Trustees move in cash bid

The most senior civil servant in south Shropshire has been asked to help spearhead a £2.5 million plan to build a sports centre for Church Stretton.

People in Church Stretton have been told they will receive about half of the money needed from the county council and find the rest themselves, with help from grant-giving organisations and private businesses.

Today Councillor Charles West, one of the prime movers behind the plans, said officials were in the process of forming a charitable trust.

He said Graham Biggs, chief executive of South Shropshire District Council, had been approached to become a trustee.

Councillor West said council officers had identified grant-making bodies th- at could be approached and a number of people would be asked to become trustees, including Mr Biggs.

He said the most ambitious project would cost more than £2.5 million.

"The county council has in mind to provide a new sports hall for the school and the funding for that will make a substantial contribution," he said.

Meanwhile, sports and leisure centre charges in south Shropshire are set to rise by between three per cent and ten per cent.

The district council's executive committee will be asked on February 19 to approve the rises, which will take effect from April.

This article was posted on February 12, 2007 at 8:10 pm.