TALKING POLITICS

COUN LIZ DURHAM CONSERVATIVE

LIKE me, I expect that you are gladdened and relieved that the decision to ensure most of our mental health services will be staying in Macclesfield.

Yes, Millbrook, as we know it, will be closing but the services and patients are now only moving to a newly updated, refurbished and enlarged Lime Walk House.

Being on the scrutiny committee, Councillor Dooley and I were outraged that vulnerable patients and loved ones, were being expected to move, and travel to Chester.

We both fought hard against the decision, and eventually a new, improved plan to more fully utilise Lime Walk was unveiled.

I think it shows that well informed, passionate and diligent scrutiny can, and does mitigate decisions when required to do so.

My erstwhile fellow councillor, last week, urged you to support the idea of council by committee, not cabinet, which, in Cheshire East, is made up of eight councillors, four of whom are from the north of the borough, around Macclesfield.

To my mind a change to a committee system will increase costs, and delay vital decisions.

Meetings will be lengthy, protracted debates, taken over by some councillors who delight in the sound of their own voice, to the detriment of effective governance. Scrutiny, when used properly, is there to challenge when necessary.

To finish on a lighter note, I hope you, like me, joined the throng at the Christmas lights switch on.

It was great to see so many supporting the town, and joining the fun, led by own on ‘DJGJ’, Coun Gareth Jones.

I’m also so pleased, and proud that our first venture into Britain in Bloom competition resulted in a silver award.

Happy Christmas to you all.