The Mayor of Market Drayton has launched a scathing attacking on unitary Shropshire Council and declared it is time people stood up to the unitary body.
Councillor Roy Aldcroft this week issued a six point criticism of the local authority and admitted that Market Drayton Town Council is powerless to make the changes the town needs.
Councillor Aldcroft criticised Shropshire Council for:
1. Not replacing the seating in Library Square which “elderly people rely on.”
2. Failing to empty the Wednesday Market skips which are left full all week and are causing a mess outside B&M Bargains.
3. Increasing car park charges, which Councillor Aldcroft says there is no justification for.
4. Failing to paint the the oak rails and posts in the town and not providing a trash bin outside the Buttercross Cafe.
5. Not providing decent signage for visitors.
6. Failing to offer proper consultation on the ring road and Indoor Market, which Councillor Aldcroft said were “classic examples of the town council not being kept in the loop.”
Speaking to the Advertiser Councillor Aldcroft said: “I am not happy with the new Shropshire Council. The current cabinet style of decision making is working against any semblance of local democracy.
“Now the rate bills are in some of these issues will come to the fore and I for one will be encouraging residents to write to the chief executive of the council and to the local county councillors.
“Market Drayton Town Council is impotent – it is Shropshire County Council that has the power to take the kind of action that will benefit Market Drayton.”
Councillor Aldcroft said that people can also make their views known by visiting the Customer First Point on Cheshire Street.
He said: “Alongside writing to the chief executive people can also make their views known at the Customer First Point but I want to make it clear now is the time to do something.
“When the unitary authority came in I was hopeful that it would speed up the decision making process and improve the environment of Market Drayton.
“I’m very disappointed to say that this hasn’t happened.
“There are things that they could be doing but haven’t, including proper consultation with the public,” he added.
“We want visitors and tourists to come into the town and it seems the things that are making the town less tidy could be easily resolved but the unitary council can’t be bothered.”
By Joseph Masi