Familiar Winsford faces call it a day on Cheshire West council

Former Labour councillors Brian Clarke, Pam Booher, Don Beckett and David Armstrong have all retired from Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Brian, Pam and Don all served on CWAC since its launch a decade ago and represented Winsford on Vale Royal council before that, while David represented Swanlow and Dene on CWAC for eight years from 2011.

Former Wharton councillor Brian, who was first elected in 1989, said: “There have been loads of highlights – I have had nothing but highlights.

“In 30 years we have changed this town from what it was – a sleepy town that was forgotten about.

“The town is vibrant once again. It is looking good, and people want things to happen with the shopping centre.

“Now it is the opportunity for the youngsters to take over from us. They have got some good building blocks in place and I am sure they will make the best use of them.”

Brian picks out the development of Winsford Academy, the town’s college campus and the passing of the neighbourhood plan as some of his highlights from the council, along with the recent redevelopment of Town Park, the purchase of Winsford Cross and the plans for Winsford Industrial Estate.

David, who also served as chairman of governors at St Chad’s, also picks out the improvements made at the school – which went from being placed in special measures in 2014 to a ‘good’ Ofsted rating just three years later.

He added: “I think Winsford is in a much better place than it was in 2015.

“Winsford was the forgotten town in Cheshire. The Tories on the old Cheshire County Council did nothing, Vale Royal did nothing, CWAC for six years under the Tories used to say that Winsford would be next.

“Well, we have done it, and the town will continue to develop. But nothing will be done to the people of Winsford – residents will be consulted with first.

“I am very pleased to have got the process started with regeneration. It was actually me that bought the shopping centre as cabinet member for finance, and it is an amazing feeling to do something like that for the local community.”

The four former Labour councillors were replaced by Nathan Pardoe, Mandy Clare, Joanne Moorcroft and Gina Lewis in this month’s CWAC election.

Labour Cllr Tommy Blackmore will serve on CWAC for another four years, along with Cllr Mike Baynham, Conservative, but Liberal Democrat Cllr Malcolm Gaskill ousted former Labour councillor Stephen Burns.