Cheshire East families score well with first choice secondary school places

 

Cheshire East Council, working with all the Borough’s schools, has offered first preference places for 95 per cent of secondary school applicants this year.

This is 10 per cent better than last year’s national average of 84 per cent and a slight increase on the Borough’s first preference offers for 2015.

The number of parents receiving an offer for a third-preference school has dropped, as has the number receiving an offer for a place at a school they had not requested.

The number of applications rose this year, with 95 per cent of children offered their first choice of secondary school.

The number offered their second choice was three per cent and third choice just 0.5 per cent. Only 1.5 per cent were offered a school place determined by the local authority.

There have been no instances of any child not offered a school place.

The total number applying this year was 4,903, 106 more than the previous year.

Councillor Rachel Bailey, Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “This is excellent news.  Our schools in Cheshire East have an excellent reputation with 92 per cent rated good or outstanding by Ofsted.

“To be able to say to parents that they have been given their first choice of school for their child is further recognition of our education service and reputation here in Cheshire East.

“We know this is such an important issue for families and this demonstrates once again that Cheshire East is a great place to live and to learn.”

National average data for school admission preferences for this year is not yet available.

Businesses Across the UK Being Extorted

Subject: Businesses Across the UK Being Extorted

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This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)

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Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

Action Fraud has received several reports in the last 24 hours from businesses who have been sent online extortion demands from scammers threatening a cyber attack.
The scammers, who call themselves the “RepKiller Team”, have been sending emails to businesses across the UK demanding payment of between £300-£500 in Bitcoins by a certain date and time.
If the demands are not met, the team have threatened to launch a cyber attack against the businesses and their reputation by automating hundreds of negative reviews online.
The emails also claim that once actions have started, they cannot be undone. Although these scammers are currently calling themselves “RepKiller”, it is common for fraudsters to continually change and adopt new tactics – email names can be made and changed easily.
What to do if you receive one of these emails?

• Whether the attack is attempted or successful, you should report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or by using our online reporting tool
• Do not pay the demand. There is no guarantee the scammers won’t launch an attack and could encourage further extortion demands in the future.  
• Retain all the original emails. Should law enforcement investigate, the information contained within the email headers can be used as evidence. 
• Maintain a timeline of the attack recording all times, type and content of contact.

Cheshire East to host Borough’s first ever Tour of Britain stage

 

Britain’s premier cycling event – the Tour of Britain – will hit the highways of Cheshire East in September, with a challenging leg which takes in the Cat and Fiddle A537 road, a steep climb of more than ten kilometres.

Cheshire East residents will be able to watch from close distance, some of the world’s most famous riders as they whizz through villages and towns, including Congleton in the south – where the event will start - and Knutsford in the north, where the 182 kilometre stage will finish in the picturesque setting of Tatton Park.

Top riders such as Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish have competed in the past, but the complete line-up for 2016 will not be known until nearer the event, which starts on September 4, in Glasgow.

Cheshire East will host stage three of the tour from Tuesday, September 6, with the race reaching its climax in London on September 11.

Newly-elected Leader of Cheshire East Council, Councillor Rachel Bailey, said: “We feel truly privileged to be hosting this wonderful spectacle in the Borough and delighted that the Tour have selected Cheshire East to host this third stage of what is a captivating sporting event.

“As a Council we believe passionately in promoting healthy sports such as cycling.

“In Cheshire East we have well over 200 miles of cycle routes, including 167 miles of National Cycle Network, plus traffic-free routes, including the Middlewood Way, Wheelock Rail Trail and Biddulph Valley linear trails.

“All this is testament to our commitment to promoting this activity for families and to the enthusiasm shown by our residents and cycling clubs.

“We hope that this event will inspire many others to take up cycling, whether for sport or leisure.”

The stage will include a 10.5 kilometre climb into the Peak District, finishing at the Cat and Fiddle Inn, the second highest public house in England at 515 metres above sea level.

It is expected to be one of the toughest parts of the entire eight-day event. Another is the climb of Haytor on Dartmoor.

Spectators at the finish line in Tatton Park will get an added bonus as the competitors will complete a mid-stage passage through the park before returning to cross the finish line.

Race director Mick Bennett, said: “Stage three will present spectators with the chance to see the Tour of Britain race on more than one occasion.

“Tatton Park will be one of the best locations for spectators on this year’s route.

“Cheshire East offers competitors the gently rolling roads of the Cheshire Plain with some key climbs such as the Cat and Fiddle and we are working with our partners at Cheshire East Council to bring the Tour of Britain to as many of the communities in the Borough as possible.” 

