West Midlands NO!

Regional government: unelected, undemocratic, unaccountable and unwanted

A Quango is born

Posted by wonkotsane on September 29, 2006

A new quango will officially come into being on Monday by the name of Telford First.

Telford First is a joint venture between Telford & Wrekin Borough Council and Advantage West Midlands, the unelected regional quango responsible for millions of pounds worth of taxpayers money.

Telford First will take over land in the borough currently owned by English Partnerships and will take over the work fo the Telford Development Agency.

Despite Telford First not actually officially existing or, indeed, having any work to do whilst the Telford Development Agency is still doing its job, the quango has managed to appoint a Chief Executive and staff who have been receiving significant salaries courtesy of the taxpayer.

The Telford Development Agency cost taxpayers £96k to run last year, Telford First cost £1.3m.

Advantage West Midlands’ involvement in the new agency is likely to divert vital funding from rural services in Shropshire and Staffordshire to the Borough of Telford & Wrekin.

2 Responses to “A Quango is born”

  1. Naughty Boy said

    What will the council do now Telfordfirst is in fact a Limited Company – but not by BTW.

    TelfordFirst – the council version – will be in operation as of Monday Morning (02-10-06) at Jordan House, Hall Park Way, Telford.

    What Do you think they will make of it – when and if they find out?

  2. wonkotsane said

    You certainly are a naughty boy!

    A brief explanation: Telford First has been registered as a limited company by an individual unrelated to Telford & Wrekin Council.

Leave a comment