CHESTER hopes to be able to retain its Lord Mayor after its city council is disbanded in favour of a larger Cheshire West authority next year.

Following the government’s decision to replace the local councils in Cheshire with two new unitary authorities there were concerns about the future of the historic role of the existing civic offices such as mayors for the boroughs and the county.

But the Cheshire West and Chester Shadow Council’s Executive has now agreed to preserve the current civic and ceremonial rights, as well as to seek borough status for the new authority – meaning it would also have a mayor.

Cllr Mike Jones, leader of the new shadow council, said: “By making this decision the new council has enabled the preservation of all the civic and ceremonial rights of the County Council, City Council and borough councils. These rights cannot be resurrected if they are not preserved now. By making this decision, we have ensured that the legacy of the councils that will comprise Cheshire West and Chester are secured for the future.”

This decision means the necessary applications will be made to ensure everything is in place to ensure Chester’s city status continues.

According to a report to the Cheshire West executive committee: “Officers have met with officials from Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and the possibility of extending Chester’s city status to the whole of the new area of Cheshire West and Chester was explored.

“The Ministry of Justice has indicated that an application for an extension would not be successful, city status being granted by Royal Prerogative.”