At the July Full Council meeting this afternoon, a Notice of Motion proposed by Cllr Janet Clowes, seconded by Cllr Russell Chadwick and reinforced by Independent Cllrs Anderson and Browne, received overwhelming cross-party support.
Representatives from the Astronomical Science and Technology Teams at Jodrell Bank had reached out, requesting that Cheshire East Council Members, together with the Borough’s Members of Parliament, lobby the Science and Technology Funding Council (STFC), and the Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, to maintain the essential funding that enables Jodrell Bank to maintain its innovative and globally important work.
As Parliament approaches its summer recess, the Mayor gave permission for the Motion to be debated “on the day”, enabling Councillors from all parties to articulate their personal experiences of engaging with Jodrell Bank and cogent reasons why, even in financially challenging times, STFC must maintain this uniquely important facility; an anchor facility in the “Cheshire Science Corridor” and vitally important to our local, sub-regional and national economy.
Cllr Russell Chadwick, one of the two Dane Valley Ward members where Jodrell Bank is located, highlighted the importance of the facility to education, post-graduate training, the local leisure and tourism economy as well as the facilities global science and technology contributions.
Cllr Andrew Kolker the second Dane Valley Ward Member, highlighted the history of the site where in 1945, “one man’s vision”, that of Sir Bernard Lovell, to study radar and cosmic rays has given rise to a continuum of scientific curiosity and progress that Lovell had not envisaged in those early days.
Cllr Janet Clowes (Wybunbury) focused on the importance of Jodrell Bank in terms of its economic importance to the local authority, the Cheshire & Warrington Combined Authority, the sub-region and to the wider national economy.
She summed up the debate saying that funding cuts were a “false economy” and that the importance of maintaining the funding for Jodrell Bank was self-evident, stating that “You don’t have to be an Astro-physicist to understand that!”
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For further information about Jodrell Bank:
https://www.jodrellbank.manchester.ac.uk
The fill Notice of Motion is included below:
NOTICE of MOTION: FULL COUNCIL MEETING – 15TH July 2026
Proposer: Cllr Janet Clowes (Wybunbury Ward)
Seconder: Cllr Russell Chadwick (Dane Valley Ward)
Motion: Defending Jodrell Bank Observatory and e-MERLIN
Council notes that:
Jodrell Bank Observatory is one of the United Kingdom's most significant scientific
institutions and one of Cheshire East's most important cultural, educational and
economic assets. The Observatory is home to the iconic Lovell Telescope, the
headquarters of the national e-MERLIN radio telescope network, the SKA observatory
global headquarters and the Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement. In 2019, Jodrell Bank
was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of its outstanding
contribution to the development of radio astronomy and modern science.
Jodrell Bank has contributed to world-leading scientific discovery for decades whilst
inspiring generations of young people to pursue careers in science, technology,
engineering and mathematics. At present the e-MERLIN network alone supports
approximately 2,900 users worldwide, is typically oversubscribed by a factor of three to
five, and has contributed to more than 1,200 scientific publications, demonstrating its
continuing international importance
The Observatory and visitor centre attract approximately 125,000 paying visitors each
year, including around 25,000 school pupils on organised educational visits.
Independent assessment has estimated the annual economic impact of the site at
approximately £4.7 million, while more than 1.4 million visitors have attended since
2011.
Surveys indicate that 40% of visitors are motivated by the opportunity to
experience a site of live science and a working observatory, demonstrating the value
placed by the public on world-class research taking place within Cheshire East.
Council further notes with concern ongoing Science and Technology Facilities Council
(STFC) funding prioritisation exercises that will result in substantial budget reductions
and the wholesale termination of multiple astronomy and astrophysics projects.
Amongst those projects at risk are e-MERLIN and several other associated activities at
Jodrell Bank. Such reductions would undermining scientific capability, highly-skilled
employment, educational outreach, international partnerships and the long-term
viability of Jodrell Bank as an operational observatory.
This Council believes that:
1. We should be proud of the longstanding and important role we have played in
preserving the unique scientific importance of the observatory, through policies
such as our planning framework, that have sought to protect the Observatory's
ability to undertake radio astronomy observations for decades to come.
2. Jodrell Bank Observatory is a strategic asset for Cheshire East, the North West
and the United Kingdom.
3. The scientific work undertaken at Jodrell Bank and through the e-MERLIN network
contributes significantly to the UK's international reputation for scientific
excellence and innovation.
4. Jodrell Bank makes an important contribution to the Cheshire East economy
through employment, tourism, education and inward investment.
5. The Observatory plays a unique role in inspiring young people and widening
participation in science through its schools programme, public engagement
activities and visitor centre.
6. Public investment already made in Jodrell Bank, e-MERLIN and associated
scientific infrastructure should be protected and allowed to deliver its full long-
term value.
7. Any decisions affecting the future of Jodrell Bank and e-MERLIN should fully
recognise their economic, educational, scientific and cultural importance to
Cheshire East.
Council therefore resolves that:
1. The Chief Executive (Acting) will write to Lord Patrick Vallance, Minister of State
for Science, Research and Innovation, expressing the Council's concern
regarding the potential impact of STFC funding reductions on Jodrell Bank
Observatory and e-MERLIN.
2. The Chief Executive will write to all Members of Parliament whose constituencies
fall wholly or partly within Cheshire East, requesting their support for the
continued funding of Jodrell Bank Observatory and e-MERLIN and asking them to
raise these concerns with Ministers.
3. The Council will publicise this issue and the Council’s concerns via press release,
social media posts and other applicable communications channels.
4. Council reaffirms its support for Jodrell Bank Observatory as a major scientific,
educational, cultural and economic asset for our borough and the wider Cheshire
and Warrington Combined Authority area.
5. It will encourage local partners, educational institutions and business
organisations to recognise and support the continued success of Jodrell Bank
Observatory and the e-MERLIN network.
6. Officers and the Chief Executive will liaise with the Director of the Jodrell Bank
Observatory as necessary to facilitate the other resolutions of this motion.
[END]
Photo (Cheshire East Conservatives): Cllrs Clowes, Chadwick and Kolker at Jodrell Bank (15.07.2026)
