DELIGHTED councillors in Crewe and Nantwich and in Congleton Borough believe they are a step closer to getting their preferred future system of local Government.

The present system of county and district councils in Cheshire will be replaced by unitary authorities, similar to Warrington or Halton, if there is a 'yes' vote in next year's referendum on a North West Regional Assembly.

Crewe and Nantwich, and Congleton Borough Councils are part of a bid to get three 'modern Cheshire councils' installed. This would see Crewe and Nantwich link up with Vale Royal Borough Council to form the Mid or Central Cheshire Council.

Congleton would pair with Macclesfield to make East Cheshire Council, and Chester City Council would merge with Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council to form Chester and West Cheshire Council.

Now the Boundary Commission for England has announced that this form of reorganisation is one of the its three principal recommendations for change - naming it Option Three.

Cllr Peter Kent, leader of Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council, said: 'The most effective and convenient form of unitary local government for Cheshire can surely only be delivered by organisations which are in touch with the local community but which can offer value for money, efficiency and high quality services.

'Three modern Cheshire unitary councils are without doubt the best way to achieve this - a view reflected in the number of letters of support submitted to the Boundary Committee by organisations and members of the public during the first phase of consultation.

'The new councils offer another significant advantage. They would start with a fresh approach. Old assumptions about how council taxes are to be spent will be challenged, genuine consultation with local people will take place and the latest thinking on a whole range of services will be our starting point.'

Leader of Congleton Borough Council, Cllr Roland Domleo, said: 'Local democracy is best served by being kept close to the people and an East Cheshire unitary would be the only way of achieving that for the people of Congleton Borough.' The announcement of potential options for a structure will now be followed by a period of public consultation until February 23.

The responses will help inform the Boundary Committee's final recommendations to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, which are to be submitted on May 25. For information on local government reorganisation, visit www.boundarycommittee.org.uk

Alternatives dismissed

LEADERS of the six borough councils in Cheshire have dismissed alternative options for the future organisation of Local Government.

They want to see three 'modern district councils' formed - one of three options for change revealed by the Boundary Commission this week.

Option One, submitted by Cheshire County Council, would see a single unitary authority for Cheshire installed.

Option Two would see Crewe and Nantwich divided with Cheshire split down the middle. An East Cheshire authority would cover Congleton, Macclesfield, eastern parts of Crewe and Nantwich and parts of Vale Royal.

The West Cheshire authority would include Chester, Ellesmere Port and Neston, western parts of Crewe and Nantwich and parts of Vale Royal.

Cllr Peter Burns, leader of Macclesfield Borough Council, said: 'We believe the considerable implications such a radical restructuring would have for local communities have not been sufficiently explored. While we recognise that the option for a unitary Cheshire council has to be part of the ongoing debate, we firmly believe it would threaten the diversity of local government.'

Glyn Chambers, chief executive of Congleton Borough Council, said: 'People need to take part in this process. They should consider the options, think about them carefully and let the Boundary Committee know their views.'