Conservative Leader Andrew Eade has welcomed T & W Council’s last minute budget u-turn to stump up £5.6 million and offered to help the authority negotiate with the Government to secure an overall £20 million funding package to stabilize the Gorge and prevent a potential catastrophic collapse in Ironbridge.
The last minute budget change occurred following a motion registered by Conservative Councillors criticising the authority for completely ignoring the Government’s offer to fund £60% of the expenditure for this desperately needed work.
Conservative Leader Andrew Eade said “I welcome this last minute change of heart by the Labour Administration in response to the pressure we applied at the last Full Council meeting for them not to ignore the considerable danger of collapse facing the Gorge in Ironbridge.”
“The Council’s proposal is to now borrow an extra £5.6 million over the next 4 years to top up the substantial £14.4 million Government grant that we negotiated last April.”
“Although at the eleventh hour this change of direction is very welcome and I am happy to offer my help and assistance in finalising a fair funding package with Government colleagues in any way possible”.