Cheshire parish council merger plans could 'damage' villages

Cheshire East Council said the MPs' views would be considered and that nothing has yet been decided

Five MPs have raised concerns about Cheshire East Council's review of parish councils, which could see some authorities disappear.

The council is currently consulting on proposals which could see some closed or merged with neighbouring councils.

The Conservative MPs, who represent the area being reviewed, said the changes could "damage local community spirit".

Cheshire East Council said their views would be considered and nothing had yet been decided.

The consultation into the changes was launched in September.

Handforth Town Council, which achieved infamy while known as Handforth Parish Council when a fractious Zoom meeting was shared on social media, is one of those that could be lost under the proposals, as it could be merged with neighbouring Wilmslow.

Areas highlighted by the MPs - Congleton's Fiona Bruce, Eddisbury's Edward Timpson, Tatton's Esther McVey, Crewe and Nantwich's Kieran Mullan and Macclesfield's David Rutley - include:

• Somerford Parish Council

• Leighton and Shavington

• Leighton, Church Minshull and Minshull Vernon

• Lyme Green and Gasworth Moss

• Eaton, Marton and North Rode

• Macclesfield Forest, Wildboarclough, Wincle and Sutton

• Wilmslow, Handforth and Chorley

• Little and Great Warford

In a joint statement, they said the review was "causing widespread concern in local rural communities and villages" and urged "as many local residents as possible" to take part in the consultation.

Cheshire East Council said it would not be appropriate to comment on individual representations while the public consultation is open, but added that it "should be emphasised that nothing is yet decided, as a community governance review is a complex task".

"Any changes to be made would follow reflection on the responses to this latest consultation - including with town and parish councils - and a decision by full council," a spokesman added.

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