View source for Crewe and Nantwich

{{Short description|Former borough in Cheshire, England}}
{{About|the borough|the constituency|Crewe and Nantwich (UK Parliament constituency)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox historic subdivision| 
 |Name=                Borough of Crewe and Nantwich
 |HQ=                  [[Crewe]]
 |Status=              [[Non-metropolitan district]]
 |Origin=              [[Crewe|Crewe Municipal Borough]]<br>[[Nantwich|Nantwich Urban District]]<br>[[Nantwich Rural District]]
 |Start=               1 April 1974
 |End=                 31 March 2009
 |Replace=             [[Cheshire East]]
 |Map=                 [[File:Crewe and Nantwich UK locator map.svg|250px|Crewe and Nantwich]]<br>''Shown within [[Cheshire]]''
 |Image=               
 |Arms=                
 |Civic=                
 |Motto=               
 |Government=          
 |Divisions=           
 |DivisionsNames=      
 |DivisionsMap=        
 |CodeName=            [[ONS coding system|ONS code]]
 |Code=                13UD
 }}

[[File:Municipal Buildings, Crewe.jpg|thumb|300px|The [[Crewe Municipal Buildings|Municipal Buildings]] in Crewe, head office of the Borough Council.]]
'''Crewe and Nantwich''' was, from 1974 to 2009, a [[Non-metropolitan district|local government district]] with [[Borough status in the United Kingdom|borough status]]  in [[Cheshire]], England. It had a population (2001 census) of 111,007.{{fact|date=January 2024}} It contained 69 civil parishes and one unparished area: the town of [[Crewe]]. It now forms part of the [[Unitary authorities of England|unitary authority]] of [[Cheshire East]].

==History==
The Borough of Crewe and Nantwich was created on 1 April 1974 under the [[Local Government Act 1972]] by the merger of the [[municipal borough|borough]] of [[Crewe]] (an industrial town), the [[Urban district (Great Britain and Ireland)|urban district]] of [[Nantwich]] (a smaller market town), and [[Nantwich Rural District]].<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972|year=1972|number=2039|accessdate=5 September 2022}}</ref> The new district was proposed to be called just "Crewe", but the shadow authority elected in 1973 to oversee the transition to the new system successfully petitioned the government to change the name to "Crewe and Nantwich" before the district came into being.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973|year=1973|number=551|accessdate=5 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=New council asks for change of title |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=5 September 2022 |work=Crewe Chronicle |date=6 December 1973 |page=8}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=It's Crewe and Nantwich Council |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=5 September 2022 |work=Crewe Chronicle |date=24 January 1974 |page=1 |quote=The Secretary of State for the Environment has consented to the name of Crewe District Council being changed to Crewe and Nantwich District Council...}}</ref> The new district was awarded [[borough status in the United Kingdom|borough status]] from its creation, allowing the chairman of the council to take the title of mayor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1974/mar/28/district-councils-and-boroughs#S5CV0871P0_19740328_CWA_145|title=District Councils and Boroughs|date=28 March 1974|work=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]]|access-date=3 September 2022}}</ref>

In 2006 the [[Department for Communities and Local Government]] considered reorganising Cheshire's administrative structure as part of the [[2009 structural changes to local government in England]]. The decision to merge the boroughs of Crewe and Nantwich, [[Congleton (borough)|Congleton]] and [[Macclesfield (borough)|Macclesfield]] to create a single unitary authority was announced on 25 July 2007, following a consultation period in which a proposal to create a single Cheshire unitary authority was rejected.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/staffordshire/6916055.stm BBC News, 25 July 2007 - County split into two authorities.] Retrieval Date: 25 July 2007.</ref>

The Borough of Crewe and Nantwich was abolished on 1 April 2009, when the new [[Cheshire East]] unitary authority was formed.<ref>[http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080634_en_2#pt2-l1g4 Cheshire (Structural Changes) Order 2008] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090517000027/http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080634_en_2#pt2-l1g4 |date=May 17, 2009 }}</ref>

