Cheshire East wants your feedback on green priorities

Cheshire East Council is asking residents, businesses and other organisations about its plans for a greener future for the economy and environment.

The council’s new corporate plan sets out the vision and priorities for the council over the next four years. 

This includes its plans to protect and enhance the environment, tackle the climate change emergency and drive sustainable development. The aims are:

● A great place for people to live, work and visit;

● Welcoming, safe and clean neighbourhoods;

● Reduce impact on the environment;

● A transport network that is safe and promotes active travel; and

● Thriving urban and rural economies.

Councillor Nick Mannion, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for environment and regeneration, said: “Cheshire East is great place and is full of potential. We want to play our role in helping to ensure that Cheshire East is a green and sustainable place for future generations.

“People want to come to live in Cheshire East. They want to invest here and to visit the area also – which is not surprising, given the beautiful countryside, charming villages and thriving towns.

“But we know there is work to do to improve some of the places in Cheshire East.

“We’ve also set the ambitious target of being a carbon-neutral council by 2025, to meet the climate emergency head on. We want your views on how to get this balance right.”

Councillor Laura Crane, cabinet member for highways and waste, said: “For many people, the council’s main job is to maintain the roads, keep public spaces clean and tidy and collect the bins. We do a lot more than that – but these are really important services and we need to get them right. 

“We’re facing significant financial challenges but are still committed to providing these services for our residents. 

“We have opportunities to innovate and try different things to save money, improve service and reduce impact on the environment, such as our project to trial hydrogen bin lorries and our active travel schemes.

“It’s important that you tell us what you think of our plans, so please do respond to the survey.”

Councillor Toni Fox, cabinet member for planning, said: “We live in a beautiful, varied and diverse borough. It’s important that we continue to strive to protect those things we all love about it, alongside maximising the potential for our economy.

“We also need to ensure that we have the right kind of housing, in the right places, to meet the needs of all our residents.

“Our plans for managing development are included in the new corporate plan, alongside our wider priorities as a council, so you can see how it all fits together.”

Councillor Craig Browne, deputy leader of the council, said: “As your council, we want to maximise the borough’s potential and ensure good, sustainable growth with opportunities for all.

“Our corporate plan priorities include a number of key major projects to help deliver that.  This includes new cycle links and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, as well as major transport schemes, such as HS2 coming to Crewe. We’re also looking to improve the speed and efficiency of public transport to help reduce car journeys.

“Please read the corporate plan and let us know your thoughts. Visit: cheshireeast.gov.uk and look out for the corporate plan consultation to learn more.”

The council’s corporate plan consultation is open until 27 November. To give your feedback, visit:

https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/council_information/consultations/corporate-plan-consultation.aspx