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Monday 28 September 2015

Letter for publication from the Leader of Cheshire East Council:

 

Dear Residents,
I recently returned from China, following a ministerial visit along with the leaders of Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds and Newcastle councils.
China is the second largest economy in the world and will grow by the size of Germany's economy again in the next ten years.
China is a wonder of achievement, building 17,000 km of high-speed rail in the last ten years and skyscrapers that dwarf New York’s.
So why did I go? Firstly, to support the Northern Powerhouse,  it is essential that we rebalance the UK economy as London overheats and the North has the skills base and appetite to attract investment into our growing economies.
Cheshire is the gateway to the Northern Powerhouse and we are already doing well with record low levels of unemployment and our companies are doing well – very well – and that is an important message I took to China. I believe that Cheshire has the best economy in the North, especially with our northern science corridor and our manufacturing excellence throughout the borough.
One of the key sites that the trip marketed was the Alderley Park bio-science park, which went down very well with potential investors.
Once the decision on the HS2 northern hub is announced, hopefully at Crewe, then there will be a whole range of new sites across Cheshire and potentially Staffordshire that could attract investors from China.
China, as the major exporting economy to the world, has billions of pounds worth of foreign currency to invest as well as a market of 1.5 billion people for our companies to sell into.
Because of the trip, Cheshire East was introduced to many key investors  and, for many of our companies, we have started a process they will be able to utilise to attract investment – and that should mean more jobs, more wealth across the borough.
It was an exhausting trip, three cities and six flights in six days – but it does illuminate the scale of opportunity for our employers and, potentially, to the Council.
The final message I give is that it was amazing to see how quickly major investment decisions can be made – and delivered – in China.

I do not, of course, suggest that we copy their approach, but it is nevertheless impressive and does show what people and a nation can do when they put there mind to it. I do support this kind of energy and delivery. However, a plan-led approach and thorough public consultation is the right way for us here in the UK.
So, a fascinating six days, lessons learnt and questions posed. We will need to think more about the opportunities but it was well worth a visit and hopefully the start of more jobs and wealth for the whole of Cheshire East and beyond.
Michael Jones

SWIMMING SUCCESS FOR SEAHORSE

 

Seahorse Swimming Club was crowned with the Frank Hough Trophy as overall winners at the Halliwick Regional Gala on 26th September 2015, winning eight gold and four silver medals in a close contest at Crewe Baths against their rivals, Aquadis (Ellesmere Port) and Sailfin (Sale).

The gala, which was held for people with disabilities, was attended by Crewe Town Councillors Suzanne Brookfield and Jill Rhodes, who presented medals and trophies to the winners. They were both thrilled to see the swimmers competing to such a high standard with plenty of determination, enthusiasm and effort.

Seahorse Chairman Rob Dutton said: "All the swimmers have done themselves and the Club proud, this is testament to all the hard work they have put into the sessions over the last few months. It was another successful gala from a swimming prospective and a big thank you to all the volunteers that give their time and effort to support the running of the club and the gala on the night."

All gold medal winners qualify to represent the North West Region at the Halliwick National Gala in Hull on 17th October 2015.

Seahorse medal winners:

Paul Edwards, Sean Savage, Ben Triner - silver in the League Relay
Colette Tyre - gold in the Girls 25m
Adrian Price - silver in the Boys 25m
Ben Triner - gold in the Men’s 25m
Shea Dutton - silver in the Boys 50m
Erin Yoxall - gold in the Girls 50m
Neil Jones - gold in the Men’s 50m
Adrian Price - gold in the Boys 100m
Hollie Cooke - gold in the Girls 100m
Callum Kent - gold in the Men's 100m
Colette Tyre, Shea Dutton, Sam Foster, Erin Yoxall - silver in the Junior Relay
Paul Edwards, Neil Jones, Ben Triner, Sean Savage - gold in the Senior Relay

DSCN6835

Sunday 27 September 2015

Landlords invited to link up with Council and benefit from new incentives

 

Private landlords with properties in Cheshire East can now access Cheshire East Council’s private sector liaison service, which will give them access to expert advice on all aspects of renting their properties.

The Council will launch its new service at a special event in Sandbach on October 3.

Staff from the Council’s private sector liaison service will be on hand to meet property owners and explain the opportunities available for working with the authority to help individuals and families in search of a new home.

The ‘private landlord offer’ promotes the Council’s rent bond scheme, the landlord accreditation scheme and provides guidance on the Council’s Cheshire Homechoice website, which can be used to advertise properties. 

The Council will offer various incentives to encourage property owners to rent rooms, flats and houses to those in urgent need of housing, including residents seeking larger or smaller accommodation for family reasons.

The support offered will be exclusive to those landlords wishing to sign up to the ‘landlord offer.’

Cllr Ainsley Arnold, Cabinet member for housing and planning said: “This is an important event and I do hope as many private landlords will attend as possible.

“As an authority we wish to work with them in a mutually beneficial way in order to establish a good standard of accommodation in the housing market, assist them to meet those standards and provide them with assistance and incentives to help us to minimise any housing issues that face us anywhere in the Borough.”

Representatives from the National Landlords Association and the Residential Landlords Association will also be present, along with staff from a number of related Council services including housing benefit, private sector housing and community safety.

The event takes place at the Wesley Centre, Wesley Avenue, Sandbach from 1.30pm to 3pm.

As the event is taking place on a Saturday, it will be themed as a family occasion with children’s activities, free refreshments and a prize draw.

Landlords wishing to attend should contact Diane Cummings on 01625 378207, diane.cummings@cheshireeast.gov.uk

The LATH (Looking After The Homeless)

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

The LATH (Looking After The Homeless) group invite you to 'A Gala Autumn Concert' on Friday 16th October 2015 (commencing 7:30pm) at Wistaston Memorial Hall, Church Lane, Wistaston, CW2 8ER.

The concert will feature The Ukey Monster as the headline act, plus a full programme of exciting entertainment, including some excellent youth talent.

Tickets = £6 (concessions £5).

There will also be a raffle and free light refreshments.

For further information please phone 07880 933 909.

http://www.lathgroup.org.uk/

The annual 'Wheels of War: Past & Present'

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston.

The annual 'Wheels of War: Past & Present' classic military vehicle show took place on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th September 2015 at Crewe Heritage Centre on Vernon Way in Crewe. There was also a 40's dance night with the VCO Big Band on Saturday night. The show featured military vehicle displays, trade stalls, model displays, a tombola, miniature railway and static locomotive displays. It was organised by Crewe & District Military Vehicle Club http://www.cdmvc.co.uk in support of Help for Heroes http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk

A visitor views a military vehicle displayWheels of War Past and Present classic military vehicle  show

Wednesday 23 September 2015

Benefit cheats brought to book over £60,000 fraud scams

 

Three fraudsters who falsely claimed a total of more than £60,000 in benefits have been successfully prosecuted by Cheshire East Council.

The trio of cheats will now have to repay in full all the benefits they obtained by deception.

Claire Clements, of Talke Road, Alsager, pleaded guilty before South and East Cheshire Magistrates Court, sitting at Crewe (on September 11, 2015), to falsely receiving housing benefit, Council Tax benefit and income support totalling more than £30,000 to which she was not entitled.

Clements, 41, had claimed the benefits on the basis that she was on a low income. However, an investigation by Cheshire East Council’s benefit fraud investigation team found she had received a financial settlement payment of £42,000 in June 2010, which she had not declared to benefit officials.

In failing to declare this, Clements fraudulently received £31,554 in state benefits in total from Cheshire East Council, Newcastle-under-Lyme Council and the Department for Work and Pensions.

