Politics

Cheshire East Council Tax could rise by another 3% in 2019

Cheshire East Council Tax could rise by another 3% in 2019

Council taxpayers across Nantwich and Crewe could face another 2.99% Council Tax rise from April 2019 under draft proposals by Cheshire East Council.

The authority has unveiled its Pre-Budget Consultation Report for 2019 to 2022.

October 24, 2018
£350,000 overspend on replacement wheelie bins in Cheshire East

£350,000 overspend on replacement wheelie bins in Cheshire East

By Stephen Topping, local democracy reporter
A controversial new bin charge is necessary as Cheshire East Council has overspent on replacement bins by £350,000 so far this year, its leader claims.

Cllr Rachel Bailey, Conservative leader of the council, was challenged at a full council meeting on Thursday over the decision to begin implementing a charge for new and replacement wheelie bins from next Tuesday.

October 21, 2018
Cheshire East Council faced 360 pothole claims in just three months

Cheshire East Council faced 360 pothole claims in just three months

By Stephen Topping, local democracy reporter
An additional £1 million will be spent patching up potholes after Cheshire East Council faced more than 360 new insurance claims between April and June.

A report issued at Thursday’s full council meeting said that following a harsh winter, there were 368 new insurance claims against the council in the first quarter of 2018-19.

October 20, 2018
Cheshire East Local Plan may need revisit if HS2 hits Cheshire

Cheshire East Local Plan may need revisit if HS2 hits Cheshire

By Stephen Topping, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council chiefs could be forced to review their local plan if MPs give the green light for HS2 to hit Cheshire.

The authority adopted its local plan strategy for up to 2030 last July – three years after it was told to go back to the drawing board after submitting its first draft to the planning inspectorate.

October 17, 2018
MP Laura Smith’s office becomes Referral Unit for Nantwich Foodbank

MP Laura Smith’s office becomes Referral Unit for Nantwich Foodbank

MP Laura Smith’s constituency office has become an official Referral Unit for Nantwich Foodbank.

The charity fears more residents will have to be referred to the Foodbank ahead of plans for the next stage of Universal Credit.

October 16, 2018
New code of practice to end “Bodge job” pothole repairs in Cheshire East

New code of practice to end “Bodge job” pothole repairs in Cheshire East

By Stephen Topping, local democracy reporter
Councillors and officers at Cheshire East are hopeful a new code of practice will mean the end of ‘bodge job’ pothole repairs on major roads.

Cheshire East Council is set to adopt a new code of practice for road maintenance – called the Well Managed Highway Infrastructure – in line with Government guidelines introduced two years ago.

October 16, 2018
Cheshire Police could axe 250 officers to meet budget cut pressures

Cheshire Police could axe 250 officers to meet budget cut pressures

Cheshire Police chiefs warned today they may be forced to reduce police officer numbers by 250 over the next two years as it faces further budget cuts.

It comes as forces like Cheshire Constabulary are under increasing Government pressure to make more savings.

October 15, 2018
Cheshire East Council facing £5.3 million budget shortfall, says review

Cheshire East Council facing £5.3 million budget shortfall, says review

By Aran Dhillon, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council could be forced to introduce a number of “realistic” saving measures to address a budget shortfall of £5.3 million.

The mid-year review of performance – discussed by the Cabinet during yesterday’s meeting – outlines how the authority is providing “value for money” services.

October 10, 2018
Cheshire East lost 600 hectares of greenbelt under new Local Plan

Cheshire East lost 600 hectares of greenbelt under new Local Plan

New Government figures show that Cheshire East lost the third-biggest amount of greenbelt land out of 10 English boroughs to adopt new local plans last year, writes Stephen Topping.

October 8, 2018
Conservative candidate Philip Staley wins Nantwich South election

Conservative candidate Philip Staley wins Nantwich South election

Conservative candidate Philip Staley has been elected to Nantwich Town Council to represent Nantwich South.

Mr Staley polled 602 votes in yesterday’s election, ahead of Labour’s Richard Banks (395) and Independent candidate Riddell Graham (304).

October 5, 2018
Cheshire East Council Leader says residents need to be “more responsible” with wheelie bins

Cheshire East Council Leader says residents need to be “more responsible” with wheelie bins

By Stephen Topping, local democracy reporter
The leader of Cheshire East Council has backed a new replacement wheelie bin charge – and says residents need to “take greater responsibility” for their bins!

Cllr Rachel Bailey insists the controversial new wheelie bin charge is necessary to maintain what she claims is the borough’s “excellent waste and recycling services”.

October 4, 2018
Independent councillors call on residents to back “Change Cheshire East” petition

Independent councillors call on residents to back “Change Cheshire East” petition

By Stephen Topping
Independent members of Cheshire East Council are calling on residents to get behind a petition which could shake up the way decisions are made.

The group – which includes 13 councillors – has launched the ‘Change Cheshire East’ campaign to give councillors of all political persuasions a bigger voice.

October 3, 2018
Nantwich Town Council election: Conservative candidate statement

Nantwich Town Council election: Conservative candidate statement

Nantwich residents will go to the polls this week to elect a new town councillor to represent Nantwich South, after the recent death of Cllr Norma Simpson.

There are three candidates in the election, which will be held this Thursday October 4 – Richard Banks (Labour); Riddell Graham (Independent); Philip Staley (Conservative). Voters can cast votes between 7am and 10pm at Brookfield Hall, Shrewbridge Road.

October 2, 2018