TWO contrasting sets of survey results have given all of the area's competing councils fresh ammunition in their battle for survival.

A referendum on the North West Regional Assembly is due to be held in the autumn this year and if the public votes in favour of the assembly, a reorganisation of local government will have to take place.

But the Boundary Committee for England has confused councils in Cheshire - including Vale Royal - by releasing the results of two pieces of research at the same time.

The committee's public consultation in Cheshire revealed that a majority of people were in favour of a single unitary council for the county.

But a separate poll, conducted by MORI on behalf of the Boundary Committee, suggested that three new councils for Cheshire was the most popular option.

Of 1,948 respondents to the public consultation, 1,265 wanted a single unitary council, with 287 in favour of a three-council option. One of these authorities would be formed by merging Vale Royal and Crewe and Nantwich councils.

But in the MORI poll, of 1,850 residents, 807 wanted to see a three-council system set up, while 462 preferred the idea of a single council which would spell the end for Vale Royal.

Cheshire County Council used the results of the public consultation to suggest that a 'massive majority' of people wanted a single unitary council based on the current county council.

County council leader Paul Findlow also pointed to positive aspects of the MORI poll.

He said: "I'm delighted to see that 76 per cent of those interviewed said they identified strongly with the county of Cheshire."

But Vale Royal chief executive Anne Bingham-Holmes concentrated on the MORI poll.

She said: "This independent research could not be clearer and sends the strongest of signals to the Boundary Committee and the Deputy Prime Minister that the districts are in touch with local people."

And Clr John Price, deputy leader of Chester City Council, dismissed the public consultation results.

He said: "The county council is confusing people with misinformation. The response referred to represents only 2,000 people, many of whom, we believe, are county council employees who wrote to the Boundary Committee.

"They are not representative of the overwhelming feelings of the people of Cheshire who, as the MORI survey shows, want local government."

If the public votes in favour of a North West Regional Assembly in the autumn referendum, the Boundary Committee for England has been instructed to put forward two proposals for reorganisation. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will make the final decision.

Vale Royal Borough Council - and all other borough councils in the county - will cease to exist if the single unitary authority option is selected.

However, if the three-council option is selected, Cheshire County Council will cease to exist.

If the public votes against a regional assembly, there will be no change to the current system of local government.

rbabington@guardiangrp.co.uk