Magistrates sentenced Clements to 24 weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months and ordered her to do 120 hours’ unpaid community work.

She was also ordered to pay £701 court costs and a £80 victims’ surcharge and will have to repay in full the overpaid benefits.

In a separate prosecution, Diane Scott, of Marple Crescent, Crewe, pleaded guilty before Crewe magistrates (September 9), to obtaining housing benefit to which she was not entitled.

Scott, 51, had falsely claimed the benefits saying she was on a low income. However, an investigation by Cheshire East Council’s benefit fraud investigation team discovered Scott had failed to declare her ownership of a property and the rental income she received.

In failing to declare this, she was overpaid state benefits totalling £9,174 over a period of two and a half years.

Magistrates sentenced Scott to do 120 hours of unpaid community work and ordered her to pay prosecution costs of £550 and a £60 victim surcharge. In addition, she will have to repay in full all the benefits she fraudulently received.

In another prosecution, Kirsty Towers, of Moss Drive, Middlewich, pleaded guilty before Crewe magistrates (on September 11, 2015) to three charges of failing to report her earnings in relation to her claims for housing benefit, Council Tax benefit and Council Tax support.

An investigation by Cheshire East Council’s benefit fraud investigation team found Towers had received £19,962 in benefits to which she was not entitled.

Magistrates sentenced Towers to do 120 hours’ unpaid community work and ordered her to pay court costs of £650 and a victim surcharge of £60. In addition, she will have to repay in full the benefits she fraudulently obtained.

All three prosecutions were brought by Cheshire East Council’s legal team.

Councillor Les Gilbert, Cheshire East Council’s Cabinet member for communities, said: “Benefit fraud will not be tolerated. We are an enforcing Council and we are determined to stop fraudsters from helping themselves to money that belongs to law-abiding members of the public.

“The defendants in these cases thought they could get away with claiming benefits they were not entitled to – but they were making a very big mistake and will find themselves worse off as a result.

“They have ended up with criminal convictions for a serious offence of dishonesty and now each face a big bill to repay the money they have fraudulently claimed.

“We have a zero-tolerance policy towards benefit fraud because we are determined to ensure that the benefits system works for people who really need help.”

Since January 1 this year, Cheshire East Council has uncovered more than £878,000 in benefit fraud and prosecutions have led to 28 criminal convictions.

The Council has also imposed 24 penalty notices and issued 24 cautions. All the fraudulently received monies are being recovered and repaid by the offenders.

If you think someone is committing benefit fraud, you can ring the confidential freephone fraud hotline on 0800 389 2787. You don’t have to give your name and your call will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Alternatively, you can report suspected fraud via the Council’s website at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

Council urges residents to sign up to Fairerpower as ‘Big Six’ tariffs come to end

 

As many fixed energy tariffs come to an end, Cheshire East Council is urging residents to sign up to Fairerpower and save up to £250 on their energy bills.

As the nights draw in and temperatures plummet both the central heating and  lights will be on for longer, meaning there’s a double hit on our energy consumption. As a result, customers could face a rise of more than £300 on their energy bills.

Up to 24 dual-fuel tariffs from the Big Six energy providers are coming to an end, which means the cost of energy could rise sharply for some people.

The good news though, is that in just 10 minutes you could save yourself around £249 (see note 1) if you pay monthly, or as much as £122 (see note 2) if you are on a pay as you go (PAYG) meter, by switching to Fairerpower.

Fairerpower is an energy initiative launched by the Council in March of this year in partnership with award-winning OVO Energy. It’s already attracted nearly 3,000 customers from across Cheshire East, who have collectively saved more than £600,000.

New Fairerpower customer Gill Barnes, from Crewe, said: “I had been with my previous supplier EON for six years, when I started thinking about changing supplier.

“I received a letter from Cheshire East Council announcing the launch of Fairerpower – I so thought I would give them a call to find out more.

“I always believed switching would be time consuming and difficult. However, it was really simple and straight forward. I was able to complete the switch over the phone and best of all, we are going to save money on our bill! Initial estimates show we should be saving about £140 per year, so I just need to think about how we will spend it now!”

Councillor Rod Menlove, chairman of Cheshire East Energy, said: “Now is the ideal time for people to spend just 10 minutes and check whether they could save themselves a lot of money. 

“Cheshire East Council does not believe people should be forced to choose between heating and eating. So far, 60 per cent of Fairerpower’s customers have never switched before.

“What we are saying is that if you just invest up to 10 minutes to get a quote from Fairerpower, then larger than average energy bills over the winter will be less of a worry.

“With Fairerpower they can be sure they are getting a much fairer price for their energy. For too long, people have been paying more for their energy than they should.”

Fairerpower pay monthly customers get:

● Potential average savings of £249 a year (see note 1);

● Ability to fix contracts for 12 months;

● No exit fees;

● Three per cent interest reward paid on all credit balances up to £1,000 (see note 3); and

● Award-winning customer service

Fairerpower PAYG customers get:

● Potential average savings of £122 a year (see note 2);

● Free energy monitor that shows credit and usage;

● Smart meter as standard; and

● Award-winning customer service

Cheshire East Council is also in discussions with housing associations to extend the benefits of fairer, competitively priced energy to even more residents.

To see how much you could save go to www.fairerpower.co.uk or call 0800 408 6701 (Pay monthly) or 0800 408 6705 (PAYG)

Tuesday 22 September 2015

Theft Appeal

Subject: Theft Appeal


This is a message sent via The Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network (England & Wales). This information has been sent on behalf of Cheshire Constabulary

(Please do not reply directly to this email, please use the Reply button at the bottom of this message)

Message sent by

Victoria Fearnley (Police, PCSO, Crewe LPU Centre PCSO)

Officers are appealing for any information following a theft of fishing equipment and a European Eagle Owl from Church Lane in Crewe. Officers are asking for anyone with information to call 101 incident number 106 of the 21/09. Please see attached picture

18117_Church_Lane_Owl

Beat Meetings

Subject: Beat Meetings


This is a message sent via The Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network (England & Wales). This information has been sent on behalf of Cheshire Constabulary

(Please do not reply directly to this email, please use the Reply button at the bottom of this message)

Message sent by

Victoria Fearnley (Police, PCSO, Crewe LPU Centre PCSO)

Local officers hold drop in and regular beat meetings in order for local residents to raise any concerns or issues with their local officers. Please see below for the latest upcoming meetings:
Monday 21st September 2015- PCSO Street
1400-1600 Wulvern Community Bungalow, Sherborne Road
23 September 2015 PCSO Meggs
10:00 - 11:00 at Alsager Library, Sandbach Road North, Alsager, Cheshire, ST7 2QH
25th September 2015 PCSO Fearnley
1300-1500 Bike Marking South Cheshire College
28 September 2015 Pc Moore Crewe Green Parish Council meeting
19:00 - 20:00 at Crewe Hall Hotel, Weston Road, Crewe CW1 6UZ
Monday 28th September-PCSO Street 
1400-1600 Wulvern Community Bungalow, Sherborne Road
October 2nd PCSO Fearnley
1000-1200 Bike Marking South Cheshire College
October 3rd 2015 PCSO Dean
1300-1500  Belong Village, Brookhouse Drive, Crewe, CW2 6NA
October 3rd 2015 PCSO Smith
1500-1600 at West Lodge, Queen’s Park,Victoria Ave,CW2 7SE
05 October 2015 PC Moore at Haslington Parish Council meeting
19:30 - 20:30 Yoxall Village Hall, Crewe Road, Haslington, CW1 5QY
6th October 2015 PCSO Levick
1030-1200 at Beachmere, Rolls Ave, Crewe, Cheshire CW1 3FT
7th October 2015 PCSO Moulton
1915-2030 Shavington Village Hall, Main Rd, Shavington
08 October 2015 PC Moore will be at Weston Parish Council Meeting
19:30 - 20:30 Weston Village Hall, Cemetery Road, Weston, CW2 5LQ
10th October 2015 PCSO Dean
1500-1600 Thorougoods, Manor Way, Crewe, CW2 6JU
Monday 12th October- PCSO Street
1400-1600 Wulvern Community Bungalow, Sherborne Road
13 October 2015 PCSO Fearnley
16:00 - 17:00 at Wishing Well, The Ludford Family Centre, c/o Victoria Community Centre, West Street
Crewe, Cheshire,CW1 2PZ
17th October 2015 PCSO Dean with Polish speaking volunteers.
1100-1300 at the Premier Shop, Edleston Road, Crewe, CW2  7EZ
October 24th 2015 PCSO Smith
1500-1600 at West Lodge, Queen’s Park,Victoria Ave,CW2 7SE
Monday 26th October- PCSO Street
1400-1600 Wulvern Community Bungalow, Sherborne Road

