Politics

PCSO numbers could be slashed in Cheshire to free up £1.3 million

PCSO numbers could be slashed in Cheshire to free up £1.3 million

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire’s police commissioner could cut the number of PCSOs by slashing £1.3m off that part of the budget and using the cash to fund other police officers.

PCC John Dwyer stressed there would be no redundancies and losses would be through “natural wastage”.

February 8, 2022
Cheshire politicians and business leaders welcome Great British Railways competition

Cheshire politicians and business leaders welcome Great British Railways competition

Politicians and business leaders across Cheshire have welcomed the launch of a competition to find the home of the new Great British Railways HQ and have backed Crewe to clinch the honour.

The town has been featured in the competition announcement video with broadcaster Michael Portillo championing.

February 7, 2022
Nantwich residents to see 4.43% rise in amounts paid for policing

Nantwich residents to see 4.43% rise in amounts paid for policing

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East residents look set to see an increase of 4.43% in the amount they pay towards policing.

If the increase suggested by Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer is ratified by the police and crime panel on Friday (February 4) that will mean an extra £10 a year on the police precept for a band D council tax payer across the county.

February 2, 2022
Former foster carers targeted in Cheshire East recruitment bid

Former foster carers targeted in Cheshire East recruitment bid

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Former foster carers could soon be contacted by Cheshire East in a bid to recruit more people to look after children needing a home.

There is a national shortage of foster carers and the council said it needs to ensure its recruitment campaigns target the right people.

January 29, 2022
Rail campaigners welcome Bill for next HS2 phase Crewe to Manchester

Rail campaigners welcome Bill for next HS2 phase Crewe to Manchester

The Crewe to Manchester leg of HS2 has moved one step closer as the legal process in Parliament to allow it to go ahead gets underway.

Crewe and Nantwich MP Dr Kieran Mullan and HS2 project champion Pete Waterman toured Crewe station to mark the occasion with new Rail Minister Wendy Morton MP.

January 26, 2022
Cheshire East Conservative councillor quits party over “partygate”

Cheshire East Conservative councillor quits party over “partygate”

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
A Cheshire East councillor who has worked in the NHS throughout the pandemic has quit the Conservative party because of the national ‘partygate’ scandal.

Cllr Nicky Wylie, has issued a joint statement with the Cheshire East Conservative Group to say she had left the Tories “in light of recent national events”.

January 25, 2022
Huge planning backlog at Cheshire East will take “months” to clear

Huge planning backlog at Cheshire East will take “months” to clear

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council is considering rejecting planning applications if the correct information isn’t filled in within a certain time to help clear the backlog.

This would mean applicants would then have to submit a new application.

January 23, 2022
CEC councillors told NOT to use ward budgets for gritting

CEC councillors told NOT to use ward budgets for gritting

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council has refused to allow its councillors to use their ward budgets to pay for gritting on treacherous roads because it goes against its new winter policy.

The Labour/Independent administration axed around 100 roads from its winter gritting route when it introduced its new policy this winter – including busy rural routes like Coole Lane and Checkley Lane near Nantwich.

January 21, 2022
Cheshire East pays out £6,600 after Ombudsman complaints upheld

Cheshire East pays out £6,600 after Ombudsman complaints upheld

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council paid out £6,674 in compensation for five complaints upheld by the Ombudsman between August 1 and November 30.

Cllr David Marren, vice chair of the audit and governance committee, said he thought the council took the matter “far too lightly”.

January 19, 2022
Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner awards deputy 33% rise

Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner awards deputy 33% rise

By Belinda Ryan, local democracry reporter
Cheshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has given his deputy a 33% rise taking his salary from £38,250 to £51,000 in five months.

John Dwyer (Con) was elected as PCC in May 2021 after defeating former commissioner David Keane (Lab).

January 19, 2022
Dr Kieran Mullan

Kieran Mullan thought to be among 20 MPs considering”no confidence” in PM

Crewe and Nantwich MP Kieran Mullan is thought to be among a group of Tory MPs considering submitting letters of “no confidence” in Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

It’s believed Dr Mullan attended two meetings today and yesterday as part of the so-called “pork pie plot”.

January 18, 2022
Consultation on winter gritting changes was held, CEC chiefs say

Consultation on winter gritting changes was held, CEC chiefs say

Organisations and residents were consulted over changes to the winter gritting strategy in Cheshire East, council chiefs said today.

Many have aired anger over changes to the winter gritting routes, which has seen busy rural roads like Coole Lane and Checkley Lane near Nantwich no longer being gritted.

January 15, 2022
Boris Johnson - pic under creative commons Photo_ Annika Haas (EU2017EE)

Crewe & Nantwich Tory MP urged to air view on Downing St lockdown parties

Crewe and Nantwich Conservative MP Kieran Mullan is being urged to air his views on the Downing Street lockdown parties as pressure grows on Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

A number of Tory MPs have now publicly declared they have written to the chairman of the 1922 Committee to say they have no confidence in the PM.

January 15, 2022