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Ref:29/07 January 2007
County’s ‘Historic’ Submission Saves Millions And Brings Power To The People Of Cheshire
Cheshire County Council‘s far-reaching plans to revitalise local government throughout the County go to Whitehall today (Thursday).
The historic submission for a devolved single unitary authority - ‘The Cheshire Council’ - will bring government closer to the people than ever before and save the taxpayer £21m ….year on year!
And in the 70-page document, it is recommended that the corporate HQ for the new authority should be relocated in central Cheshire - probably Winsford.
It also recommends new councils for the City of Chester, and towns of Crewe, Macclesfield, Ellesmere Port and Wilmslow.
Chief Executive Jeremy Taylor said: “This model is the result of two years of dedicated work and financial research. It meets all the White Paper criteria.
“It is the only viable solution both for our local communities - who will have a much stronger voice in their own future - and for local government, currently experiencing desperate funding pressures.”
And he added: “The decision to move the corporate headquarters to mid-Cheshire would of course have to be taken by members of the new authority. But we believe that it would be the right decision.”
Should that happen it would affect only around 300 jobs with thousands of jobs remaining in the Chester area in offices, schools and highways depots.
Cheshire County Council first met at Chester Castle on Feb 7, 1889, and after early meetings at different venues around the county, returned to Chester Castle which was the Shire Hall Courts complex before moving to County Hall in I957.
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 governance would be conducted in the localities through fifteen Area Committees of the unitary authority, and in town and parish councils.
“The present system of local government has become increasingly obscure and confusing and people have become disaffected and disengaged from public service participation or even bothering to vote“ said the chief executive.
“Our proposal holds out real prospect of reversing this tendency giving every encouragement for Cheshire citizens to become involved in shaping their communities.” Cheshire’s proposal for a single unitary council will produced even better and more responsive services, eliminating wasteful duplication and financing improvements from economies produced by a more efficient system.
The current Cheshire system of seven separate authorities requires the maintenance of seven vehicle fleets, dedicated ICT systems, property portfolios, finance and audit performance functions carrying our separate roles.
“There is no logical reason for duplication of officers or services or why the public should be faced with confusing access and information arrangements“ maintained Mr Taylor.
From a financial perspective, the devolved governance model and the service improvements outlined in the County Council’s proposal are affordable and would pay for themselves with no adverse effect on the taxpayer.
A single unitary would provide permanent on-going efficiency savings of around £21 million per year. The transitional costs of about £21.1 million would be paid off within two to three years - with the full savings realised in every year thereafter.
“The County Council has total confidence that a single devolved unitary council represents the best solution to deliver the, most economic, affordable and best value services for the people of Cheshire - on a sustainable basis.”
Ends
IC/LJ
Note To Editors: For further information please contact Chief Executive Jeremy Taylor on 01244 602101, Director for Regional Affairs Ian Dunn on 01244 602254 or Media Relations Manager Ian Callister on 01244 602216.
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