Politics

Councillors warn of “county lines” drug impact on Cheshire East communities

Councillors warn of “county lines” drug impact on Cheshire East communities

By Stephen Topping, local democracy reporter
Councillors have warned that “county lines” drug dealing is beginning to have a serious effect on communities across Cheshire East.

County lines is the practice of urban drug dealers using children to sell drugs in rural areas, villages and smaller towns.

January 29, 2019
Councillor says £152,000 anti-bullying consultancy scheme at Cheshire East IS helping

Councillor says £152,000 anti-bullying consultancy scheme at Cheshire East IS helping

By Stephen Topping
A senior councillor has moved to reassure Cheshire East Council’s opposition leader that a costly workplace culture scheme is tackling bullying at the local authority.

Cheshire East Council paid consultancy firm Sticky Change £152,460 to help it work on a ‘brighter future together’ programme during 2018-19 – a scheme designed to improve the local authority’s workplace culture.

January 27, 2019
Cheshire East draws up “lessons learned” after spate of employment tribunals

Cheshire East draws up “lessons learned” after spate of employment tribunals

By Stephen Topping
Twenty-six ‘lessons learned’ – including issues surrounding whistle-blowing – have been considered by Cheshire East Council following recent employment tribunals.

The local authority has dealt with six employment tribunal claims in the past 12 months at a cost of £75,400 – and that figure is due to rise, with two of those claims still ongoing.

January 25, 2019
Cheshire East potholes deeper than most before intervention, study shows

Cheshire East potholes deeper than most before intervention, study shows

By Stephen Topping, local democracy reporter
Potholes need to be deeper in Cheshire East than in most other British boroughs before the council intervenes, a new study has found.

The RAC Foundation submitted Freedom of Information requests to each local authority in September 2018, and 190 responded with enough data for the charity’s research.

January 24, 2019
Nantwich and Dzierżoniów to sign new Friendship agreement

Nantwich and Dzierżoniów to sign new Friendship agreement

Nantwich is welcoming visitors from Dzierżoniów to sign a new Friendship agreement.

The development of twinning links between towns in the UK and European towns began in the 1950s with educational exchange visits a key element of agreements.

January 24, 2019
Cheshire East Council failing to inspect food outlets in time, figures show

Cheshire East Council failing to inspect food outlets in time, figures show

By Stephen Topping, local democracy reporter
More than one in 10 Cheshire East pubs, restaurants, takeaways or grocery stores requiring inspection at least every two years is not being checked on time.

Cheshire East Council says staff vacancies are to blame for missing the target on food hygiene ratings in the first half of 2018-19.

January 21, 2019
Nantwich residents blast Cheshire East Council over late delivery of paid-for wheelie bins

Nantwich residents blast Cheshire East Council over late delivery of paid-for wheelie bins

Angry Nantwich residents have rubbished Cheshire East Council for delays to the delivery of new wheelie bins they’ve had to fork out for.

The new £30 wheelie bin charge was brought in late last year, which families moving in to new developments like Stapeley Gardens and Kingsbourne are paying.

January 19, 2019
House of Commons Speaker John Bercow takes Brexit break to visit Nantwich!

House of Commons Speaker John Bercow takes Brexit break to visit Nantwich!

All ‘ayes’ were on John Bercow today when the Speaker of the House of Commons took a break from the chaos of Brexit and Parliament – to visit Nantwich and Crewe.

Mr Bercow took time out after being invited to South Cheshire by Crewe & Nantwich Labour MP Laura Smith.

January 18, 2019
A500 dualling project in South Cheshire moves step closer

A500 dualling project in South Cheshire moves step closer

By Stephen Topping, local democracy reporter
Dualling of the A500 road between Crewe and the M6 motorway has moved a step closer to reality.

Cheshire East Council’s cabinet, at a meeting on Tuesday, gave its endorsement for work to progress on the scheme between junction 16 and the Meremoss roundabout.

January 17, 2019
Vision for Nantwich unveils hotel, shops and apartments plan for St Anne’s Lane

Vision for Nantwich unveils hotel, shops and apartments plan for St Anne’s Lane

Detailed plans have been submitted to turn the St Anne’s Lane former gasworks site in Nantwich into a riverside hotel, shops and apartments complex.

The proposal, put forward by Vision for Nantwich Ltd, would see two main four-storey blocks built either side of the extension to Wyche House Bank.

January 13, 2019
Cheshire East charges fifth highest fee for bulky waste collections in North West

Cheshire East charges fifth highest fee for bulky waste collections in North West

Cheshire East Council charges one of the highest amounts in the North West for bulky household waste collections, an investigation has shown.

The BBC Shared Data Unit report shows CEC charging an average of £13.30 per item – or £40 for 3 items – which makes it the fifth most costly authority of 39 in the North West.

January 10, 2019
Almost 300 respond to Cheshire East Council car parking fee rise proposals

Almost 300 respond to Cheshire East Council car parking fee rise proposals

Almost 300 responses were made to Cheshire East Council’s public consultation over plans to increase car parking charges in the borough.

Under the plans, hourly parking rates could be increased by 10p on council-owned car parks, and residential parking permits will also go up.

January 9, 2019
Nantwich Mayor joins campaign over fracking planning loophole

Nantwich Mayor joins campaign over fracking planning loophole

Nantwich Mayor and town councillor David Marren has joined 800 others across the UK to fight a Government bid to make easier planning regulations for fracking companies.

Under the proposals, fracking firms wishing to carry out exploratory drilling in areas of Cheshire will not have to obtain planning permission from local authorities.

January 8, 2019