Cheshire East receives Sandbach Neighbourhood Plan – to boost protection from unsustainable development

 

Cheshire East Council is backing Sandbach’s efforts to prevent unsustainable and unplanned development.

The Council has now formally received Sandbach’s Neighbourhood Plan – the first from a town in Cheshire East.

It follows Council Leader Councillor Michael Jones support for a programme to enable communities to deliver neighbourhood plans across the Borough – to help shape development in the local area.

Neighbourhood Plans enable local people to have a say in the development they would like to see in the area in which they live.

Sandbach Town Council, which covers a semi-rural area with a population of 17,976, successfully applied for designation, which was approved by Cheshire East Council in October 2014.

The plan will now be the subject of a final six weeks of public consultation before being scrutinised by an appointed independent examiner.

A positive examiner’s report will then mean the plan can progress to a local referendum, when local people will be given the opportunity to vote and bring the plan into effect.

The policies in the Sandbach Neighbourhood Plan will then be given their full weight in deciding planning applications.

Cllr Ainsley Arnold, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member in charge of housing and planning, said: “Neighbourhood plans are an important tool to enable local people to develop policies to address planning matters that affect not only their interests but also their health and wellbeing.

“Neighbourhood plans are a key part of our commitment to putting ‘residents first’ – which is one of the Council’s key priorities – and we fully support communities in putting them in place.

“These plans allow communities to take ownership of local planning policy, which directly impacts on their lives.”

The Council is working with more than 20 communities to bring forward neighbourhood plans and is encouraging many more to do so.

Town Mayor Cllr Gillian Merry said:  “Sandbach Neighbourhood Development Plan has reached an important milestone as it progresses through formal planning requirements.

“Sandbach Town Council is grateful that the working group has pursued its project plan with enthusiasm and commitment. There is some way to go yet, but I am confident that in early 2016 we will have a Neighbourhood Development Plan we can all support.”

Cheshire Fire And Rescue Service September 2015 E-Newsletter

Subject: Cheshire Fire And Rescue Service September 2015 E-Newsletter - Firelink


This is a message sent via The Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network (England & Wales). This information has been sent on behalf of Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service

(Please do not reply directly to this email, please use the Reply button at the bottom of this message)

Message sent by

Ashley Lawton (Cheshire Fire , Administrator, Cheshire Fire)

Welcome to the September edition of the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service e-Newsletter.


Cheshire fire chiefs celebrate safety law success

Fire chiefs are celebrating after the Government approved new safety regulations which are expected to save dozens of lives a year. This follows a major campaign spearheaded by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The regulations - which make it compulsory for all landlords to fit smoke alarms in rented homes - follows a high profile campaign led by a team from Cheshire and supported by the Chief Fire Officers’ Association (CFOA).

Find out more - Cheshire fire chiefs celebrate safety law success


Partnership award for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service

Cheshire is one of three fire and rescue services to have received an award in recognition of their partnership work to reduce health inequalities.

Cheshire, Merseyside and West Midlands Fire and Rescue Services were all awarded Marmot Partnership Status following their efforts to improve the social circumstances and health of individuals living in their communities.

Find out more - Partnership award for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service


Penketh Fire Station is a step closer

Cheshire Fire Authority is a step closer to realising its ambition of a safer Cheshire after appointing the company to build Penketh’s new station. Members of the Authority awarded the contract to ISG Plc at their Policy and Overview Committee.

ISG, an international construction services company, is due to start construction of the fire station later this month. The lightweight steel frame structure, will include a green sedum roof to complement the station’s location and enhance the building’s sustainable credentials.

Find out more - Penketh Fire Station is a step closer


Bonfire Night - list of organised bonfires in Cheshire

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service would like to encourage residents to attend an organised bonfire this year, because most injuries throughout the bonfire period occur as a result of people building their own bonfires, and setting off their own fireworks.

If you would like to add a community bonfire to the list on our website, please email digital-media@cheshirefire.gov.uk

Find out more - Bonfire Night - list of organised bonfires in Cheshire


Fire Station open days

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service fire stations will be holding free fire station open days over the next couple of months.

Find out more - Fire Station open days

Find out about your local fire station - where it is, what open days or special events they are holding and how to get in contact with them.

Find out more - Your local fire station

Saturday 19 September 2015

125 Parish/Town Council seats are left unfilled in Cheshire East

 

                It is poor reflection on local democracy in Cheshire East that 125 Parish/Town Council seats are left unfilled in Cheshire East. That is despite all the seats being up for election in May this year.

I am calling on the Borough Council and the Town/Parish Councils concerned to do far more to advertise these vacancies on their web sites. Currently there is nothing on the Cheshire East website about these vacancies, so how are the public supposed to know about them? They should also be doing more to encourage people to stand. Parish/Town Councils are the important grassroots , first tier of Local Government in Cheshire and they  should  be a forceful voice for local people.

The vacancies can be filled via co-option. You need to live, work or own land/property within 3 miles of the Parish/Town boundary to be eligible to stand. If anyone is interested they need to apply to the Clerk of the Council concerned. I have attached a list of all the vacancies to this letter.

At the Parish/Town Council elections in May the vast majority of Parish/Town Councils did not have an election because there was not enough candidates to cause an election and this was true of previous elections.

Local democracy is not alive and well in Cheshire East and the Borough Council and the Parish/Town Councils with vacancies, should be doing a lot more to revive it,

Yours faithfully,

Cllr Brian Silvester

UKIP Rope Councillor

Green award for scheme that sends your old furniture to the needy

 

 

A scheme which provides a new home in the Borough for that old wardrobe or kitchen table has just won a major green award for the number of needy families it has helped across Cheshire East and further afield.

Supported by Cheshire East Council, the Cheshire Furniture Reuse Forum collects unwanted furniture and appliances and sells them at low cost to families and residents in need.

The forum collected 600 tonnes of items last year which then went to 13,000 households across the Borough and neighbouring Cheshire West and Chester.

The hard work of staff and volunteers has rewarded the forum with a Green Apple Environment Award for best practice.

The forum competed with 500 other nominations to secure the award, which will be officially recognised and presented at a special ceremony in the Houses of Parliament in November.

Cheshire East Council leader Michael Jones said: “The forum is to be congratulated on this fantastic achievement.

“It is a little-known organisation that carries out a very valuable service in our communities and should be supported at every opportunity.

“It also creates employment, placements and training opportunities for people.”

