Telford & Wrekin Council leader writes to Owen Paterson MP over reported comments

The Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council has written a letter to Owen Paterson, MP for North Shropshire, following reports of him calling for the council to be abolished.

The reported comments followed the Council’s call to pause the ‘Future Fit’ decision making process, which plans to recommend closing Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital’s Women and Children’s Centre and A&E and moving them to Shrewsbury.

Expressing concerns at how the process was being handled, Telford & Wrekin Council warned the boss of ‘Future Fit’ that it will take the case to judicial review if necessary.

Responding to Mr Paterson’s subsequent reported comments about Telford & Wrekin Council being “not fit for purpose”, the letter from Leader Shaun Davies which was backed by Labour and Liberal Democrat/Independent groups, reads:

“We note the recent public comments that you have made about Telford & Wrekin Council in relation to the NHS Future Fit process.

“We wish to make it clear to you that Telford & Wrekin Council has both a democratic and legal right to exist and to champion and defend the interests of our Borough and our residents.

“It should also be remembered that for many people in north and east Shropshire the Princess Royal Hospital is their hospital and they equally rely on its services including the £28 million Women’s & Children’s Centre and Accident and Emergency.

“Our view is that ideally there should be fully functioning A&Es in both Shrewsbury and Telford.

“We therefore ask that you lobby the Secretary of State for Health and the Government to ensure that adequate funding is made available to enable this to happen.”

Councillor Davies added: “The suggestion that Telford & Wrekin Council should be abolished is outrageous. Telford and Wrekin residents tell me that they are really sick to the back teeth of politicians who don’t live in, work in, or represent Telford telling our residents and businesses what they can and can’t have.

“We will ensure that the ‘Future Fit’ process is fair, transparent and legal. If it isn’t we will, of course, take action.”