A NEW council boss has praised work to regenerate Northwich and promised to keep it going.

Cllr Samantha Dixon, the new leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) has also appealed for help to make 'tough decisions' in the future as an uncertain financial climate continues to bite.

Cllr Dixon was speaking at the latest meeting of Northwich Town Council, her first chance to visit the council since the Labour administration was elected in May.

"I think it's important as the leader of the borough council to acknowledge the difference made to Northwich by the previous administration," she said.

"I think we have seen a lot of change in the town, particularly at Barons Quay and Memorial Court, which has come about as a result of the decisions taken by CWAC.

"I wanted to emphasise that our attention will still remain with Northwich and all the towns in our borough.

"We want to continue to keep that good relationship, investment and sustainable development going."

Cllr Dixon pointed particularly to what can be done with Weaver Square Shopping Centre, which the council is starting to investigate in earnest.

She said that the town council would be involved in decisions and emphasised that any proposals must align with the community's neighbourhood plan.

But she explained that there were difficult times ahead as CWAC assumes its £47 million annual government grant will be reduced to nothing by 2020.

"We're in a very difficult time for the public sector at the moment," she said.

"It's probably one of the most difficult times since the Second World War in terms of finances for local authorities up and down the country."

The said the council would be consulting on an four-year plan of its key objectives and vision.

"You can imagine that there are going to be a lot of difficult decisions." she said.

"But these are ones we want to take alongside our residents."