THE first meeting of a new era for Middlewich Town Council will take place on Monday night.

All 11 Labour candidates for the council at this month’s local elections were voted in to serve for the next four years, along with independent councillor Dave Latham, as Middlewich First was wiped off.

And the new council appears not to be wasting any time in making big changes to how it is run.

Councillors will debate moving full council meetings to 7.15pm to give more residents chance to attend after work, conducting a full financial audit to ensure the council’s coffers are ‘in a correct and fit state’, and choosing a resident with outstanding service to the community as mayor in future rather than an elected councillor.

Cllr Jonathan Parry, Labour member for Cledford, said: “We were elected on a manifesto not that we had come up with ourselves, but one drawn up after four years of door-knocking and asking the public what they want.

Northwich Guardian:

“These are changes we can implement straight away to make the council more open and transparent.”

The council is also set to discuss changing the rules on the open forum to give councillors the chance to discuss issues raised by members of the public.

Meanwhile, two familiar faces have submitted questions in advance to Monday’s open forum – former Middlewich First councillors Bill and Bernice Walmsley.

Outgoing mayor Bill will ask the town council when new ‘Welcome to Middlewich’ signage purchased last year will be installed, while ex-Cheshire East Council member Bernice will ask councillors to push CEC to review the town’s pavements over safety.

Northwich Guardian:

Middlewich Town Council members for Cledford:

  • Pauline Hickey, Labour
  • Mike Hunter, Labour
  • Jonathan Parry, Labour
  • Rachel Pendleton, Labour
  • Helen Watkinson, Labour
  • Russell Watkinson, Labour

Middlewich Town Council members for Kinderton:

  • Sean Boyle, Labour
  • Carol Bulman, Labour
  • Chris Jones, Labour
  • Dave Latham, independent
  • Vicky Perez, Labour
  • Gareth Williams, Labour