Let the kids raise their voices but listen, too

CHESHIRE East are urging youngsters to raise their voices on major local issues, an idea that will be influenced by their perception of the council.

Parents who were encouraged to have their say on local issues only to have them ignored, are unlikely to be enthusiastic.

Residents at Henbury and Fence Avenue who fought fiercely against large housing programmes in their area will not make the best advocates.

Other parts of the borough like Longridge will be even less convinced of the wisdom of engaging with Cheshire East Council.

Unfortunately (for the council) that’s how it works. You cannot encourage democracy and ignore the result when you don’t like it.

Were the council to ballot residents and ask how accurately the Council reflects the wishes of local people I suspect they would get a very disappointing result.

If there is anyone in Sandbach who disagrees, they should stand in the town centre and ask the opinions of people passing by .

Public ‘consultations’ have a very bad rep in Cheshire as residents will testify.

What kind of majority is needed to overturn preordained plans in this county I shudder to think.

I recall one resident at Adlington Road, Wilmslow, who handcuffed herself to a tree in protest against the proposed development.

I haven’t checked recently but I wouldn’t be surprised if they left her there and built around her.

So, yes encourage youngsters to engage with the Council by all means but CEC have to set a standard that young people respect.

You wouldn’t ask kids to follow a football team that keeps scoring own-goals would you?