Politics

Rubble waste amount drops by 80% in Cheshire East amid new charge

Rubble waste amount drops by 80% in Cheshire East amid new charge

By Stephen Topping, local democracy reporter
The amount of rubble waste being dealt with at Cheshire East tips has fallen by 80% since a new charge was introduced.

Cheshire East Council launched a charge of £3.50 per bag for construction waste in January as part of wider changes to its recycling centres.

November 14, 2018
Government to spend £8 million on repairing Cheshire’s crumbling roads

Government to spend £8 million on repairing Cheshire’s crumbling roads

By Stephen Topping, local democracy reporter
The Government is set to invest more than £8 million on patching up Cheshire’s roads next year.

Cheshire East Council will receive £4,632,000 from the Department for Transport in 2019-20, while Cheshire West and Chester Council will receive £3,525,000.

November 14, 2018
Cheshire East Council launches HS2 hub station action plan

Cheshire East Council launches HS2 hub station action plan

Cheshire East Council has launched an action plan to maximise the potential benefits of an enhanced HS2 hub station at Crewe.

Called the Crewe station hub area action plan, it aims to support the growth and regeneration opportunities for the town and wider South Cheshire region.

November 12, 2018
North West Ambulance Service faces £7 million shortfall

North West Ambulance Service faces £7 million shortfall

By Stephen Topping, local democracy reporter
North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) is £7 million short of the investment needed to bring its performance up to scratch, an independent consultant has said.

The NHS trust – which runs the ambulance service in Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside – has been working on a performance improvement plan since January 2018.

November 9, 2018
Allied Healthcare will continue care for Cheshire East elderly, councillors told

Allied Healthcare will continue care for Cheshire East elderly, councillors told

By Stephen Topping, local democracy reporter
A home care provider whose financial future has been questioned should be able to continue supporting Crewe and Nantwich’s vulnerable and elderly residents, councillors have been told.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) issued a warning that Allied Healthcare could only confirm it had funding in place until November 30, and that its future beyond this month was not secure.

November 8, 2018
Works at Crewe Green Roundabout almost complete

Works at Crewe Green Roundabout almost complete

Work on the new Crewe Green Roundabout junction is almost complete, says Cheshire East Council.

The majority of traffic management measures at the roundabout will be removed from the week commencing October 29, which will open up the roundabout and its approaches.

October 27, 2018
Cheshire East Council Tax could rise by another 3% in 2019

Cheshire East Council Tax could rise by another 3% in 2019

Council taxpayers across Nantwich and Crewe could face another 2.99% Council Tax rise from April 2019 under draft proposals by Cheshire East Council.

The authority has unveiled its Pre-Budget Consultation Report for 2019 to 2022.

October 24, 2018
£350,000 overspend on replacement wheelie bins in Cheshire East

£350,000 overspend on replacement wheelie bins in Cheshire East

By Stephen Topping, local democracy reporter
A controversial new bin charge is necessary as Cheshire East Council has overspent on replacement bins by £350,000 so far this year, its leader claims.

Cllr Rachel Bailey, Conservative leader of the council, was challenged at a full council meeting on Thursday over the decision to begin implementing a charge for new and replacement wheelie bins from next Tuesday.

October 21, 2018
Cheshire East Council faced 360 pothole claims in just three months

Cheshire East Council faced 360 pothole claims in just three months

By Stephen Topping, local democracy reporter
An additional £1 million will be spent patching up potholes after Cheshire East Council faced more than 360 new insurance claims between April and June.

A report issued at Thursday’s full council meeting said that following a harsh winter, there were 368 new insurance claims against the council in the first quarter of 2018-19.

October 20, 2018
Cheshire East Local Plan may need revisit if HS2 hits Cheshire

Cheshire East Local Plan may need revisit if HS2 hits Cheshire

By Stephen Topping, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council chiefs could be forced to review their local plan if MPs give the green light for HS2 to hit Cheshire.

The authority adopted its local plan strategy for up to 2030 last July – three years after it was told to go back to the drawing board after submitting its first draft to the planning inspectorate.

October 17, 2018
MP Laura Smith’s office becomes Referral Unit for Nantwich Foodbank

MP Laura Smith’s office becomes Referral Unit for Nantwich Foodbank

MP Laura Smith’s constituency office has become an official Referral Unit for Nantwich Foodbank.

The charity fears more residents will have to be referred to the Foodbank ahead of plans for the next stage of Universal Credit.

October 16, 2018
New code of practice to end “Bodge job” pothole repairs in Cheshire East

New code of practice to end “Bodge job” pothole repairs in Cheshire East

By Stephen Topping, local democracy reporter
Councillors and officers at Cheshire East are hopeful a new code of practice will mean the end of ‘bodge job’ pothole repairs on major roads.

Cheshire East Council is set to adopt a new code of practice for road maintenance – called the Well Managed Highway Infrastructure – in line with Government guidelines introduced two years ago.

October 16, 2018
Cheshire Police could axe 250 officers to meet budget cut pressures

Cheshire Police could axe 250 officers to meet budget cut pressures

Cheshire Police chiefs warned today they may be forced to reduce police officer numbers by 250 over the next two years as it faces further budget cuts.

It comes as forces like Cheshire Constabulary are under increasing Government pressure to make more savings.

October 15, 2018