CHESHIRE East leader Cllr Sam Corcoran says he was not consulted over the government’s decision to list the borough as a high alert area.

The move means from tomorrow (Wednesday, October 14), CEC residents are unable to mix with other households indoors, and must follow the rule of six for outdoor meetings.

Boris Johnson announced the new restrictions yesterday in Parliament, which also apply to Cheshire West and Chester.

Cllr Sam Corcoran said: “It is too early for us to give any further clarity over and above what we heard the Prime Minister say in the House of Commons this afternoon.

“Disappointingly, we were not consulted on new restrictions planned for implementation in Cheshire East from Wednesday of this week. This is despite us, with Cheshire West and Warrington councils and the Local Enterprise Partnership, writing in detail to Secretary of State for Health, setting out our asks of government over a week ago, with no reply.

“We developed our asks of Government in order to take action early and effectively, on the basis of a stitch in time saves nine. In the delay we have seen a substantial rise in cases.”

The new system was designed to ‘simplify and standardise local rules’ according to the Prime Minister, who rejected calls for an all-out spring-style lockdown, telling the Commons: “I do not believe [that is] the right course. We would only be depriving children of their education. We would do such damage to the economy to erode the NHS and public services.”

Cllr Craig Browne, CEC deputy leader added: “Cheshire East has been put into the ‘high alert’ level of intervention, also known as ‘tier two’.

“Our ask to the Secretary of State made it clear that, in order to be effective, enhanced measures would require financial support. We have received no confirmation that additional funding will be provided, or that the necessary financial support for business will be forthcoming.

“We need to see the detail behind these new interventions before we can give any further clarity or reassurance to residents and businesses in Cheshire East.”