Oswestry Town Council Annual Report 2025/26

ANNUAL REPORT 2025-2026

Building a better community together

A town that cares Oswestry is a town with real strengths – valued green spaces, friendly markets, rich heritage and a community who care deeply about their town.

This report celebrates some of the highlights from the past year and introduces the new Mayor of Oswestry.

You will also find a list of the services provided by Oswestry Town Council and Shropshire Council along with details of your local councillors and how to contact them. Please do get in touch if you have a question or concern.

JULY 2026

WHAT’S INSIDE: COMMUNITY & COUNCIL NEWS

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ENVIRONMENT MATTERS

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YOUR LOCAL COUNCIL 6 LOOKING FORWARD TO 2026/27

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MEET YOUR COUNCILLORS

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Oswestry welcomes a new Mayor

ANNUAL REPORT 2025/26

Councillor Jonathan Upton has been elected as the new Mayor of Oswestry, following the town’s Mayor Making Ceremony on 11 May 2026. He takes up the role for the 2026/27 Civic Year, joining a line of civic leaders stretching back over 350 years to 1673.

A lifelong Oswestrian, Jonathan was first elected to the Council in 2021, representing Maserfield Ward, and has since chaired and served on numerous committees, championing residents’ interests.

Speaking at the ceremony, he said: “My family have lived in Oswestry and the surrounding areas for centuries, and my hope for 2026/27 is to make Oswestry not just the best town in Shropshire but the best town in the UK as well.”

Throughout his Mayoral Year, Jonathan will focus on three fundraising priorities: men’s mental health, the preservation of Oswestry’s heritage, and improving resources for elderly residents. Having experienced mental health challenges himself, he added: “It’s only right that I use my term to give Oswestrians a voice and support.”

Beyond the Council chamber, Jonathan is an NHS Administrator, a UNISON Steward and a volunteer at Oswestry Town Museum. He is also a founding member of Oswestry Men Walking and Talking, and it was his passion for vexillology - the study of flags - that led to the Banner of St Oswald being flown annually during St Oswald’s Week.

Jonathan will be supported by his mother as Mayoress, Cllr Ruth Simmonds, and will work alongside Deputy Mayor Councillor James Owen.

If you would like to invite the Mayor to your event, please get in touch.

Email: sandratrevor@oswestry-tc.gov.uk

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COMMUNITY & COUNCIL NEWS Celebrating local heroes ANNUAL REPORT 2025/26

Oswestry’s Civic Awards recognise and celebrate individuals, groups and businesses that help make Oswestry such a special place.

This year’s worthy winners were announced at a special event in April, marking the end of Cllr Rosie Radford’s time as Mayor of Oswestry: Maona Cinema – Cultural Spark Award Oswestry and Borders Repair Café – Fixing Futures Award Oswestry Climate Action Hub – Inspiring Change Award Oswestry SEN Parents – Guiding Light Award Oswestry Youth Music Festival – Rising Voice Award With Love From – Collective Thread Award Hearty congratulations to all!

Maona cinema wins award

Supporting communities and businesses to grow Fourteen community groups have benefited from grants to help them make a difference across town – supporting health, wellbeing, creativity and sustainability.

Some of the groups benefiting include: • • • • • •

Design and Shine - £780 towards rent and art materials Hope House Children’s Hospice - £1,000 towards a new wheelchair-adapted minibus Lights Out Trefonen - £3,150 towards the Wilfred Owen Festival Oswestry SEN Parents CIC - £2,000 towards hall hire and snacks OsNosh CIC - £1,500 towards surplus food supplies Our Lady and St Oswald’s Catholic Primary School - £1,248 to expand their library

Kevin Gibson, founder of Design and Shine, said: “I’m so delighted. Every penny will help the people we support to stay connected through creativity. Having somewhere to meet makes such a difference to them.”

Three businesses have also each received £5,000 to support their growth – JAL Built Environment, Maona Cinema and Foundation Homes and Support CIC. For information about current funding opportunities, visit: www.oswestry-tc.gov.uk and enter ‘grants’ in the search bar.

STAR Council of the Year – we did it!

