Council Leader Councillor Michael Jones is calling for the reunification of Cheshire in a bold move designed to bring back a county council for the borough.
Today's announcement follows months of talks between the Leader and multi-agency partners about how to improve Cheshire's offer to its residents.
The Leader, who stressed the idea was his own personal view, said: "Cheshire East Council was formed following Local Government Reorganisation in 2009, when Cheshire County Council was effectively carved into two, the other half being Cheshire West.
"The two authorities were made weaker as a result, yet mirror one another in terms of their people and aspirations.
"It didn't make much sense then and it still doesn't! Yes, Cheshire East as a local authority is a great success and I'm sure Cheshire West would say the same about their council.
"But the fact remains, it was a bad decision and the people weren't behind it and I suspect many are still not.
"What I'm calling for today is a review of our separated and divided local government as I set out my ambition for a unified Cheshire Council that serves the needs of all Cheshire residents.
"A unified and strong Cheshire would reduce Council Tax liability for every household to the tune of around £100.
"I want to throw open the debate about 'One Cheshire'! Yes, or no? I think it's got a great feel to it. What do residents think?"
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Comments
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Hopefully the unified county council could also think about better exploiting of outsourcing options and look at streamlining core processes to save still more money.
I only hope that any single new council wouldn't feel the need to spend vast amounts on new branding and identity: why does a non competitive service organisation need to have a pretty logo and corporate colours to "promote" itself? Surely we're stuck with it regardless?
To say "East and West of Cheshire have little in common with each other" is a rather surprising comment. I can see the argument that Beijing has little in common with Bali, even that London has little in common with the Lewes; but East and West Cheshire? Really?
The two councils already share certain services (the imaginatively named "Shared Services"), though their Joint Committee seems to find it hard to co-ordinate diaries:
http://bit.ly/1qNMw7u
Instinctively it seems to me to be common sense for there to be one council for Cheshire ("Better Together"?), though I will reserve judgement until I understand more about what (if anything) is proposed regarding the structure and associated costs of the reunification.
Surely you wouldn't find my comment surprising if you had travelled to County Hall in Chester when a group of us went to lobby Cheshire County Council over the need for an Alderley Edge bypass. It was clear that councillors representing the area around Chester had no interest in this end of the county whatsoever. Then ask yourself how many local residents travel regularly into Manchester for work, business, leisure, transport connections etc. compared with Chester. Alderley Edge has its own distinct local character, which we all love, but apart from that it is also a commuter village within the Manchester travel to work area.
Not promise of future savings, but REAL savings for each taxpayer so far.
Michael clearly did not experience the frustration of having to deal with Cheshire County Council.