==Civil parishes==
The former [[Crewe|Crewe Municipal Borough]] was [[unparished areas|unparished]], but the rest of the Crewe and Nantwich district included the following civil parishes:
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|
* [[Acton, Cheshire|Acton]]
* [[Alpraham]]
* [[Aston juxta Mondrum]]
* [[Audlem]]
* [[Austerson]]
* [[Baddiley]]
* [[Baddington]]
* [[Barthomley]]
* [[Basford, Cheshire|Basford]]
* [[Batherton]]
* [[Bickerton, Cheshire|Bickerton]]
* [[Blakenhall, Cheshire|Blakenhall]]
* [[Bridgemere]]
* [[Brindley]]
* [[Broomhall, Cheshire|Broomhall]]
* [[Buerton, Crewe and Nantwich|Buerton]]
* [[Bulkeley]]
* [[Bunbury, Cheshire|Bunbury]]
* [[Burland]]
* [[Calveley]]
* [[Checkley cum Wrinehill]]
* [[Cholmondeley, Cheshire|Cholmondeley]]
* [[Cholmondeston]]
* [[Chorley, Crewe and Nantwich, Cheshire|Chorley]]
* [[Chorlton, Crewe and Nantwich|Chorlton]]
* [[Church Minshull]]
* [[Coole Pilate]]
* [[Crewe Green]]
* [[Dodcott cum Wilkesley]]
* [[Doddington, Cheshire|Doddington]]
* [[Edleston]]
* [[Egerton, Cheshire|Egerton]]
* [[Faddiley]]
* [[Hankelow]]
* [[Haslington]]
* [[Hatherton, Cheshire|Hatherton]]
* [[Haughton, Cheshire|Haughton]]
* [[Henhull]]
* [[Hough, Cheshire|Hough]]
* [[Hunsterson]]
* [[Hurleston]]
* [[Lea, Cheshire|Lea]]
* [[Leighton, Cheshire|Leighton]]
* [[Marbury cum Quoisley]]
* [[Minshull Vernon]]
* [[Nantwich]] ''(town)''
* [[Newhall, Cheshire|Newhall]]
* [[Norbury, Cheshire|Norbury]]
* [[Peckforton]]
* [[Poole, Cheshire|Poole]]
* [[Ridley, Cheshire|Ridley]]
* [[Rope, Cheshire|Rope]]
* [[Shavington cum Gresty]]
* [[Sound, Cheshire|Sound]]
* [[Spurstow]]
* [[Stapeley]]
* [[Stoke, Crewe and Nantwich|Stoke]]
* [[Walgherton]]
* [[Wardle, Cheshire|Wardle]]
* [[Warmingham]]
* [[Weston, Cheshire East|Weston]]
* [[Wettenhall]]
* [[Willaston, Crewe and Nantwich|Willaston]]
* [[Wirswall]]
* [[Wistaston]]
* [[Woolstanwood]]
* [[Worleston]]
* [[Wrenbury cum Frith]]
* [[Wybunbury]]
}}

==Political control==
The first elections to the council were held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority until the new arrangements came into effect on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council from 1974 until its abolition in 2009 was as follows:<ref name=compositions>{{cite web |title=Compositions Calculator |url=https://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/composition_calc.html |access-date=21 May 2025 |website=The Elections Centre |publisher=University of Exeter}} (Put "Crewe & Nantwich" in search box to see specific results.)</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan="2"|Party in control!!Years
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || 1974–1976
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1976–1990
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || 1990–2002
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 2002–2009
|}

===Leadership===
The [[leader of the council|leaders of the council]] from 1974 were:

