Audlem to be disenfranchised?

Following Thursday's Audlem Online news story on Cheshire residents against county split, says Government report, Roland Hall writes: "From Thursday's website report it now seems certain that we are going to get the change in Local Government, whether it be to a single Unitary Authority for Cheshire or the split into two with East and West Cheshire Authorities. "While the debate so far has been about which of these options to go for, like with so many things 'the devil will be in the detail', of which we have very little. However I understand that either option will mean a halving of the number of elected councillors, which does not sound good for local democracy. "Currently for the Audlem Ward (which actually covers Audlem and the adjoining communities), two councillors are elected to the Borough Council. Immediately this representation is halved but it gets worse. Under the proposals Audlem Ward disappears and becomes part of the Cholmondley Division with an electorate of approximately 10,000 which includes places such as Wrenbury, Bunbury and Acton. It is expected that three Councillors will be elected from the whole Cholmondley Division and they will represent the complete area so it is quite possible that Audlem will end up without a Councillor who has any day to day connection with the Village.

"Recent years have shown the value of having councillors who have lived and worked in the village and are regularly seen in the locality. With decisions in the future being made in Chester or Macclesfield, it will become even more important that Councillors have first hand knowledge of Audlem when matters that effect it are discussed and decisions made.

"The present 'ward' system has served local government well and though, with the changes in populations that have taken place over the years, a bit of tidying up may be required, it seems we are in danger of throwing the baby out with the bath water."

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