New management funding contract for Severn Centre in Highley is signed

Shropshire Council and Highley Parish Council have signed a 10-year management funding contract with the Severn Centre at Highley last week.

The two councils have worked together to produce a joint agreement, which will see both making financial contributions towards the running of the Severn Centre until 2027.

The agreement being signed by (from left-to-right) Chris Tibbits (Severn Centre Trust); Ella Preston (Clerk, Highley Parish Council); Val Hill (Chair of Severn Centre Trust); Chris Edwards (head of infrastructure and communities, Shropshire Council).

Ella Preston, Clerk for Highley Parish Council, said:

“Highley Parish Council have been working in partnership with Shropshire Council to support the sustainability of the Severn Centre.

“This 10-year management agreement will ensure that local people will have a community building, sports facilities and swimming pool to enjoy for years to come.”

Val Hill, Chair of the Severn Centre Trust, said:

“The Trust have worked collaboratively with Shropshire Council and Highley Parish Council to ensure the services delivered by the centre respond to the needs of the community. The signing of the agreement reflects the confidence all parties have in the future of the Severn Centre.”

Chris Edwards, Shropshire Council’s head of infrastructure and communities, said:-

“Shropshire Council see the Severn Centre as the hub of the village; it provides the library, houses the police station, vets and childcare. Shropshire Council values the services provided at Highley, and want to ensure the facilities continue, so we have worked closely with Highley Parish Council and the Severn Centre Trust on a joint agreement. Hopefully, this will be an example to show other town councils and parish councils, to encourage them to follow it in the future, so that in order to maintain their local services they work in partnership with Shropshire Council.”