Talks held for council's new name

The county council and five district and borough councils will go

Councillors are to decide upon a new name and logo for a council recently granted unitary status.

Shropshire County Council and five district and borough councils will be replaced with a one authority in 2009 alongside Telford's existing authority.

Nearly 30 councillors will meet for the first time on Friday and will consider approving the name Shropshire Council.

Shropshire Heartlands Council and Shrewsbury Town and Rural Council are names that have been suggested.

A report also proposed Shropshire County Borough Council but lists Shropshire Council as the most appropriate.

'Widespread consultation'

"Agreeing a name and logo for the unitary council is an important step forward in establishing the identity of the new council," a spokesman said.

"Important work is also going forward on establishing the vision and values of the new council.

"Staff and councillors in all six councils are contributing to this work on vision and values, and there will be widespread consultation on the drafts which result."

Elections for the new council are expected to be held in Shropshire in May 2009.

Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council and Congleton Borough Council, in Cheshire, had argued the government acted unlawfully when inviting bids for unitary status from authorities.

This was rejected at the original court hearing in September but the result of an appeal by the authorities is still pending.

Local Government Minister John Healey told the Commons that having a single authority in Shropshire would save £9m a year - the equivalent of a £93 per household for Band D properties.