Politics

Cheshire Police vetting “tighter” after officer jailed for teen rape

Cheshire Police vetting “tighter” after officer jailed for teen rape

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Vetting procedures for police recruits in Cheshire have been tightened since a serving officer was jailed for raping a 13-year-old girl, the force’s commissioner has said.

PC Ian Naude, who was then 30, was jailed for 25 years in 2018 for raping the teenager and for four convictions relating to sexual offences against other children.

January 4, 2023
Residents asked to pay 6.4% more for policing in Cheshire

Residents asked to pay 6.4% more for policing in Cheshire

By Mark Smith, local democracy reporter
Residents in South Cheshire are being asked whether they would be prepared to pay 6.4% more tax towards the cost of policing.

The county’s Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer says inflation has added more than £14 million to Cheshire Police’s costs, with £6.7 million worth of savings already in the pipeline.

January 3, 2023
Police unable to charge Nantwich night time “lurker” after arrest

Police unable to charge Nantwich night time “lurker” after arrest

A Nantwich resident who caught the night-time “lurker” breaking in to vehicles, told today how police failed to charge him because “he’d got a good solicitor”.

The householder said she saw him trying car doors in the Blears Avenue area of Nantwich and entering, before rooting around looking for something to take.

January 2, 2023
Temporary bus station in Crewe to operate from January 4

Temporary bus station in Crewe to operate from January 4

A temporary bus station will be in use in Crewe from Wednesday January 4 as work to complete the first phase of the Cheshire East Council’s Royal Arcade scheme enters the next stage.

The existing bus station will be closed and eight temporary bus stands will operate alongside temporary passenger shelters, cycle stands and facilities for bus drivers.

December 30, 2022
Cheshire Fire bids to raise Council Tax precept to plug £1m hole

Cheshire Fire bids to raise Council Tax precept to plug £1m hole

Cheshire Fire Authority has launched a consultation on its precept which it wants to raise by £5 per year for a typical band D household.

The authority says the amount would raise an additional £1.3 million in funding but comes as local councils and police forces are also raising precepts in a cost of living crisis.

December 28, 2022
Cheshire East chiefs rejected calls for free Christmas parking

Cheshire East chiefs rejected calls for free Christmas parking

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council bosses refused to scrap parking charges until the end of the year to help high street shops because it can’t afford to lose an estimated £180,000.

Each town which has pay and display has four days free parking per year and the dates for this are decided by the relevant town or parish council.

December 22, 2022
Cheshire East bus operators to cap bus fares at £2 in New Year

Cheshire East bus operators to cap bus fares at £2 in New Year

Bus users in Cheshire East will only pay a maximum £2 fare for any local journey after Cheshire East Council agreed to follow a Government scheme.

The Department for Transport scheme encourages people to “get around for £2” and will run from January 1 to March 31.

December 22, 2022
Nantwich railway project among seven to get community funds from CEC

Nantwich railway project among seven to get community funds from CEC

A wheelchair coach for a miniature railway in Nantwich is among a number of community projects to secure grant funding from Cheshire East Council.

The project has been awarded funds as part of a project to extend the service of the miniature railway to anyone in a wheelchair.

December 21, 2022
Further delays to A530 re-opening blamed on winter weather

Further delays to A530 re-opening blamed on winter weather

More delays to the re-opening of the A530 Middlewich Road between Nantwich and Leighton Hospital have been blamed on the weather.

The road between Pyms Lane and the hospital is now not expected to re-open until February 2023 at the earliest.

December 19, 2022
Cheshire East checks housing associations after two-year-old’s death

Cheshire East checks housing associations after two-year-old’s death

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
More than 30 housing associations registered in Cheshire East have been contacted by Cheshire East Council after the tragic death of a two-year-old boy.

The council is checking on all housing associations and how they are dealing with residents’ complaints about damp and mould “as a matter of urgency”.

December 19, 2022
Cheshire East Council adopts second part of Local Plan

Cheshire East Council adopts second part of Local Plan

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East has adopted the second part of its local plan with some councillors voting against it.

Some warned at the council meeting this week that planners would have to go back to the drawing board if it was rejected.

December 17, 2022
CEC to have greater say on HS2 construction and design

CEC to have greater say on HS2 construction and design

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East will have a greater say in decisions on HS2 construction and design after voting to become a ‘qualifying authority’.

The council is already a qualifying authority for phase 2a – the route between Birmingham and Crewe.

December 16, 2022
Cheshire East Council must find £20 million savings, says leader

Cheshire East Council must find £20 million savings, says leader

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council has to find at least £20 million of savings or cuts to services to balance its books in the next financial year.

The harsh reality was spelled out to councillors by leader Sam Corcoran (Lab) at Wednesday’s meeting of the full council.

December 16, 2022