Human Interest

Great British Railways HQ decision set for Easter, MP told

Great British Railways HQ decision set for Easter, MP told

Crewe will find out before Easter if it is to be headquarters of the new Great British Railways (GBR).

Crewe & Nantwich MP Kieran Mullan says he met with the Rail Minister Hew Merriman to push the case for the town, and added than an announcement of where the headquarter will be is expected by Easter.

February 9, 2023
Award-winning Churches Mansion restaurant in Nantwich up for sale

Award-winning Churches Mansion restaurant in Nantwich up for sale

The award-winning Churches Mansion restaurant in Nantwich is up for sale.

Real estate advisor Savills is selling the venue on Hospital Street as a going concern on behalf of its private owners.

February 9, 2023
Residents to pay 6.4% more for Cheshire Police from April

Residents to pay 6.4% more for Cheshire Police from April

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Nantwich residents will see a 6.4% hike in the police precept after an attempt to veto the rise and replace it with a 5% increase failed.

This means residents living in a band D property will see an extra £15 for the year added to the policing element of their council tax bill.

February 8, 2023
Go-too rural bus service in Nantwich expands to more areas

Go-too rural bus service in Nantwich expands to more areas

The go-too bus service serving rural areas around Nantwich is expanding to meet fresh demand from customers.

Cheshire East Council is launching a campaign to promote the service being trialled in the rural area south of Nantwich, where residents have limited access to public transport.

February 8, 2023
Cutting CEC library hours will hit less fortunate, councillors warn

Cutting CEC library hours will hit less fortunate, councillors warn

Plans to cut library opening hours will hit those who are less fortunate and need a warm and quiet space, councillors said.

Cheshire East Council has vowed not to close any libraries as it strives to find £20m in savings, but is looking at reducing hours to save on costs.

February 7, 2023
Cheshire East puppy farm inspectors faced threats, council reveals

Cheshire East puppy farm inspectors faced threats, council reveals

CCTV has been installed at the homes of some Cheshire East Council staff who have been threatened and intimidated after inspecting puppy farms and breeders, writes Belinda Ryan.

One Cheshire East officer, who had been subjected to intimidation and abuse, admitted the council did not know how many unlicensed puppy farms were operating in the borough.

February 7, 2023
CEC now to cut back on leisure centre discounts in Nantwich

CEC now to cut back on leisure centre discounts in Nantwich

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East bosses are now planning to raise the age from 60 to 67 for its leisure centre discounted memberships.

And they also propose to scrap the two hours free parking at Nantwich and Crewe facilities.

February 6, 2023
Councillors fear more rats and fly-tipping amid garden bin charges

Councillors fear more rats and fly-tipping amid garden bin charges

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
CEC councillors fear a rise in rats and increased fly-tipping if charges for emptying garden waste bins are brought in.

Proposals outlined in the mid-term financial strategy 2023-7 (budget) reveal Cheshire East could rake in up to £4m a year by introducing the charge.

February 6, 2023
Plough Sunday at Reaseheath shines light on mental health in farming

Plough Sunday at Reaseheath shines light on mental health in farming

A packed congregation of parishioners and members of the agricultural community celebrated the new farming year at a Plough Sunday service held at Reaseheath College in Nantwich.

The event was held in support of the Cheshire Agricultural Chaplaincy, a charity that supports people across all areas of agriculture going through challenging times

February 3, 2023
Behaviour at CEC under Michael Jones “one of worst examples”

Behaviour at CEC under Michael Jones “one of worst examples”

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
The behaviour and culture at Cheshire East Council under the leadership of Michael Jones is “one of the worst examples” the investigating auditors had ever come across, the council was told.

The public interest report, from the council’s former auditors Grant Thornton, referred to bullying and intimidation under the former Conservative leader, who stepped down in 2015.

February 3, 2023
St Luke’s Hospice receives New Year fundraising boost

St Luke’s Hospice receives New Year fundraising boost

St Luke’s Hospice has received a New Year’s boost after two of its festive fundraisers helped raise more than £80,000.

The ‘Elf Run’ and ‘Christmas Tree Collection’ fundraisers collected the amount which is vital to help fund hospice care in 2023.

February 3, 2023
Nantwich pub plan for pergola sparks neighbour complaints

Nantwich pub plan for pergola sparks neighbour complaints

A plan to build a pergola in a pub beer garden in Nantwich has sparked complaints from neighbours.

The owners of the Oddfellows Arms pub on Welsh Row have submitted proposals for the pergola at the rear of the venue.

February 3, 2023
CEC fails to collect more than £20 million Council Tax in three years

CEC fails to collect more than £20 million Council Tax in three years

EXCLUSIVE
More than £20 million of Council Tax has not been collected by Cheshire East Council in the past three years, we can reveal.

Figures obtained under FOI show there is a staggering £20,8m of outstanding Council Tax debt from the years 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22.

February 2, 2023