Ludlow Town Council is launching a major community engagement plan to navigate the worsening financial situation facing Shropshire Council.
The town council aims to understand residents’ priorities and long-term expectations as it considers taking on new responsibilities.
The move follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Shropshire Council. This agreement outlines the principles of cooperation and identifies opportunities to improve service delivery and explore the local devolution of services in the future. The shared objective is to deliver the most cost-effective services possible for residents.
Potential Cost to Residents
While discussions are underway to identify areas where Ludlow Town Council could offer additional support, residents are being warned that assuming extra responsibilities will likely result in additional costs. These costs would potentially need to be reflected in the council tax paid by householders.
“It is too early to provide an estimate of costs,” stated a council spokesperson.
This consideration comes at a challenging time, as the council prepares its budget for the 2026/2027 financial year. Councillors are acutely aware of the potential impact on council tax levels but stress the need to act in the community’s best interests, given the potential for reduced services at the county level.
Hear from Residents
To inform their approach, Town Councillors have agreed to develop an operational plan focused on service improvement and creating a better environment for residents and visitors. Essential to this plan is hearing from local people about what they want their Town Council to prioritise.
The council will be strengthening its communication through a range of channels, including surveys and community meetings, to ensure every resident can share their views. An invitation to share ideas on what matters most to Ludlow will be issued in the New Year.
Highlights of Local Achievement
The announcement comes on the back of a year of visible progress and commitment from Ludlow Town Council across safety, community support, and environmental improvement.
Recent achievements include:
Security: More than doubling Ludlow’s CCTV coverage, including the addition of number plate recognition cameras on key routes and extending surveillance beyond the town centre.
Infrastructure: Refurbishing the Mill Street bus shelter and improving the infrastructure for market traders, alongside the launch of a new website, www.ludlowmarket.co.uk.
Community Support: Working in partnership with Hands Together, Ludlow and Shropshire Council to deliver a food resilience project.
Engagement: Installing a new audio system to improve sound quality at Town Council meetings.
Environment: Encouraging volunteers to improve the ecology and environment at Henley Road Cemetery and St. John’s Gardens.
Remembrance: Working with local children and community groups to create the poppy waterfall, a symbol of respect and remembrance.
Ludlow Town Council has pledged to keep residents informed as discussions with Shropshire Council develop and urges the community to participate in the upcoming engagement plan.