AT LEAST under the current system if we have a gripe about bin collections, litter, parking tickets, schools or planning applications, we know who to complain to. We can march to our respective town halls and demand to speak to the right person.

However, under the new unitary councils for Cheshire, the seat of democratic power will be, for residents of at least two out of the three districts in Cheshire East, out of town.

Whether this seat of power ends up in Crewe, Sandbach or Macclesfield, a good number of people will have to travel a fair distance just to attend a council meeting or, possibly, to view a planning application. So much for access to democracy, one might think.

Cllr Steve Hogben, Labour group leader of Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council, says it might not be as bad as all that, but that there is still a risk that access to democracy will be limited.

“I don’t think it will be easier to access democracy under the new system, so the possibility of town councils within the new unitary system needs careful consideration.

“One of the big questions for the new authority is what and how much it will delegate, and it’s going to have to delegate a lot of things locally. So, in terms of the bread and butter stuff, you may still be able to go and view planning applications and things like that at your own town hall.”

So, things aren’t going to be that different, then? For Cllr Hogben, the big difference will be in terms of representation.

“Crewe is one of the largest areas in the new authority and one of the fastest growing economically.

“We are looking at having the number of councillors representing this borough cut virtually in half, so it’s vitally important that when people feel they need their views representing to the new authority, they can get hold of someone to give them a voice. Otherwise there’s a real risk people will become marginalised.”