Cabinet member for regeneration and assets, Cllr Don Stockton, said: “I would urge our residents to think twice before disposing of their unwanted household items because here is an award-winning scheme which can direct reusable goods towards a needy family.

“We live in a disposable society and we should remember that so much of what we conveniently take to the local tip could easily be of use to another household some where.”

The Green Apple Awards, which began in 1994, are supported by the Environment Agency, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the Chartered Institution  for Waste Management and a number of other independent bodies.

The Cheshire Furniture Reuse Forum is supported by Cheshire East Council and delivered by its wholly-owned company ANSA Enivronmental Services in partnership with Cheshire West and Chester.

The forum has achieved a 22 per cent year on year increase in reuse, with recycling up by 50 per cent.

The number of households helped through the scheme has risen by 13 per cent, staff numbers have increased by 11 per cent and the income retained within the local economy has increased by seven per cent.

The project supports individuals and families at a time of most need, accessing furniture they otherwise could not afford and providing furniture in emergency situations.

It also reduces the volume going to landfill, whilst also creating employment, volunteering and training opportunities.

Naomi Graham, coordinator for the Cheshire Furniture Reuse Forum, said: ”No-one wants to see their much-loved item going to landfill if it could go to help and be appreciated by another family.

“This award acknowledges the hard work of the staff and volunteers across all the projects who make sure that preloved items can be used by others.”

There are four reuse projects in Cheshire East.

They are Christian Concern, covering Crewe and Nantwich, Furnaround in Macclesfield, Wilmslow and District Furniture Recycling in Wilmslow, Tree of Life Centre (Wythenshawe) and Wesley Community Furniture (Manchester), which cover north east Cheshire.

People wishing to donate their unwanted household items can have them collected free.  They can access the forum’s web site at www.cfrf.org.uk or email: naomi@cfrf.org.uk

Have your say in Council Tax support consultation

 

Residents are being urged to have their say on proposed changes to Council Tax support for those on low incomes.

Local people are being encouraged to complete a short consultation survey on Cheshire East Council’s website to share their views.

The coalition Government abolished Council Tax Benefit on March 31, 2013, as part of welfare reform changes.

Cheshire East Council introduced the current Council Tax support scheme on April 1, 2013, following consultation. The scheme changed the support available for those of working age.

Pensioners are protected and unaffected by the proposed changes and the Department for Communities and Local Government maintains this scheme for pensioners.

As it is now in its third year, a review of the Council Tax support scheme is being undertaken to identify additional savings to contribute to meeting the Council’s financial challenges.

The Council is committed, however, to ensuring the scheme remains fair to residents, continues to support vulnerable people and encourages those who can work to do so or to increase their hours and/or pay to reduce welfare dependency.

Councillor Peter Groves, Cabinet member for finance and assets, said: “Residents views on these proposals are very important to us, as a listening Council that puts its residents first.

“So I would urge people of all ages and backgrounds to take just a few minutes to fill in the short online survey to inform and shape the authority’s decision, to ensure that we get it right.”

The Council consultation includes:

● Increasing the minimum contribution from 20 per cent to 25 per cent for those of working age;

● Restricting the help for properties in Bands C-H to a maximum based on a Band B property charge, in their area. Currently, this is restricted to a Band D in the same area;

● Stopping support for those with capital of £6,000 or more;

● Reducing the period of additional support awarded when someone starts work from eight weeks to four weeks;

● Increasing non-dependant deductions from £5 to £7 per week;

● Increasing the minimum award from 50p to £2 per week;

● Removing backdating of claims, currently a maximum of 13 weeks are available;

● Using the same levels of allowances and premiums when calculating Council Tax support that are used in housing benefit (and change each year).

● Your views as to whether the cost of the scheme should be reduced, or whether cuts should be made to other services, or whether the Council should fund the scheme by using its general reserves, or a combination of these.

More information on these proposals, including how to calculate the effect of the changes, is available at: http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/benefits_housing_council_tax/council-tax-support-scheme-consultation.aspx

The deadline for our online survey, to express your views and preferences for the new scheme is October 25.

The results of the survey will be published at the end of December 2015. These results will be considered by Full Council and the final scheme will be published at the end of January 2016.

If you have any questions or would like further assistance with the consultation, contact the Council’s benefits section by phone on 0300 123 5013 or email: benefits.consultation@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Wednesday 16 September 2015

Wistaston Jubilee Tennis Club (WJTC) Finals Day 2015

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston 

The Wistaston Jubilee Tennis Club (WJTC) Finals Day took place on Sunday 13th September 2015, in sunny weather, on the two courts behind the Wistaston Memorial Hall & Community Centre on Church Lane.  George Raiswell with his Junior Singles and Mens Doubles  trophies

Bill Heath (WJTC Chairman) introduced the presentation of trophies inside the Memorial Hall: 

- Men’s Singles Final: Oliver Cox beat George Raiswell 6-3, 7-5. Trophy presented by Bill Heath (WJTC Chairman). 

- Men’s Doubles Final: Robert Sheffield and George Raiswell beat Paul Unwin and Jonathan White 7-6 (7-5), 6-1. Trophies presented by Alice Chalwin (WJTC President).

- Open Doubles Cup Final: Oliver Cox and Tony Mason beat Robert Sheffield and George Raiswell 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. Trophies presented by Margaret Maddock (WJTC Vice Chairman). 

- Veterans Doubles Final: Eric James and Roy Birtles beat Bill Heath and Richard Goodwin 6-3, 6-1. Trophies presented by Margaret Maddock (WJTC Vice Chairman).

- Presidents Tournament Final: Roy Birtles and Jean Proudlove beat Eric James and Marion Proudlove 6-3, 6-1. Trophies presented by Bill Heath (WJTC Chairman).

- Junior Singles Final: George Raiswell beat Ryan Harper-Griffiths 6-2, 6-3. Trophy presented by Bill Heath (WJTC Chairman).

- Most Improved Junior: Ryan Harper-Griffiths. Shield presented by Bill Heath (WJTC Chairman). Ryan, aged 13 and a pupil at Kings Grove School in Crewe, regularly attends the weekly club nights and is an enthusiast member of the club.

Refreshments were provided by members of the club, under the supervision of Alice Chalwin and Margaret Maddock. 

Photos from Finals Day have been uploaded to Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jonathanawhite/albums/72157658592573775

For WJTC membership details please contact Bill Heath (Tel. 01270 560471).

Mens Singles winner Oliver Cox receives the trophy from  Bill Heath - WJTC Chairman

Rugby World Cup 2015 Tickets Alert

Subject: Rugby World Cup 2015 Tickets Alert


This is a message sent via The Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network (England & Wales). This information has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)

(Please do not reply directly to this email, please use the Reply button at the bottom of this message)

Message sent by

Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

Apologies if you have previously received this alert; however as stated before, this alert will be re-sent regularly leading up to the 2015 Rugby World Cup. As a result of the Rugby World Cup beginning on Friday 18th September 2015, this will be the final update.
Action Fraud, together with the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau and the City of London Police, are working in partnership with Rugby World Cup 2015 organisers to disrupt those entities seeking to sell Rugby World Cup 2015 tickets without permission from the official provider.
We would like rugby fans and the general public to be aware that they should only purchase tickets from official sources and avoid being scammed.
Purchase tickets from an official source and avoid losing your money.

  • England Rugby 2015 Limited (“ER2015”) is the organising committee of Rugby World Cup 2015, due to take place in England and Cardiff from 18 September 2015 until 31 October 2015. Rugby World Cup Limited (“RWCL”) is the Tournament owner of Rugby World Cup 2015.  
  • RWCL/ER2015 wants to ensure that the public is not misled, by unauthorised ticket sellers, into believing they have purchased genuine Rugby World Cup 2015 tickets.