Oswestry Town Council won ‘Council of the Year’ at the National Association of Local Councils STAR Council Awards, announced at the House of Lords on 24 February 2026.

The awards recognise parish and town councils that enrich residents’ lives through community dedication, collaboration and innovation.

This win reflects the strength of our partnerships with community organisations, public bodies and local businesses – a collaborative approach that will continue to guide everything we do.

The Centre After taking over The Centre on Oak Street from Shropshire Council two years ago to secure its future for the community, we have now completed significant roof repairs - a major investment in the building’s longevity. We are now working with TNS Foundation to improve access and encourage more groups to use the facility.

Bidding for UK Town of Culture We submitted our Expression of Interest to become UK Town of Culture. In our bid, we tried to capture what makes Oswestry truly special – our borderland identity, our rich heritage, our lively cultural scene and our extraordinary community spirit. Fingers crossed we make it to the next round!

Events bring our community together Arts festivals, remembrance parades, food festivals, markets, bands in the park, fun days, family activities, sports, community celebrations, balloon carnival and Christmas lights – there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Wilfred Owen statue

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Scan for what’s coming up

Llwyd Mansion

Loving our local market Our indoor and outdoor markets have been at the heart of town for generations and we love them.

If you are looking for friendly traders, fresh produce, delicious cakes and bakes, unique finds, gifts, crafts, plants and everyday essentials, you will find it all.

Indoor Market – Wednesday, Friday & Saturday Street Market – Wednesday & Saturday Artisan and Late Night Indoor Market – last Friday of every month

Llwyd Mansion wrapped in scaffolding as restoration moves up a gear

For more information about Llwyd Mansion and how you can get involved email: samantha.jones@shropshire.gov.uk

Maisie

Investing in young people

ANNUAL REPORT 2025/26

A protective scaffold has gone up around Llwyd Mansion as the team behind its restoration gets to grips with the full picture of what the 500-year-old building needs.

Detailed surveys carried out over the past year have revealed what Open day previous works had hidden – including rotting timbers and the removal of some structural timbers that have caused twisting and movement within the frame.

The scaffolding is a precautionary measure to stabilise the building and will remain in place throughout the restoration works.

The surveys and stabilisation are part of a £479,972 development phase funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, enabling us to bring together a specialist team of conservation architects, structural engineers, and interpretation and business consultants. Their findings have given the project a clear picture of what the restoration needs to achieve, and the confidence to move forward.

Community engagement has been running in parallel. More than 200 residents took the opportunity to step inside the mansion at a recent open day, with further consultation helping to shape plans for a mix of community, gallery and retail space.

The team is now pulling all this work together into funding applications to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England, the Pilgrim’s Trust, the Wolfson Foundation and the Architectural Heritage Fund.

If successful, restoration work could begin in earnest – with the doors of Llwyd Mansion hoped to open once more in 2029.

Our markets also offer budding business owners aged 16 to 30 free opportunities during the year to showcase their products, test their ideas and gain real hands-on trading experience – a great place to start.

Interested in becoming a trader?

Email: davidclough@oswestry-tc.gov.uk

We want children and young people to get the most out of growing up in Oswestry.

As well as championing young people through Oswestry Youth Forum and Oswestry Youth Music Festival, we have continued to fund the youth club at The Centre, SYA Time to Talk sessions at The Marches School, and a varied programme of holiday activities including bushcraft skills, arts and crafts, and sports sessions.

Grants have also been awarded via Oswestry Youth Forum. Oswestry Team Tennis was one of the happy recipients, receiving funding for Youth Cardio Tennis sessions to promote fitness, social skills and teamwork – all thanks to Maisie, who was 15 years old when she applied for funding.

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ANNUAL REPORT 2025/26

ENVIRONMENT MATTERS

Cae Glas Park

Climate action

Looking after our trees

Eight years ago, we declared a climate emergency and committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

We’ve been working hard ever since.

As well as eco improvements to the Guildhall, market and other council-owned facilities, we have installed EV charging points, introduced new planting schemes in our parks and reduced mowing where it is practical to boost biodiversity.

Our biggest project last year?

Upgrading all 450+ streetlights we manage to energy efficient LEDS.

