Petition started for Macclesfield to leave Cheshire East Council
By Alex Greensmith
26th Feb 2024 | Local News
A Macclesfield resident is behind a new petition to get Macclesfield to govern itself, and leave Cheshire East Council.
Martin Smith has launched a Change.org petition called 'Time to break free from CEC: A Call for a new Macclesfield-led Council'.
The petition, which currently has 200 signatures, can be signed on this link.
Macclesfield Nub News spoke with Martin about why he has decided to start this petition.
"Two key factors", he said.
"Macclesfield's former borough involving the two parliamentary constituencies of Macclesfield and Tatton, being used as a cash cow by Cheshire East Council [CEC].
"With evidence showing significant disparities in capital expenditure across Macclesfield town, Congleton and Crewe. This suggests either managed decline or gross mismanagement, which could extend to other areas.
"Followed by CEC announcing it was relocating its HQ and most of its staff to Crewe, which will only likely exacerbate the problem. [Some staff are relocating to Macclesfield, but the majority to Crewe.]
"There are too many other issues to list in the 'column space' available here, but I think CEC has now lost the confidence of Macclesfield's former borough residents, and a split is an inevitability. So, we might as well get on with it.
"I have children, and like every parent you want the best for them, and for the last 15 years I've watched the buoyant prosperous town I've grown up in decline badly, and while I accept these are exceptional times with local authorities going bankrupt elsewhere, Cheshire East Council has been running down Macclesfield since 2009.
"I see people talking about this issue in Facebook comments every so often.
"But why now? Why have I decided to start the petition now? Cheshire East Council is a failed experiment teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, so there is no better time to replace it. As an election year, it also gives candidates an opportunity to demonstrate meaningful commitment to their communities.
"The general election can also serve as a platform to facilitate a local referendum, allowing constituents to further voice their desire for change."
The petition indicates that Bollington, Knutsford, Wilmslow and Alderley Edge would also be part of the breakaway.
Cheshire East Council was formed in 2009, following the dissolution of Macclesfield Borough Council.
"Macclesfield town has served as an administrative centre for hundreds of years, and it needs to reclaim that role to drive recovery," added Martin.
"Over the last 15 years it has become evident that this cannot be achieved with an inadequate form of local governance, acting as a millstone around its neck.
"To move forward, Macclesfield's former administrative boundaries need to be reinstated, granting it full autonomy in the form of its own North East Cheshire Council, Unitary Authority."
As of publication, there are no current plans for Macclesfield to currently secede from Cheshire East Council.
Martin is aiming for 12,000 signatures.
"The Local Authorities (Referendums) (Petitions) (England) Regulations 2011, states a local council must hold a referendum on whether the council should change to a different form of governance," he explained.
"If at least 5% of the local government electors in that area, petition the local council to do so. Therefore, 5% would be an appropriate threshold to indicate a desire for the Macclesfield and Tatton constituencies to secede from CEC. Macclesfield has an estimated electorate of 76,216, and Tatton's is 76,982, so just 6,000 petition signatures from each constituency should be more than sufficient to trigger a local referendum. The referendum question could then be included on the 2024 general election ballot papers for Macclesfield and Tatton."
As well as the petition, Martin has made a new Facebook group for his cause.
"I expect the taxes I pay to contribute to the betterment of Macclesfield's towns and villages," Martin also said.
"Establishing a new unitary authority aligned with the former borough boundaries guarantees that.
"Any incumbent or [general election] candidate who supports that view and this petition will earn my support, while those who do not, will not receive my vote. I'm in the process of submitting a question which will determine who I vote for, to all candidates running for Macclesfield's [parliamentary] seat.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to request help from a resident in Tatton's constituency, to submit the same query, which will similarly obligate their own candidates to respond to a question that influences voting decisions."
Some people who have signed have also expressed their opinions: Sarah Miles said "We don't feel any connection with Sandbach or Crewe, so it would be better if we were a wholly Macclesfield Council."
Ian Bentley said: "Macclesfield is being neglected by Cheshire East Council."
When asked about why 'Joe Public' should consider whether they want to sign this petition or not, Martin had this to say: "While signing the petition effectively represents a 'No Confidence Vote' on Cheshire East Council. It's not just about being politically engaged."
"It's also an incredibly rare chance to directly influence and actively shape, the future for ourselves and our loved ones.
"By signing the petition, you're ensuring that the taxes you pay won't just disappear into the ether, but will instead be used to enhance the quality of life for those you care about. You didn't get a say when MBC was abolished, so if you want to 'Break free from CEC' don't miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity to make a real difference. Take a minute to sign the petition."
Cheshire East Council were contacted on February 21 for comment, but confirmed they had nothing to comment on February 22 regarding the campaign.
Macclesfield: The petition can be signed HERE.
Mr Smith is not the only fed up taxpayer seeking signatures.
As elsewhere in the borough, a petition calling for the resignation of Cheshire East Leader Sam Corcoran has 500 signatures.
Cheshire East HQ pictured earlier this month. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)
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