And he believes residents should be given the opportunity to have their say on whether they are governed by the new Cheshire East Council – or join with neighbouring Stockport.

Cheshire East is the unitary authority which is poised to take over all local government services in Macclesfield, Congleton, and Crewe and Nantwich from April 1 next year, including education, highways, social services and refuse collections.

But Mr Flynn, a former councillor with Macclesfield Borough Council, said: "In my opinion, and I stress this is my personal opinion based on over 30 years of experience of local government in Disley, the best option for Disley residents is to join with Stockport.

"This is an established "unitary" authority providing the services of both a borough and a county council, from a town hall just down the road."

Mr Flynn said he believed the creation of Cheshire East would be an "unmitigated disaster" for Disley, and that it was being constructed "behind closed doors".

"Nevertheless, it is inevitable that Crewe, as the largest town in the new authority, will seek to dominate, and what have we got in common with Crewe anyway?" he questioned.

"Disley residents should be given the opportunity to vote on this issue. In my opinion we would be better off joining with Stockport, just seven miles down the road, rather than Crewe which is over 40 miles away.

"One bonus for qualifying Disley residents would be a Greater Manchester Travel Pass which covers buses, trains and the Metro as well.

"Another bonus would be policing from Greater Manchester with a police station down the road in Hazel Grove as opposed to service from Macclesfield or further."

Mr Flynn also suggested Newtown residents be given the option of joining High Peak.