By Stephen Topping, local democracy reporter
New independent councillors are gearing up for the start of a new era at Cheshire East Council.
The Independent Group has agreed to form a cabinet with Labour in 2019-20, with a view towards ditching the cabinet system next year and replacing it with cross-party committees – something the group began calling for last year through the Change Cheshire East campaign.
The new Conservative Group leader in Cheshire East said it was “disappointing” that Labour and Independents have agreed to team up and take over the authority.
Cllr Janet Clowes, who represents Wybunbury, reacted after it emerged earlier today (May 13) that Labour and Independents would join together to run Cheshire East Council.
By Stephen Topping
Labour and the independent group are set to confirm an agreement for running Cheshire East Council over the next four years.
A decade of Conservative rule came to an end following the May 2 elections, as the party lost its majority on the council.
By Stephen Topping, local democracy reporter
Brexit’s role in the demise of Cheshire East Council’s Conservative group has been downplayed by their political rivals.
The Tories suffered a shock loss of control, ending with 34 CEC members – eight short of the number needed for a majority – with Labour on 25, Independents on 19 and Liberal Democrats on four.
Conservatives have lost control of Cheshire East Council after the local elections as they felt the backlash from disgruntled voters.
The Tories retained Nantwich South and Stapeley, as well as rural wards such as Audlem, Wrenbury, Bunbury, Wybunbury and Willaston.
Thursday May 2 could be a turning point in local politics.
Borough, town and parish council elections will provide the ‘fall out’ – if any – from Brexit among voters in Cheshire and across the UK.
By Stephen Topping, local democracy reporter
The full list of candidates for next month’s Cheshire East Council elections have been confirmed.
Voters will head to the polls on Thursday May 2 to decide who they want to represent them on the borough council for the next four years.
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.
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.
Crewe & Nantwich Labour MP Laura Smith has called for the first General Strike in the UK for more than 90 years.
In a speech given last night at the Momentum’s World Transformed festival, Ms Smith said the action would bring down the Conservative government.
By Stephen Topping
A Labour member is calling on Cheshire East Council to make sure it has a voice if gas firms apply to frack on the borough’s land.
Cllr Nick Mannion, member for Macclesfield West and Ivy, told Thursday’s full council meeting that CEC should challenge the Government over its policy to make decisions on fracking sites that go against the wishes of both communities and local planning authorities.
By Stephen Topping
The head of planning at Cheshire East Council has hit back at claims that fewer homes should be built in the borough over the next 12 years.
Cheshire East adopted its Local Plan for up to 2030 last July, complete with the promise to deliver 1,800 new homes every year.
Crewe & Nantwich MP Laura Smith has quit as Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office to vote against remaining in the European Economic Area (EEA).
Laura Smith, MP for Crewe and Nantwich, announced her decision to resign in order to vote against remaining in the EEA after the UK leaves the European Union.
Recent Comments