'A body blow to communities'

In areas where there are county and district councils, the government determined an 80/20 split to enable councils to use the money to support the infrastructure and facilities where new housing developments occur. In the spirit of supporting local communities, under Conservative control, CWAC transferred 20 per cent of the New Homes Bonus to town and parish councils to spend on facilities they believe are required to support the growth of housing and the influx of new residents.

In areas where there are no town and parish councils, their money is held by CWAC for projects the local members, working with their community, propose and CWAC will then ensure the money is spent on those priority projects (it is taxpayers' money so has to be properly spent and controlled).

It is interesting that in areas where there are parish councils, there are great plans being developed to invest the money, such as play areas, refurbishing village halls and in one case, proposals to build six 1-bedroom houses to allow young people to remain in the village, where they have grown up and have a job. In areas where there are no parish councils, it is for the ward members to develop plans with the communities, such as Cllr Neil Sullivan and Cllr Razia Daniels who are seeking to use the money to support the rebuilding of the community hall in Handbridge.

It should also be noted the ward members for Chester, Garden Quarter and Boughton did use some of their funds for supporting community events, helping the community to develop with the new residents. The money is directly related to the communities who have new housing developments, absolutely in line with why the government gives CWAC the money. It is very sad that Labour is now effectively snatching the money from communities when there is no need to do so.

The impact is huge, for example Winsford and Northwich councils would each have gained about £5 million, and they had planned to invest in the projects set out in the neighbourhood (and draft for Northwich) plans for example to develop cycle ways, improve public green space and public realm. The removal of this money is a body blow to communities who are perfectly able to make decisions for themselves rather than being told what to do, by the council.

What is more infuriating is that the government has given CWaC £1.5 million extra money so Labour could retain the New Homes Bonus for communities if they wanted to, but as they implied in their consultation, Labour know best how to spend the money and want to tell you how to do so.

Mike Jones

Leader of the Conservative Group

Cheshire West and Chester Council