Councillor Sam Gardner, Cabinet member for open spaces, said: “Events such as the Tour of Britain and Tour de France have generated huge interest in cycling together with the many other cycling events and tournaments that take place in Britain and abroad.

“The success of many of our Olympic and Commonwealth competitors has also stimulated a great following for the sport.

“Cycling is big in Cheshire and we anticipate a huge turn out at the roadside. And we are grateful to the Tour for selecting Cheshire East to host this third stage of the event.”

Revived in 2004 and last seen in Cheshire in 2012, the Tour of Britain will once again be broadcast live on ITV4.  There will be three-hours of coverage showing each stage plus a highlights programme.

The 2016 Tour of Britain takes place between Sunday, September 4 and Sunday, September 11. It is the biggest free spectator sport and followed by millions around the world.

Cheshire East Council will be making further announcements about the event and how residents and children can get involved by following the build up.

Watch out for further updates on the Cheshire East Council web site or visit: www.cheshiretourofbritain.co.uk

For further detailed information about the Tour of Britain go to http://www.tourofbritain.co.uk/

The Good Citizen Award Scam

Subject: The Good Citizen Award Scam

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This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)

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Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

Action Fraud has been receiving reports of an advanced fee fraud whereby suspects phone a member of the public and claim to be calling on behalf of the UK (or British) Government Grant Department.
They go on to state that the individual has won a Good Citizen Award – of typically £8,000 – and that the grant can be released for a fee (of around £210).
Fortunately, very few members of the public have lost any money as a result of this scam but have reported to Action Fraud in order to help build a picture of this fraud and protect others from falling victim to it.
Protect yourself:

• There is no genuine ‘Good Citizen Award’ scheme in the UK that operates by cold calling “winners” and asking for an upfront fee to release a grant.
• If you receive a call that claims to represent such a scheme, it is a scam. End the phone call – do not give out any personal or financial data.

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.

Roll up for a unique carnival experience like no other!

 

Ever dreamt of running off to the circus?

Well now is your chance because a circus performance like no other is set to entertain families in Crewe -- and you can be part of it, thanks to support from Cheshire East Council.

Known as The Lost Carnival, audiences will be immersed in a large-scale outdoor theatre experience said to be unique in the world of the performing arts and based on the grand circuses and carnivals from the turn of the 20th century.

Organisers are now recruiting people of all ages who want to be part of the fun and become involved in a serious volunteering experience.

A dedicated volunteer scheme is offering local people the chance to develop lasting skills and contribute to the creation of an extraordinary event. The first workshop takes place in Crewe on March 9 at the MMU Crewe Campus.

The award-winning production company Wild Rumpus, in association with the arts organisations Bury Met and Ramsbottom Festival, will stage the event over three days at Crewe’s Queens Park during the Spring Bank Holiday (May 28 to 30)

Organisers are hoping for an audience of 9,000 over the three days, with members of the public contributing to the development of the story.

Volunteers can play a key part in staging the production, which is based on a story of the revival of a century-old carnival event that became lost in time.

The Congleton-based company is promising ‘spellbinding theatre and enthralling entertainment, including circus, music, visual trickery and sideshows,’ all around the story of two battling carnival families competing for supremacy.

Cheshire East Council is contributing £10,000 to the event as part of its commitment to promoting arts and culture in the Crewe area, stimulating engagement among residents.

Councillor Sam Gardner, Cabinet member for open spaces, said: “This is a large- scale family event based on a unique and exciting formula of audience participation, imaginative performance, fun and laughter.

“The company has an excellent track record in producing high-quality, family-focused events involving local artists.

“The nature of this production meets all the aspirations of the Council’s three year plan, promoting interest and involvement in the performing arts in Crewe and helping to stimulate the cultural economy of the town.

“We wish them every success with ‘The Lost Carnival’ and hope the event will be well supported by families.”

Sarah Bird, director of Wild Rumpus, said: “We are thrilled that Cheshire East Council is supporting us and we look forward to hearing from anyone who would like to take part. 

“Our volunteering scheme supports emerging talent and new skills in a variety of areas, including the creative industries, logistics, production and catering.”

“Volunteering will offer the opportunity to develop skills, team working experience, confidence in an exciting and challenging role and the chance to be a part of a landmark event in the town.”

Wild Rumpus works in partnership with local residents, artists, suppliers, partners and key Council teams to create a legacy of strengthened engagement in arts and culture.