Where can you buy official match tickets? 

Where can you buy Official ticket-inclusive hospitality packages?

  • These can only be purchased through the official hospitality programme, operated by Rugby Travel & Hospitality Ltd (“RTH”) at www.rugbyworldcup.com/hospitality.

Where can you buy Official ticket-inclusive Supporter Tours (i.e. travel packages)?

How do you ensure that you are buying Rugby World Cup 2015 match tickets, supporter tours or hospitality packages from an official channel?

  • To check whether a company or a certain website is an official Rugby World Cup 2015 channel, use the ‘Official Checker’ tool which is located at www.rugbyworldcup/buyofficial.

Can you buy official Rugby World Cup 2015 tickets, supporter tours or hospitality packages elsewhere, other than as outlined above?

  • There is no guarantee that Rugby World Cup 2015 tickets (and/or ticket inclusive packages) purchased from any source other than RWCL, ER2015, RTH  (or those listed above) are genuine tickets (and/or ticket-inclusive packages).
  • Fans who purchase tickets and/or ticket-inclusive packages from unauthorised sellers run the risk of paying over the odds for a non-existent ticket, ending up disappointed by not getting to see the match they paid to see, and risk having their personal and credit card details stolen for use in other crimes.

Points to note about unauthorised activity:

  • It has been shown from the 2012 Olympics and other major events in the UK that ticket touts are often linked with other forms of criminality.
  • The unauthorised sale, or offer for sale, of Rugby World Cup 2015 tickets (and/or ticket-inclusive packages) may constitute an infringement of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 or Fraud.
  • All official Rugby World Cup 2015 tickets are subject to ER2015’s ticket terms and conditions, located at: http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/ticketing/t-c
  • Tickets are STRICTLY NON-TRANSFERABLE and MUST NOT BE SOLD OR OFFERED, EXPOSED OR MADE AVAILABLE FOR SALE, OR TRANSFERRED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED. ER2015 reserves the right to cancel without refund any tickets which ER2015 reasonably believes have been or are intended to be resold, offered, exposed or made available for sale, or transferred or otherwise disposed in breach of the ticketing terms and conditions.
  • Any person attempting to use Rugby World Cup 2015 tickets which have been resold in breach of the ticket terms and conditions risks being refused entry to or ejected from the relevant match venue.

How do I report unauthorised use of Rugby World Cup assets?

  • To report the sale of unauthorised general public tickets, please contact ER2015 at legal@england2015.com.
  • To report the sale of counterfeit Rugby World Cup 2015 tickets or the unauthorised sale of ticket-inclusive supporter tour/hospitality packages, please contact rwcrightsprotection@img.com

TICKETS PURCHASED OR OBTAINED FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE SHALL BE VOID AND MAY BE SEIZED OR CANCELLED WITHOUT REFUND OR COMPENSATION.
Please visit the following link to Action Fraud website in order to find out how to avoid being scammed when buying Rugby World Cup 2015 tickets:
http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/news/how-to-avoid-being-scammed-when-buying-rugby-world-cup-2015%20tickets-online-apr15
This is the last Action Fraud alert regarding the Rugby World Cup 2015.

Alcohol Awareness Week

Subject: Alcohol Awareness Week


This is a message sent via The Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network (England & Wales). This information has been sent on behalf of Cheshire Constabulary

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Victoria Fearnley (Police, PCSO, Crewe LPU Centre PCSO)

It’s the start of a new academic year and many people are heading to Cheshire to start a new chapter in their lives. Part of the new chapter falls under ‘Fresher’s Week’, with a variety of events are taking place across the county, allowing students to get to know each other and their new environment.

To coincide with this Cheshire Police are running an alcohol awareness week, starting on September 14 and finishing on September 20. Over the week there will be a number of activities taking place including licensing checks, talks at local colleges to coincide with Fresher’s week. The Police will work alongside partners such as Trading Standards to ensure premises get the help and support they need to comply with the law.

“As we start a new educational year this is a good time to refocus some of our activities around the sale of alcohol and its potential harmful effects,” said Inspector Richard Spedding. “This week Cheshire Police are running an alcohol week of action reminding people to know their limits when it comes to alcohol. We’re not telling people that they can’t drink alcohol, but to realise the implications alcohol has, not only on your health but your well-being.

“Alcohol is a part of many people’s social lives. It’s important to remember that it does affect the way you behave, and cause you to make unwise decisions, such as walking home alone. These decisions can leave you vulnerable and an easy target for criminals.

“This week isn’t about catching as many people as we can for alcohol-related crime. It’s more about ensuring everyone enjoys themselves in a safe and sensible environment, and reminding people to stay safe.”

Cheshire Police have continually battled against alcohol-related harm, with the ArcAngel Protected Town scheme playing an integral part. The scheme helps to create a safe night time economy, where people can be reassured that the licensed premises they visit are well managed, regulated and safe places to enjoy a night out. There are currently 12 locations across the county who have received ArcAngel Accreditation. More information about ArcAngel can be found on the Cheshire Police website.

For more information about personal safety visit www.cheshire.police.uk
It’s the start of a new academic year and many people are heading to Cheshire to start a new chapter in their lives. Part of the new chapter falls under ‘Fresher’s Week’, with a variety of events are taking place across the county, allowing students to get to know each other and their new environment.

To coincide with this Cheshire Police are running an alcohol awareness week, starting on September 14 and finishing on September 20. Over the week there will be a number of activities taking place including licensing checks, talks at local colleges to coincide with Fresher’s week. The Police will work alongside partners such as Trading Standards to ensure premises get the help and support they need to comply with the law.

“As we start a new educational year this is a good time to refocus some of our activities around the sale of alcohol and its potential harmful effects,” said Inspector Richard Spedding. “This week Cheshire Police are running an alcohol week of action reminding people to know their limits when it comes to alcohol. We’re not telling people that they can’t drink alcohol, but to realise the implications alcohol has, not only on your health but your well-being.

“Alcohol is a part of many people’s social lives. It’s important to remember that it does affect the way you behave, and cause you to make unwise decisions, such as walking home alone. These decisions can leave you vulnerable and an easy target for criminals.

“This week isn’t about catching as many people as we can for alcohol-related crime. It’s more about ensuring everyone enjoys themselves in a safe and sensible environment, and reminding people to stay safe.”

Cheshire Police have continually battled against alcohol-related harm, with the ArcAngel Protected Town scheme playing an integral part. The scheme helps to create a safe night time economy, where people can be reassured that the licensed premises they visit are well managed, regulated and safe places to enjoy a night out. There are currently 12 locations across the county who have received ArcAngel Accreditation. More information about ArcAngel can be found on the Cheshire Police website.

For more information about personal safety visit www.cheshire.police.uk

Monday 14 September 2015

The 20th ‘Annual Community Duck Race

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

The 20th ‘Annual Community Duck Race and Children's Model Boat Race’ took place on Saturday 5th September 2015, at the Joey the Swan Recreation ground in Wistaston. The guests of honour were the Rose Queen and her Attendant.

The event, which was sponsored by Wistaston Community Council and Crewe Movie Makers, was officially opened by the Wistaston Rose Queen (Rachel Astbury) and her Attendant (Chelsea Horne). Members of the Hall's management committee organised the event.

38 model boats were entered into the Children's Model Boat Race and 777 plastic duck race tickets (£1 each) were sold and entered into the Duck Race.

All proceeds - £554 - go to the funds of the Wistaston Memorial Hall & Community Centre, Church Lane, Wistaston.

