“We believe the new arrangements will deliver electoral fairness while maintaining local ties,” said Professor Colin Mellors, who chairs the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, as Cheshire East’s new ward map was signed into law. The Cheshire East (Electoral Changes) Order 2026 was made on 19 January 2026. (lgbce.org.uk)

The Commission keeps representation at 82 councillors but redraws the borough into 47 wards: 19 single-member, 21 two‑member and seven three‑member seats. In plain terms, the old wards are abolished and replaced ahead of the next local elections. (lgbce.org.uk)

Some of the most talked‑about changes follow local evidence. Macclesfield Tytherington largely reverts to the existing set‑up with a small adjustment, while Knutsford stays a three‑councillor ward after strong submissions from residents. In Congleton, two three‑member wards are retained with local backing. (lgbce.org.uk)

Parish arrangements are being updated to line up with the borough map. Bollington, Congleton, Crewe, Hulme Walfield & Somerford Booths, Nantwich, Sandbach, Wilmslow and Wistaston all gain revised parish wards. Two previously un‑warded parishes are split for the first time: Brereton into Bluebell Green and Brereton Rural, and Over Alderley into Alderley Park and Over Alderley Rural. The Order map also labels Wistaston’s parish wards as St Mary’s, Wells Green and Wistaston Green. (lgbce.org.uk)

The new pattern applies for the ordinary day of local elections in May 2027, with council teams using 2026 to get polling districts and systems ready. The Commission stresses that the district boundary itself does not change. (lgbce.org.uk)

For residents, the effect is simple: your polling card in 2027 may show a new ward name and, in many areas, a different number of councillors. The Commission’s online map for Cheshire East lets you zoom to your street and see the exact lines. (lgbce.org.uk)

Campaigners and councillors will need to rebase their contact lists and casework to the new footprints in places like Crewe, Wilmslow and Macclesfield, where boundaries shift around estates and main roads. Expect fresh ward identities to bed in quickly once canvassing begins this autumn.

This all lands as Cheshire, Warrington and Chester progress plans for a Mayoral Combined Authority. Government confirmed in July 2025 that the area could move forward, with a mayoral election expected in May 2027 subject to final orders; MPs and peers are due to debate the draft Combined Authority Order on 28 January 2026. (cheshireeast.gov.uk)

A quick housekeeping note for postal voters: if you applied before 30 January 2024, you must reapply by 31 January 2026 under Elections Act changes or your postal vote will lapse. Cheshire East’s Electoral Registration Officer has issued reminders. (cheshireeast.gov.uk)

If you want the detail, the Commission’s Cheshire East review page confirms the Order was made on 19 January 2026 and hosts the official map referred to in the Order. It’s all public and free to view. (lgbce.org.uk)