Neston Parish Council plans approved by new Cheshire unitary authority

Jul 16 2008 By Laura Jones

PARISH council plans for Neston have been rubber stamped by Cheshire’s new unitary authority.

A majority of 60pc of Neston people supported the proposal of a council to represent the parish, which will create 17 councillors in the wards of Riverside, Little Neston, Neston, Parkgate, and Ness.

These will be voted in by 12,500 electors who will mark their first ballot slips on May 7, 2009 in the elections that will form the parish council.

The decision was made after a three-month consultation process which took place in Neston between December 2007 and March 2008.

Councillor John Grimshaw, area neighbourhood and community portfolio holder for Cheshire West and Chester Shadow Council, said: "This is an important step for Neston.

"The creation of a Parish Council will enhance the area’s community spirit and give it an important voice within the new Council and locally.

"Defined areas with community structures enable communities to come together to achieve real and meaningful improvements to a locality.

"I am sure Neston Parish Council will have such an impact for its residents."

Rob Ward of Neston Civic Society said: "Volunteers collected 2,530 signatures, over double the number needed, and the petition was handed to Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council in January 2006.

"Neston Civic Society hopes Neston Council will also attract new people independent of political parties.

"I am very pleased that the new council is going to support the parish council.

"We are losing our district council this year and will be part of a bigger unitary authority, so it is important that we have a parish council to represent Neston."