside to support the multi-million pound Theatre Severn and £1.5 million to help run Shrewsbury Sports Village.

Councillors approved a host of recommendations, including a budget on £11,828,910 for 2008/09.

It was agreed to raise general fund council tax by three per cent to £131.25 for a band D property, while the town-only council tax rate will rise by just over 4.6 per cent to £32.70.

Further items passed included the prioritisation list for the council's capital programme, setting aside a £50,000 contingency fund to pay for small grant schemes.