Ludford Parish should merge into Ludlow Town Council to become Ludford Ward.

A very difficult situation is unfolding within Shropshire Council.  Our Unitary Council needs to make savings of approx. £62m in the next year, and early analysis suggests that they are only saving £1–2 million per month, which sadly is not enough.  Hopefully, this situation will improve, but whatever happens – local services will be cut.

Shropshire’s market towns, including Ludlow, are the only organisations with the experience and the resources to support local services in our town.  This is a very big ask for the larger market towns, such as Ludlow, so unfortunately, it is completely beyond the experience and financial capacity of smaller parishes, such as Ludford.

Ludlow Town Council has a £1m annual budget to support local services; and it has built a prudent reserve fund over the years.   Ludlow employs 19 staff and provides a range of local services including the market, public convenience, open spaces, play areas, spaces for cultural activities, tourism publications, CCTV, Henley Road cemetery, and Ludlow Museum. 

Ludford’s annual expenditure is less than £5,000.00 per year and it employs one part-time member of staff.  However, Ludford is now receiving the development funds from Shropshire Council for the new housing being built.  Ludlow needs these funds to consolidate and strengthen its position in the face of some very serious problems.

The majority of residents in Ludlow and Ludford use Ludlow’s local services, but there is an inequality in the council tax paid by residents of Ludlow and Ludford.  Ludlow residents pay £231.95 per year, and for access to the same services, Ludford residents pay  £22.84 per year, so the services Ludford residents use are paid for by Ludlow’s residents.  

Addressing this inequality is important for Ludlow because of the impending threat to local services provided by Shropshire Council.  Ludlow needs all residents to contribute equally so that the town can continue to thrive and become as self-reliant as possible in the face of significant cuts to discretionary services such as libraries, leisure activities, museum services, waste services, and street cleaning.  

Ludlow Town Council has the greatest respect for Ludford Parish Council, and its long history dating back to the Dooms Day Book and has made this apparent in responses to Shropshire Council regarding the parish boundary review.

Ludford becoming a ward of Ludlow is now the best way forward.  This change would provide more resources for the Town Council to save as many local services as possible.   The ward of Ludford can continue the great work of preserving Ludlow’s natural heritage, and also begin to actively contribute to Ludlow’s future prosperity.

Please let Shropshire Council know your views on this matter by responding to the consultation: communitygovernance@shropshire.gov.uk 

More information is available at:  https://next.shropshire.gov.uk/elections-and-electoral-registration/parish-council-boundary-review-consultation/