Politics Archives - Page 22 of 118

Cheshire East Council chiefs slam “false information” on 15-minute cities

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council bosses have hit out at “false information” about 15-minute cities and stressed the council has no plans to introduce any rules to restrict freedom of movement.

The idea behind a 15-minute city is that residents have access to everything they need – work, shops, medical services, parks, leisure facilities – all within a 15-minute walk or short cycling distance from where they live.

February 28, 2023 —

CEC leader urges council to install car park solar panels

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
The leader of Cheshire East Council is urging the council to look into installing solar panels at some of its car parks across the borough.

Cheshire East is about to start work on a large-scale solar farm – which will generate renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions – on land next to the composting plant at Leighton Grange Farm in Crewe.

February 28, 2023 —

CEC councillors approve budget including 4.99% council tax rise

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East has approved a budget which includes cuts to services and a 4.99% hike in council tax – adding an extra £81.15 to an annual bill for a Band D property.

Council leader Sam Corcoran (Lab) told a meeting of the full council there was no alternative because “central government crashed the economy, local government are having to pick up that”.

February 25, 2023 —

Public anger aired over CEC plan to reduce library opening times

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East will make ‘substantial savings’ by reducing library opening times, but offering more services could see normal hours restored in the future, a councillor said.

The proposal to reduce the opening hours and to close on Saturdays met with an angry response from the public during the consultation period.

February 25, 2023 —

New Cheshire East garden waste charges approved by council

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East residents will be charged for garden waste collection after the budget was approved.

But some councillors fear this could prove costly for the environment and the council.

February 25, 2023 —

CEC council tax changes for second home owners could raise £2.6m

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Proposed changes to council tax rules for second home owners could see Cheshire East rake in an extra £2.6m from 2024.

The government is currently bringing forward the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill which will give councils further flexibility when it comes to billing second home owners.

February 21, 2023 —

Cheshire East Council pledges ongoing support to the Armed Forces

Cheshire East Council has continued its pledge to the Armed Forces by re-signing the Cheshire Armed Forces Covenant Partnership community covenant.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated fairly and should not face disadvantages when seeking to access public or private goods and services in the UK.

February 20, 2023 —

CEC Conservatives want to charge utility firms digging up roads

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Conservatives are proposing an amendment to the budget urging the council to develop a lane rental scheme to charge utility companies which dig up roads.

The suggestion was first put forward by group leader Janet Clowes (Wybunbury) at a meeting of the corporate policy committee.

February 19, 2023 —

Some Cheshire East schools could go into red, headteachers warn

Several schools in Cheshire East will go into the red next year unless the government increases their funding, headteachers have told councillors.

For many years Cheshire East has received less funding for its schools than other councils because it is seen as an affluent area.

February 19, 2023 —

Roads Minister visits Reaseheath College in Nantwich

Reaseheath College welcomed Roads and Local Transport Minister Richard Holden MP onto campus during National Apprenticeship Week to see the progress of the UK’s first dedicated Bus and Coach Engineering Academy.

The academy is the result of an innovative and forward-thinking partnership between Reaseheath and First Bus.

February 17, 2023 —

CEC councillors’ allowances look set to be frozen in 2023-24

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East councillors’ allowances are expected to be frozen for the next year as Cheshire East cuts back on its spending.

A recommendation in the budget, which goes to full council on February 22, urges councillors to consider freezing their allowances for the 2023/24 financial year.

February 14, 2023 —

A530 on track to re-open next week, says Cheshire East

The A530 Middlewich Road is set to re-open next week, Cheshire East Council has confirmed.

The key road has been closed since May last year between Pyms Lane and Leighton Hospital as part of the North West Crewe Package (NWCP) scheme.

February 13, 2023 —

Work to start on large solar farm near Leighton Hospital

Cheshire East Council is to start work on a large-scale solar farm near Leighton Hospital which will generate renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions.

The 4.1 megawatt solar farm – enough to power about 1,200 houses – is being built on land next to the composting plant in Leighton Grange Farm in Crewe.

February 13, 2023 —