The Pioneers statue celebrates the canal builders who founded Ellesmere Port and was cast in bronze by Liverpool artist Stephen Broadbent.
In April 2009 the county of Cheshire will disappear, along with the six district councils in its area - Ellesmere Port and Neston, Chester City, Vale Royal, Macclesfield, Congleton and Crewe and Nantwich.
All these councils will be replaced by just two local authorities covering east and west Cheshire.
This means that all the functions currently shared between the two levels of council - including waste collection, education, social services, highways and housing will be carried out by one organisation in each area.
In west Cheshire the council will be known as Cheshire West and Chester. Work is well under way to prepare for the transition to the new council.
Elections for councillors to set up and run the new unitary council took place on 1 May 2008. This 'shadow' authority will become the new council its first job will be to appoint a Chief Executive.
The following councillors have been chosen to form the executive body - sometimes known as the cabinet - of the new authority:
The Chairman of the Shadow Authority will be Councillor Brian Crowe.
The Executive:
For the latest news from the new authority, click on the link below:
To find out more about Cheshire West and Chester, click on the link below.
