This is a response from Ed Shirley on Facebook about the planning process up to now about the car park I have asked to copy it Thank you ED )
Having read the post from Steve Brown regarding the Big Issues for Bridgnorth, I fully understand his frustrations but was disappointed that the public responses became a discussion once again between Stephen Robbins and Cllr Julia Buckley about the Smithfield including accusations of that other Councillors did nothing but lie under the duvet.
I really think that the facts related to this should be made clear so that the public have a proper understanding.
May I first say that I live in Bridgnorth West and am represented by both Cllr Buckley and Cllr Les Winwood, and I have been carrying out my own investigations related to the Smithfield Car Park and that I have been given great assistance in this by Cllr Winwood who has quietly got along with his Council activities without going on a publicity campaign via the Social Media, and I personally would thank him for his help in ensuring that my concerns have been raised with the relevant officers at the Council.
With regards to the Smithfield Car Park the following FACTS apply.
From April 1st 2009 until May 20th 2021 Shropshire Council operated a Car Park of some 136 spaces under the terms of an agreement with the owner for a period of 80 years from July 4th 2008.
In November 2017 at a public enquiry it was stated that the Council was operating the car park in breach of the terms of the Agreement and the Owner could terminate the Agreement.
The Council admitted that it was in breach of the Agreement and it was unlikely they could defend such an allegation. Even so the Council did nothing to rectify this breach.
In spring 2021 the Council was still operating the Car Park in breach of the Agreement so the Owner issued a Termination Notice on the Council and the Agreement became null and void and the Council vacated the area.
The effect of this was to deny the Council Tax payers a revenue stream for the remaining period of the Agreement, which is estimated at some £15 million over the period.
In addition, the Council also operated the remaining area of the land as a pay and display car park, which did not form part of the Agreement.
I have asked whether this was subject to a supplementary agreement with the owner or was it unlawful. I have yet to receive a response from the relevant officer even though I asked the question at the end of May this year.
I have also submitted Freedom of Information requests to the Council which have been acknowledged but I have not received a response within the legal time frame.
In summary, may I say that with the help of Cllr Les Winwood I am following these matters up until I come to a satisfactory conclusion which may be to involve the Local Government Ombudsman