There were also fifteen stalls featuring local charities and organisations, selling an assortment of goods or advertising their activities.

Several hundred people attended the event, which took place in glorious sunshine.

Here are the results in full:

Children's Model Boat Race (38 model boats entered):

a) Best designed children's model boat (judged by Wistaston Rose Queen, Rachel Astbury and her Attendant, Chelsea Horne):

1st – Matthew Crump with his boat ‘Chaos’ who won £10 and a trophy.

2nd place – Jasmine Poulter (‘Ballet Jazz’).

3rd place – Lyssa Davies (‘Elizabeth’).

Matthew, aged 3½, from Crewe, said, “My boat is great. I like it”.

b) Children's Model Boat Race:

1st – Jasmine Poulter with her boat ‘Ballet Jazz’ who won £10, plus a trophy donated by Herbert Locke MBE.

2nd place – Fabia Cara (‘Fabella’).

3rd place – Isaac Fowler (‘Swan cruises’).

Therefore, Jasmine won prizes in both the best designed children’s boat and the children’s model boat race.

Duck Race (777 tickets sold):

1st – No.407 – Abigail Poulter who won £100, plus a trophy donated by Les Fothergill, a past Wistonian of the Year.

2nd – No.175 – Meurig Jones - £50.

3rd – No.122 – E.Hollinshead - £25.

There was an enthusiastic commentary on both races, with ongoing excitement and incident around every corner as ducks and boats bobbed and weaved along the obstacle course, prepared by Dave O’Harah.

Event organiser John White said, "This was another annual, successful, community event for Wistaston. The Memorial Hall's officers worked tirelessly to run the event. People who visited were most generous to buy so many tickets. I was pleased to hear that the stall holders and charities did well. The children were excited and fascinated to see their boats in action. It was a quacking great success. We were fortunate with the weather. So many people helped to set up and take down the equipment; we thank them all. The £554 raised will complete the necessary internal decoration of the hall. We can't wait for the 2016 Duck Race, which will be the 21st event, on Saturday 3rd September. If any organisation or company would like to sponsor one of the 2016 races please contact me on Tel. 01270 661484."

Childrens Model Boat Race - Best designed children's model  boat prize winnersDuck Race

Photos from the event have been uploaded to Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jonathanawhite/albums/72157658495990536

An Evening With Meet The Beatles

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

‘An Evening With Meet The Beatles' took place at Nantwich Civic Hall on the evening of Friday 11th September 2015.

Female solo singer/guitarist ‘Jade’ opened the show and warmed up the audience by singing a mixture of several classic tracks.

Solo singer-guitarist Jade

She was followed by ‘Meet The Beatles’ who performed several of the Fab Four’s hits including I Saw Her Standing There, Please Please Me, From Me To You, Do You Want to Know a Secret, I Want to Hold Your Hand, I Wanna Be Your Man, All My Loving, A Hard Day's Night, And I Love Her, Can't Buy Me Love, Eight Days a Week, She Loves You, Twist and Shout, Help!, Ticket to Ride, Drive My Car, All You Need Is Love, Back in the U.S.S.R.,  Lady Madonna and Hey Jude. Their set included a costume change and their final floor-filler and encore was Get Back.

Event Manager Jon Mitchell said, “We hope that everyone enjoyed the evening. We are pleased that it was sold out with over 400 people attending the event. For £10 per ticket we believe it represented good value for money. We look forward to seeing everyone again at future Warble Events at the Nantwich Civic Hall”.

Meet The Beatles (2)

Official photos will be uploaded to https://www.facebook.com/WarbleEvents

‘An Evening With Meet The Beatles' was organised by Warble Events - http://www.warble-events.co.uk/ - in partnership with Nantwich Town Council - http://www.nantwichtowncouncil.gov.uk/ .

The next Warble events at Nantwich Civic Hall are ‘The Ultimate Christmas Party’ on Saturday 5th December (tickets = £10, doors open 7:30pm) and ‘Revival – The ABBA Experience’ on Friday 11th December (tickets = £10, doors open 7:30pm). Tickets are available from Nantwich Civic Hall Tourist Information or by calling the Civic Hall Box Office on 01270 628633. For further information please visit http://www.warble-events.co.uk/

Saturday 12 September 2015

Queens Park Golf Coarse is it Safe?

DSCF0356
Face Book and other social media is alive with problems with the Queens Park Golf Club owned by American Golf  as lots of signs above have gone up all around the course. As the signs are next to Public paths it would suggest in law they are admitting you are not safe on the public paths.
DSCF9148
Up to a few weeks ago they had lots of signs stating dogs must be on a lead see above. People have walked across the course for over 20 years and children play on there specially in the winter when its snowing. Now all of a sudden they are trying to stop people which hasn't gone down well.
DSCF9156
The problem isn't on the course but on public paths as you can see above the hole by the brook is only feet from the public path. Any balls overshooting go straight across a busy path as there is no fence to stop them and a golf ball travels at up to 120mph so if anyone is hit they could kill.
DSCF9138
The same is true by the park were often ball fly in to the queens park as there is nothing stopping them. Over 120,000 golfers are injured every year! the balls rebound off the trees all over the path on a regular basis. The course must carry out risk assessments for the coarse and risk of death must be one of the things to consider and golfers should have their own insurance as they can be held responsible for death or injury and could face massive law suites.
What has happened now is allegedly the golf staff have been using intimidation of OAPs and women using the coarse. It seems staff only threaten vulnerable people and they are getting more violent as time goes on.  While in principle stopping people straying on the course is a good thing this must be done in a proper manner but the main issue is stray balls going onto public paths and this so far hasn't been addressed
Below are extract from Face book pages of alleged problems 
Reported on Face book and there are over 300 comments and complaints all from independent people.
The first case was before the new signs and when the signs stating dogs must be on the lead were up. Today 29th June a 70 year old OAP was walking across the Queens Park Golf Course with is dog on the lead as he does most days and has done for something like 30 years. All of a sudden a  steward or someone in a golf buggy screeched up to him and very aggressively told him he could walk his dog here this is despite the fact others were on the golf course with dogs off the lead.
The OAP explained its a public right of way and has been for years and asked were are signs to say you cant walk a dog? The man who didnt identify himself got abusive  and very threatening and would not answer about signs in the end he said they weren't any yet.
The OAP was getting very frightened at this point and explained he had a medical condition which could be brought on by excitement. The man got out of the buggy and the OAP believed his life was in danger its only when the dog got between them that the man backed down. The man continued the abuse for another 10 mins the OAP believes he was going to hit him on a few occasions and its only the dog that stopped him  at which point the man  he said he would have them killed by a golf ball.
The OAP tried to leave but the man kept driving the buggy at him trying to round him up like a sheep the OAP  tried to make his escape but the man kept harassing him and driving at him shouting abuse  saying the old man would be dead soon anyway.
Due to all the stress the OAP then collapsed at which point the buggy drove off and left the OAP for DEAD



An OAP and ex nurse this week claims her dog was hit by a golf ball and it was done on purpose.
Another comment about staff kicking a dog
u musnt no everyone there coz this man was tryin to chase my dog away by kicking him. And he was only lookin for rabbits near the big bins near the club house, then he was askin me go over to threaten me. He musnt of thought id go over coz he face when i did was shocked. Then he was goin on he was callin dog warden coz i got a dangeres dog.


One about threats from the club about dangerous trees were people carnt go into their own garden as they are afraid of branches falling on them.
I'm sick of the tree that the Grounds keepers have allowed to grow in excess of 50' over my house and have threatened me with court if I do something about it, it's dangerous to use my back garden as there are numerous dead branches ready to fall


Friday 11 September 2015

Road safety strengthened around Crewe school

 

Parents parking in and around Crewe’s Berkeley Academy will soon have a new drop-off point for their children, thanks to Cheshire East Council.

