Politics

Boris Johnson - pic under creative commons Photo_ Annika Haas (EU2017EE)

Cheshire East Conservative leader “pleased” over Boris Johnson resignation

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East’s Conservative group leader says she is pleased Boris Johnson has resigned but is disappointed he will continue until a new leader is selected.

Mr Johnson spoke to the nation from outside Downing Street at 12.30pm today (July 7) saying it is clearly the will of the Parliamentary Conservative Party that there should be a new party leader and therefore a new prime minister.

July 7, 2022
2021 Census results reveal changing face of Cheshire East

2021 Census results reveal changing face of Cheshire East

Census 2021 results show Cheshire East’s population has risen by almost 30,000 since the previous survey in 2011.

In total, 98% of Cheshire East population completed the 2021 Census, higher than the 97% national average.

July 5, 2022
Bunbury councillor urges CEC to have “open mind” on fracking schemes

Bunbury councillor urges CEC to have “open mind” on fracking schemes

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
A Cheshire East councillor has sought reassurance that Cheshire East Council is not anti-fracking and would keep an open mind if applications came forward in light of the current energy crisis.

Cllr Sarah Pochin (Bunbury, Ind) was speaking during a debate on the council’s draft minerals and waste plan at the environment and communities committee.

July 5, 2022
Cheshire East Council food waste collections could go weekly

Cheshire East Council food waste collections could go weekly

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council could be forced to collect food waste weekly from all properties under latest proposals being consulted on by the government.

The council introduced a system in January 2020 to collect food waste fortnightly with garden waste.

July 5, 2022
Crewe makes shortlist of SIX to be new British Railways headquarters

Crewe makes shortlist of SIX to be new British Railways headquarters

Crewe has made a shortlist of six towns and cities in the UK in the race to be selected as the new headquarters of Great British Railways.

It was chosen with York, Bimringham, Derby, Doncaster and Newcastle-upon-Tyne out of 42 towns and cities that applied.

July 5, 2022
Cheshire East Council seeks to update planning strategy amid HS2

Cheshire East Council seeks to update planning strategy amid HS2

Cheshire East Council is looking at developing a planning strategy for the borough that extends into the 2040s.

It says the current Local Plan needs to respond to the arrival of HS2 at Crewe and the investment opportunities it should bring.

June 30, 2022
People facing crisis turning to Cheshire East libraries, report shows

People facing crisis turning to Cheshire East libraries, report shows

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
People in crisis across Cheshire East and others needing help are turning to local libraries for support and advice.

Some vulnerable people have picked up food and others have received items such as duvets and hot water bottles after seeking help in Cheshire East libraries, according to a council document.

June 29, 2022
CEC planning backlog means months of delays on applications

CEC planning backlog means months of delays on applications

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
The planning backlog at Cheshire East Council is double what it usually is and most applications are taking four to six months to determine, according to a council report.

The last two planning meetings – northern planning scheduled for June 8 and strategic planning which should have been held on June 15 – were both cancelled with no official reason given.

June 27, 2022
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