The company seeks support and involvement from volunteers, schools and colleges, libraries, museums and other organisations. Local arts groups are especially encouraged to take part.

Workshops will take place in advance of the event at which volunteers can contribute creative art, story lines and any other ideas of a material or digital nature that will feature in the final production.

The Lost Carnival is staged by Wild Rumpus (Just So Festival) and So It Is (Bury Met, Ramsbottom Festival.)

Anyone wishing to get involved can find out more information and apply via www.thelostcarnival.org.uk (this is the link if you’d like to hyperlink it http://www.wildrumpus.org.uk/lost-carnival-volunteering/ or contact Cathryn Peach, creative producer at cathryn.peach@wildrumpus.org.uk 07812 671 908.

The event will take place from May 28 to 30 at Queen’s Park in Crewe – tickets £12.

Protect Yourself from Bogus Websites

Subject: Update: Protect Yourself from Bogus Websites

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This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. 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)

This is an update to a previous alert sent from Action Fraud in November 2015.
Fraudsters are setting up high specification websites advertising various electrical goods and domestic appliances. These goods are below market value and do not exist. The website will state you can pay via card; however when the purchaser goes to pay, this option is not available and the payment must be made via bank transfer.
The fraudster entices the purchaser and reassures them it is a legitimate purchase by using the widely recognised Trusted Shop Trustmark. They then use the Trustmark fraudulently and provide a link on the bogus electrical website to another bogus website (which purports to be Trusted Shops). This website shows a fake certificate purporting to be from Trusted Shops and provides thousands of reviews for the bogus electrical website. These reviews are all fraudulent. The website has not been certified by Trusted Shops and therefore the purchaser is not covered by the Trusted Shop money-back guarantee.
Protect yourself:

• Check the authenticity of the website before making any purchases. Conduct a ‘Whois’ search on the website which will identify when the website has been created- Be wary of newly formed domains. You can conduct this search using the following website – https://who.is/
• Conduct online research in relation to the website, company name and the business address provided to identify any poor feedback or possible irregularities.
• Check the Trusted Shops Facebook page where warnings about websites using their Trustmark are published. If you are in doubt about the legitimacy of a Trustmark then you can contact Trusted Shops on 0203 364 5906 or by email service@trustedshops.co.uk. They will confirm whether they have certified that website.
• Payments made via bank transfer are not protected should you not receive the item. Therefore always try to make the payment via PayPal or a credit card where you have some payment cover should you not receive your product.
• If the item advertised seems too good to be true, then it probably is. 

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.

Fund-raising Weston Christmas Light Display

Reporter Jonathan White, Crewe

Photo caption: l-r Graham Witter - Nikki Wrench (Relationship Manager, The Donna Louise Children's Hospice) - Tracey Powell (Care Co-ordinator, The Donna Louise Children's Hospice)

Graham Witter, aged 21, who is a BA (Hons) Business Management degree student at Manchester Metropolitan University (Cheshire Campus), setup hundreds of Christmas lights where he lives at Carters Green Cottage in Weston to raise money for charity.

His Christmas light display took place every day from 1st to 28th December 2015. The display covered farm buildings, a garden and an adjacent yard and contained a combination of rope lights, LED lights, animated 3D figures, 3D inflatables, along with background Christmas music. There was also a small wooden Santa’s Grotto and even a life-size Santa's sleigh. Santa himself even made an appearance every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and the last few days before Christmas. It took Graham six weeks to set it all up.

Graham raised £1,000 in 2013, £5,720 in 2014 and an incredible £10,280 in 2015. Thus, he has raised £17,000 in total over the past three years. For the third year running all the money will go to The Donna Louise Children's Hospice http://www.donnalouisetrust.org/ , who provided respite care for his teenage sister Jessica. Tragically, Jessica passed away on New Year’s Eve.

Nikki Wrench, Relationship Manager at The Donna Louise Children's Hospice, said, "We are really proud to work with Graham and the Witter family and their Christmas light display. 2015 was particularly poignant as Jessica passed away on New Year's Eve. All the money raised from the display will be in her memory."

Graham said, "I would like to thank all the local community, support from many local businesses and to everybody who has helped me to fundraise this amazing sum of money. This charity means an awful lot to me as they have supported our family for several years, and have been a lifeline for care and family help in many difficult circumstances. My sister who had multiple disabilities and needed 24 hour care peacefully passed away in December, and I am dedicating the 2015 light display in her memory and this money is being used to purchase equipment to help many local children. I will continue to fundraise for this amazing charity, as I believe after using the much loved services they offer that this money is being put to good use and I am helping them to keep the doors open. It would be great to see you all coming back this year for what will be another fantastic light display, and I hope you will tell all your family and friends too! I'd like to wish everybody a happy and healthy year!"

