Politics

More than £1.2 million allowances paid to CEC councillors in 2021-22

More than £1.2 million allowances paid to CEC councillors in 2021-22

More than £1.2 million was paid out in allowances and expenses between 82 Cheshire East councillors in 2021-22, latest figures show.

Cheshire East Council has published details of the allowances paid to elected members during the last financial year, as required by law.

November 14, 2022
Cheshire East seeks clarity on SATS tests clash with Coronation

Cheshire East seeks clarity on SATS tests clash with Coronation

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council is waiting for government guidance on primary school SATS because the bank holiday for the King’s coronation clashes with the first day of the national tests.

The Key Stage 2 tests, taken by 11-year-olds at schools across the country, are scheduled to take place from Monday May 8 to Thursday May 11 next year.

November 11, 2022
Cheshire East Council blames Christmas for Beam Street re-surfacing delays

Cheshire East Council blames Christmas for Beam Street re-surfacing delays

Re-surfacing works to Beam Street in Nantwich have been delayed until 2023 because council chiefs say “it is the sensible option to postpone” before Christmas.

A section of Beam Street between Waterlode and Manor Road was shut for 18 weeks between June and October for a footway improvement scheme.

November 10, 2022
Councillor seeks change to impose 20mph limits on housing estates

Councillor seeks change to impose 20mph limits on housing estates

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Attempts to impose 20mph limits on new housing developments in Cheshire East often fail because the wording of the council’s speed management strategy means efforts can be blocked, a councillor said.

Cllr Suzie Akers Smith is now meeting with the head of highways to ask if the document can be re-worded so officers can’t stop attempts by councillors at the planning stage to have 20mph limits designated for new residential developments.

November 5, 2022
All but essential services face cuts, Cheshire East Council chiefs warn

All but essential services face cuts, Cheshire East Council chiefs warn

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
All but essential services could face cuts as Cheshire East Council tackles unprecedented financial pressures fuelled by soaring costs and increasing demand.

The council’s finance bosses are asking all service committees to draw up an action plan to look at how they can cut costs, do things differently or find ways of increasing revenue.

November 4, 2022
CEC draws up 78-point “action plan” to improve planning service

CEC draws up 78-point “action plan” to improve planning service

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council has drawn up a 78-point action plan to modernise its planning service following a backlog in applications and increase in complaints.

A resident survey revealed only 20% of customers are happy with the service.

November 2, 2022
Police hunt man who glued Crewe & Nantwich MP’s door lock

Police hunt man who glued Crewe & Nantwich MP’s door lock

Police hunting a man who glued the lock of Crewe & Nantwich MP Kieran Mullan’s constituency office have released a CCTV image.

They say they want to speak to this man in relation to criminal damage, which also included stickers being put on the door of the Conservative Constituency Office in Eddleston Road, Crewe.

November 1, 2022
Plan for farm barns conversion near Nantwich look set for approval

Plan for farm barns conversion near Nantwich look set for approval

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Plans to part demolish and convert barns at Baddiley Hall Farm near Nantwich to provide three homes have been recommended for approval.

The application has been “called in” and will be decided by the southern planning committee, rather than delegated to a planning officer, as the applicant’s agent is related to a staff member in the council’s development management service and there have been objections to the scheme.

October 31, 2022
Cheshire East gives go ahead for 104-home scheme in Crewe

Cheshire East gives go ahead for 104-home scheme in Crewe

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East planners have given the go-ahead for a 104-home affordable scheme in Crewe.

The development, a mix of one, two, three and four-bed homes, including apartments, maisonettes, semi-detached and terraced dwellings, will be built by Breck Homes on land east of Broughton Road and north of Bidvale Way.

October 29, 2022
Beam Street re-surfacing delayed until 2023, Cheshire East confirms

Beam Street re-surfacing delayed until 2023, Cheshire East confirms

Plans to re-surface Beam Street in Nantwich town centre have been delayed until 2023, Cheshire East Council has confirmed.

The announcement comes after highways completed the 18-week “footway improvement scheme” on the street between junctions with Manor Road and Waterlode.

October 27, 2022
CEC councillors narrowly vote in controversial new “code of conduct”

CEC councillors narrowly vote in controversial new “code of conduct”

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East councillors have narrowly approved a new code of conduct despite opposition from nearly half the council because it doesn’t include a right of appeal against complaints.

Conservative councillors had called for the matter to be deferred, saying the working group set up to look into the new code hadn’t completed its work.

October 25, 2022
Inspector backs Cheshire East Council’s revised planning policy

Inspector backs Cheshire East Council’s revised planning policy

Cheshire East Council’s revised planning policy for the borough has been declared “sound” by an independent planning inspector.

The draft plan, known as the site allocation and development policy document (SADPD), outlines changes following various consultations with residents and local councils.

October 25, 2022
Beam Street re-opens after 18-week footway improvement works

Beam Street re-opens after 18-week footway improvement works

Town centre roads in Nantwich were re-opened today after an 18-week closure to allow for footway improvement works.

But the planned re-surfacing of Beam Street, as pledged in the initial Cheshire East Council scheme, have so far not taken place.

October 24, 2022