Updates from Cllr Ed Bird – Shropshire Councillor for Shifnal South Financial Scrutiny — The Reality Behind the Council’s “Adult Social Care Transformation” Millions Earmarked, Zero Savings Target: Why I’m Demanding Financial Realism on Social Care As your Conservative opposition voice on Shropshire Council’s Finance and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee, my primary role is… Continue reading Shifnal & Shropshire Council News October 2026
September Shropshire Full Council Report
Setting the Record Straight: Delivering for Shropshire Before the Lib Dem Takeover At the recent Full Council meeting, Item 8 brought forward the CIPFA External Assurance Review regarding Exceptional Financial Support. While the administration attempted to frame Shropshire’s budget pressures as a failure of local Conservative governance, the facts set out in official records tell… Continue reading September Shropshire Full Council Report
Shropshire Council Finance Update: Holding the Administration to Account While Seeking Sustainability
Finance & Improvement Overview & Scrutiny Committee (7th September 2026) At the Finance and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on Monday, councillors received a series of critical reports outlining the council’s financial trajectory, operational performance, and balance sheet risks. As a Conservative councillor living locally in Shifnal, my top priority is ensuring robust scrutiny… Continue reading Shropshire Council Finance Update: Holding the Administration to Account While Seeking Sustainability
Community Update from Your Councillor for Shifnal South
As your representative for Shifnal South, I would like to provide a formal update on several issues currently affecting our town. While the response from Shropshire Council can sometimes be slower than we would hope, please be assured that I am consistently following up on these matters to ensure our community’s concerns are addressed. Grass… Continue reading Community Update from Your Councillor for Shifnal South
July Update: Standing Up for Shifnal South and Tackling the County’s Finances
As your local Conservative representative for Shifnal South on both the Town and County Councils, and as a fellow resident of our town, I wanted to provide a comprehensive update on several pressing matters affecting us locally and across Shropshire. Local Matters in Shifnal Tackling Grass Maintenance and Weeds I know many of you are… Continue reading July Update: Standing Up for Shifnal South and Tackling the County’s Finances
Navigating Shropshire’s Financial Issues: An Update from the Finance Scrutiny Committee
As your County Councillor for Shifnal, I recently attended the Finance and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on June 8th, 2026. This meeting provided a critical look at where Shropshire Council stands following a very challenging 2025/26 financial year and what the path looks like for the year ahead. The 2025/26 Financial Outturn The… Continue reading Navigating Shropshire’s Financial Issues: An Update from the Finance Scrutiny Committee
May Update on Council Matters
Shropshire Council Meetings I attended both Cabinet and Full Council this month. Proceedings began with the reappointment of the Chair and a formal welcome for Tanya Miles as the new Chief Executive. Halesfield Recycling Centre I read out a question on behalf of Cllr Paul Williamson, Mayor of Shifnal Town Council, and then asked follow-up… Continue reading May Update on Council Matters
Liberal Democrat Mismanagement Pushes Shropshire to the Brink
The latest meeting of the Shropshire Full Council on February 26, 2026, served as a grim confirmation of the managed decline currently overseen by the Liberal Democrat administration. Against a backdrop of a declared financial emergency, the administration pushed through a staggering 8.99% council tax hike—a move described as a shake-down of residents already struggling with the… Continue reading Liberal Democrat Mismanagement Pushes Shropshire to the Brink
February 2026 Updates
Shifnal Town Councillors’ Surgery I attended the monthly Shifnal Town Councillors’ Surgery at the library from 10am – 12 last Saturday (21st February). Unfortunately we only had one resident contacting us. He asked about the Aston Street car park and wanted to know when we would start charging for commuters to use it. We agreed… Continue reading February 2026 Updates
Shifnal Town Council Precept
Last night (30th January 2026) I attended the monthly Shifnal Town Council meeting. A proposal was made to increase Shifnal Town Council’s precept to pay for devolved maintenance of (mainly) the Town centre. The proposal was for a 16.71% increase in precept from £159.94 on a Band D property to £186.67. For transparency, I voted… Continue reading Shifnal Town Council Precept
