Decision on Cheshire's future delayed

There's no need to include change of address details in Christmas cards as the Government has delayed the decision about the future of Cheshire. The Government's hotly disputed plan to scrap the existing councils and split the county into East Cheshire – including Audlem – and West Cheshire, has been delayed as the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) says it must continue to consider the 'unique' situation.

The Government's own research, commissioned by DCLG, said that the majority of Cheshire residents were in favour of one council for the whole county. The 'stakeholder consultation' on proposals for either a single or two unitary solutions revealed a "great majority" of representations supported Cheshire County Council's submission for a strong united county.

It appears there was very little support for the DCLG's 'two unitary' favoured option, with the great majority of representations received from members of the public expressing support for the county's proposal. Which is presumably why the decision has been put off.

Other historic counties now have a secure future – including some like Wiltshire with a similar population to Cheshire and almost 50% larger in area – which makes the Government's delay in deciding Cheshire's future somewhat curious. Durham, Northumberland, Shropshire and Cornwall will also be 'whole county units'.

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