The school, based in Wistaston, which has now taken on academy status, has recently received planning approval from the authority to replace its existing buildings.

Residents have in the past voiced concerns about parking problems in and around the school first thing in the morning and at pick-up time.

The Council has now responded to those concerns and is making provision for a new drop-off point for parents wishing to take their children to school by car.

At the site, earmarked off Laidon Avenue, work is under way to design a suitable scheme.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Michael Jones, said: “We’ve listened to the community, including residents and parents, and we will come up with a solution that will help ease any tensions that have been building up.

“Safety is of paramount importance and we’ve been hearing stories about the potential risks to our young children and to our elderly residents in the area.

“Parking on single or double yellow lines presents a risk as those areas of public highway have been assessed and deemed not suitable for parking either at all or at certain times.

“It’s important that the school, parents and the community work together to ensure that everyone is contributing to a safe environment.

“A drop-off point, in such a built-up area, is the common sense approach in this case and we are delighted to be supporting the academy as it embarks upon its new status and renewal plans over the coming months. As promised, Cheshire East has delivered once again.”

Tuesday 8 September 2015

Cheshire is ‘best place’ in country for starting up a rural business

 

Cheshire has been named the best county in the country to set up a rural business.

The finding emerged from a new study by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) – an organisation that represents farmers and rural businesses across.

The CLA scored each county on its ability to support rural businesses, such as the amount of broadband coverage available, planning policies and business support – and Cheshire came out top.

Councillor Michael Jones, Leader Cheshire East Council, said: “This is fantastic news and sends out a strong message that Cheshire East really is the place to do business.

“We take real pride in supporting our rural community as it represents not only our heritage but our future too.”

An example of this is the Cheshire East-backed Connecting Cheshire’s rollout of superfast broadband – which is one of the most successful in the country.

The £28.5m Connecting Cheshire project has already provided fibre broadband to more than 80,000 homes and businesses. This builds on BT’s commercial investment so that 96 percent of Cheshire – around 400,000 premises – will have access to speeds of up to 80mbps by the end of 2015.

A £6m phase two roll-out aims to increase this coverage to 98 per cent by end of 2017.

CLA President, Henry Robinson, congratulated the authority and said: “Operating in a rural area brings opportunities but also challenges, and in this table, we shine a light on some of the main factors that can help a business to succeed.

“Top of the list is connectivity because the pressures of running a rural business can be compounded by the availability of mobile and broadband coverage in the most remote areas.  The government, councils and network providers need to place an emphasis on this if businesses are to operate on a day to day basis.

“Businesses need space to update buildings and our table rates the performance of planning authorities, on whether they are permitting or refusing applications to convert and change buildings.”

Aqueduct Marina, based at Church Minshull in Nantwich, is owned by CLA member Robert Parton.

Robert welcomed the support given to his business and said of Cheshire coming top of the survey: “I’m not surprised. Cheshire really is open to business.

“We have every confidence that we can continue to develop in what will remain a thriving Cheshire rural business environment.” 

Cheshire East Council has invested steadily in rural communities and been successful in securing European Rural Development Funding for the Cheshire East LEADER programme.

Councillor Michael Jones added: “As part of the growth programme, rural businesses looking to expand will be able to benefit from new funding. This funding will provide a real boost for the rural economy.

“We have also appointed a rural enterprise manager, in order to support and facilitate growth opportunities. I would urge any rural businesses that are serious about expanding and developing their business in Cheshire East to get in touch.”

For more information, contact the Council’s inward investment and business engagement team on 0300 123 5001 or email: business@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Cheshire East 'Don't do as I do just do as I say.'

 

GrassvergeRopeIMG-20150901-WA0009

I was shocked to read that the Cheshire East Local Access Forum (Celaf) was threatening households not to put bollards,stones,chain fences etc on grass verges outside their homes.

My view was that Instead of coming all heavy handed and threatening householders with Court action the Council should be encouraging residents  and companies to adopt self help to protect grass verges.

Now it seems that Cheshire East have adopted a policy of 

'Don't do as I do just do as I say.'

Beechcroft Avenue, Rope is next to the Berkeley School. There is a large grassed area that some parents were using to park their cars as they dropped off and picked up their children.Some residents complained and to stop this Cheshire East has erected substantial low railing to prevent the green being parked on.(See attached photo below.) I welcome the fact that this has been done and the grassed area is to be protected from being damaged.

I hope that in light of the U-turn by the Council  will drop their vendetta against residents and companies who try to protect their grass verges from damage.The reason that residents do this is to stop vehicles driving over and parking on the verges.When motorists do this the grass verges are cut to ribbons and damaged. This results in the verges being rutted and unsightly.The ruts fill with water when it rains. When the verges get cut up the Council does not repair them and the poor old residents have to put up with the unsightly grass verges outside their home day in day out, which also has the consequence of devaluing their home. It is no wonder that householders take action to protect the verges in front of their homes.Also sometimes bollards are erected in verges, outside houses, near junctions, to stop vehicles parking too near to the junction and causing a road safety hazard.
The Council have a duty as the highway authority and ensure that grass verges are kept mown and not cut to pieces by vehicles.
I would call on householders to put MORE bollards,stones,chain fences etc in the grass verges outside their homes. They are carrying out a public service in so doing. The Council seems incapable of doing what they are paid to do,
Badly rutted grass verges are very unsightly and bring down the tone of an area..The Council should be trying to eliminate them not trying big brother tactics to stop residents with a bit of initiative and self help.These residents should be congratulated and praised not threatened with legal action.

Cllr. Brian Silvester

UKIP Rope Councillor

Volunteers Needed to Support Rural Community Projects

 

Over 170 people across the UK have now volunteered as a Village SOS Mentor, offering local projects with access to an impressive range of skills and experience. The Mentors provide FREE advice as part of an exciting campaign which aims to keep rural community projects alive and thriving.

If you have a story to share – including the setbacks, successes and celebrations – that could inspire and guide others then now is the time to get involved. Village SOS is running training for new Mentors at Reaseheath College, Nantwich (Cheshire) on Wednesday 16th September and are currently looking for new recruits.

If you are interested in finding out more about the role or would like to book a place at the training please contact Chris Cowcher, VSOS Community Manager on 01285 653477.

The Village SOS Mentors work alongside a network of organisations such as Cheshire Community Action in Cheshire who are delivering the campaign locally. This offers projects with the opportunity to access support that is tailored to their needs and offers the greatest benefit to them. These volunteer mentors are parish councillors, committee members, business people, retirees and even accredited professionals and they have all signed up to share their expertise with projects involved with the Village SOS campaign. If you think that you’ve got something to offer the campaign then sign up and get involved.

Ivan Annibal, Rose Regeneration who leads on the Mentor training, said: “The Village SOS Mentors are at the core of this rural campaign. We aim to get projects learning from others and one of the best ways to achieve this is to get a mentor from one project sharing their knowledge with another. It is about offering projects a fresh pair of eyes to look at what they are doing from a different perspective, helping them to consider what is going well and what could be improved.”

Any rural project providing a service in their local community can apply for one to one support to help their project develop. Whether they need advice on business planning, consultations, funding applications or promotion, projects applying for support from the Village SOS campaign can get help now. 

To find out more about the Village SOS campaign and the role of the Village SOS Mentors visit the campaign website (www.villagesos.org.uk) or contact the VSOS Community Manager Chris Cowcher on 01285 653477.

