New Year's greetings

Happy New Year from all at the Cheshire Association of Local Councils and we hope you are all rested and raring to go, just as we are.

The New Year brings with it fresh hope and three days into the working year there are many indications that that hope is neither false or misleading. The Principal Councils that we work with are working well towards their objectives, especially in the area of partnership working where our members work with them. In addition, one of the Principal Councils that we have not worked much with now appears ready to look at innovative ways of working with us and the Local Councils in their area. All good so far.

Add to that the increasing interest in the Quality Parish Scheme with a number of new councils likely to accredit within the next six months and the future is looking even better.

With some National Association of Local Council events coming to Cheshire, this promises to be an exciting and forward looking year.

But wait, there is more...

Birmingham City Council recently received the news that their Sustainable Communities Act submission to the Local Government Association is being supported. The fact that at least three of the eight submissions are issues that are already dealt with by Local Councils elsewhere in the country should help send the message to the urban areas that there are massive advantages for them to set up Local Councils in their areas.

Finally, with regard to the weather, the ChALC office is open, and not covered with snow, although there is an inch or two of snow on the ground. Your enquiries remain welcome and we look forward to meeting as many of you as possible throughout 2010.