Politics

CEC pays for 3,000 mobile phones with 500 unused, says councillor

CEC pays for 3,000 mobile phones with 500 unused, says councillor

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council has been paying for 3,000 mobile phones for its staff but 500 of those have not been used for several months, a councillor said.

Cllr James Pearson, of Wrenbury Ward, also said the council had now put a phone “amnesty box” inside a staff entrance at Westfields.

December 1, 2023
Cheshire East Council to close its Westfields headquarters

Cheshire East Council to close its Westfields headquarters

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council is to press ahead with plans to close its Westfields headquarters at Sandbach.

The corporate policy committee voted unanimously yesterday (November 30) to close the building to save money.

December 1, 2023
Cheshire East appoints Rob Polkinghorne as new permanent chief executive

Cheshire East appoints Rob Polkinghorne as new permanent chief executive

Cheshire East Council is set to appoint Rob Polkinghorne as its new permanent chief executive, the authority has announced today.

The council’s appointments committee is due to recommend Mr Polkinghorne as the preferred candidate in a report to full council.

November 30, 2023
CEC councillors urged to report threats to Police Commissioner

CEC councillors urged to report threats to Police Commissioner

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Councillors being threatened and harassed on social media or in person are being urged to speak directly to Cheshire’s police commissioner if complaints to local officers aren’t being followed up.

Police and crime commissioner John Dwyer has said he will be speaking to the Chief Constable about the growing problem.

November 27, 2023
Cheshire East backs moves to increase more care housing for elderly

Cheshire East backs moves to increase more care housing for elderly

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council is backing moves to support the development of more affordable extra care housing as the borough’s ageing population grows.

Extra care housing (ECH) is specifically designed to support older people to remain independent for as long as possible but also to support them as their care needs increase.

November 24, 2023
More delays for 200 families living on contaminated land in Crewe

More delays for 200 families living on contaminated land in Crewe

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
More than 200 families must continue living in homes with no planning permission after Cheshire East’s environmental health officer revealed there were ‘inconsistencies’ in a developer’s information about land contamination.

Environmental health officer Niall Martin told the council’s strategic planning board yesterday (November 22), although there was no evidence of hazard to human health at the recently built Coppenhall Place in Crewe, a check of some gardens this week had revealed there was rubble of a type which should not be there.

November 23, 2023
Connor Naismith

Fears for Crewe and Nantwich after missing out on Levelling Up funds

The Government is “giving up” on Crewe and Nantwich rather than “levelling up”, claims the constituency’s Labour candidate.

Connor Naismith hit out after the recipients of Round 3 of the Levelling Up Fund was unveiled – with Cheshire East Council’s bids missing out.

November 22, 2023
Cllr Janet Clowes

Bid to build Nantwich holiday lodges backed by CEC planners

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Plans to build five holiday lodges in open countryside near Nantwich have been recommended for approval by planners, despite objections from residents and parish councillors.

The scheme is earmarked for land at Fletchers Pool, off Bridgemere Lane at Hunsterson.

November 21, 2023
CEC hold safeguarding review after death of Slovakian man

CEC hold safeguarding review after death of Slovakian man

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council is planning a register of multi-language speakers after a vulnerable non-English speaking man who hadn’t eaten for two weeks was found dead at his home.

The 64-year-old Slovakian man, referred to as Anton, had died of pneumonia.

November 20, 2023
Residents on contaminated estate could seek judicial review

Residents on contaminated estate could seek judicial review

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Residents whose new homes are unsaleable because of developer and council failures over contaminated land issues, could seek a judicial review if Cheshire East grants planning permission for the scheme.

The recently built 263-home Coppenhall Place, on the site of the former Crewe Works off West Street, was granted planning permission in 2018.

November 18, 2023
Cheshire East u-turn set over fines for drivers with idling engines

Cheshire East u-turn set over fines for drivers with idling engines

By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council looks set to do a U-turn and scrap plans to fine drivers who sit in stationary vehicles with their engines running.

Just 12 months ago the highways and transport committee voted to adopt legal powers to crack down on the polluting practice.

November 17, 2023
Cheshire East highways to get £110 million to repair potholes, says Government

Cheshire East highways to get £110 million to repair potholes, says Government

Cheshire East highways are to receive £110 million over next 10 years to repair the borough’s crumbling road network, the Government has announced.

The money comes from the £1.2 billion set aside for the North West region to resurface the road network, redirected from the now scrapped HS2 rail project.

November 17, 2023
CEC to shelve original Royal Arcade development plans in Crewe

CEC to shelve original Royal Arcade development plans in Crewe

Cheshire East has shelved its original plans to develop Crewe’s Royal Arcade because of soaring costs, writes Belinda Ryan.

And instead it will look at temporarily using the site for “meanwhile uses” to attract footfall into the town.

November 15, 2023