Wem Town Council set to discuss bank building's future at meeting

The Wem branch of the High Street giants will close in October after efforts to convince Barclays to remain open were not successful.

At the full town council meeting, to be held on Thursday in Edinburgh House, councillors hope to come up with ideas that work towards the building being used for community use in future.

Meanwhile, councillors will also have to consider issuing poll cards for the town if there is need for a local election.

There is currently a vacancy on the council after the resignation of former town councillor Clive Shingler, but it is yet to be filled.

The meeting will start with the usual public participation session, where Wem residents can approach the council about any issues of concern, and will last around 15 minutes.

Members will hear a report on the Wem Sports and Social Association from the Executive Committee meeting held on July 24 and will also have to nominate three trustees as per the terms of the draft constitution.

There will be an update on the request by RAF Shawbury to exercise its freedom of the town on September 1 while there will also be discussion of how the town will commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the end of the First World War.

Updates from the clerk, the finance committees and events liaison groups will be given to councillors.

There will be a verbal update on the Wem Economic Forum Annual General Meeting, which was held on July 12.

Members will also discuss a response to the Future Fit, including any fall-out/feedback to a presentation evening held at Edinburgh House last week.

Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group gave a presentation proposing positive response for option one of Future Fit – that emergency care stay in Shrewsbury – while Defend Our NHS also presented their opposition to it all.

Councillors will also have to give a response to the Shropshire Council Discretionary Rate Relief Policy review.

The meeting starts at 7pm.