Council Leader calls for reunification of Cheshire

Bunbury Michael Jones

Council Leader Councillor Michael Jones is calling for the reunification of Cheshire in a bold move designed to bring back a county council for the borough.

Today's announcement follows months of talks between the Leader and multi-agency partners about how to improve Cheshire's offer to its residents.

The Leader, who stressed the idea was his own personal view, said: "Cheshire East Council was formed following Local Government Reorganisation in 2009, when Cheshire County Council was effectively carved into two, the other half being Cheshire West.

"The two authorities were made weaker as a result, yet mirror one another in terms of their people and aspirations.

"It didn't make much sense then and it still doesn't! Yes, Cheshire East as a local authority is a great success and I'm sure Cheshire West would say the same about their council.

"But the fact remains, it was a bad decision and the people weren't behind it and I suspect many are still not.

"What I'm calling for today is a review of our separated and divided local government as I set out my ambition for a unified Cheshire Council that serves the needs of all Cheshire residents.

"A unified and strong Cheshire would reduce Council Tax liability for every household to the tune of around £100.

"I want to throw open the debate about 'One Cheshire'! Yes, or no? I think it's got a great feel to it. What do residents think?"

Share your views via the comment box below.

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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Simon Worthington
Wednesday 10th September 2014 at 8:18 am
Haha. More promises of saving. So it wasn't a good idea to split the Council. Well perhaps you should have listened to those who payroll the whole shebang who are well used to those who spend other peoples money (G. Brown and of course Balls and Milliband) with profligate abandon. Perhaps flogging our housing stock for £6K per unit wasn't such a good idea after all.
Mark Goldsmith
Wednesday 10th September 2014 at 9:37 am
Funny how they never mentioned this at the time. Instead they promised £16m of savings from the split. And our council tax bills would go down from all the savings they would make.

Well that never happened. Now they are claiming even more savings if we go back to how it was.

All I can see is that half the council heads will be made redundant, get a massive pay off then reappear somewhere on the new councils payroll. Still, the have to keep the gravy train rolling somehow.

No wonder UKIP are getting so popular.


PS Can we also get rid of WTC now too, seeing as they don't have a clue either?
Kathryn Blackburn
Wednesday 10th September 2014 at 9:53 am
All for it if that would mean Planning decisions were made locally again back in Macclesfield on a fair basis. AND provided you Michael Jones stepped down as Council Leader along with all those in your cohort.
Nick Jones
Wednesday 10th September 2014 at 5:18 pm
Is this a Turkey voting for Christmas ?
Kathryn Blackburn
Thursday 11th September 2014 at 7:42 am
Maybe but a beautifully succulent free range bird.
Barry Buxton
Tuesday 16th September 2014 at 3:49 pm
I'm all for it - but NOT if Borough Councils are then reinstated. Whilst re-amalgamating Cheshire let's get rid of Wilmslow Town Council too - why are we paying extra council tax to support something that can't see beyond more than a few months ahead, or the next crocus bulb planting season?