{| class=wikitable
! Councillor !! colspan=2|Party !! From !! To
|-
| Donald Holt<ref>{{cite news |title=Borough mourns Don |url=https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/5310013.borough-mourns-don/ |access-date=6 September 2022 |newspaper=[[Warrington Guardian]] |date=8 October 1998}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|1974 || align=right|1976
|-
| Anne Blacklay<ref>{{cite news |date=25 November 1976 |title=Chronicle's notes were 'misleading' |page=3 |newspaper=Nantwich Chronicle|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/800945519/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=8 August 2023 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>|| {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|1976 || align=right|1979
|-
| Donald Holt<ref>{{cite news |date=17 March 1983 |title=Bombshell over rates struggle |page=Front page |newspaper=[[Crewe Chronicle]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/780610171/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=8 August 2023 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>|| {{party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|1979 || align=right|11 Mar 1983
|-
| Anne Blacklay<ref>{{cite news |date=19 May 1983 |title=Conservative group elect leaders |page=5 |newspaper=[[Crewe Chronicle]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-crewe-chronicle-conservative-group-e/129630327/ |access-date=8 August 2023 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=24 May 1984 |title=Mayor's wildest dreams come true |page=5 |newspaper=Nantwich Chronicle |url= |access-date=}}</ref>|| {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|18 May 1983 || align=right|May 1984
|-
| Brian Silvester<ref>{{cite news |date=16 May 1990 |title=Highs and lows of life on council... |page=10 |newspaper=[[Crewe Chronicle]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/803022675/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=8 August 2023 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>|| {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|May 1984 || align=right|May 1990
|-
| Peter Kent<ref>{{cite news |title=Leader of 20 years ousted by 18-vote margin |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/leader-20-years-ousted-18-vote-5258615 |access-date=5 September 2022 |work=Cheshire Live |date=10 May 2006}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|May 1990 || align=right|7 May 2006
|-
| Brian Silvester<ref>{{cite news |title=Triumphant Tory takes council reins |url=https://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/news/local-news/triumphant-tory-takes-council-reins-5642064 |access-date=5 September 2022 |newspaper=[[Crewe Chronicle]] |date=24 May 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 17 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121181127/http://www.crewe-nantwich.gov.uk/your_council/council_and_committees/committee_minutes_2006-2007/annual_council_minutes_170506.aspx |website=Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council |access-date=6 September 2022 |url=http://www.crewe-nantwich.gov.uk/your_council/council_and_committees/committee_minutes_2006-2007/annual_council_minutes_170506.aspx |archive-date=21 November 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Board minutes, 21 February 2008 |url=http://www.crewe-nantwich.gov.uk/your_council/council_and_committees/committee_minutes_2007-2008/board_decisions_210208.aspx |website=Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council |date=22 February 2008 |access-date=6 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121184149/http://www.crewe-nantwich.gov.uk/your_council/council_and_committees/committee_minutes_2007-2008/board_decisions_210208.aspx |archive-date=21 November 2008}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|17 May 2006 || align=right|14 May 2008
|-
| John Hammond<ref>{{cite web |title=Board minutes, 19 June 2008 |url=http://www.crewe-nantwich.gov.uk/your_council/council_and_committees/committee_agenda-minutes_08-09/committee_meetings_-_minutes/board_190608.aspx |website=Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council |date=20 June 2008 |access-date=6 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202064853/http://www.crewe-nantwich.gov.uk/your_council/council_and_committees/committee_agenda-minutes_08-09/committee_meetings_-_minutes/board_190608.aspx |archive-date=2 December 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ryan |first1=Belinda |title=Tributes paid to Cheshire East councillor who has died |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/tributes-paid-cheshire-east-councillor-15409313 |access-date=6 September 2022 |work=Cheshire Live |date=13 November 2018}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|14 May 2008 || align=right|31 Mar 2009
|}

On 4 May 2006 a referendum was held to decide whether the "Leader and Cabinet" form of local government would be replaced by an [[directly elected mayors in England and Wales|elected mayor]]. The proposal was rejected by 18,768 (60.8%) votes to 11,808 (38.2%) on a 35.3% turnout.

