Shrewsbury Town Council has published a major report setting out proposals to take on responsibility for key services in the town, including street sweeping, litter picking and bin emptying.

The report, which will be considered by the Town Council’s Policy & Resources Committee next week, responds to the ongoing financial crisis at Shropshire Council and the growing risk of further reductions to non-statutory local services.

Shropshire Council has declared a financial emergency, applied to Government for emergency financial support and has warned of the potential need to issue a Section 114 notice, which would severely restrict spending and could result in services being reduced or stopped at short notice. These pressures follow a significant reduction in core government funding in recent years, including a £13 million cut to Shropshire Council’s budget for 2026/27, placing further strain on already stretched local services.

In light of this, Shrewsbury Town Council is exploring whether taking greater local control of highly visible environmental services would better protect standards in the town.

Alongside the report are the results of the Shrewsbury Town Council’s public consultation about future service provision which will also be presented to the Town Council’s Policy & Resources Committee. Over 1200 members of the public completed the survey between November and January, with 71% of responders requesting that the Town Council take over street sweeping and litter picking services from Shropshire Council. Whilst 79% of the responders agreed with the statement that “It’s important that key local services are protected even if it costs more”. This highlighted a desire from local people for good local services, whilst recognising that providing these may cost more to the local taxpayer.

The proposals set out a managed implementation plan aiming for services to transfer from 1 April, subject to Council approval. They also acknowledge the financial and operational risks involved, while highlighting the risks of inaction, including further service decline.

The report proposes that the Town Council precept increases by £1.30 per household per week, based on a Band B property. 71% of households in Shrewsbury are Band A or Band B properties.

The report draws on learning from other town councils, including Bridgwater Town Council, whose Town Clerk presented directly to Shrewsbury Town Council’s ward members before Christmas about their experience of similar service devolution.

Leader of Shrewsbury Town Council, Councillor Rob Wilson said:

“This is about protecting our town. People expect clean streets and reliable services, and they rightly look to their most local council for leadership. We will be open and honest about the choices ahead, but I believe doing nothing is not an option.”

“Local government is changing, and the financial pressures facing Shropshire Council are well known. The question for us is not whether there is risk, but whether we manage that risk locally or allow services in Shrewsbury to decline.”

The report sets out proposals to strengthen the Town Council’s organisational capacity by creating more than 10 new local jobs. As well as street cleaning, there will be additional support to deliver customer services, health and safety arrangements, management and operational infrastructure. This will ensure that any new services are delivered safely and effectively, whilst the Town Council’s existing services continue to be provided to a high standard.

Residents are invited to read the report and the results of the consultation survey which will be considered at the Policy & Resources Committee meeting on Monday 12th January, before being sent to Full Council for approval on Monday 26th January.