Community association vows Neston will not be ignored in council shake-up

May 21 2008 by Carrie Catterall, Neston News

NESTON community association - CH64inc - says it will work hard to maintain the area’s distinctive character after Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council’s abolition.

The borough council will disband in April 2009 and will join two local authorities covering east and west Cheshire.

This means all the functions currently shared between the two levels of council - including waste collection, education, social services, highways and housing will be carried out by one organisation in each area.

CH64inc fears Neston will be forgotten in this huge unitary council and has now published a report in response to a consultation with the borough council on its Core Strategy 2008-2021.

This report lists ideas including a town centre improvement plan, encouragement for more home office and small office businesses and the reinstatement of the MTI Lifelong-Learning project.

It also states it does not support significant erosion of the Green Belt which it says “seems very thin in places” but is sympathetic to local housing needs.

Robin Hughes, vice-chairman of CH64inc, said: “The council has agreed to meet with us over the next few weeks to discuss our report.

“Neston is different from areas surrounding it, therefore we must stand on our own feet.

“Being part of a much bigger council may mean we are forgotten - so we will have to fight our own corner.

“There has been a lot of good work done in Neston town centre and the surrounding villages thanks to the government and council-funded Market Town Initiative, but we don’t want this to stop simply because it has ended.”

CH64inc intends to set up a permanent strategy group to continue to monitor council plans and facilitate the involvement of the residents of Burton, Neston, Little Neston, Ness, Parkgate and Willaston.

The report states: “It opens up opportunities (and threats) as we swim in the same pond as places like Chester, Northwich and Winsford.

“With apologies for the mixed metaphor, CH64 needs to be ready to stand on its own feet in the new world.”

Among those who helped to produce the report were Janet Griffiths of Neston Civic Society,Pat Hughes, Jerry Harris of the Parkgate Society, Ray Wilson, Willaston Residents Association, Scott Mealor of the Friends of Stanney Fields Park and Don Howell from Burton Residents Association.

Mr Hughes added: “We must make sure we continue the good work being done in Neston for years to come.”