THE area programme boards (APBs), which were labelled too big and unnecessary by rural parish councillors, have been increased in size by the Cheshire West and Chester executive.
The new boards will replace the area committees in Chester and new boards will be established in the Vale Royal and Ellesmere Port areas.
These boards are expected to see parish councillors, councillors, police and other agencies meet regularly to discuss local issues.
The consultation, which ended on September 30, was widely criticised with parish councillors saying rural areas are dumped in APBs with towns which don’t share their interests.
On October 15, Chester West and Cheshire’s executive discussed the consultation feedback and the boards.
At the meeting councillors changed their name to area partnership boards and the number of boards was reduced from eight to five.
The final details of the boards still have to be agreed. Following the agreement, a consultation document will be sent out to residents and parish and town councils in January.