Every two years, we commission an independent arboriculturist to survey all the trees in our care – recording type, location and condition to protect both their health and public safety.

Around 200 trees across Cae Glas Park, Brogyntyn Park, Oswestry Cemetery, St Oswald’s Churchyard and High Lea were surveyed last year. A combination of disease, damage from pests and extreme weather meant 23 required attention – with work including crowning, thinning, deadwooding and pollarding. Sadly, a diseased ash at the Welsh Walls end of Cae Glas Park needed to be removed.

Where trees have been taken down, disease-resistant replacements have been planted.

We have also given away more trees to community groups and individuals as part of our Big Tree Giveaway scheme, with our total now standing at a whopping 18,844 trees!

Caring for Cae Glas Park Cae Glas Park is the jewel in Oswestry’s crown – seven acres of beautifully maintained parkland right in the heart of town.

From established trees and stunning floral displays to a play area, bowling green, crazy golf, tennis, ping pong table and a bandstand hosting regular music events – there’s always something to enjoy.

Maintaining the park comes at significant cost, but when we asked residents what matters to them, the answer was clear – every penny is worth it.

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Gumdrop bins arrive in Oswestry Did you know that chewing gum is the second most common form of litter in the UK, staining 77% of England’s streets? We are trialling a colourful new weapon in the fight against gum.

Bright pink Gumdrop bins have been installed outside Costa and Home Bargains, giving people an easy way to dispose of gum responsibly – turning a sticky nuisance into recycled products and helping to keep the town Bloom volunteers The first Gumdrop bins installed clean and tidy.

Bloom success

Oswestry in Bloom volunteers

Oswestry struck Gold twice at last year’s Heart of England in Bloom competition, winning in the large town category and for Cae Glas Park. Natalie Bainbridge, who leads Oswestry in Bloom, also picked up a special award for her outstanding services to Bloom. The town later claimed Gold at the RHS Britain in Bloom national finals.

Natalie says success is very much a joint effort between volunteers, Oswestry Town Council and Oswestry BID: “These awards are a testament to the dedication and cooperation of everyone involved. The strength of Oswestry lies in its community and its volunteers.”

Oswestry in Bloom is always looking for new volunteers.

If you would like to join them, visit: oswestryinbloom.wordpress.com

From No Mow May to No Mow summer In a bid to help bees and butterflies, we are leaving some areas of Cae Glas Park, Brogyntyn Park, Castle Bank and Oswestry Cemetery uncut. After lots of positive feedback from the public, we have extended the initiative from May until the autumn to support biodiversity. While careful thought has gone into deciding which parts to let grow, we are keen to hear what you think. Drop us an email: enquiries@oswestry-tc.gov.uk

Two new ‘buzz’ shelters

ANNUAL REPORT 2025/26

In partnership with Shropshire Wildlife Trust, replacement bus shelters on Black Gate Street and by the Post Office on Willow Street have been fitted with living roofs planted with sedums, as part of a scheme to support local wildlife.

Known as bee bus stops, these green roofs help create a more sustainable, vibrant environment by absorbing rainwater, capturing carbon, and providing a habitat for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The shelters also offer passengers glazed protection from the sun, wind, rain and snow while they wait.

Sedum roof

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YOUR LOCAL COUNCIL Working for you ANNUAL REPORT 2025/26

Oswestry Town Council is managed by 18 elected councillors representing seven town wards, each generally serving a four-year term on behalf of residents. They are supported by the Town Clerk and a small team of officers who maintain day-to-day services and community assets.

The Council does not receive government funding or a share of business rates. Income comes primarily from services it runs, such as markets and car parks, and a localised share of council tax.

Your councillors are listed on the back page. If you have a question or concern, please get in touch with your ward councillor.

Mayor Making 2026

Council responsibilities explained Oswestry Town Council operates within a rapidly changing landscape. Nationally, local government continues to face financial pressure, with services being restructured and responsibilities shifting between tiers of council.

We are seeing this in Shropshire, with ongoing discussions around how local services are delivered. Shropshire Council is already in the process of transferring some green spaces to Oswestry Town Council’s care – something we expect to happen towards the end of 2026. We are in good financial health and well positioned to take on these new responsibilities.

