'People will see a difference': Town council's pledge over Shrewsbury street cleaning as it looks to take on new staff

The figure is a big number so it is important to make clear what that equates to in real-money terms.

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For the town's average band B council tax payer, it means an increase of around £5 a month.

One of the major reasons behind the rise is the town council's decision to take responsibility for keeping Shrewsbury's streets clean - something that up until now has fallen at the feet of Shropshire Council.

It means that from April Shrewsbury Town Council workers will be taking on the task of looking after the town's bins, sweeping the roads and the streets.

As part of the new responsibilities the council is looking to take on 14 new workers, as well hiring its own 15-tonne road sweeper, a 3.5-tonne MultiHog roadsweeper and three side-loader vehicles.

Across the town the council will now be tasked with making sure one million linear metres of roads are kept clean - around 600 miles in old money.

A significant factor in the backdrop is Shropshire Council's finances. There are genuine concerns that the authority may end up effectively bankrupt, and even if it avoids the worst-case scenario, it is unlikely to be in a position to do anything more than spend the legal minimum required on cleaning the streets - which could mean further deterioration.

Ahead of the town council's vote to proceed with the budget increase to pay for the work, Shrewsbury Business Improvement District (BID), which represents the town's shops and businesses, spoke up in support of the plan.

The organisation explained that its directors were concerned at standards of cleanliness in the town centre, and added that businesses and public feedback had also raised the issue.

Given the town's increasing success as a destination for visitors it spoke of the importance in ensuring people find clean and well-presented streets when they visit.

Speaking ahead of the takeover date, town council leader Rob Wilson, Councillor David Vasmer, and town clerk Helen Ball said they were not underestimating the task, but are committed to ensuring the town sees the benefit of the new arrangement - and are confident in the ability to provide improvements the public can see.

The council's staff have previously been recognised for their work maintaining the town's parks which include the obvious jewels in the crown, The Quarry and the Dingle Garden, as well as the numerous floral displays for which Shrewsbury is known.

Councillor Wilson said discussions over the arrangement had been taking place over a considerable amount of time, but that they had not been driven purely by Shropshire Council's finances.

He said: "There is a real willingness from the town council to do more for its residents."

Mrs Ball said: "It is about addressing years of poor maintenance and getting the process up to scratch."

Councillor Wilson said he is convinced that the town's residents will see the benefits.

He said: "For us it is a positive thing. A lot of the background is Shropshire Council's finances and the worry this will get worse. This is about the town council saying we can act, we don't have to sit by and complain and bemoan things that are not happening. We can do something about it and I think people recognise that, and I think over the next 18 months people will see that we will do what we say we will do."

He added: "It is going to be done properly; it is not about doing it a little bit better, because people will notice.

"People will see the difference."

The council leader also urged people who want to make a difference in the town to apply for the jobs.

He said: "I would encourage people to apply for them. If you are a Shrewsbury resident and have pride in your town and want to be part of putting it back to how it should be then come and join the town council."