PEOPLE packed into the Civic Hall on Monday evening to air their views on the proposed powers of a North West regional assembly.
Panellists answering questions included Maria Eagle MP, Minister for Disabled People, Alan Manning, TUC regional secretary, and Ellesmere Port Labour MP Andrew Miller.
If people give the assembly a thumbs-up it would mean one of the present tiers of local government would be axed to be replaced by all-purpose unitary authorities.
But it will only go ahead if voters say 'yes' to an assembly in a referendum in October.
Maria Eagle said: 'An assembly is a democratic opportunity to take more control and hand power to the regions. It is about a new vision and new form of government for the north.
'The north is falling behind the south in matters such as employment. Without a regional assembly, the south will surge ahead.
'We will be able to achieve economic progress and health equality. An assembly would take into account more views and big league decisions made by those with local knowledge, not ministers based in Whitehall who don't live here despite having a big effect on our lives.'
One resident expressed concerns the proposed assembly would only have about 30 elected members covering an area from Crewe to Carlisle.
But Alan Manning replied: 'The assembly will be doing things in a different way. It will utilise civic forums and people's ideas will be put on the table. I don't think even doubling the number of elected members would make much difference.'
Tory borough councillor Gareth Anderson expressed concern at the cost of an assembly.
He said: 'Families will be hit with a double tax whammy. Firstly, because their Council Tax bills will rise to pay for the running costs of the assembly and secondly they will have to pay for the scrapping of their county councils to make way for the assembly. This could see massive increases in Council Tax bills - Band D tax payers could see a 19% Council Tax hike.'
Ms Eagle disagreed, saying: 'A unitary authority would make savings because there would be less councillors and officers.
'It would cost about £25m a year to run. Some £5m of this would be the cost of staff who would transfer from existing public bodies. The rest includes pay for elected members and staff, renting offices and the cost of elections.
'Part of this would be met by a Council Tax amounting, in the first year, to 5p a week for Band D properties. The rest would be paid for by Government grant.'
Ellesmere Port resident Gary Woodward said: 'I would be more than willing to pay an extra £200 a year if it means a future for my kids.'
To find out more about a North West regional assembly visit www.yoursay-northwest.odpm.gov.uk.
