Politics

Nine in 10 over 75s in Cheshire receive first Covid vaccine dose

Nine in 10 over 75s in Cheshire receive first Covid vaccine dose

By Ethan Davies, local democracy reporter
Nearly nine in 10 of Cheshire and Merseyside’s over-75 population received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine by the end of last month.

That’s according to the latest weekly data released by NHS England today (February 4).

February 4, 2021
Council Tax 4.99% rise moves step closer for Cheshire East residents

Council Tax 4.99% rise moves step closer for Cheshire East residents

By Ethan Davies, local democracy reporter
Financial plans which would see residents pay 4.99% more council tax next year have moved a step closer to final sign-off.

Councillors voted yesterday (February 2) to send the authority’s budget for full council approval later this month.

February 3, 2021
Leighton Hospital emergency department set for expansion

Leighton Hospital emergency department set for expansion

By Ethan Davies, local democracy reporter
Leighton Hospital’s emergency department could soon expand by more than 4,000 square metres.

Health chiefs have submitted a planning application to add a two-storey modular extension to the site’s accident and emergency department, which will be installed in the car park.

February 1, 2021
Cheshire East seeks to expand community Covid-19 testing in borough

Cheshire East seeks to expand community Covid-19 testing in borough

By Ethan Davies, local democracy reporter
Talks are ongoing between Cheshire East Council and the government over expanding community Covid-19 testing in the borough.

Professor Rod Thomson, public health consultant for CEC, revealed that the authority has ‘an expression of interest with the Department for Health and Social Care to allow those individuals who have to leave home for work’ more access to community testing.

January 31, 2021
MPs welcome more officers for Cheshire as PCC approves policing budget

MPs welcome more officers for Cheshire as PCC approves policing budget

MPs in Cheshire have welcomed a police recruitment drive which they say has resulted in an “additional” 91 police officers on the streets.

It comes as Cheshire’s PCC David Keane also this week approved a 2021-22 budget to recruit another 88 officers by raising the policing precept of Council Tax by £1.25 per month for Band D property holders.

January 30, 2021
Cheshire East opposition leader slams council for “not sharing” budget plans

Cheshire East opposition leader slams council for “not sharing” budget plans

By Ethan Davies, local democracy reporter
Crucial Cheshire East Council budget plans were not shared with other councillors before going public, according to opposition leader Janet Clowes.

The council’s Labour-Independent cabinet revealed its proposed medium term financial strategy (MTFS) yesterday (January 26), which outlines the authority’s spending plans from 2021-25.

January 27, 2021
Residents face 4.99% Council Tax increase from Cheshire East Council

Residents face 4.99% Council Tax increase from Cheshire East Council

By Ethan Davies, local democracy reporter
Residents in Nantwich are set to pay nearly 5% more Council Tax in 2021/22 than they did this year.

Cheshire East Council has released its final draft of the authority’s Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), which lays out the borough’s spending and tax plans from 2021-25.

January 26, 2021
Youngsters call for new Barony skatepark in Nantwich backed by MP

Youngsters call for new Barony skatepark in Nantwich backed by MP

Youngsters in Nantwich fighting for swifter action to install a new Barony skatepark have been backed by MP Dr Kieran Mullan.

The skate park was dismantled several months ago by Cheshire East Council due to “safety concerns” but the authority has not announced when it will be replaced.

January 26, 2021
10% in Cheshire East vaccinated as mass county vaccination centre considered

10% in Cheshire East vaccinated as mass county vaccination centre considered

Ten per cent of Cheshire East residents have ‘already’ had their first Covid-19 vaccination dose, according to Cheshire East Council leader Sam Corcoran.

His comments come as it emerged health chiefs are looking into opening a mass Covid-19 vaccination centre for Cheshire.

January 22, 2021
Drop in timely health checks on children cared for by Cheshire East

Drop in timely health checks on children cared for by Cheshire East

By Ethan Davies, local democracy reporter
The number of health checks on vulnerable children in Cheshire East Council care within 20 days plummeted last year, it has been revealed.

One of Cheshire East’s key performance indicators for its care of vulnerable children is the proportion of initial health assessment requests made within 20 days for a child when they enter CEC’s care.

January 22, 2021
Decision on 2021 Nantwich Food Festival to be made by Easter

Decision on 2021 Nantwich Food Festival to be made by Easter

A decision on how this year’s Nantwich Food Festival will be run is likely to be made by Easter, said councillors and organisers.

The popular three-day festival brings tens of thousands of visitors to the town in early September.

January 20, 2021
“No evidence” primary pupils are Covid super-spreaders, says CEC leader

“No evidence” primary pupils are Covid super-spreaders, says CEC leader

By Ethan Davies, local democracy reporter
There is “no evidence” primary school children are “silent spreaders” of Covid-19, says Cheshire East Council’s leader.

Cllr Sam Corcoran, who made the comment, has also repeated criticism of the government’s NHS Test & Trace service.

January 20, 2021
Nantwich town centre benches could be removed to target lockdown breaches

Nantwich town centre benches could be removed to target lockdown breaches

Councillors could be forced to remove town centre benches in Nantwich amid fears too many people are not following Covid lockdown guidelines.

The concerns were discussed tonight (January 14) by Nantwich Town Council, after residents and traders raised fears about lack of social distancing.

January 14, 2021