Cheshire West and Chester Council
and its impact on Kings Moat

What is Chester West and Cheshire Council?

Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) is the unitary local authority responsible for delivering the majority of public services across the borough, including Kings Moat Garden Village.

Unlike a parish council, CWAC performs the responsibilities of both a district and county council, making it responsible for a wide range of statutory services including education, highways, planning, waste collection, social care and environmental services. The Council operates through elected councilors, Cabinet members and scrutiny committees, with decisions made in accordance with its Constitution.

How is the Council Funded?

Cheshire West and Chester Council is funded from a number of sources, including:

• Council Tax paid by residents;
• Government grants;
• Business Rates;
• fees and charges for some services;
• other specific grants and funding programmes.

Each year the Council sets a budget to fund the services it is legally required to provide, together with local priorities. It also publishes its budget, annual accounts and financial reports to provide transparency and accountability.

What Services Does the Council Provide?

The Council is responsible for many of the public services that residents use every day, including:

• planning applications and building control;
• highways, roads, pavements and street lighting (where adopted);
• household waste and recycling collections;
• education and school admissions;
• social care for children and adults;
• public health and environmental health;
• libraries, leisure facilities and parks;
• housing and homelessness services;
• licensing and regulatory services.

These are services funded through Council Tax and other public funding rather than through estate management charges.

The Impact on Kings Moat Residents

For Kings Moat residents, Cheshire West and Chester Council has a significant influence on the development and long-term future of the community.

The Council is responsible for:

• determining planning applications relating to Kings Moat
• adopting roads and other infrastructure where appropriate
• providing waste and recycling services
• maintaining adopted highways and public land
• supporting the delivery of schools, transport and other public services as the community grows

As Kings Moat continues to expand, the demand for many Council services will also increase.

Estate Management and Council Responsibilities

One area that often causes confusion is the difference between services provided by the Council and those managed privately. Some roads, landscaped areas, sustainable drainage features and open spaces within Kings Moat remain privately managed and are therefore maintained by the estate management company rather than the Council.

This means residents make payments that contribute towards:

• Council Tax, which funds public services provided by Cheshire West and Chester Council;
• Parish Council precept, which funds local parish services;
• Estate management charges, which fund the maintenance of privately managed communal areas.

Each organisation has different legal responsibilities, and understanding who is responsible for each service can help residents know where to direct enquiries.

Representation and Decision-Making

Kings Moat residents are represented on Cheshire West and Chester Council by elected ward councilors. The postcode CH4 falls within the Handbridge Park ward under the Cheshire West and Chester Council local authority. This ward is currently represented by two ward councillors:

• Cllr Razia Daniels (Conservative Party)
• Cllr Matt Carter (Labour Party)

Handbridge Park is a multi-member ward, meaning both councillors share the responsibility of representing local interests, responding to community issues and voting on local council matters.

Council meetings, Cabinet meetings and many committee meetings are open to the public, with agendas, reports and minutes published online. Residents can also participate in consultations, submit comments on planning applications and contact their local councilors about issues affecting the community. The Council’s Constitution sets out how decisions are made and how residents can become involved.

As Kings Moat develops into one of the borough’s largest new communities, Cheshire West and Chester Council will continue to play an important role in shaping its future through planning, infrastructure, education, transport and public services.