Politics

“Vision for Nantwich” project ditched in favour of new car park

“Vision for Nantwich” project ditched in favour of new car park

Ambitious plans to turn a derelict piece of land next to River Weaver into a hotel, restaurants and apartments have been ditched in favour of a new car park.

Investors behind the “Vision for Nantwich” project had targeted the former derelict land off St Anne’s Lane for the initial scheme.

January 10, 2025
Councillors approve £17.6 million Govt funding for cash-strapped Cheshire East

Councillors approve £17.6 million Govt funding for cash-strapped Cheshire East

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East councillors have approved the use of the £17.6m Exceptional Financial Support from the Government – despite one fearing it may impoverish future generations with loans that won’t solve the situation.

January 9, 2025
CEC chiefs “hope” council tax rise will be maximum 4.99%

CEC chiefs “hope” council tax rise will be maximum 4.99%

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council chiefs are set to raise council tax by no more than 4.99% – and hope they won’t need to take up an option to increase it by more.

The government has indicated that local authorities, in exceptional circumstances, may be allowed to increase their council tax by more than the 4.99% capped limit.

January 3, 2025
CEC faces £18.3 million shortfall for current year

CEC faces £18.3 million shortfall for current year

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council is facing a funding shortfall of £18.3m for this current financial year and a further £25.3m for 2025-26.

The latest financial forecast is an improvement on previous predictions but still means the council may require use of exceptional financial support (EFS) from the government.

January 3, 2025
Work on new Leighton Hospital to start in 2026

Work on new Leighton Hospital to start in 2026

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
A planning application for the new Leighton Hospital should be submitted by April next year with the aim of construction starting at the end of 2026.

Chris Knight, programme director at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said the new building would be the size of about 15 football pitches and be sited on land which had been bought next to the existing hospital.

December 19, 2024
Councillors “bemused” after quizzing NWAS chief over Nantwich medic

Councillors “bemused” after quizzing NWAS chief over Nantwich medic

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter.
Cheshire East councillors appeared bemused after quizzing North West Ambulance Service bosses over why an experienced life-saving volunteer medic has been stopped from driving to emergencies on blue lights.

Gavin Palin has been with the ambulance service in Nantwich for 23 years and has responded to life-threatening calls, such as cardiac arrests, on blue lights for the past two decades.

December 19, 2024
Cheshire East asks for Government financial support again

Cheshire East asks for Government financial support again

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cash-strapped Cheshire East Council is asking the government for exceptional financial support for 2025/26.

In February, the council applied for exceptional financial support (EFS) in the form of a capitalisation direction for up to £17.6m for this financial year, although it has not yet drawn down on that.

December 16, 2024
Cheshire East agrees new director post for children’s services

Cheshire East agrees new director post for children’s services

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter.
Cheshire East Council has agreed to create a new director’s post in children’s services to oversee its safeguarding practices.

The post had to be agreed at full council as the salary could be in excess of £100,000.

December 13, 2024
Nantwich Town councillors in bitter row as Council Tax to rise by 7%

Nantwich Town councillors in bitter row as Council Tax to rise by 7%

Nantwich Town councillors were locked in a bitter row last night which ended with a vote to increase their Council Tax precept for 2025-26 by 7%.

One councillor accused his own authority of “being asleep at the wheel” and said an increase above inflation was unacceptable for the town’s residents.

December 13, 2024
New Community Sergeant for Nantwich is familiar face

New Community Sergeant for Nantwich is familiar face

The new Community Sergeant for Nantwich is a familiar face to many as it sees the return of Matt Stonier.

Sgt Stonier (pictured with previous town mayor)was a PC in the town for many years before being deployed elsewhere by Cheshire Police a few years ago.

December 13, 2024
Nantwich Town councillor nominated for national honour

Nantwich Town councillor nominated for national honour

A Nantwich Town councillor has been shortlisted for a national award for the community work she has done over the past few years.

Cllr Anna Burton is just one of five town councillors across the UK in the running for the “Councillor of the Year” honour in the Star Council Awards.

December 13, 2024
Cheshire East Council labelled “financial basket case” by councillor

Cheshire East Council labelled “financial basket case” by councillor

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
A Cheshire East councillor has branded the authority a “financial basket case” and wondered why Cheshire West and Chester Council would want to get involved in a devolution deal.

Cllr Mike Sewart was speaking as the council was supposed to be discussing amendments to the terms of reference for the Cheshire and Warrington Joint Committee.

December 12, 2024
CEC delays over election costs threaten town and parish councils, says councillor

CEC delays over election costs threaten town and parish councils, says councillor

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East is jeopardising the financial stability of some town and parish councils by delaying telling them how much they will have to pay for local election costs, a councillor has said.

The decision to get the lower tier councils to stump up the costs for their local elections for the first time, was included in Cheshire East’s budget in February this year.

December 10, 2024