Politics

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
Cheshire East urged to plough £2.7m more into highways budget

Cheshire East urged to plough £2.7m more into highways budget

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council chiefs are being urged to plough an extra £2.7 million into its highways budget amid claims the council has lost interest in looking after its transport infrastructure.

The highways and transport committee voted yesterday (January 13) to ask for the cash.

January 14, 2022
Meet Devlin Hobson – new Town Crier for Nantwich

Meet Devlin Hobson – new Town Crier for Nantwich

Familiar face Devlin Hobson was tonight confirmed as Nantwich’s new Town Crier.

Nantwich Town Council rubber-stamped the appointment at a meeting of the council this evening (January 13).

January 13, 2022
Taxi drivers in short supply in Cheshire East after 150 quit in pandemic

Taxi drivers in short supply in Cheshire East after 150 quit in pandemic

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Taxi drivers are in short supply across Crewe and Nantwich after nearly 150 quit when their trade was badly affected by the pandemic.

Kim Evans, licensing team leader at Cheshire East Council, said this was a regional and national issue and London was down by about 4,000 drivers.

January 13, 2022
Barony Sports complex in Nantwich

Residents urged to air views on Barony Park masterplan in Nantwich

Nantwich residents are being urged to have their say on a masterplan of ideas for the town’s Barony Park.

Cheshire East Council, Nantwich Town Council, the Friends of the Barony and Nantwich in Bloom have developed the “vision” for future improvements to the community space.

January 11, 2022
CEC launches new project funds in Cheshire East Crowd scheme

CEC launches new project funds in Cheshire East Crowd scheme

Community-led projects in Crewe and Nantwich could cash in on new funding under a Cheshire East Council digital crowd-funding initiative.

The Cheshire East Crowd aims to encourage, support and create projects that will make a difference in the borough.

January 10, 2022