Politics

Nantwich Town Council to reduce its Council Tax by 5%

Nantwich Town Council to reduce its Council Tax by 5%

Nantwich Town councillors have agreed to reduce the council’s portion of Council Tax by 5% for 2023-24.

The proposal was voted through by councillors at the Civic Hall meeting last night (December 15)

December 16, 2022
Cheshire East Council blasted for holding meeting in remote location

Cheshire East Council blasted for holding meeting in remote location

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council has come under fire for holding another full council meeting in a countryside location with no public transport – making it inaccessible for residents without cars.

Today’s (December 14) meeting is being held at the SKA observatory at Jodrell Bank.

December 14, 2022
Crewe & Nantwich MP Kieran Mullan to stand in next election

Crewe & Nantwich MP Kieran Mullan to stand in next election

Crewe & Nantwich MP Kieran Mullan has announced he intends to stand again in the next general election, likely to be in 2024.

The Conservative MP, making the announcement on social media, had to confirm this month whether he intended to run again to represent the constituency where he has been MP since December 2019.

December 13, 2022
Wybunbury timber chalet survives demolition council ruling

Wybunbury timber chalet survives demolition council ruling

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
A timber chalet in Wybunbury due to be demolished because it was built without planning permission can remain and be used for offices, the council has said.

Cheshire East Council’s southern planning committee heard the building at Little Island Livery was originally built as accommodation for a groom.

December 2, 2022
Cheshire East school staff quitting over new computer system

Cheshire East school staff quitting over new computer system

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
A councillor claims school staff are quitting their jobs because of the stress caused by a problematic computer system brought in to make Cheshire East more efficient.

The Best4Business project, designed to replace the ageing business IT systems with a new cloud-based network at both Cheshire East and Cheshire West & Cheshire councils, has had issues from the outset and is massively over-budget.

December 1, 2022
More than 1,500 North West Ambulance workers vote to strike

More than 1,500 North West Ambulance workers vote to strike

More than 1,500 ambulance workers have voted to strike across Cheshire and the North West.

Paramedics, emergency care assistants, call handlers and other staff are now set to walk out in the region.

November 30, 2022
Cash-strapped council to review parking charges in Cheshire East

Cash-strapped council to review parking charges in Cheshire East

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Parking charges look set to be reviewed across Cheshire East as the council struggles to balance its books because of soaring inflation costs.

Plans to introduce pay and display in towns such as Middlewich, Sandbach and Alsager – which currently offer free parking – were scuppered last year when the highways committee voted against the plan.

November 25, 2022
South Cheshire special school expansion plan set to go ahead

South Cheshire special school expansion plan set to go ahead

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Plans to expand a special school in South Cheshire to accommodate an extra 60 pupils have been recommended for approval, despite some objections.

Springfield School in Crewe caters for 200 children and young people, between the ages of four and 19, who have severe learning difficulties and complex needs.

November 24, 2022
Cheshire East councillors debate plan to issue fines for idling engines

Cheshire East councillors debate plan to issue fines for idling engines

By Jonathan Sutton, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council could soon start issuing fines to drivers who leave their engine idling as a review of the policy is taking place.

This could mean parents waiting to pick up their children outside schools in the borough who refuse to turn their engine off could face a £60 fine.

November 24, 2022
Nantwich families sign up for Cheshire East litter-pick campaign

Nantwich families sign up for Cheshire East litter-pick campaign

More people in Nantwich than anywhere else in Cheshire East have registered to take part in a new “pick up litter and get fit” scheme.

The Cheshire East Council initiative encourages people to get active, spend time outdoors and help to keep local neighbourhoods litter free.

November 19, 2022
Cheshire East Council paying too much on school transport, says report

Cheshire East Council paying too much on school transport, says report

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council is paying £3,000 more per pupil than most equivalent councils to transport some children to school each year.

This includes paying on average £71 for a 10-mile taxi journey or £118 for a 20-mile journey – way above the expected £21 or £41 costs respectively.

November 18, 2022
Cheshire East Council party leaders react to Govt’s Autumn Budget

Cheshire East Council party leaders react to Govt’s Autumn Budget

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Labour leader says the recession was made in Downing Street and now we’re all paying the price with tax hikes, increased interest charges and higher inflation.

Cllr Sam Corcoran, speaking in response to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s autumn statement, said over the last decade the Conservatives “have hollowed out public services and the economy”.

November 18, 2022
Councillors back calls for sprinklers rule in Cheshire East buildings

Councillors back calls for sprinklers rule in Cheshire East buildings

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East has backed calls for law changes to make sprinklers mandatory in some buildings and heard from a fire officer how ‘it’s tantamount to having a firefighter in each room’.

The council’s environment and communities committee voted unanimously to back Cheshire Fire Authority in its fight to make sprinklers compulsory in buildings such as care homes, houses in multiple occupation, schools and apartment blocks.

November 15, 2022