New Cheshire East Council snubs Congleton Towns

7.49.41pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 15th Apr 2009

Only days after taking over, the Tory rulers of the new Congleton East Council have been accused of signalling a clear intention of snubbing the people of the old Congleton Borough area - including towns like Alsager, Sandbach as well as Congleton itself.

Local Liberal Democrat Dr Peter Hirst claims that the new Council bosses have already dealt 'two major body-blows' to the Congleton area.

Peter says; "First they (the Tory bosses) have axed prominent Congleton Conservative Roland Domleo from the post of Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council. And now they have refused to make Cheshire East a 'Fair-trade Council' - an authority committed to ensuring that a range of goods from developing countries are available locally and that the producers are paid a fair price."

Alsager, Congleton and Sandbach have already signed up to 'Fair-trade' status

Dr Hirst added:" The latter decision was made, despite the fact that three town councils in the old Congleton Borough - Alsager, Congleton and Sandbach have already signed up to 'Fair-trade' status."

The Liberal Democrat Opposition Councillors on Cheshire East Council proposed 'Fair-trade' status for Cheshire East at the first official meeting of the new council but their move was voted down by the Conservative majority from Macclesfield and Crewe.

Peter Hirst concluded; "Cheshire East has missed an opportunity to show from the start that they support third world development."

Enc.

Notice of Motion for Council Meeting on 1st April 2009 of Cheshire East Council

Item 14

FAIR-TRADE STATUS FOR CHESHIRE EAST.

That this Council recognises the significant work undertaken by the councils

forming Cheshire East towards gaining Fair-trade Status. That this Council will

set up a member working group to carry forward the Fair-trade agenda and

the promotion of Fair-trade products within council premises to achieve

Fair-trade status for Cheshire East