Politics

Cheshire PCC hits back after crime panel questions deputy role

Cheshire PCC hits back after crime panel questions deputy role

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire’s police and crime panel has asked for clarification of the deputy commissioner’s role after no-one stood in for the commissioner at an official meeting to answer questions about policing.

June 27, 2022
Cheshire East clears 4,400 fly-tipping cases without single prosecution

Cheshire East clears 4,400 fly-tipping cases without single prosecution

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council cleared 4,428 fly-tipping incidents across the borough in 12 months but did not prosecute a single person.

Fines totalling £3,400 were handed to fly-tippers in the 12-month period leading up to March 2022, a freedom of information request has revealed.

June 25, 2022
Councils urged to back Cheshire Fire call for sprinklers law

Councils urged to back Cheshire Fire call for sprinklers law

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Councils across Cheshire are being asked to back the Fire Authority’s call for sprinklers to be mandatory in some buildings such as schools, care homes and apartment blocks.

Chief fire officer Mark Cashin praised Cheshire Fire Authority (CFA) members for their work on promoting the need for sprinklers but said it was imperative the message was heard by those with the power to legislate.

June 25, 2022
New Crewe fire station plan costs rise by £375,000

New Crewe fire station plan costs rise by £375,000

By Belinda Ryan, local democracry reporter
The cost of building a new fire station in Crewe has increased by £375,000 because of soaring inflation.

The new building had been costed at £7m but that has now risen to £7.375m.

June 21, 2022
MP joins bid to have jail sentence of Joshua Spender’s killer reviewed

MP joins bid to have jail sentence of Joshua Spender’s killer reviewed

The MP for Crewe and Nantwich has written to the Attorney General calling for the jail sentence of Joshua Spender’s killer to be reviewed.

It comes as thousands have signed a petition calling for a longer jail term for William Bratton, who ploughed into Joshua on a crossing in Crewe and then sped away from the scene.

June 14, 2022
Nantwich Road Bridge Enhancement Scheme aerial masterplan

CEC eyes multi-million pound bids for Nantwich Road scheme in Crewe

Cheshire East is set to give the go ahead for two funding bids for the Nantwich Road enhancement schemes linked to the Crewe hub, writes Belinda Ryan.

The government launched the second round of bidding for the Levelling Up Fund, in March.

June 14, 2022
Healthcare worker at home visit

Soaring fuel prices increasing care worker crisis in Cheshire East

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Soaring fuel prices are adding to care worker shortages in Cheshire East as those who look after people at home struggle to pay for petrol.

The council was awarded £19.4m over two years of the pandemic to help support the care market in areas including infection control, testing and vaccination and workforce recruitment and retention.

June 14, 2022
Cheshire East Council offers more free parking days in Nantwich

Cheshire East Council offers more free parking days in Nantwich

Four free car parking days are being offered in Nantwich and other towns in a bid to boost retailers emerging from the pandemic.

A previous parking incentive scheme is due to expire on August 31 2022.

June 13, 2022
Councillors call on CEC boss to drive Middlewich Road diversion

Councillors call on CEC boss to drive Middlewich Road diversion

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Three councillors have called on Cheshire East Council’s chief executive to drive the 10.6 mile diversion route caused by A530 Middlewich Road closure to see the havoc it is causing local people.

Rachel Bailey, who represents Audlem, Margaret Simon, of Wistaston, and Patrick Redstone, of Odd Rode ward, have written to Lorraine O’Donnell saying the road closure has blocked important ambulance routes, added delays to commutes and caused disruption throughout Crewe and Nantwich.

June 11, 2022
Nantwich councillors back scheme to reopen public toilets

Nantwich councillors back scheme to reopen public toilets

Nantwich Town councillors have backed plans to refurbish and re-open Snow Hill public toilets in the town.

The plans include a pay-per-use scheme and provide two direct access toilets – one unisex and one disabled.

June 10, 2022
Nantwich firms missing out due to lack of parking, says councillor

Nantwich firms missing out due to lack of parking, says councillor

Nantwich businesses are losing trade because visitors to the town can’t find a parking space, a councillor said.

Cllr Peter Groves (Con) said Cheshire East Council had done nothing to address the loss of the 80-plus spaces on the unofficial St Anne’s car park, off Welsh Row, when the site was devel

June 9, 2022
So why was A530 Middlewich Road closed before “visible” works started?

So why was A530 Middlewich Road closed before “visible” works started?

Cheshire East Council chiefs say “pre works” including deliveries and surveys on the A530 Middlewich Road meant it had to be closed on May 9.

It comes as many have observed a lack of ‘visible’ construction work taking place on the stretch between Pyms Lane and Smithy Lane.

June 9, 2022
Planned taxi fare rises in Cheshire East raises safety fears, say councillors

Planned taxi fare rises in Cheshire East raises safety fears, say councillors

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Proposed taxi fare increases in Cheshire East could force people to walk home from late night shifts posing a risk to their safety, two councillors said.

The new maximum fares suggested for Hackney carriages will be advertised publicly and consulted on, Cheshire East’s licensing committee decided on Monday.

June 8, 2022