On September 5th the Cabinet will consider a report on local service delivery and the transfer of some services and assets from Cheshire East to Town and Parish Councils.
The report sets out the current proposals for what should be transferred initially, starting from April 2012, and shows that the only change proposed for Alderley Edge is to transfer full responsibility for the village allotments to Alderley Parish Council.
The legal terms for each transfer will be negotiated on an individual basis but it is anticipated that the allotments on Beech Close, Chorley Hall Lane and Heyes Lane will be transferred by way of a long lease.
The other services being proposed for transfer across the borough are civic halls, community halls, public conveniences, markets and additional services such as hanging baskets, Christmas lights and trees and street furniture including benches and planters.
A number of other assets, including play areas, footpaths, parks, ponds and ditches, were originally included in the discussions but Cheshire East have decided not to transfer these at this stage.
Councillor Mike Williamson confirmed at the July meeting that Alderley Edge Parish Council want to take over Beech Lane Park, Alderley Edge Park, Chorley Hall Playing Fields and the public convenience in South Street car park, but because parks and playing fields have been deferred until 2013 and the maintenance contract for the automatic toilet has expensive buy-out terms all they will get in 2012 is the allotments.
This is the first phase of an ambitious programme of service and asset transfer designed to give each Town and Parish Council an increasingly important role in deciding what should be delivered in its locality and how this is best delivered.
This programme fits in with national policy designed to decentralise government and give communities power to make a difference in their area. Further transfer and devolution is planned.
This initiative is expected to result in a saving of up to £450,000 per year for Cheshire East, with additional savings from support services once the transfers are complete.
The proposed transfer of services will result in some Town and Parish Councils needing to increase their level of precept. However, it is believe that part of the benefit of this initiative is that the Town and Parish Councils can either generate more income or tailor the services more effectively to bring an overall reduction in cost.
Many councillors and local residents have raised the issue of double taxation and whether this initiative will result in higher taxes.
Back in April Councillor Wesley Fitzgerald said: "Any transfers are planned by April 2012 and if towns and parish councils have elected to provide services locally they will build this into their local precept - thereby ensuring that local residents pay for the very local services they receive. At the same time, such services will not be levied through the Cheshire East council tax."
Whilst this means that local residents will not be charged twice for the same service or asset, it is still unclear whether some Cheshire East residents will face a higher tax bill.
Earlier this month I enquired whether the Cheshire East Council Tax would be reduced to reflect that they are no longer providing certain services and assets.
Cheshire East issued the following response:
"There are various negotiations in progress to transfer assets to town and parish councils where this makes sense to both parties. No definitive decisions have been made on this and the financial implications are not always a straightforward case of transferring costs.
"Often the town or parish council has ideas as to how they can deliver services differently and in a way that is more tailored to the community they represent. Any decision taken is considered in the light of potential service improvements, financial implications to Cheshire East and to the relevant town or parish council. We would not expect a direct correlation between the financial cost to Cheshire East and a new cost to a town or parish council as the delivery method will change."
