RESIDENTS across the borough are increasingly making their voices heard in opposition to the council.

Groups such as Residents of Wilmslow and Hands off our Sandbach have made public calls for mismanagement at Cheshire East Council to be investigated further.

Knutsford resident Jeff Gazzard has recently been campaigning against the sale of public open space in Higher Downs by CEC.

He wants to bring together a network of community groups from across the borough, to put forward a united approach to tackling CEC where he believes it is ‘at fault politically’.

“Carpets only have four corners, and the council is running out of places to sweep their mess under,” Jeff told the Guardian.

“I’m looking to bring together a broad church of groups and residents who have concerns with CEC – such as social care issues, overdevelopment and the local plan, or alleged bullying problems within the council.

“There are a whole range of issues, but CEC has not been willing to look at them all as a series – only as separate issues.

“But unless we have a collective push across the borough, with MPs, we are not going to put enough meaningful pressure to make a difference.”

An online petition has been set up by Sandbach resident David Burnand, calling for an independent investigation into the air quality data scandal.

Meanwhile, Residents of Wilmslow has asked Sajid Javid, secretary of state for communities and local government, to place CEC in special measures - with the group claiming the council has ‘lost all credibility with the residents and electorate of the borough’.

Cllr Barry Burkhill, CEC member for Handforth and leader of the council’s independent group, is not surprised to see residents have been galvanised.

“People have got the bit between their teeth now,” he said.

“They are getting together and challenging how they have been treated by their council. Their environment is being ruined.”