New vote poll underway and showing early signs of being close

The new Vote Poll on Audlem Online is now underway and will be the first public test of Cheshire County Council's far-reaching plans to re-structure local government throughout the County.

For those who missed the weekend story explaining the background to this issue, the proposal by the County Council has been sent to London and argues for a devolved single unitary authority – 'The Cheshire Council' which, it is argued, will bring government closer to the people than ever before and, it claims, will save the taxpayer £21m year on year.

In the 70-page document, it is recommended that the corporate HQ for the new authority should be relocated from County Hall in Chester to central Cheshire – probably Winsford. It also recommends new councils for the City of Chester, and the towns of Crewe, Macclesfield, Ellesmere Port and Wilmslow.

The proposed Cheshire Council would have probably 120 councillors elected on a single ward system with a leader and a cabinet of executive members. But the day to day local government would be conducted in the localities through fifteen Area Committees of the unitary authority, and in the new town councils, and in parish councils.

The current Cheshire system of seven separate authorities, including Crewe & Nantwich Borough Council, would go. Hardly surprisingly, the idea has been slammed by Brian Silvester, the majority leader of C&NBC. Writing in the local press, he says: "Under these daft unitary proposals there would be no local council left to champion local issues. Councillors from 30 miles away, who had never set foot in Crewe & Nantwich, could be making crucial decisions for local residents."

Brian Silvester then calls for a vote on whether the people want unitary authorities in Cheshire. Which is exactly what Audlem Online will now be holding. It will, we think, be the very first test of public opinion on this issue in the County. So cast your vote now on this important issue that will affect local government and everyone's council services and taxes.

Early votes indicate yet another close poll. You can vote by selecting Yes/No or Unsure and then clicking on 'Vote Now'.

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