Politics

Connor Naismith

Government’s £2.2 million household support for Cheshire East

The Government has set aside £2.2 million of household support fund for families in need in Cheshire East.

The Household Support Fund was due to end in September but has now been extended until 2025.

October 2, 2024
Chair of Cheshire Police and Crime Panel quits in protest

Chair of Cheshire Police and Crime Panel quits in protest

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
The Cheshire Police and Crime Panel chairman has quit because he claims the new Commissioner has refused to directly answer questions submitted by members.

The job of the panel is to hold the Commissioner to account which it does through questions and scrutiny.

October 1, 2024
Audlem councillor queries reports of police probe into CEC

Audlem councillor queries reports of police probe into CEC

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
A former Cheshire East leader has asked why councillors were not informed of reports the council is being investigated by police.

Audlem Cllr Rachel Bailey (pictured) referred to a story in the Congleton Chronicle which stated police were investigating accusations of misconduct in public office at the council.

October 1, 2024
Cheshire East Council appoints new executive director for place

Cheshire East Council appoints new executive director for place

Cheshire East Council has appointed Phil Cresswell as executive director for place.

He will oversee key services such as highways, waste and recycling, planning, transport and parking, economic development and other place-based services.

September 30, 2024
Planning for new Leighton Hospital can progress, say Ministers

Planning for new Leighton Hospital can progress, say Ministers

Ambitious plans to develop Leighton Hospital can continue as it will be exempt from Labour’s review of the New Hospital Programme.

The government has announced that Mid Cheshire Hospital NHS Trust’s scheme will be allowed to progress.

September 30, 2024
Councillor slams “irony” of CEC household tip closure plan

Councillor slams “irony” of CEC household tip closure plan

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Middlewich residents have to drive past their local waste centre to take rubbish to the Pyms Lane tip in Crewe – only for it to be then transported back to Middlewich!

Cllr Garnet Marshall spoke of the irony of Cheshire East’s decision to close the Croxton Lane site at Middlewich and not allow residents access to the Ansa waste transfer site on Cledford Lane, where the entire borough’s rubbish is dumped.

September 28, 2024
Cheshire East approves plan to turn Flag Lane Baths to a school

Cheshire East approves plan to turn Flag Lane Baths to a school

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East councillors have rubber-stamped a move to scrap plans to transform Flag Lane Baths into a community hub and seek permission to use the site for a school.

The economy and growth committee was told the cost of the proposed community hub scheme, put forward by Always Ahead charity, has spiralled because of delays due to concerns about the building’s structure.

September 28, 2024
CEC councillors called “disgrace” as they vote to close three tips

CEC councillors called “disgrace” as they vote to close three tips

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East councillors today voted to permanently close three tips to shouts of “absolute disgrace” and “shame on you” from angry members of the public.

The cash-strapped authority is facing a £27m overspend at the end of this year and needs to save £100m over the next four-year period.

September 26, 2024
Aerial photo Brookfield park Nantwich

Nantwich councillor’s bid for Brookfield Park funds voted down

A councillor’s bid to earmark £90,000 for improvements to Brookfield Park in Nantwich next year was voted down.

Cllr John Priest put forward a notice of motion to set aside the funds for improvements to the park’s playground.

September 25, 2024
CEC cannot balance books with £20.7m adult services overspend

CEC cannot balance books with £20.7m adult services overspend

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East would not balance its books in adult services this year even if it closed all its libraries and leisure centres and didn’t spend a penny fixing roads, a councillor said.

Cllr Andrew Kolker was speaking as the adults and health committee yesterday (Sept 23) discussed the massive financial pressures of social care on the council.

September 24, 2024
Nantwich dad and son campaign for better Barony play area

Nantwich dad and son campaign for better Barony play area

A father and his son from Nantwich have launched a petition in a bid to improve playground facilities in the town.

Jonathan Jackson and his son Arthur say the lack and state of current facilities on Barony Park are “not safe” and are calling for action.

September 24, 2024
flooded allotments at Brookfield in February 2017

“Toxic” herbicides ruled out in tackling invasive marestail on Nantwich allotments

A bid to use a “toxic” herbicide to kill the invasive weed marestail on a Nantwich Allotment site has been thrown out by councillors.

Some tenants at Brookfield Allotments off Shrewbridge Road wanted external contractors in to use a glysophate-based weedkiller to zap the pesky plants.

September 23, 2024
Cllr Mick Warren

Cheshire East ignore public views and plan to close three tips

Cash-strapped Cheshire East Council looks set to permanently close three tips at Middlewich, Bollington and Poynton – despite overwhelming opposition in a public consultation.

A report to the council’s environment committee simply “notes” the consultation outcome but still recommends councillors “approve permanent closure of the HWRC sites at Bollington, Middlewich and Poynton”

September 21, 2024