Tumble dryer fire risk - product recall alert

Subject: Tumble dryer fire risk - product recall alert

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This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service

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Message sent by

Caroline Jones (Cheshire Fire, Administrator, Cheshire Fire)

Tumble dryer fire risk

A potential fire risk with tumble dryers manufactured between April 2004 and September 2015 has been identified.   The affected brands are:

• Hotpoint
• Indesit
• Creda

The fire risk is due to excess fluff which can come into contact with the heating element and present a risk of fire.
If you have a tumble dryer, please check your tumble dryer to see if it has been recalled.
If you believe you have an affected tumble dryer please stop using it immediately and visit this website to find out if your tumble dryer is affected:
https://safety.hotpoint.eu/
More information can be found on the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service website:
http://www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/news-events/latest-news/tumble-dryer-fire-alert

Initial tests at proposed waste site show no traces of phosgene

 

Cheshire East Council has recently completed site investigations on the potential new environmental hub site in Middlewich. These investigations included testing for phosgene and chlorine gas on the site. No traces of either gas were detected.

The checks were carried out from 25 January to 5 February and involved 189 test holes drilled across the site.

The tests, which were carried out by a specialist contractor with the approval of the Health and Safety Executive, checked for phosgene and chlorine gas levels measured in detection limits of 0.1 parts per million (ppm) or 0.0998 milligram per litre (mg/L) and no traces were found.

The location was originally commandeered by the Ministry of Defence during the First World War and for this reason, and for public safety, Cheshire East took the precaution of checking for phosgene and chlorine gas.

Councillor Sam Gardner, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member in charge of open spaces, said: “These were very extensive and thorough tests which demonstrated our determination to ensure that the site is safe and that there is no risk to public health.”

“This hub will result in tremendous economic growth for the area, with the creation of jobs producing the natural knock-on effect of more money being spent in Middlewich.”

Future works will continue to be supported by monitoring for the target substances and metal detector screening for buried features.

Council set to increase the money it pays to care providers

 

Care providers in Cheshire East are set to be paid more by the Council to reflect the important work that they do supporting vulnerable and older people.

The Council is also continuing to phase out 15-minute domiciliary care visits, a pledge it made in 2015.

The recommendations will go before the next full Council meeting on February 25 following approval by the recent meeting of Cabinet.

A further recommendation is that care provision funding continues if a resident is in hospital for up to two weeks in order that continuity with care staff is maintained. 

This should avoid any unnecessary delay in discharge from hospital.  

An extra £5.44million is to be found to increase the rates paid to providers, including domiciliary care agencies, residential and nursing care homes and direct payments to residents. 

In the care home sector, providers can expect to benefit from fee increases of up to 13.5 per cent.

Care fees paid by Cheshire East have remained at the same level since April 2009.

They were last reviewed in 2013 when it was decided they should remain unchanged.

Fees for 30 minutes visits will rise by an average of 6.46 per cent, for 45 minute calls by 6.85 per cent and for hour-long visits by 21.12 per cent.  New rates will range from £8.20 to £14.20.

Direct payments will also be increased by an average of 16.3 per cent.

Councillor Janet Clowes, Cabinet member in charge of adult social care and well being, said: “The Care Act places additional requirements on the Council to adopt a formal approach to its fee structure and to take into account the cost of care locally.

“”We are pleased to be in a position to invest more money into our care system and we hope this reflects a requirement on employers to ensure staff are paid the national living wage.

“Cheshire East values the dedication shown by the care workforce across the Borough and we recognise extremely hard work they put in.

“We are also in a position to deliver on our promise of ending 15-minute care visits, except where residents expressly request short visits. 

“Most of the visits made in Cheshire East are for 30 minutes duration and in 1,650 cases visits are as long as one hour.”

Currently the Council spends around £80 million on providing externally commissioned care for some 5,600 adults who require support.

Council to issue packs, bags and a call to action in nation’s ‘Clean for the Queen’ campaign

 

Cheshire East Council is urging communities to ‘Clean for The Queen’ to mark the monarch’s 90th birthday.

The Council’s Cabinet agreed to promote a localised campaign to spruce up the Borough as part of the nationwide clean up drive to mark the big occasion.

