Minister impressed with progress so far

Executive group updates MP

10/03/2008

John Healey MP, Minister for Local Government, visited Cheshire on Thursday 2 October to meet with councillors, officers and stakeholders of the new authority - Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The Council's Executive Group updated the MP on issues that face the new authority, taking the opportunity to inform him about community engagement, improvements to services and budget setting. They also discussed economic development, education and learning and how the authority is communicating messages to stakeholders.

Mike Jones, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester, said: "John Healey was extremely interested in the work that is being done and the progress we are making towards the implementation of the new authority.

"He was particularly complimentary about the different consultations that are currently in place to inform policies, saying that our methods were innovative and groundbreaking."

During his visit the Minister also met with regional editors to discuss how the involved councils were keeping them informed.

Whilst in Cheshire, the Minister was invited to break the ground at the site of the new Winsford Learning Zone, a £10 million state-of-the-art development that will see a landmark educational institution built in the heart of Winsford. Mr Healey was pleased to meet local schoolchildren who told him what the Learning Zone means to them.

Vale Royal Borough Council's Chief Executive, Anne Bingham-Holmes, has acted as the chair of the project steering group for the past three years. She said: "Inviting John Healey to break the ground at the site of the Learning Zone highlights just how important this development is to the area.

"The creation of such an innovative learning resource will give local communities the chance to enjoy flexible and diverse education opportunities and enable them to take control of their own future."

The Winsford Learning Zone project is being driven by Mid-Cheshire College and is backed by a partnership including local schools, Vale Royal Borough Council, Cheshire County Council, the Learning and Skills Council, Connexions and the North West Development Agency. The Winsford Learning Zone is due to open for the 2009/10 academic year.

Whilst in Cheshire, John Healey also met with stakeholders from the new Cheshire East authority.

For further information please contact Rachel Kerslake, Communications Officer, Vale Royal Borough Council, tel: 01606 867508 or e-mail: rkerslake@valeroyal.gov.uk.

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Last modified: 3 October 2008