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About the Council

The District of Bridgnorth is one of six in Shropshire which were formed when local government was reorganised in 1974.

It has a population of 52,497, and covers an area of 245 square miles in the south-east of the county.

Our boundaries in the south and east follow the county lines of Hereford and Worcester and Staffordshire, and to the north and west lie the Shropshire districts of Telford and Wrekin, Shrewsbury and Atcham and South Shropshire.

The River Severn, flowing roughly from north to south, divides the district into two, and the only crossings for vehicles are the two bridges in Bridgnorth. This makes the town of Bridgnorth the natural centre.

There are flourishing industries in Bridgnorth, and also in some of the smaller towns and larger villages in the district, but otherwise the area is largely agricultural. There is a busy cattle market in Bridgnorth which operates every Tuesday and a street market on Saturday and Sunday.

The district has a good road network, and is served well by bus operators. The M54 motorway provides a direct link from the northern part of the district to the M6. The Midland Region rail service form Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury passes through the northern part of the district, where there are stations at Albrighton, Cosford and Shifnal.

Tourist attractions include the Severn Valley Railway, with its northern terminus in Bridgnorth, the Cliff Railway, also in Bridgnorth and the Cosford Aerospace Museum. The beautiful Shropshire countryside and the many varied opportunities for sporting, recreational and leisure pursuits make Bridgnorth district attractive for both residents and visitors.

Bridgnorth District Council is based at offices in Westgate, Bridgnorth and has a depot at Stanley Lane. We have elected councillors, representing a total of 21 wards and employ roughly 300 members of staff.

The district has 51 parishes with three town councils at Bridgnorth, Shifnal and Much Wenlock and 31 parish councils of which seven include more than one parish. Two parishes do not have a parish council.

Bridgnorth District Council has a written Constitution which recognises the importance of citizen involvement in the decisions that it takes and explains how we operate, how decisions are made and the procedures which are to be followed. We aim to undertake our functions in an open and accountable manner.

Openness means that citizens, businesses and local organisations in Bridgnorth and surrounding areas are easily able to identify those who are responsible for making decisions on behalf of the council.

Accountability means that wherever possible decisions will be taken in open session when the press and public are entitled to be present. Also, decisions of committees - and the way they have been taken - are open to scrutiny by a specially-appointed committee.

Members of the public have the right to attend council and committee meetings. They have the right to ask written questions at meetings of the council and its policy committees and 15 minutes will be set aside for this at each meeting. (A separate leaflet on how to ask questions can be obtained by telephoning (01746) 713106, or calling at the Council Offices, Westgate, Bridgnorth. Alternatively, use our e-mail address democraticservices@bridgnorth-dc.gov.uk).

For more information on your right to ask questions click here.