Councillor clash over Telford economic strategy leads to microphone switch off

Leaders of Telford & Wrekin Council’s two main political groups locked horns over different views of the authority’s approach to economic development.

Labour’s council leader imposed a speaking time rule on his opposite number and had his microphone switched off after listening to the Conservative leader spending some minutes criticising Labour for ‘low economic growth’ in the borough.

In return there was mention of the ‘Liz Truss mini budget’ and allegations that all Councillor Eade does is ‘talk down Telford’ after he insisted that he does not.

Councillor Eade (Church Aston) & Lilleshall) began his speech at Thursday’s cabinet meeting by praising the council’s approach to veterans which he supports ‘to the hilt’.

But he opened fire on the Labour government over tax, pay awards to public sector workers and business rates revaluation.

He said the borough’s 1.8 per cent growth rate was ‘only marginally’ higher than growth in the West Midlands and much lower than the national eight per cent figure.

“I am not trying to talk Telford down,” he said. But he claimed that Telford had been “left behind in attracting investment”.

Labour’s council leader Lee Carter then decided to impose a cabinet speaking rule and councillor Eade’s microphone was switched off.

Councillor Eade then said: “I am wasting my time trying to speak to you.”

Labour cabinet member Councillor Ollie Vickers was then allowed to speak.

He claimed to protests that the “Tories weren’t interested in Telford at all.”

And he claimed that “all councillor Eade is interested in doing is talking Telford down to score political points.” Councillor Eade had launched a pre-emptive strike against that claim.

Councillor Carter (Arleston & College) claimed that local Conservatives had been “opposed to the Telford Land Deal” which Councillor Eade, intervening, said is “not true.”

The Labour-run cabinet approved the council’s Economic Development Strategy with a unanimous vote in favour.

The council says the borough’s economy remains “one of the strongest in the region” with manufacturing and engineering accounting for 15.5 per cent of local jobs more than double the national average.

Its work included 77 contracted business grant and innovation projects, support for more than 100 new start-ups and targeted growth support for established SMEs and innovation assistance through Innovate Telford.

Particularly noted is the borough’s growing defence sector, including Rheinmetall’s confirmation that Telford will be home to its new UK large-calibre barrel production facility.

Councillors were told that this investment was the “direct result of the councils engagement with Rheinmetall and the case being made for why Telford rather than other locations across the country.”