OUR councillors have promised action on Northwich Vision before the end of the month.

Following the open letter to Northwich’s Cheshire West and Chester councillors on the front page of last week’s Guardian, an announcement has been made that a new body is currently being put in place to look after Northwich’s regeneration, as well as projects in Winsford and Middlewich.

Clr Keith Musgrave said: “We have been working over the past six months – we’ve not been sitting on our backsides doing nothing.

“We have to engage with new key organisations and partners in the public and private sector.

“The North West Development Agency and the Homes and Communities Agency are helping us in this because what we want to do is not to localise this body but make sure it’s up to a more regional level – by doing that you can get finance that comes from being part of a bigger picture.

“A new Weaver Valley Strategic Partnership is now being established by Cheshire West and Chester Council, working with Cheshire East Council, the North West Development Agency and Homes and Communities Agency.

“Northwich Vision, Winning Winsford and Middlewich Vision will remain as three core projects.

“The partnership agreement and business plan are being realised and will be completed by the end of November and founding partners will meet in December and sign off the business plan.”

The new body will be inviting applications for the post of its chairman by the end of November, with the appointment process planned for January.

Clr Musgrave said: “We need someone with dynamism and with a passion for Northwich Vision to take this forward.

“We don’t want a figurehead, it needs leadership.

“We’ve had a vacuum, which unfortunately we didn’t fill – this will fill the vacuum and take us forward.”

Clrs Norman Wright and George Miller emphasised that the recession and local government reorganisation has had a huge impact on Northwich Vision.

Clr Miller said: “Don’t underestimate the enormity of developing the new council.

“With the recession on top of that, we’re expecting a 10 to 12 per cent reduction in central government grants that has to be factored in.”

Clr Wright said: “We’re trying to encourage new business to come into Northwich but it’s very hard when we’re in a national recession and some businesses are closing in the area.

“We are looking for new investors all the time.”

Anyone who thinks they could invest in the regeneration of Northwich town centre is invited to ring the council on 0300 123 8 123.

In the short term, CWAC’s chief executive and a group of officers will walk around town with Clr Helen Weltman to identify grotspots.

Clr Weltman said: “We’ve promised to tidy up Northwich from the railway station to the river.”

She said community payback teams would be used to clean up the town.

CWAC will also launch a shop front improvement scheme, offering businesses funding of up to 65 per cent of the cost of improving their frontages.