It is decision time. Ballot papers have landed on doormats in Wilmslow, Handforth and Styal for residents to have their say on whether or not they want a town council.

Voters are being asked to pick between one council for all three areas together, separate councils for each, or no council at all – and have until June 4 to decide.

Debate has been rumbling on about the best solution after three petitions asking for a parish council were sent to Cheshire East Council (CEC) last year - one to encompass all three areas and breakaway petitions for both Handforth and Styal.

These prompted a Community Governance Review and there were three public meetings last month to inform people about the ballot, the outcome of which will be taken into account when CEC pick a solution.

Chairman of the Community Governance Review sub-committee Jim Crockatt said: "The arguments for a town council are that people will get their voices heard about what they want locally, the small things which never get to Cheshire East.

"It will give people the same facility as places like Bollington and Alderley Edge and the councillors will be elected, anyone can stand.

"The people against a town council talk about the cost, the council has to employ a clerk and will charge a precept to Cheshire East for running services.

"Someone at one meeting was angry about the increase in precept in Alderley - but that was a one-off for Festival Hall and costs needn’t escalate like that.

"People should understand how funding happens, if a parish council can provide a service cheaper locally then a budget can be passed down from Cheshire East.

"I am in favour of a town council, before 1974 we had an urban district council in Wilmslow and it worked well."

More than 700 people in Handforth signed the petition for a separate Handforth Community Council, spearheaded by former Macclesfield mayor Barry Burkhill.

Barry said: "We were reluctant to petition for a council at all, but said it should be free and independent.

"Now we are told it cannot be either and we recommend that people vote for no council at all - why should they fork out for it?

"If we have to have one, it should be separate from Wilmslow." Peter Mainwaring, who opposed the town council when standing against George Osborne in the general election, said: "I attended the consultation meeting in Handforth and members of the public were almost outnumbered by the Conservative councillors who said we should give them more money for doing what they are paid to do already.

"Everyone will be charged more council tax for these councils and it will fall hardest on those with the lowest incomes."

Completed ballots must be received by 5pm on Friday, June 4. If anyone has not received a ballot paper they can write in with their views, email community.governance@cheshireeast.gov.uk or complete an online feedback form.

A final decision will be made later this year at a special council meeting on September 15.