Complaint filed against Shropshire Council leader after member told 'to check facts'

A complaint has been filed against the leader of Shropshire Council after a member was told "to check his facts".

Earlier this month, Reform UK accused the unitary authority of allowing community assets and local services to decline then using it as a justification for closure, disposal or withdrawal.

This includes a former youth club in Shifnal, called the St Andrews building, that Shropshire Council's Cabinet voted to dispose of due to it being unviable.

Councillor Thomas Clayton (Reform UK, Shifnal North) said Shifnal Town Council engaged constructively, looked at solutions and tried to work with Shropshire Council.

"The question residents will rightly ask is why a community asset in a growing town has been allowed to deteriorate, only then to be labelled surplus," he said.

"If Shifnal is expected to take the housing, it must be treated fairly when it comes to facilities local people need."

However, Councillor Heather Kidd, the leader of Shropshire Council, said "it's as great pity" that Councillor Clayton hadn't spoken to the town council and Reform UK need to check its facts before going to the press.

"Shropshire Council has been in long-term discussion with the town council about taking it over," said Councillor Kidd.

"However, the previous long-term lease holder had left the building in a very poor state of repair and they decided it would not be financially viable to take on."

Councillor Clayton has now submitted a formal complaint - saying that Councillor Kidd's claims are factually incorrect and risk misleading residents.

“The public claim that I had not been in contact with Shifnal Town Council, and that I was creating false information, is incorrect," said Councillor Clayton.

"Publicly suggesting I had not carried out a core part of my role as a county councillor, and effectively implying that I have been dishonest, is a serious matter."

A Reform UK spokesperson said that the issue goes beyond political disagreement and speaks directly to the need for accuracy in public statements.

"The claims made risk distracting from the real issues surrounding the future of community assets and undermine constructive engagement with local partner," said the spokesperson.

"His focus has always been on working with the Town Council and residents to explore viable options for the site and ensure that decisions reflect the needs of a growing community.

"Shifnal Town Council have gone above and beyond in trying to take on the site and keep it available for the community.

"They should not be placed in a position where they feel they have to publicly prove the extent of that hard work. The focus should be on supporting local partners who have acted constructively and in good faith, not forcing them to defend their efforts in the public arena."

Councillor Clayton has therefore called for the statements to be formally reviewed and for the public record to be corrected.

In response, Councillor Kidd said she was aware of the complaint but is confident she has acted in good faith.

"For example, I know that the deputy Leader, Alex Wagner, has spoken at a public meeting in Shifnal and spoken to the Mayor," she said.

A Shropshire Council spokesperson added: “We’re unable to comment on code of conduct complaints. However, Shropshire Council has arrangements for dealing with allegations that a councillor has failed to comply with the code of conduct and relevant legislation, and all allegations are considered in accordance with these arrangements.”