More on the shake-up of local government

This week's Chronicle gives more details on the planned reorganization of local government (reported on Audlem Online last Friday) with, if the plans are implemented, Audlem becoming part of East Cheshire along with the rest of Crewe & Nantwich, Congleton and Macclesfield. The new authority will have a population of about 350,000. West Cheshire will consist of Chester, Ellsemere Port and Vale Royal.

Council chiefs in both C&NBC and Congleton have reacted angrily to the proposal while, in contrast, Macclesfield's leaders celebrated with champagne. Brian Silvester, C&NBC council leader said: "We will work with Congleton to put a legal challenge to the Secretary of State for Local Government, who acted outside her powers. This is undemocratic and does not reflect the findings of our own polling, which showed that 85% of the people wanted to keep the borough council."

This result was very different to Audlem Online's earlier Vote Poll, which resulted in 59% in favour of the abolition of C&NBC, 38% against and 3% unsure. Local business leaders are reported in the Chronicle as saying the proposed change will make little difference to enterprise in the area.

Congleton has already launched its legal challenge and the case will be heard in the High Court in London on 12th and 13th September with a judicial review of the actions taken by the Government. If the plans for reorganization do go ahead, they will come into being in April 2009.

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