Monday 7 September 2015

Cheshire Constabulary Equality Objectives Consultation

Subject: Cheshire Constabulary Equality Objectives Consultation


This is a message sent via The Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network (England & Wales). This information has been sent on behalf of Cheshire Constabulary

(Please do not reply directly to this email, please use the Reply button at the bottom of this message)

Message sent by

Liz Biddle (Police, Community Engagement Officer, Chesh Engagement Unit)

Cheshire Constabulary would like your views about our current Equality Objectives.
Please follow the link below to complete the survey.
http://www.cheshire.police.uk/contact/consultations/equality-objectives-survey
Liz Biddle, Engagement Officer, Cheshire Constabulary
Clemonds Hey, Oakmere Road
Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 2UA

Parcel Mule Alert

Subject: Parcel Mule Alert


This is a message sent via The Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network (England & Wales). This information has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)

(Please do not reply directly to this email, please use the Reply button at the bottom of this message)

Message sent by

Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

People are being targeted to become “Parcel Mules” as part of a reshipping scam, which results in them handling stolen goods and losing out financially.
Victims are predominantly recruited through job advertisements and dating websites. They are persuaded to have items delivered to their addresses, and to pay for postage before sending the items elsewhere. Victims are contacted through Freelancer websites and invited to become a “Freight Forwarder” as an employment opportunity. The work is advertised as processing packages and forwarding them to clients.
The items being delivered have been purchased through fraudulent means, including the use of stolen/fraudulently obtained cards. The items being delivered are often pieces of electrical equipment or high value goods such as trainers, perfume and the latest phones.
If you act as a “mule” you are not only handling stolen goods, but also losing out financially. You will not get paid the promised salary and you pay for the postage and delivery of the packages personally. Additionally, you will have provided enough of your personal details to allow identity theft to occur.
How To Protect Yourself:             

  • Do not agree to receive packages at your address for someone that you do not know and trust.
  • Be cautious of unsolicited job offers or opportunities to make easy money.
  • When accepting a job offer, verify the company details provided to you and check whether they have been registered in the UK.
  • Be wary of someone that you have met only online who asks you to send money or to receive items. Protect your privacy and do not give your personal details to someone that you do not know and trust. 
If you, or anyone you know, have been affected by this fraud or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.

Cheshire Blades FC family fun day

Reporter Jonathan White, Crewe

Cheshire Blades FC held a family fun day on the afternoon of Saturday 5th September 2015. This free event took place on their premises at the rear of the Peacock Hotel, Crewe Road, Willaston CW5 6NE. There were fun football coaching sessions, a bouncy castle, a BBQ and refreshments, relaxation treatments, and numerous stalls. For information relating to Cheshire Blades FC please visit: http://www.cheshireblades.co.uk/

Cheshire Blades FC family fun day - Sat 5-9-15

South Cheshire Model Engineering Society open day

Reporter  Jonathan White, Wistaston

South Cheshire Model Engineering Society held their annual open day on Saturday 5th September 2015.

This free event took place on their premises at the rear of the Peacock Hotel, Crewe Road, Willaston CW5 6NE.

There were miniature-gauge steam and electric train rides, a demonstration of equipment used by the hobby engineer of yesteryear by Mike Smith in 'Mike's Shed', Les Riley rode his McLaren road locomotive and the Clubhouse contained a display of locomotives and engines produced by Society members.

Refreshments were served by Society volunteers in the Clubhouse, with further refreshments available outside from the Wilson House Scouts http://www.wilsonhousescouts.org.uk/ .

The event was enjoyed by hundreds of visitors who were treated to warm and sunny weather all day.

The Society currently has over eighty members and meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 7.45pm in their Clubhouse. For further information relating to the Society please visit: http://www.southcheshiremes.com .

The track and Clubhouse are available for birthday party hire from the last Saturday in March to the second Saturday in October. Cost for 2 hours = £60 plus £2 per child. Book in January if you require a specific date in the year, as it is a popular venue. Please contact Don Potts via the website for further details.

I’ve uploaded all my photos to: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jonathanawhite/albums/72157658226576752

 

Visitor Mark Ray inspects the display of locomotives and  enginesVisitors enjoy a miniature-gauge steam train ride

Sunday 6 September 2015

Local charity football match

.Reporter  Jonathan White, Crewe

A charity football match took place in early August this year at the Cumberland Sports Ground in Crewe. The event featured an 11-a-side match between 'Aidan FC' and 'Leukaemia FC' and raised £470 for 'Bloodwise' (formerly known as Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research). There are still collection boxes at Kezbeccs General Stores (Coronation Crescent, Crewe) and J & H Carpets (Ridgway Street, Crewe) if you would like to add to the total already raised – any donations would be gratefully received.

The event was organised by Crewe teenager Aidan Reid, who is a Year 11 pupil at Sir William Stanier Community School in Crewe. Aidan said, "I raised money for Bloodwise as last year I lost my Uncle to leukaemia. I wanted their vital research to continue so that lives can be saved."

The kind-hearted teenager has also raised hundreds of pounds for other charities including a 9 mile walk for Macmillan (raising £952), a coffee morning for the neonatal intensive care unit at Mid Cheshire Hospitals (£401) and a charity football match last year for Cancer Research UK (£458).

Liz Boffey from Bloodwise (South Cheshire branch, http://www.bloodwise.org.uk) said, "Aidan is an inspirational young person who has raised a tremendous amount of money for charity and he is always full of fund-raising ideas. Bloodwise is so thankful to him for his hard work and enthusiasm with this venture. Every penny that has been raised will go into researching all 137 different types of blood cancer. We are determined to beat blood cancer."

l-r Tricia Boffey - Liz Boffey - Aidan Reid - Mike  Boffey

Tuesday 1 September 2015

Vehicle Crime Alert

Subject: Vehicle Crime Alert


This is a message sent via The Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network (England & Wales). This information has been sent on behalf of Cheshire Constabulary

(Please do not reply directly to this email, please use the Reply button at the bottom of this message)

Message sent by

Lawrence Price (Police, PCSO, Crewe LPU East PCSO)

Cheshire Police ask residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity following the overnight theft from 5 vehicles in a cul de sac near Underwood Lane in Crewe.
The thefts took place in the early hours of Monday 31st August 2015 and insecure vehicles were targeted and valuables taken from within.
Officers are pursuing lines of enquiry and urge anyone with any information to make contact by calling 101. Police also ask that residents take this opportunity to review their security by ensuring valuables are removed from vehicles and that they are left secure when unattended.

Fairerpower surges past £500,000 savings milestone

 

Fairerpower customers have collectively saved in excess of £500,000 in only a few months.

So far more than 2,500 customers have signed up since its launch in March of this year, with the average saving for fixed tariff customers being £245 (see note 1).

The majority of customers, more than 60 percent, have moved for the first time in five years or more. These customers are those who have been largely paying higher prices as they have not switched regularly.

Apathy, driven by a lack of trust, is seen as the main reason for this behaviour. Customers have chosen to switch due to  the fact that Fairerpower is a Council-owned initiative with the aim of helping residents save money and not driven by profit.

Councillor Michael Jones, Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “Fairerpower is shaking up the energy market across Cheshire East and is only going to get bigger as customers hear about the savings they can make.

“We set it up with the aim of giving our residents access to cheaper and fairer energy prices backed by an organisation they can trust. Fairerpower and Cheshire East Council is delivering on that promise.

“New customers can benefit even further by helping introduce their friends and family and we will reward both parties with a free £20 Amazon gift voucher.”

Anyone interested in saving money on their fuel bills can go to www.fairerpower.co.uk to find out more.