Politics

Willaston councillor forces “public artwork” consultation change

Willaston councillor forces “public artwork” consultation change

A Willaston councillor has forced Cheshire East Council to ensure residents always have a say on future public artwork.

It follows the farcical installation of the “Solar Glazers” on the Jack Mills Way roundabout, which had to be removed after complaints from residents and local MP Kieran Mullan.

March 20, 2023
Some police officers quitting after just 12 months, says Cheshire PCC

Some police officers quitting after just 12 months, says Cheshire PCC

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Some police officers quit after 12 months because they don’t realise the job involves working nights or dealing with dead bodies, a Cheshire police boss said.

Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer said he wasn’t aware of it happening locally, but he had been told that was the case by other forces.

March 20, 2023
Plans to demolish Crewe Library for new history centre get council backing

Plans to demolish Crewe Library for new history centre get council backing

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Plans to bulldoze the old Crewe library and replace it with a purpose-built history centre to house the Cheshire archives have been approved.

The proposals are part of a Cheshire-wide project, ‘Cheshire’s Archives: a story shared’, which is being funded by Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

March 19, 2023
Fishery and leisure park expansion near Nantwich approved by CEC

Fishery and leisure park expansion near Nantwich approved by CEC

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
A plan to expand a fishery and leisure park at Newhall near Nantwich has been approved by Cheshire East councillors.

Coole Acres Fishery and Leisure Park, off Coole Lane, applied for permission to remodel hatchery ponds to create a new lake and to use land for the siting of 19 holiday lodges and two mobile camping pods.

March 17, 2023
Cheshire East Council withdraws petition against HS2 Phase 2b

Cheshire East Council withdraws petition against HS2 Phase 2b

Cheshire East Council says it has withdrawn its petition against the High Speed Rail (Crewe – Manchester) Bill after securing commitments from HS2 Ltd and the Government.

The withdrawal follows long negotiations between the council and HS2 Ltd to address concerns the authority had raised through its petition against the hybrid bill for HS2 Phase 2b.

March 16, 2023
CEC pay £50,000 to hire Crewe Hall rooms for public inquiry

CEC pay £50,000 to hire Crewe Hall rooms for public inquiry

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East paid nearly £50,000 to hire rooms at Crewe Hall Hotel for a two-week public inquiry for the Middlewich Bypass – including £1,980 for lunch for the planning inspector and legal experts.

The figures were revealed at a meeting of the audit and governance committee, leaving some councillors questioning why one of the council’s own buildings were not used.

March 14, 2023
CEC chiefs allowed former employees to access computer system

CEC chiefs allowed former employees to access computer system

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Dozens of people still had computer access to Cheshire East Council’s financial system after they had left the council’s employment, an auditor’s report has revealed.

Mazar’s, the council’s external auditors, identified 46 users that retained general ledger systems access after their leave date.

March 11, 2023
Birmingham to Crewe leg of HS2 delayed by further two years

Birmingham to Crewe leg of HS2 delayed by further two years

Ministers have agreed to delay the second of HS2 between Crewe and Birmingham amid soaring costs for the controversial high speed railway.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said they will now prioritise the opening section, which means the completion and opening of Phase 2a to Crewe could be delayed by up to two years.

March 9, 2023
History Centre plan for central Crewe set for approval by planners

History Centre plan for central Crewe set for approval by planners

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Plans for a purpose-built history centre to house the Cheshire archives on the site of the old Crewe Library have been recommended for approval.

The proposals are part of a Cheshire-wide project, ‘Cheshire’s Archives: a story shared’, which is being funded by Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

March 9, 2023
HSE to probe botched felling after tree crashed across busy road

HSE to probe botched felling after tree crashed across busy road

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
The Health and Safety Executive has been called in to investigate how workers botched a felling attempt and sent a tree crashing across a busy Crewe road.

The two were caught on video chopping down the tree, which then crashed across West Street, blocking the road and narrowly missing a passing car.

March 6, 2023
Cheshire East Council owed more than £7 million in unpaid invoices

Cheshire East Council owed more than £7 million in unpaid invoices

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council is owed more than £7 million by residents and companies who haven’t settled their debts after being invoiced more than six months ago.

Figures in a report to next week’s meeting of the finance sub-committee reveal the majority of this – £5.7m – relates to adult social care sundry debt.

March 5, 2023
Councillor’s claim over Cheshire East trees damaging properties

Councillor’s claim over Cheshire East trees damaging properties

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Residents whose properties are damaged by Cheshire East trees are left at the mercy of the council’s insurers who then stonewall them, a councillor has claimed.

Councillor Les Gilbert (Con) asked the highways committee to defer adopting its new policy for highway tree maintenance and inspections.

March 4, 2023
CEC appeals for more people to become Homes for Ukraine sponsors

CEC appeals for more people to become Homes for Ukraine sponsors

Cheshire East Council is urging more householders, landlords and second home property owners to register on the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Safe and secure homes are still needed for Ukrainians already living in the borough, as well as for people still fleeing their homeland.

March 3, 2023