Residents have until Sunday, November 22 to have their say on a proposed multi million pound public sector hub for Ellesmere Port.

People in the town have been having the chance to comment on proposals which the borough council believes would transform the way public services are delivered in the area.

The now Labour controlled council and its partners are exploring the benefits of creating a shared services hub that would bring together public sector organisations under one roof.

An earlier scheme was put forward when the council was Conservative controlled with an illustration of how new build at the civic offices might look as one option.

The council believes the move should improve the delivery of public services while reducing their cost.

Ellesmere Port Police Station
Ellesmere Port Police Station

Co-locating the local authority, police, fire, health and other organisations would also boost the ongoing regeneration of the town by releasing land for redevelopment and the creation of new jobs and homes it is argued.

Local residents, businesses and the wider community have been asked for their views as part of a major consultation entitled ‘Building Better Services in Ellesmere Port’.

The proposals are being developed under the Government’s ‘One Public Estate’ pilot as a way of removing obstacles to partnership working and improving the delivery of services to residents.

It is said that co-locating services in a shared hub would see an improvement for customers, remove duplication, improve outcomes for local people and rationalise the public sector asset portfolio in the town to deliver better value for money.

Ellesmere Port Hospital
Ellesmere Port Hospital

An outline business case has been produced and funding has been provisionally secured including £8.2m for expenditure on capital works from 2017/18.

Cllr Brian Clarke, economic development and infrastructure chief in the Labour cabinet, said: “This is a unique and exciting opportunity to deliver improved public services to the residents of Ellesmere Port and breathe life back into the town centre, but it must be driven by what local people need and view as important.

“We want to encourage people to have their say during this consultation so that their views can be taken into account as proposals develop.”

Cllr Lynn Gibbon, the Conservative spokesman for economic development and infrastructure and housing, said: “We fully support this project as a way of regenerating and redeveloping Ellesmere Port and are keen for all residents to participate in the process from the start.”

Plus Dane Housing Group
Plus Dane Housing Group

At present Cheshire West and Chester Council, NHS England, the West Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership, the Countess of Chester hospital, Cheshire Constabulary, the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, the North West Ambulance Service and Plus Dane Housing currently provide services from a range of buildings across the town centre and in the immediate area.

It is proposed that the shared hub would co-locate these public sector providers and other organisations.

Up to Sunday people can register their comments by emailing bbs@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk, telephoning 0300 123 8 123 or by posting their views to Building Better Services at the Council Offices at 4 Civic Way, Ellesmere Port, CH65 0BE.