===Premises===
[[File:Delamere House, Crewe.JPG|thumb|Delamere House, Crewe: Council's main offices from 1974]]
The council met at the [[Crewe Municipal Buildings|Municipal Buildings]] in Earle Street, Crewe, which had been completed for the former Crewe Borough Council in 1905.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.civicvenuescheshire.co.uk/historical-venues/ |title=Historical Venues|publisher=Civic Venues Cheshire| accessdate=11 February 2021}}</ref> The main administrative offices were at Delamere House on Delamere Street in Crewe, which was built as a joint facility for both the new Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council and Cheshire County Council, being completed in 1974 just before local government reorganisation took effect.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cheshire County Council |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/search-newspapers |access-date=8 May 2024 |work=Crewe Chronicle |date=31 January 1974 |page=26}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=46280|page=5511|date=3 May 1974}}</ref> Delamere House was later supplemented with additional offices in a large extension to the rear of the Municipal Buildings, completed in 1991.<ref>{{cite news |title=Getting to the top and bottom of things in time for history |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/search-newspapers |access-date=8 May 2024 |work=Crewe Chronicle |date=15 May 1991 |page=15}}</ref>

==Twin towns==
Crewe and Nantwich was [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:

*[[Mâcon]], France<ref name="Archant twinning">{{cite web|url=http://www.completefrance.com/language-culture/twin-towns |title=British towns twinned with French towns |access-date=2013-07-11 |work=Archant Community Media Ltd |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705094933/http://www.completefrance.com/language-culture/twin-towns |archive-date=July 5, 2013 }}</ref>

==Council elections==
*[[1973 Crewe Borough Council election]]
*[[1976 Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council election]]
*[[1979 Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council election]] (New ward boundaries)<ref>The Borough of Crewe and Nantwich (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977</ref>
*[[1980 Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council election]]
*[[1982 Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council election]]
*[[1983 Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council election]]
*[[1984 Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council election]]
*[[1986 Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council election]]
*[[1987 Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council election]]
*[[1988 Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council election]]
*[[1990 Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council election]]
*[[1991 Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council election]]
*[[1992 Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council election]]
*[[1994 Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council election]]
*[[1995 Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council election]]
*[[1996 Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council election]]
*[[1998 Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council election]]
*[[1999 Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council election]] (New ward boundaries)<ref>legislation.gov.uk - [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/2845/made The Borough of Crewe and Nantwich (Electoral Changes) Order 1998]. Retrieved on 4 October 2015.</ref>
*[[2000 Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council election]]
*[[2002 Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council election]]
*[[2003 Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council election]]
*[[2004 Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council election]]
*[[2006 Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council election]]
*[[2007 Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council election]]
===Results maps===
<gallery>
File:Crewe and Nantwich UK ward map 2002.svg|2002 results map
File:Crewe and Nantwich UK ward map 2003.svg|2003 results map
File:Crewe and Nantwich UK ward map 2004.svg|2004 results map
File:Crewe and Nantwich UK ward map 2006.svg|2006 results map
File:Crewe and Nantwich UK ward map 2007.svg|2007 results map
</gallery>

==Freedom of the Borough==
The following people and military units have received the [[Freedom of the City|Freedom of the Borough]] of Crewe and Nantwich.

{{Expand list|date=January 2024}}

===Individuals===
* [[Dario Gradi]]: 13 August 2003.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/content/articles/2009/07/02/dario_tribute_feature.shtml |title=Dario Gradi - Crewe's longest serving manager  |last=McGarry |first=Graham |date=2 July 2009 |website=BBC News Stoke and Staffordshire  |access-date=23 January 2024 }}</ref>
* [[John Bowler (businessman)|John Bowler]]: 13 August 2003.<ref>{{cite web |title=Alex stars honoured |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/alex-stars-honoured-5308287 |website=The Chester Chronicle |date=13 August 2003 |access-date=24 January 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

===Military Units===
* The [[Cheshire Regiment]]: 1986.{{fact|date=January 2024}}
*  1st Battalion The [[Mercian Regiment]]: 5 November 2008.

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060106144431/http://www.crewe-nantwich.gov.uk/ Crewe and Nantwich Council]

==References==
<references/>

{{coord|53.09320|N|2.48703|W|source:placeopedia|display=title}}

{{Local government districts of England abolished in 2009}}
{{Cheshire elections}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Crewe And Nantwich}}
[[Category:Districts of England established in 1974]]
[[Category:English districts abolished in 2009]]
[[Category:Former non-metropolitan districts of Cheshire]]
[[Category:Former boroughs in England]]
[[Category:Council elections in Cheshire]]
[[Category:Crewe]]
[[Category:District council elections in England]]