Welcome – Chair – Cllr Bernie Bentick

Apologies 

Minutes of 2024 AGM     

Chair’s report 

Treasurer’s Report (including consideration of the accounts, and appointment of an auditor)

Guest Speaker – Heather Kidd

Shrewsbury Town Council Lib Dem Report

Nomination and Election of Officers of the Local Party 

f

g

Diversity Officer

Campaign Officer

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Any Other Business

Date of 2026 AGM – Wednesday 11^th November  

Name of candidate:

Position/s you wish to stand for:

Full address:

Email address:

I agree to be nominated for the above post(s)

Signature:

PROPOSER

Name (Print):

Signature:

SECONDER

Name (Print):

Signature:

1

Cllr Bernie Bentick welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Attendees: see sign in sheet 

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Apologies were received from Rob Wilson, David Vasmer, Steve Wellington, Margaret Lewis.

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The Minutes of the 2023 AGM were adopted.

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Chair’s report by Cllr Bernie Bentick  (BB)

BB welcomed everybody saying we now have 18 local councillors on Shropshire Council, and the general election was a good result with us having 72 MPs and we were only 1000 also votes adrift in South Shropshire.  BB congratulated Alex Wagner on increasing the share of the vote.  The next election for local councillors is in May 2025. BB wanted to thank all candidates and supporters and officers for all their hard work and thanks to Mary Davies for organising the AGM.  Thanks to Alex Wagner for campaigning and thanks to President Martin Beardwell, thanks to Rob Lea and thank you to the executive members.

BB said we are on the cusp of asserting power from the Conservatives and after 20 years of chaos Shropshire Council is in a dreadful state, and we have started campaigning in August.  The branch had the highest interaction canvassing target nationally with 2000 direct contacts and leaflets. Roger Evans is the co-leader of the county group, and we need to double our efforts so the Liberal Democrats can control Shropshire Council and Shrewsbury Town Council.

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Treasurer’s Report

Rob Lea presented the Treasurer’s Report which was approved. The Treasurer thanked all donors and Roger Jones of Harmer Hill as auditor. The meeting agreed to reappoint Roger Jones of Harmer Hill as auditor.  BB thanked Rob Lea for his continuing hard work.

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Local Elections 2025 

General discussion was had about the upcoming Local Elections in May 2025.

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Cllr Rob Wilson gave the Shrewsbury Town Council Lib Dem Report, (this was delivered by Cllr Alex Wagner in his absence) which included:

The Lib Dem group on the Town Council has been busy, working constructively with the Labour leadership where possible, but also holding it to account, and pushing it to be more progressive in its actions.

The Greenfields issue has now been resolved. Our group argued for an earlier resolution, which would likely have lessened the cost, but was voted down. The Town Council has been exploring means by which this additional cost can be lessened.

We have proposed motions on supporting Town Centre Swimming, and action of Street Scars. We have supported motions on increased parking charges in the town centre without action on other modes of transport, but we have spoken out against a motion from the Greens on providing plant-based food by default.

There has been a significant increase in motions in one direction or another, creating work for officers via working groups, but not necessarily delivering directly for residents on the ground. Whilst worthy, concerns about the distraction these caused, if we take control away from Labour in May, we will have to look at this. 

The Town Council has been leading on transport, and the Lib Dem group has been at the forefront of this - especially the Movement Strategy. It has been unanimously supported by the Town Council and by Shropshire's Conservative Cabinet.

The Lib Dem group on the Town Council has led the way on discussions over how to save services that may be cut due to deep cuts at Shropshire Council.

Finally, we must celebrate having a Lib Dem Mayor and Deputy Mayor in David Vasmer and Alex Wagner. They are doing an excellent job of representing our town.

Cllr Roger Evans gave a Shropshire Council Lib Dem report as follows:

He is now the co-leader with Heather Kidd and the county group is working hard to increase the group, we have gained councillors in the last three by-elections and a defection to us from the independent, so we are now 18.

The council finance are dictating matters and the budget is down to a critical 2 to 3 million and the council will not be declaring section 114 at this stage because the income from the green bin charge seems to have balance the capital and revenue account. 

The Shirehall move to Guildhall, an announcement was made to the staff was very last minute and Shropshire Council needs to stay open for now but they want to cut off water and central heating, so they are not liable for any rates. 

The green bin fiasco regarding the labels and the booking system at the recycling centre.

He mentioned the County Group have appointed a shadow cabinet.

There is still no planning granted for the North West Relief Rd. 

there is no commitment from the government although it is anticipated a full business case will be at the next council meeting, Roger reiterated the fact that we need to take control of Shropshire Council.

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4 Ordinary Members were elected – Alex Wagner, Wendy Horton, John Till, Mandie Lee, 

Plus, Rob Wilson (STC) and Roger Evans (SC)

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AOB

None

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Date of 2025 AGM – Weds 12 November 2024