Major Crewe assets to be passed to local control

 

A number of Crewe’s key assets look set to be managed more locally with a new town council soon to become a reality.

The final stage of consultation over the creation of a town council in Crewe is now complete and Cheshire East Council is expected to make a final decision to approve an order for the new body in October.

Once this is done, facilities including Crewe Market Hall, public toilets, allotment sites and other assets are in line to be run by the new authority.

Councillor Rachel Bailey, Cabinet member in charge of communities and regulatory services, said: “Local facilities should be run and managed by local people – that is something we have always said.

“The community governance review sub-committee will now continue its good work in making arrangements for the formation of a town council and seriously consider what assets could be transferred to that council.

“This follows on from a number of successfully-agreed transfers of assets and services to town and parish councils all over Cheshire East.”

A ballot found almost nine out of 10 people, who voted, feel a town council is the best thing for the town.

The Council’s constitution committee meets on September 20, when it will make a final recommendation on the set up of the new authority to Full Council at its meeting in October. Elections to the new council are likely to be held on April 4, next year.

Councillor Les Gilbert, Cabinet member in charge of corporate policy, said: “The people of Crewe told us very clearly they want a town council and we have listened very clearly to the representations made by all consultees and will continue to do so until a final decision is reached.

“Once a town council is in place, it will then be down to the people of Crewe and its local representatives to make localism work in their area.”

As part of the consultation, electors in the unparished area of Leighton were also asked to choose which parish they wished to join. An overwhelming majority have expressed a desire to be part of the Minshull Vernon and District parish.