Macclesfield residents are urged to have their say on governance in our town, in a first-of-its-kind opportunity.

For the first time ever, Cheshire East is holding a three-month consultation on proposals for the governance arrangements for town and parish councils in the borough.

The 12-week survey is part of a borough-wide review, as Cheshire East is responsible for the governance and electoral arrangements for the borough's 186 town and parish council wards in 135 town and parish councils.

The review looks at a range of issues, including town and parish boundaries, numbers of town and parish councillors, grouping of parishes and warding.

For example, you can express your views on the number of councillors. Macclesfield Town Council has 12 councillors, which is set to increase to 24 under new plans. This could be your chance to oppose it!

You can also share your views on the recent abolishment plans for Lyme Green and Gawsworth Parish Council - and praise or deride the people that currently run them.

The survey takes less than 20 minutes to fill in and get your views heard.

The consultation provides people with an opportunity to comment and make the case for alternative proposals to those recommended.

"We are conducting a review of town and parish council governance arrangements across the Cheshire East Borough," said Cheshire East Council.

"The overarching purpose of the review is to ensure that community governance arrangements continue to reflect local identities and facilitate effective and convenient local government."

Cheshire East has 186 town and parish council wards in 135 town and parish councils covering the whole borough.

This includes Macclesfield Town Council, to Macclesfield area parishes like Sutton Parish Council, and Rainow Parish Council.

You can have your say on topics like; town and parish boundaries, the amount of councillors, arrangements for wards, and the meetings of groups of parish councils.

Want virtual meetings to continue to save the planet and improve accessibility? Here is the chance to make your case.

It is good practice to review community governance every 10-15 years. However, Cheshire East Council was created in 2009 and has yet to hold a full review of town and parish council governance.

This consultation is open to all those aged 16 and over.

Participants are urged to submit their response by 28 November 2021.

You can fill in the survey here, or request a paper form from Macclesfield Library on Jordangate.

For any queries about this survey, Macclesfield residents can email: [email protected].