IT was announced recently that there would be no proposal for a prison to be built in Winsford.

The history of this was that the government approached many authorities to ask what land they may have available for a possible new prison at some point in the future.

Cheshire West and Chester Council were also approached and the government stated they may like to look at land around Winsford industrial estate in the future.

And that was basically that, nothing more than an enquiry.

Unfortunately the local MP decided to “start a petition” and headlines appeared in the local paper.

Antoinette Sandbach also stated she had “exposed” this story.

The truth of the matter was that after the Conservative government had spoken to Cheshire West and Chester, Mrs Sandbach was briefed as a courtesy as she was the sitting MP for Eddisbury.

The information was then due to be released into the public domain but we did not get that opportunity as the MP decided to go straight to the local press and start a petition.

This was simply an enquiry by the Conservative government.

No more than that, there was never any proposal.

Usually petitions happen when a proposal is made, in this case there was no proposal.

The consequences of this was that myself and I am sure other town council and CWAC local members were contacted by residents who were understandably very concerned as they had been given the wrong impression a prison was to be built in Winsford.

I believe that we as councillors, of all political persuasions are busy enough dealing with the genuine concerns of our residents, from housing issues to health and well being issues without having to deal with issues such as this.

This was as I said at the time, “pie in the sky”.

Hopefully in future our MP will realise the difference between a general enquiry and a proposal before causing concern and worry to our residents.

Councillor Stephen Burns Winsford Swanlow and Dene Ward