Guide Published to Encourage
People to Stand for New Cheshire East Council
A new brochure has been published aimed at
encouraging residents to stand for elections to the new Cheshire
East Council this May. The guide sets out what is required to be a
councillor, how to stand, and the range of skills which would be
invaluable.
The new council will take over all the
services currently provided by Macclesfield, Congleton and Crewe
& Nantwich Borough Councils and Cheshire County Council, from
April 2009. It will cover a population of 355,600, making it the
third largest unitary council in the North West.
Voters will go to the polls on 1 May 2008 to
elect 81 Cheshire East councillors. In their first year, these
councillors will oversee the development of the new authority,
agree key strategies and policies, and set the new council’s budget
for 2009/10. Those members of the council who are elected in 2008
will serve until 2011.
The detailed “Prospectus for Potential
Councillors” has been issued to outline what it takes to be a
member of the new organisation and the flexibility that exists to
enable people with busy and demanding lives to become a
councillor.
Councillor Brian Silvester, Council Leader for
Crewe and Nantwich Borough, said: "It is important that, as
far as possible, all parts of our local community are
represented on this new Council. It is important that it is
successful from day one. Local residents have a right to
expect that the services they value will continue and improve.
They will also expect that their council tax is kept down and
that value for money is delivered."
To become a candidate for the elections on 1
May, people do not have to be affiliated to a political party.
Copies of the “councillor pack” are available
from libraries and council offices (Municipal Buildings Reception,
Delamere House, Access C&N and Nantwich Customer Service
Centre) and can be downloaded from http://www.crewe-nantwich.gov.uk/
or telephone the Borough Elections Officer on 01270 537571.
ENDS
0021/ir
19th February 2008
MEDIA CONTACT: Ian Richardson - 01270 537018
news.views@crewe-nantwich.gov.uk
Notes to Editor
1. Cheshire East Council will commence on 1
April 2009 and will bring together these existing local
authorities:
- Cheshire County Council
- Congleton Borough Council
- Crewe & Nantwich Borough Council
- Macclesfield Borough Council
2. The Joint Committee comprises 15 serving
councillors – three from each district and six from the county
council. The Committee will prepare, review and revise an
implementation plan which will secure the economic, effective,
efficient and timely transfer of staff, properties, functions,
rights and liabilities to the new authorities. It will formally
start to meet when the Implementation Order, giving the go-ahead to
create Cheshire’s unitary councils, is approved by Parliament. This
is expected towards the end of February 2008.