Politics

Cheshire East checks housing associations after two-year-old’s death

Cheshire East checks housing associations after two-year-old’s death

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
More than 30 housing associations registered in Cheshire East have been contacted by Cheshire East Council after the tragic death of a two-year-old boy.

The council is checking on all housing associations and how they are dealing with residents’ complaints about damp and mould “as a matter of urgency”.

December 19, 2022
Cheshire East Council adopts second part of Local Plan

Cheshire East Council adopts second part of Local Plan

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East has adopted the second part of its local plan with some councillors voting against it.

Some warned at the council meeting this week that planners would have to go back to the drawing board if it was rejected.

December 17, 2022
CEC to have greater say on HS2 construction and design

CEC to have greater say on HS2 construction and design

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East will have a greater say in decisions on HS2 construction and design after voting to become a ‘qualifying authority’.

The council is already a qualifying authority for phase 2a – the route between Birmingham and Crewe.

December 16, 2022
Cheshire East Council must find £20 million savings, says leader

Cheshire East Council must find £20 million savings, says leader

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council has to find at least £20 million of savings or cuts to services to balance its books in the next financial year.

The harsh reality was spelled out to councillors by leader Sam Corcoran (Lab) at Wednesday’s meeting of the full council.

December 16, 2022
Nantwich Town Council to reduce its Council Tax by 5%

Nantwich Town Council to reduce its Council Tax by 5%

Nantwich Town councillors have agreed to reduce the council’s portion of Council Tax by 5% for 2023-24.

The proposal was voted through by councillors at the Civic Hall meeting last night (December 15)

December 16, 2022
Cheshire East Council blasted for holding meeting in remote location

Cheshire East Council blasted for holding meeting in remote location

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council has come under fire for holding another full council meeting in a countryside location with no public transport – making it inaccessible for residents without cars.

Today’s (December 14) meeting is being held at the SKA observatory at Jodrell Bank.

December 14, 2022
Crewe & Nantwich MP Kieran Mullan to stand in next election

Crewe & Nantwich MP Kieran Mullan to stand in next election

Crewe & Nantwich MP Kieran Mullan has announced he intends to stand again in the next general election, likely to be in 2024.

The Conservative MP, making the announcement on social media, had to confirm this month whether he intended to run again to represent the constituency where he has been MP since December 2019.

December 13, 2022
Wybunbury timber chalet survives demolition council ruling

Wybunbury timber chalet survives demolition council ruling

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
A timber chalet in Wybunbury due to be demolished because it was built without planning permission can remain and be used for offices, the council has said.

Cheshire East Council’s southern planning committee heard the building at Little Island Livery was originally built as accommodation for a groom.

December 2, 2022
Cheshire East school staff quitting over new computer system

Cheshire East school staff quitting over new computer system

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
A councillor claims school staff are quitting their jobs because of the stress caused by a problematic computer system brought in to make Cheshire East more efficient.

The Best4Business project, designed to replace the ageing business IT systems with a new cloud-based network at both Cheshire East and Cheshire West & Cheshire councils, has had issues from the outset and is massively over-budget.

December 1, 2022
More than 1,500 North West Ambulance workers vote to strike

More than 1,500 North West Ambulance workers vote to strike

More than 1,500 ambulance workers have voted to strike across Cheshire and the North West.

Paramedics, emergency care assistants, call handlers and other staff are now set to walk out in the region.

November 30, 2022
Cash-strapped council to review parking charges in Cheshire East

Cash-strapped council to review parking charges in Cheshire East

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Parking charges look set to be reviewed across Cheshire East as the council struggles to balance its books because of soaring inflation costs.

Plans to introduce pay and display in towns such as Middlewich, Sandbach and Alsager – which currently offer free parking – were scuppered last year when the highways committee voted against the plan.

November 25, 2022
South Cheshire special school expansion plan set to go ahead

South Cheshire special school expansion plan set to go ahead

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Plans to expand a special school in South Cheshire to accommodate an extra 60 pupils have been recommended for approval, despite some objections.

Springfield School in Crewe caters for 200 children and young people, between the ages of four and 19, who have severe learning difficulties and complex needs.

November 24, 2022
Cheshire East councillors debate plan to issue fines for idling engines

Cheshire East councillors debate plan to issue fines for idling engines

By Jonathan Sutton, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council could soon start issuing fines to drivers who leave their engine idling as a review of the policy is taking place.

This could mean parents waiting to pick up their children outside schools in the borough who refuse to turn their engine off could face a £60 fine.

November 24, 2022