By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
CEC councillors fear a rise in rats and increased fly-tipping if charges for emptying garden waste bins are brought in.
Proposals outlined in the mid-term financial strategy 2023-7 (budget) reveal Cheshire East could rake in up to £4m a year by introducing the charge.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
The behaviour and culture at Cheshire East Council under the leadership of Michael Jones is “one of the worst examples” the investigating auditors had ever come across, the council was told.
The public interest report, from the council’s former auditors Grant Thornton, referred to bullying and intimidation under the former Conservative leader, who stepped down in 2015.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Teachers striking for better pay and funding took their protest to the offices of Crewe and Nantwich MP Kieran Mullan yesterday (February 1).
Dozens of teachers and supporters from across Cheshire East marched through Crewe from the town’s railway station before demonstrating outside the Conservative MP’s office at lunchtime.
EXCLUSIVE
More than £20 million of Council Tax has not been collected by Cheshire East Council in the past three years, we can reveal.
Figures obtained under FOI show there is a staggering £20,8m of outstanding Council Tax debt from the years 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22.
Eddisbury Tory MP Edward Timpson will not stand at the next General Election, he announced today.
Mr Timpson, former Crewe and Nantwich MP between 2008 and 2016, has written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to explain his decision.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Library opening hours in Nantwich and other towns look set to be reduced as Cheshire East Council struggles to balance its books.
The council says it is not proposing any library closures but it is looking at reducing opening hours during the week and on Saturdays.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Charging for green waste bin collections across Cheshire East could rake in up to £4 million a year.
The proposal to charge residents to empty their green waste (brown) bins is one of the measures councillors will be considering at Thursday’s meeting of the environment and communities committee.
Striking members of the NEU are planning to stage a picket line outside Malbank School in Nantwich and a demonstration in Crewe this Wednesday (February 1).
Hundreds of teachers will be involved in the strike action across Cheshire, which will have major impact on schools across the borough.
CEC bosses say they have secured Government funding to step up its “Show the air you care” campaign.
It targets vehicle engine idling and wood burning stoves in the borough.
Plans by Cheshire East Council to turn off “a high proportion” of its 40,000 street lights to save money could increase crime and attacks on women, councillors warned.
The council is currently consulting in its budget proposals on plans to reduce the number and timing of street lighting in the borough from September.
The current leader of the Conservatives at Cheshire East Council has welcomed a “public interest” report which has lifted the lid on the regime under former leader Michael Jones.
The Grant Thornton report highlights a regime of “bullying” and “intimidatory behaviour” during Mr Jones’ time as leader between 2012-2015.
Both secondary schools in Nantwich will be affected by the February 1 strike action which involves members of the National Education Union (NEU).
Brine Leas School and Malbank School and Sixth Form College are to close on Wednesday for some year groups due to staff shortages caused by industrial action.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Plans to hike up existing parking charges in Cheshire East and introduce fees on free car parks will cripple town centre traders and drive cars on to residential streets, councillors said.
Members of Cheshire East’s highways and transport committee were unhappy they were being asked to give feedback on budget proposals to increase charges when very little detail was given.
Recent Comments