Could you become a local councillor for Crewe?

 

Are you passionate about helping your community? Do you believe you can make a difference to people’s lives?

Now, you could have your chance after Cheshire East Council agreed to a new parish council in Crewe (see notes to editor).

A total of 20 locally-elected people will serve the town as it also looks to take charge of a number of key assets such as public toilets and allotment sites for the benefit of the town.

With Crewe to have a more local voice, people are being asked if they are up to the challenge of becoming a local councillor and deliver for the town.

Anyone interested in being a candidate is welcome to attend a public meeting on Wednesday, February 13 at 7pm or Friday, February 15 at the Municipal Buildings, Crewe, at 2.30pm.

Councillor Paul Findlow, Cabinet member in charge of corporate policy, said: “We asked the people of Crewe if they wanted a parish council and the answer was clearly ‘yes’. In fact, a Cheshire East ballot found almost nine out of 10 people who voted feel it is the best thing for the town. Now, this is to become a reality.

“Cheshire East will help to get the new council on its feet in the first year with contributions to the budget but it will then be up to the 20 councillors to organise their own budget and provide best value for the people of Crewe.

“Local facilities are to be run and managed by local people. This is a view we must agree with when local people have voted so emphatically in favour, and I am confident that the new council will prove to be of great benefit to Crewe.”

A reorganisation order to formally establish the council is now available for inspection at Cheshire East Council’s headquarters in Westfields, Sandbach from 9am until 5pm on weekdays. An election to fill the council’s seats will be held on April 4.

Town and parish councillors are able to help shape the future of their area by commenting on planning applications. They also have a key role in helping to run and manage some key public facilities.

The Crewe parish is to be divided into six wards and will comprise 20 councillors. These are broken down as follows and fairly reflect the populations of each ward:

· Crewe St Barnabas – 2

· Crewe Central – 2

· Crewe North – 2

· Crewe South (except for Gresty Brook) – 4

· Crewe East – 6

· Crewe West – 4

Anyone who requires further information should call Cheshire East Council’s elections team on 01270 685922.

Meanwhile, having also considered the results of the ballot of electors, the unparished part of the Borough ward of Leighton is to be included within the Leighton Urban ward of Minshull Vernon & District Parish Council.

This means there are now parish councillor vacancies in the Leighton Urban Ward of Minshull Vernon & District which can be filled by co-option. For more information, contact the parish clerk Carol Jones on 01270 812065 or carol.jones@ceparishclerk.co.uk

Councillor Derek Bebbington, ward member for Leighton, who also sits on Minshull Vernon & District Parish Council, said: “The respondents in the Leighton Borough ward have opted to remain as a whole community with the rest of the Minshull Vernon & District Parish.

“Now, we are actively seeking people who will come forward to represent the local community on this council.

“At the same time, we must support the new council in Crewe and hope that it works for the people of the town.”