Ludlow South Shropshire Councillor Vivienne Parry has called on the Ministry of Transport to urgently rethink its proposed threat to voluntary drivers as it emerged that the voluntary sector is the play a big part in the new health structure in the County.
Cllr Parry said "Future Fit is currently developing its transport strategy for the new health care structure in the County. Given the very rural nature of our County and the repeated cutbacks in bus services, minibus and car services run by voluntary organisations are going to play an integral part in this strategy. Unfortunately these very services are threatened by a initiative by the Department of Transport which could impact drastically on the number of voluntary drivers available."
A Shropshire village threatened of being effectively cut off by unfinished roadworks has demanded immediate action from Shropshire Council to fulfil their legal responsibilities.
In a meeting held at Priest Weston Village Hall last night (24th July) many local residents gave vent to their frustrations around the roads poor maintenance and damaged caused to their cars. Even the school bus driver and the primary school minibus driver attended.
Today Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust launched a six week consultation on the future of rural maternity services. It has kept this very quiet. The review follows the extended closure of MLUs in Ludlow, Bridgnorth and Oswestry.
Tracey Huffer, Shropshire Councillor for Ludlow East, says: "It's almost a joke. It is so typical of the way that SaTH is working."
Shropshire Councillors in the west of the County have strongly criticised Shropshire Council for the way it deals with claims from local residents who have had their cars damaged by potholes.
Jonny Keeley, Councillor for Bishops Castle Division, said "As if the number and severity of potholes in our part of the world isn't bad enough the treatment received by residents who claim for damage inflicted on their vehicles is truly dire. Irrespective of how much evidence they have to prove their case the treatment they receive from the solicitors acting on behalf of the Council's insurers is dismissive if not downright rude. This is even worse when you look at the variable standard of the repairs - some brilliant, others left untouched and some destined just to need repair again within a week or so. "
Congratulations to all the very many Liberal Democrats who stood for local council seats this month.
Local democracy relies on those who put themselves forward to represent residents, so whether you won or not, I hope you will be proud of having stood.
As a party, we saw results greatly exceeding expectations, with a big net gain of 75 councillors and four new councils under Liberal Democrat majority control.
