Challenge over one council plan

A council opposed to plans to merge it into a unitary authority has said it intends to launch a judicial review over the matter.

Shrewsbury and Atcham Council has written to Local Government Minister Phil Woolas saying it will challenge the decision to hold a consultation.

The government recently unveiled a shortlist of councils applying for unitary status, including Shropshire.

If approved Shropshire's district councils would disappear.

Opposition and support

In previous local consultations Shropshire County Council, Oswestry Borough Council and South Shropshire District Council supported the move.

Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council, North Shropshire District Council and Bridgnorth District Council opposed it.

Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council said it is opposing the government's decision to hold the consultation on the basis the secretary of state has no power to undertake a consultation process and that the government has failed to recognise opposition to the plan.