Local plan, rubbish collection and other updates

Local Plan Review

This week I received an email from Shifnal Town Councillor Tarran in which he noted that Shropshire Council had not included the new timetable for Shropshire’s local plan review in the agenda for the cabinet meeting this Monday, 8th March. Cllr. Tarran states that “Government planning policy specifically states that the timetable for a Plan must be published in the Council’s Local Development Scheme which must be kept up- to-date and on the website.” It was originally due for submission in April, but this has been amended to a July submission, which requires formal approval from Shropshire cabinet. After submitting a question to cabinet I have now received correspondence confirming that there will be an extraordinary cabinet meeting to approve the new date of submission.

Litter Collection

No doubt many of you will have been following the activities of the TF11 Wombles and their work in clearing up Shifnal and the surrounding areas. I was shocked by the post on Facebook yesterday that one of the members had been told that they were only allowed to leave two bags next to the bins as otherwise this would constitute fly-tipping. This is a bizarre turn of events. I have sent an email to Peter Nutting the Leader of Shropshire Council and Mark Barrow the Executive Director of Place to ensure that officers are supportive of the volunteers and that there isn’t confused messaging:

“Good morning both,

Over the last couple of weeks, a group has been set up on Facebook, the TF11 Wombles, which now has ~300 members.   They have been doing a fantastic job of tidying up the Town, the lanes and the green spaces in the area.  Litter and fly-tipping has become a real problem, particularly during lock-down.   They have managed to collect a huge amount of rubbish and were advised originally by Shropshire Council to bag it and leave it by litter bins in Aston Street car park, which they have done. 

However, yesterday, they were told by an officer that they weren’t allowed to leave more than two bin bags as this would constitute fly-tipping.  Obviously, people are outraged by this, and it seems to be a massive PR own goal for Shropshire Council with residents who are actually trying to help.  Please can you make it clear to officers that the message should be that residents should be allowed to leave the litter collection next to bins as long as they’re bagged?  People are doing this on foot, from the young to the elderly and it’s not easy for everyone to get to the tip (the nearest is now in Halesfield) where there are also long queues,

Thanks,

Ed.”

I will be attending cabinet on Monday and asking a further question about litter and fly-tipping. I would like to thank everyone that has been helping to keep Shifnal tidy.

Works in Victoria Road

Shropshire Council have an upcoming dig to repair a section of our sewer underneath the railway bridge Victoria Road, TF11 8AF under a Road Closure with an HGV diversion that will require use of the M54 and have been advised by Shropshire Council to contact yourselves to let you know works will commence 22/03/2021 for 5 days.

Letter drops will be sent to all local residents and businesses to notify them.

Travelling to School Safely

With schools returning to face-to-face learning from 8 March, the Department for Education (DfE) is encouraging schools to share the following messages on how pupils can travel to and from school safely:

·        if you live a short distance from your school or college, walk, cycle or scoot to and from school wherever it is possible and safe to do so ·        avoid sharing a car with anyone outside of your household or support bubble ·        if you are using public transport to get to school or college, plan ahead and allow more time for your journey ·        when you are travelling by public or dedicated school transport, don’t forget to: ·        wear a face covering (unless you are exempt, including if you are aged 11 and under). It is important you wear them for the entirety of your journey, including inside a bus or train station ·        social distance where possible ·        wash or sanitise your hands regularly ·        be considerate to fellow passengers and staff.

Budget 2021

On 3 March), the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, delivered his Budget to Parliament.

The Chancellor confirmed extensions to the furlough scheme and support for the self-employed until the end of September, and business grants, loans and VAT cuts – bringing the total fiscal support to over £407 billion.

The Chancellor also announced the creation of new Freeports in England, over £1 billion funding for a further 45 towns in England through the Towns Fund, the publication of the government’s Build Back Better: our plan for growth and the publication of the prospectus for the £4.8 billion UK-wide Levelling Up Fund which provides guidance for local areas on how to submit bids.

The Budget confirmed support for businesses through business rates reliefs, VAT reductions for tourism and hospitality, a VAT deferral scheme, a new loan guarantee scheme supporting businesses’ access to loans and overdrafts, Restart Grants and an additional £425 million of discretionary business grant funding for councils to distribute.

HM Treasury has made available a factsheet which includes further measures announced by the Chancellor in the Budget today.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/budget-2021-what-you-need-to-know

An article in the Shropshire Star indicates that businesses largely welcome the budget https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/business/2021/03/03/shropshires-business-community-welcomes-budget-supports-measures/ The Chancellor has been constrained, aware of the huge amounts of government spending due to the Corona Virus in the last 12 months. He has sought to target those larger businesses through increases in corporation tax, whilst continuing to support those affected by continuing lock-down restrictions.