The Service and activities undertaken in the community are guided by the Council’s vision and aims and objectives

Town Council’s Vision

The Town Council’s Vision for Ludlow is of a successful and vibrant town, where people want to live, work, and visit.

 

Town Council’s Aims and Objectives

 Ludlow Town Council aims to improve the quality of life for the residents of Ludlow by:

 

• Engaging in an open dialogue with the residents of Ludlow to better understand their needs and, in turn, explain how we will address those needs within the resources and powers of the Council.
• Helping to create a socially inclusive and caring community which embraces all its residents, irrespective of age, gender, sexual orientation, culture, income, race, or religion and which seeks to develop their wellbeing, knowledge, understanding and mutual co-operation.
• Providing a democratic, representational voice for the Ludlow community.
• Preserving and enhancing the traditions, character, heritage, and unique identity of the town.
• Promoting Ludlow as a clean, safe, welcoming, and prosperous town for all.
• Providing high-standard and cost-effective services.
• Becoming a better employer through continued valuing and development of employees, thereby encouraging personal responsibility, and stimulating innovation, all for the betterment of the town.
• Working in partnership with others to achieve more for Ludlow.

Highlights and Challenges in 2024 / 25

In 2024 / 25, Ludlow Town Council has delivered local services, undertaking projects and partnership working in support of the community of Ludlow.

 

Community Event

The Town Council worked with Ludlow Castle and Ludlow Chamber of Trade to deliver a successful D-Day Celebration hosted by Ludlow Castle in June 2024.

Bus Shelter

A new bus shelter will be installed on Tollgate Road. 

Christmas Lights

Further to the improvements made last year, the council has agreed to the installation of lights in Parkway by the library. 

In 2023 / 24, the council explained the limited budget for Ludlow’s Christmas lights, and this was met with support from the community.  The market square tree is now supplied by local businesses, and the new snowflake motifs were part funded by local businesses.  There have also been initial conversations with Ludlow Chamber of Trade, who would like to consider some options for supporting more lights in Ludlow. 

Annually, the town council’s workforce put up the town lights and motifs in Tower Street, Rickards Passage, Covre Street, Bull Ring, King Street, High Street, top of Broad Street, Quality, Market Square, Events Square, and Castle Gardens.

Ludlow’s Bathing Water Status

A section of the river Teme from the Linney jetty to the Millenium Green has been designated an area for monitoring Ludlow’s bathing water.  The council has purchased statutory signage, and it will be erected by the Linney jetty, and a jetty ladder has been installed to help with safe access to the river. 

Ludlow Winter Festival

The Council is working in collaboration with many other local community organisations to deliver a successful Ludlow Winter Festival in November 2024.

Play Areas

A public consultation on the options to replace the damaged play equipment has been undertaken at Houseman Crescent.   Option 4 received the most support from the public and will be installed.  

Parish Boundary

Ludlow Town Council was very disappointed that Shropshire Council decided not to merge Ludford into Ludlow because unity is a strength in times of trouble. 

Shropshire Council Deficit

Ludlow Town Council is concerned about the impact of Shropshire Council’s budget deficit, but there is no information about the impacts on Ludlow available at present. 

 

Annual Expenditure

Local services provided by Ludlow Town Council:
 

• Ludlow Market, www.ludlowmarket.co.uk  
• Ludlow Museum at the Buttercross, www.ludlowmuseum.co.uk
• Street Trading in Ludlow,
• Henley Road Cemetery – burial services and grounds maintenance,
• The Linney Riverside Park, play area, recreation area, jetty, car park, & public toilets,
• Riverside Life Buoys and Throw Lines,
• Wheeler Road Skate Park, fenced ball games area, smaller children’s play area & Ludlow Boxing Club building,
• Houseman Crescent Play Area,
• Castle Gardens public open space and benches,
• St John’s Gardens public open space and benches,
• Sidney Road Town Green,
• Town Centre Public Toilets at Castle Street and Smithfield,
• Town Centre benches,
• Bus shelters,
• Ludlow Mayfair,
• Town Centre CCTV,
• Community grants,
• Ludlow Calendar of Events leaflet,
• Publicly accessible meetings,
• Christmas Lights,
• Community and Civic Events – Remembrance Sunday with local partners, Mayor Making, Mayor’s Sunday, Christmas Lights Switch-On as part of Ludlow Winter Festival, and Senior Citizen’s Christmas Party,
• Planning Consultee – making local representations to Shropshire Council,
• Projects,
• The Guildhall Office in person reception and admin services,
• Community information noticeboards, websites, newsletter, and social media posts on Facebook and Instagram  www.ludlow.gov.uk

Income:

Fees

The Council charges service users’ fees for some council services including market trading, street trading, burials, public toilets at Castle Street, parking at the Linney, adult entry to Ludlow Museum at the Buttercross.  The council has recently agreed not to increase the fees in 2024 / 25.

Precept Income

The fees provide an income that reduces the amount the council raises through the Council tax.  The Council is committed to a prudent increase to the precept.

 

Stability:

Earmarked Reserves

The council is responsible for the upkeep of local buildings including, the grade I listed Guildhall, the grade I listed Buttercross, public toilets, and the vehicles and machinery required for upkeep of outside areas.   The Council has earmarked reserves to support these facilities and activities.

 

Variables:

Council Tax Base

As yet the council tax base figure in unknown.  It is the number of Council tax-paying households in Ludlow as calculated by Shropshire Council.

Estimated annual increase to Council Tax

The final budget is not set until the council tax base figure is known in December. The initial estimated is an increase per household of between £13.80 to £23.20 per year. 

 

The final budget and precept figures will be agreed by Full Council in January 2025.