Below is a list of the current services provided by Oswestry Town Council and Shropshire Council. Later this year, we will also take on: Unicorn Playing Field, Broadlands Way/Henley Wood/Albany Park, Shelf Bank, Wilfred Owen Park/Green Space, Llwyn Coppice Play Park and Field; High Fawr Playing Field, Brynhafod Playing Field, Holly Green Play Park, and land behind Oswestry Leisure Centre.

We can only do what legislation permits us to do, but in partnership with our community and others, we will do everything we can to deliver our priorities and build a better community together.

If you have questions or concerns for us, please email: enquiries@oswestry-tc.gov.uk or pop into the Guildhall.

For Shropshire Council enquiries, please visit: www.shropshire.gov.uk

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LOOKING FORWARD TO 2026/27

Guildhall

Your Council It has been another year to be proud of in Oswestry. From winning Council of the Year at the STAR Council Awards, to completing our LED streetlight upgrade, investing in young people, planting more trees, and starting the restoration of Llwyd Mansion – the last year has shown what can be achieved when a council and its community work together.

A public consultation at the end of 2025 confirmed that what residents care about closely aligns with the priorities councillors have set for the next four years: Investing in youth provision and facilities

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Caring for green spaces, including our beautiful Cae Glas Park

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Creating a vibrant town centre with a thriving market and events programme

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Awarding grants to support local groups and businesses

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Supporting services that improve the health and wellbeing of residents

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Protecting our town’s heritage

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Improving transport links

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Promoting Oswestry to visitors

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Addressing the climate and biodiversity emergency

That alignment matters. It means the work we do reflects what you – our residents – want to see. We will do everything we can to deliver on these priorities and will keep you informed along the way.

Contact us You can contact us via our website, email, phone or in person.

We are committed to being open and accessible – both offline and online.

Council meetings are open to the public, either in person at the Guildhall or online via Microsoft Teams, and there is an opportunity to address the Council at the start of each meeting. Meeting dates, agendas and background information are published on our website.

Information about projects, services and events is also published on our website, and in our bi-monthly newsletter, Annual Report, and via posters and flyers around town.

We also encourage residents to follow us on social media for the latest news and updates.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

ANNUAL REPORT 2025/26

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Keeping you informed

Follow us on socials: @OswestryTownCouncil

enquiries@oswestry-tc.gov.uk

@oswestry_town_council

01691 680222

@OswestryTC

oswestry-tc.gov.uk The Guildhall, Oswestry, SY11 1PZ Opening times Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm, Fri 9am-4pm

Photos ©Graham Mitchell

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MEET YOUR COUNCILLORS Cabin Lane Ward

Cambrian Ward

Deputy MayorJames Owen

Richard Elmitt

jamesowen@oswestry-tc.gov.uk

ANNUAL REPORT 2025/26

Please get in touch with your ward councillor if you have a question or concern.

Councillor vacancy

richardelmitt@oswestry-tc.gov.uk

Rosie Radford

rosieradford@oswestry-tc.gov.uk

Carreg Llwyd Ward

Castle Ward

Stephen Froggatt

Duncan Kerr

Mark Owen

Duncan Borrowman

Mark Roberts

Grace Goodlad

stephenfroggatt@oswestry-tc.gov.uk

markowen@oswestry-tc.gov.uk

markroberts@oswestry-tc.gov.uk

duncankerr@oswestry-tc.gov.uk

duncanborrowman@oswestry-tc.gov.uk

gracegoodlad@oswestry-tc.gov.uk

Maserfield Ward David Walker

davidwalker@oswestry-tc.gov.uk

Gatacre Ward Care Johnson

Wendy Owen

wendyowen@oswestry-tc.gov.uk

Mayor Jonathan Upton

jonathanupton@oswestry-tc.gov.uk

carejohnson@oswestry-tc.gov.uk

Victoria Ward Ruth Simmonds

ruthsimmonds@oswestry-tc.gov.uk

Councillor vacancy

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Lucy McKinney

lucymckinney@oswestry-tc.gov.uk

Fiona Wilson

fionawilson@oswestry-tc.gov.uk