Shropshire councils to collaborate in spending of funds

The authority has received more than £17 million through the Community Infrastructure Levy over the last six years. The money is paid by developers for improvements to communities where homes are being built.

However, some town and parish councils have complained that the money is not being reinvested in the places where houses are built.

At a cabinet meeting yesterday, council leader Peter Nutting agreed to work with town and parish councils to decide on future spending of CIL money.

Members also approved plans to spend more than £3.5 million of the cash on critical programmes in the north of the county, including new classrooms at Shifnal Primary School, St Andrews CE Primary School, Market Drayton Infant School and Whitchurch Junior School.

Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Roger Evans said: "The way town and parish councils have been treated is disgusting. There has been absolutely no communication.

"They have no idea why this money is going on new classrooms that they will not be able to access. It's abominable that they have been left out of all of this. They want to be involved in the discussions."

But Councillor Robert Macey, portfolio holder for planning and housing, defended the decision.

"Projects should be based in areas that have taken high levels of development and these areas have," he said.

"I have no issue for a task and finish group to be set up to look into CIL going forward and to include the town and parish councils."

Concerns were also raised about the amount of money being spent on projects.

Councillor Rob Gittins asked whether the new classrooms were going to built with 'gold plated bricks'.

He said: "I question the value for money aspect relating to the new classrooms. It's most excessive. I can only assume the council is pimping them out with gold plated bricks.

"Town and parish councils have been completely mucked around and had the goalposts moved. Hinstock Primary School is full to bursting yet we seem to have been bypassed. Let's not discriminate against rural areas."