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Disley to decide at the polls who will govern

by Gemma Rathbone
16/ 4/2008

DISLEY residents are to decide on whether they want to be governed by Stockport Council in future.

The village, which is currently covered by Macclesfield Borough and Cheshire County councils, is to take a vote on whether it should become part of Stockport or High Peak instead.

Under planned changes to local government due to come in next year, its services would be overseen by the new Cheshire East unitary authority. But it is not yet clear where the administrative heart of the authority will be and former councillor Mike Flynn has led calls for residents to be given a choice.

Disley Parish Council has now been mandated to hold a ballot to determine whether to become part of an alternative authority.A date has yet to be set for the ballot, which will be carried out by officials from Macclesfield Council and must be completed before May 9.

If the result is in favour of a change, the matter would be referred to the Boundary Commission for consideration.

Councillor Diane Guy, chairman of Disley Parish Council, said: "There were 10 residents at a meeting that called for a poll to be taken in the village asking whether they wish to be a part of Stockport or High Peak and not to stay within East Cheshire.

"That will now happen fairly soon. It will be organised by Macclesfield Borough Council and be paid for by the Parish Council."

Coun Guy said she was not supportive of the move because she did not think sufficient thought had been given to the ramifications of moving to another authority.

And she said that if Disley joined Stockport or High Peak it remained unclear whether the Parish Council would remain and what would happen to Cheshire-owned community buildings.

A spokesperson for Macclesfield Council said: "We’ve received a request for a referendum following a parish meeting.

"The poll will ask residents if they wish the parish of Disley, including Newtown, to transfer to the boroughs of Stockport or High Peak.Under the Local Government Act 1972, Macclesfield Borough Council now have up to 25 days to conduct the referendum and a date will be announced as soon as possible."

Commenting on the moves a spokesman for Stockport Council said: "We are not aware of any realistic prospects for boundary changes between Disley and Stockport in the foreseeable future."