Local Policing, COVID testing and issues raised by residents

Policing and Shifnal and the District

This week I discussed policing in Shifnal and Albrighton with the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia, John-Paul Campion.  The police station in Shifnal has been closed since 2013 under Mr. Campion’s independent predecessor.  Shifnal Town Council purchased the property and have refurbished it for lease to local organisations.  There are plans being focussed to make space available for local police, to support their greater presence in the Town.  Mr. Campion has indicated he is very much in support of the idea of community-based space for local policing teams. 

I have also contacted the Mayor of Shifnal, Cllr Harrop to confirm that I will be supporting the proposition of having police back in Shifnal.  Discussions are already underway with West Mercia police to ensure police are welcomed back to Shifnal and established in Shifnal’s Community Hub.

Getting the police back into Shifnal, as well as a having a new doctor’s surgery, were pledges I made when I was elected in the summer of 2018. I’m very pleased that both of these issues are on track to being resolved.

COVID Testing in Shifnal

I can report that the Projects Officer at Shifnal Town Council has spoken to Shropshire Council this week and they have confirmed the testing station on Aston Street Car Park will be leaving Shifnal on the 28^{th of} March 2021. From the 29^{th of} March 2021 the rapid flow testing station will return to Shifnal Cricket Club for an indefinite period.

Local Correspondence

I have received further complaints about HGVs travelling up and down Hubbal Lane, a narrow lane near Tong.  This has been an issue for a while, but concerns have been heighted following a planning application set to expand activity.  I have contacted Cllr. Butler, the Portfolio Holder – Communities, Place Planning and Regulatory Services at Shropshire council and contacted the Conservative Group members that make up the majority on Shropshire Council’s Southern Planning Committee.

I have also been contacted about the state of the verges on the Stanton Road.  Grass cutting and verges (as well as highways) have been a common complaint of residents. As the resident that contacted me pointed out, at this spot, it does not give a good first impression as people enter Shifnal.  This has now been reported to the Street Scene Officer at Shropshire Council.

The TF11 Wombles have been continuing their heroic efforts tidying up Shifnal and the surrounding area.  Having joined the group’s Facebook page I am able to monitor their activities and report bags that need collecting from the roadside. I have notified managers at Shropshire Council to collect rubbish on Haughton Road, Shifnal and reported a complaint from a resident about an operative from the council that was in the area, that was supposed to be clearing up litter, but was not doing a particularly good job of it!

Similarly, I have also reported an abandoned vehicle to the police and council which by all accounts appears to have been there for over two years.

I have also followed up on a complaint about signage in Manor Lane and an issue about containers and a query about planning at Spring Hill, which I’ve informed the Town Council of in the first instance.

I will continue to respond to residents either directly via email at ebirdshropshire@gmail.com or on Twitter or Facebook.  Hopefully for everyone that I have had dealings with will know, I will always get back to you and always take your case forward with either officers at Shropshire Council or members of the Council’s elected cabinet. 

Since being elected in 2018 I have developed a good working relationship with managers at Shropshire Council, key cabinet members of the Council and members and officers in the local Town and parish councils in Shifnal, Tong, Donington with Boscobel (all of which I have attended over the last 3 years).  Unfortunately, this does not always translate into a timely solution, as there are constraints beyond my control, nevertheless work can often be expedited by communicating through me and thence directly to managers at Shropshire Council.