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Local Government

I beg to move,"That the draft Cheshire (Structural Changes) Order 2008, which was laid before this House on 31st January, be approved." Tonight we are considering the draft order to implement the proposal to establish two new unitary councils for Cheshire. The proposal was originally made to us by Chester city council, subsequently endorsed and enjoined by three other district councils—Ellesmere Port and Neston, Macclesfield and Vale Royal. This is not the Government's proposal; it is not the Government's prescription for local government arrangements in Cheshire. It has been made to us by democratically elected and accountable councils, and it has been drawn up by those councils, which have discussed these views in their areas. They believe that it will put in place for the people and the businesses of Cheshire the best form of governance for the future of the area.