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Shakeup in local government

From the archive, first published Tuesday 31st Jul 2007.

JOBS could be axed as part of a Government shake-up of local councils including Middlewich's ruling authority.

Labour has announced plans to merge Congleton Borough Council with two other authorities in a streamlining of local government.

However, Congleton said jobs could be the cost of the Government's bid to save money.

"As 80 per cent of a council's expenditure is wages and salaries then there are going to be job losses," said leader Clr Roland Domleo. Congleton would be merged with Macclesfield as well as Crewe and Nantwich if the proposals are rubberstamped.

But the announcement shocked those inside Westfields - Congleton Borough Council's recently-built home.

The decision will split Cheshire in half and replace the county council and six district councils with two all-purpose unitary authorities.

Mammoth

The decision was one of three options laid out by the government, including one council for the whole of Cheshire and an improved version of the current two-tier system.

Clr Domleo said: "I am very surprised by this decision. It is still taking a lot of the local' out of local government, as it is still too big. We are united at Congleton for the improved two-tier option, a local council for local people." If the proposals are formally improved then Middlewich will see a big change in the way its services are run, the borough and county councils will become obsolete.

"When you try to amalgamate councils that is a mammoth task. Obviously bins will still be emptied and services will continue, but what will happen in the long term we don't know," added Clr Domleo.

The decision is subject to Chester City Council, who put in the two-council bid, demonstrating the financial viability of the proposals.

Congleton is also continuing with its judicial review against the Government as it believes the secretary of state acted outside her powers in not allowing a proper consultation to take place.

Middlewich town clerk Jonathan Williams added: "Whoever wants to work with us knows that they will be working with someone who has a proven track record of delivery.

"We have always worked well in partnership, but it's all about what is best for Middlewich."

A final decision is expected by October.