The public have gathered together to discuss the possibility of Bollington breaking away from Cheshire East Council.

Fed up Bollingtonians met at The Cotton Tree pub on Ingersley Road to discuss recent cuts, and the future of Bollington in Cheshire East.

This unofficial meeting of residents saw over 60 people attend, and was held last Monday evening.

Residents John Stewart and Jayne Blackshaw conceived the idea for the meeting.

Bollington has been the target of numerous recent Cheshire East Council decisions, from turning the free Pool Bank carpark into a paid one, to the closure of Bollington tip.

Mr Stewart, who is a Bollington Town Councillor, had this to say to Macclesfield Nub News on the get-together.

"Jayne and I discussed it and decided that we should see if there was any appetite for devolution from CEC", he said.

"CEC has never really supported Bollington over the years and we feel that CEC are slowly removing our services and destroying our community. 

"The biggest topic was the [mothballing of] Recycling Centre. Then Pool Bank [Carpark].

Bollington tip of Albert Road is going to be 'mothballed' on April 1.

"Devolution was discussed, but only in the context of these examples. A sheet was circulated with the number of employees when it was the UDC of Bollington pre-1974."

Two votes were unanimously carried to keep open the Recycling Centre, and for no charges to be introduced on Pool Bank. 

Businesses had previously told Macclesfield Nub News that introducing charges at the Pool Bank Carpark would 'kill' shops like it has 'killed Macclesfield town centre'.

"Once we understand the CEC position on Pool Bank and Recycling Centre, we will arrange another meeting next month," added John.

The Pool Bank Carpark of Palmerston Street.

"I think we could go back to being independently run from CEC.

"Even if we pay full Council Tax to CEC and they return funds back to us to provide local services. We couldn't provide adult social care though. 

"The public are fed up of paying significant money to CEC and not receiving a fair service in return. 

"The whole political system is broken. From central government down the borough councils, town and parish councils.

"The responsibility for the mess lies squarely with central government who have starved local councils of funds for social adult care and child care in the community.

"This has meant that other vital services have suffered significantly as a result. 

"There needs to be more debate about these issues. The protest vote last May [Cheshire East Council elections] against the Conservatives meant Labour took power, but only because the Independent Group did a deal with them.

"I don't think the Independent Group did a great job of using this power effectively enough. Labour-run CEC is making a poor name for itself by taking decisions without consultation.

"The Bollington Recycling Centre 'mothballing' was voted on without any consultation whatsoever. This is unacceptable."

Discussion of the end of Bollington's relationship with Cheshire East Council, follows a petition of 2000 people asking for Macclesfield (including Bollington) to form a new local authority away from Cheshire East.

7500 people have also put their name to a petition preventing the end of Poynton and Bollington tips, with just days to go until their will no longer be able to be used.

Cheshire East Council have been contacted for comment.