Councillors say Newport used as a cash cow

Newport is being used as a 'cash cow' by Telford & Wrekin Council, councillors have claimed.

They are now calling on residents to fights plans to get their services cut. Newport town councillors are concerned that the town is set to lose its recycling centre under the cash-strapped council's new budget proposals.

Opening hours at Newport Library would also be cut as well as litter picking.

Newport Town Councillor Adrian Meredith said money from residents was being used elsewhere across the borough.

Speaking at last night's town council meeting, he said: "Newport is the goose which lays the golden egg – and don't think Telford & Wrekin don't know that.

"They use Newport as a cash cow."

And Councillor Peter Scott said: "Where is the uproar? There should be."

Councillors demanded to be shown figures to prove claims by Telford & Wrekin Council that Newport's recycling centre on Springfield Industrial Estate is less economical than others in Telford.

Councillor Scott said: "We're all totally aghast that they're even considering closing it.

"We have to protest as strongly as we can, as councillors and as residents.

"I've written to council leader Kuldip Sahota twice and been ignored twice – but we can't be put off."

He added: "It will lead to fly-tipping all over the place. It's crazy."

Councillor Tim Nelson suggested that fewer opening hours rather than a complete closure could be a way forward for the library.

He also mooted an idea of having unmanned bottle banks instead of the current skips.

He said: "Why are we presented with all or nothing?"

Councillor Adrian Meredith added: "As a council we have to approach this very aggressively."