Ministers have agreed to delay the second of HS2 between Crewe and Birmingham amid soaring costs for the controversial high speed railway.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said they will now prioritise the opening section, which means the completion and opening of Phase 2a to Crewe could be delayed by up to two years.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Plans for a purpose-built history centre to house the Cheshire archives on the site of the old Crewe Library have been recommended for approval.
The proposals are part of a Cheshire-wide project, ‘Cheshire’s Archives: a story shared’, which is being funded by Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
The Health and Safety Executive has been called in to investigate how workers botched a felling attempt and sent a tree crashing across a busy Crewe road.
The two were caught on video chopping down the tree, which then crashed across West Street, blocking the road and narrowly missing a passing car.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council is owed more than £7 million by residents and companies who haven’t settled their debts after being invoiced more than six months ago.
Figures in a report to next week’s meeting of the finance sub-committee reveal the majority of this – £5.7m – relates to adult social care sundry debt.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Residents whose properties are damaged by Cheshire East trees are left at the mercy of the council’s insurers who then stonewall them, a councillor has claimed.
Councillor Les Gilbert (Con) asked the highways committee to defer adopting its new policy for highway tree maintenance and inspections.
Cheshire East Council is urging more householders, landlords and second home property owners to register on the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
Safe and secure homes are still needed for Ukrainians already living in the borough, as well as for people still fleeing their homeland.
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.
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.
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”.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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