Council reaffirms commitment to market towns

Shropshire’s market towns will benefit from £3m of investment over the next 18 months after Shropshire Council reaffirmed its commitment to its Market Towns Revitalisation Programme (MTRP).

Under the MTRP – which was launched last autumn – money is available to spend on capital schemes that will provide a stimulus to the county’s market towns.

At its most recent meeting, the council’s Cabinet agreed that the programme remains a vital part of the council’s spending plans, despite current budgetary constraints.

However, Cabinet agreed that the funding must be spent by September 2012 in order to provide an immediate boost to those areas affected by the economic downturn

Under the MTRP a total of £2.5 million is being made available to support the six larger market towns of Bridgnorth, Church Stretton, Ludlow, Market Drayton, Oswestry and Whitchurch (see note).

A further £500,000 is available for the 11 other market towns throughout the county to bid into. These are Shifnal, Wem, Albrighton, Broseley, Ellesmere, Highley, Cleobury Mortimer, Craven Arms, Much Wenlock, Bishop’s Castle, and Pontesbury and Minsterley.

Councillor Mike Owen, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for economy and waste, said:

“Supporting and investing in our market towns is a big priority for the council, especially in these difficult economic times. This funding remains a hugely important way to address the effects of the recession, and to contribute to the long term economic, social and environmental regeneration of our market towns.

“We have made some difficult decisions about how to spend the council’s budget in the year ahead. However, by reaffirming our commitment to the MTRP, we are reaffirming our support for our market towns, and the vital role they play in the local economy.”

Shropshire Council councillors are currently working with local town and parish councillors and their local communities to identify and prioritise projects that will make the most effective contribution to the regeneration of their town.

The MTRP was launched in September 2010 and the first approved projects are expected to be announced in the next few weeks.

In addition, £500,000 is being made available from April for initiatives that would benefit the county’s rural communities.

For more information, go to www.shropshire.gov.uk/markettowns