Nantwich Town Council is to consider which services if any it will take over from cash-strapped Cheshire East Council under plans for more devolved power.
It could see the town council eventually take over services such as street lighting, street cleaning, parks and play areas, the museum and even off street parking.
Town councillors were told at their latest meeting that a new “Task and Finish” group has been set up by Cheshire East to look in detail at services town and parish councils could take on.
It’s reported that cash-strapped Cheshire East is looking to devolve certain non-statutory services to save money.
But town councillors in Nantwich issued a warning that many services are loss-making and that residents would not see a cut in CEC council tax even if it operated fewer services.
In a report, clerk Samantha Roberts said: “Cheshire East Council continues to face significant financial challenges and there remains considerable uncertainty regarding the future delivery of a range of local services.
“While no formal proposals have been made to Nantwich Town Council regarding the transfer of specific services or assets, discussions across the borough indicate an increasing expectation that Town and Parish Councils may play a greater role in protecting local services and community assets.
“At present, Cheshire East Council has advised that it requires Town and Parish Councils to identify areas of potential interest before detailed information, costings and risk assessments can be provided.
“It is therefore important that Nantwich Town Council considers which services or assets it regards as strategically important to the town and worthy of further investigation.”
It says that a number of services and assets have been identified that have been considered elsewhere in Cheshire East and neighbouring authorities. These include:
· Library services
· Museum
· Parks/Play areas and open spaces
· Street cleansing and grounds maintenance
· Street lighting
· Off-street car parks
· Public realm and streetscape services
The report added: “Given the continued development of the Cheshire East devolution programme, it would be beneficial for us to provide an initial indication of its priorities so officers can obtain relevant information and ensure future decisions are informed by robust evidence.
“At this stage, Council is not being asked to agree to the transfer of any service or asset.
“Rather, members are being asked to identify areas where further information should be sought in order to protect the interests of Nantwich residents should future changes to service provision arise.”
Cllr Arthur Moran said: “This all has big council tax implications. My view if we are to consider any areas under “devolution 2″ then we must receive some payment, and we wait and see what the task and finish group come up with.”
Cllr Peter Groves added: “I share those concerns. There seems to be an inability of Cheshire East to provide financial information – a business case.”
Cllr Caroline Kirkham said: “Many of these are non-profit making services like street lighting. There’s a cost to it.
“If we take something like that on, Cheshire East are not going to reduce their council tax, so it will involve an increase.
“It’s important we engage with residents throughout this process.”
Cllr Loic Charbonneau added: “I think patience is needed. It’s not going to happen overnight. It would be very foolish to stand up now and say we want to take over this or that.
“Let’s absorb the information once it comes out way.”
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