By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
The cost of transporting children to school in Cheshire East is still on the rise, despite attempts by the council to bring it down.
The spiralling cost of school transport is one of the reasons the council is facing a predicted £7m overspend in children’s services at the end of this financial year.
So, you have finally decided to go it alone rather that making someone else rich and we have to say, you are not alone in your desire to run your own business.
There are few incentives to stay in fixed employment if you are not making progress or if your employer does not appreciate your hard work.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
The closure of Cheshire East’s school meals service is causing “real distress” to some headteachers and one small school faces losing a full-time staff member.
The council’s children and families committee voted last month to close its loss-making school meals service next April, saying it could no longer afford to subsidise it to the tune of approximately £515,000.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cash-strapped Cheshire East Council could be looking to close four of its libraries to cut costs, campaigners fear.
It is feared that the libraries at Alderley Edge, Bollington, Disley and Handforth are all under threat of closure from next year.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Adult social care costs are rocketing in Cheshire East with some needs so complex it can cost about £9,000 a week for one person, councillors were told.
Jill Broomhall, director of adults and social care, said the average age of people being assessed for care need in the borough was 89.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East could slash travel expense costs, save time and reduce its carbon footprint if fewer officers and visiting councillors attended meetings in person, the deputy leader said.
Cllr Craig Browne questioned why some of the council’s officers could not attend meetings remotely.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East’s plans to delay building a new Nantwich school for a year because of spiralling costs could actually end up costing the council more, councillors said.
Planning permission was granted in June for the new 210-pupil Kingsbourne Academy on the Kingsley Fields development.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council may be forced to run its own care homes for the first time in decades as the price of commissioning private sector services is spiralling.
The council recently forecast a budget shortfall of £18.7m by the end of this financial year.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East Council has not priced up the costs of introducing charges on its free car parks – including having to buy and install meters.
The council is currently consulting with the public on proposals to introduce charges on most of its free car parks and to hike up the fees on most of those which already have pay and display, including Nantwich.
We’ve all experienced it: lugging around a hefty suitcase as we attempt to navigate the busy streets of an unfamiliar city.
The exhausting act of carrying your luggage can indeed make sightseeing less enjoyable.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Cheshire East is to increase the mileage rate for families whose children qualify for free home-to-school travel in an attempt to slash nearly £450,000 off school transport costs.
The council offers personal travel budgets (PTB) to some parents whose children are eligible for free transport.
Ministers have agreed to delay the second of HS2 between Crewe and Birmingham amid soaring costs for the controversial high speed railway.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said they will now prioritise the opening section, which means the completion and opening of Phase 2a to Crewe could be delayed by up to two years.
By Belinda Ryan, local democracy reporter
Care at home providers have received an extra 14% towards their fees from Cheshire East Council this year to cover spiralling costs.
Cheshire East had already agreed to increase the amount it pays providers by 6% earlier this year.
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