RESIDENTS will go to the polls to say if they want a shake up of local government.
The Government has announced a referendum will be held on Thursday, November 4, subject to approval from Parliament, when residents will get the chance to say if they want to change the way local services are provided.
Voters will be asked if they want an elected regional assembly for the North West and, if so, how they want their services to be provided.
In Cheshire, where there is a two-tier system of local government, one of the existing councils - either Cheshire County Council or the borough council in Vale Royal or Congleton, would be abolished.
Voters can choose to keep a single Cheshire unitary authority or have three unitary authorities.
The authorities would be responsible for providing all the services in their area, such as education, libraries, parks, waste collection and highways management.
Other areas which will face similar votes include County Durham, Northumberland, Cumbria, Lancashire and North Yorkshire.
The Government feels it is necessary to get rid of the two-tier system in Cheshire to make space for an elected North West regional assembly, which will act as the top power seat for Cheshire and the North West.
Minister for Local and Regional Government Nick Raynsford said: 'People in the three northern regions know that in November they should have an historic opportunity to change the way their region is governed.
'Following on from successful devolution in Scotland, Wales and London, it is now the time for the northern regions to have a say.
'For the first time, local people will be given a direct vote in a referendum on the structure of local government.
'Unlike previous local government reorganisations which were imposed by central Government, local communities will be given an opportunity to say which option they prefer on November 4.'
The decision has yet to be approved by Parliament.