A campaign will begin in March to promote self-sustainability and civic pride, with volunteer groups, supported by the Council, to organise litter picking and smarten up their towns, villages and neighbourhoods.

The Council will set up a fund of £7,000 to provide litter picking packs, including disposable gloves, litter-picker tools and high visibility vests.

This is over and above the fund set aside nationally to drive forward the Clean for the Queen campaign across the country.

It is anticipated that volunteer groups will continue to use the packs and maintain clean-up operations up to and beyond the Queen’s official birthday in June when UK-wide celebrations are planned.

Three days in early March (4 – 6), have been selected for the launch of the campaign.

The Council’s wholly owned environmental waste and recycling company Ansa will provide free bags for litter and collect them when full.

Councillor David Brown, Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “We want to encourage existing voluntary clean-up groups to take part and inspire other neighbours and communities to do the same.

“We hope those taking part for the first time will continue to be active in this way and become potential community champions and leaders.

“We would like to see everyone doing their best to make Cheshire East litter free and I hope businesses, take-away food outlets and other organisations will play their part.”

Councillor Les Gilbert, Cabinet member in charge of communities, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Clean for The Queen and we would encourage as many groups, individuals and organisations as possible to take part. 

“Litter is an anti-social problem and councils across the UK spend in excess of £1billion clearing up every year.

“By taking part in Clean for The Queen, communities will not only be doing their bit to mark her 90th birthday, they will also give themselves a clean space in which to live, work and play and to be proud of.

“We want to help organisations and residents to get involved and would urge people to apply as soon as possible, to ensure they have their own kit together with their resource pack to help them with any questions around health and safety, good practice and first aid.”

Clean for the Queen is a national campaign and is the first anti-litter campaign since 1953.

More information about Clean for The Queen and the existing clean teams across Cheshire East can be found by searching Clean for The Queen at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

Caption: Members of the Crewe Clean Team ready for action

Local Plan moves forward towards consultation and its final stages

 

Cheshire East Council’s Local Plan Strategy to shape development across the Borough up to 2030 has moved a step closer to being put in place.

Following the resumption of the Local Plan examination in August and the holding of seven days of hearings in October, Local Plan Inspector Stephen Pratt issued his ‘further interim views’ on the submitted Plan in December (2015).

These broadly supported the further evidential work carried out by the Council over the past 12 months in relation to the Local Plan.

The inspector noted that: “There is no doubt that Cheshire East Council has produced an impressive and comprehensive set of additional evidence within a relatively limited amount of time during the suspension of the examination.”

Now the revised Local Plan Strategy is set to go before strategic planning board, Cabinet and for approval by Full Council in February, before further extensive public consultation. This will include additional and amended strategic site allocations.

The Council is due to submit the Local Plan Strategy, with any amendments, to the Planning Inspector in June 2016.

Councillor Rachel Bailey, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member in charge of the Local Plan, said: “The positive views expressed by the Inspector have enabled the Council to make amendments to our Local Plan with confidence and publish these for consultation.

“We therefore propose to take a report to a full meeting of the Council at the end of February, setting out proposed amendments to the plan.

“This will include a comprehensive suite of development sites to accommodate the larger scale of growth now planned for the Borough. Following a period of full consultation, during March and April, further examination hearings are expected to be held in early autumn.

“We are doing everything possible to progress the Local Plan and to speed up its completion. We are mindful that we have to work within the processes and timescales set out in legislation.

“However, with every stage we are working hard to bring the final adoption of the Local Plan a step closer.”

The updated evidence completed during the suspension of the Inspector’s examination necessitated revisions to the main strategic policies relating to housing, economic growth, development and green belt. The wording of policies was amended to reflect the outcome of the new evidence. The key points included:

● Revisions to reflect a revised housing requirement of 36,000 homes (up from 29,000);  

● Increased employment land requirement, up from 300 hectares to 380ha, to reflect the stronger anticipated jobs growth rate of 0.7 per cent per annum (up from the original anticipated rate of 0.4 per cent);

● Revised spatial distribution of development, incorporating both the uplift in overall development and the need for additional growth in the northern towns;

● Increase in the amount of safeguarded land within green-belt areas to 200ha;

● Replacement of the new green belt between Crewe and Nantwich with a revised strategic green-gap policy.

These revisions were endorsed by Cabinet on July 21, 2015.

To see the Local Plan Strategy documents suite, visit the link:

http://cheshireeast-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/planning/cs/hs/sahra

Cheshire Fire And Rescue Service February 2016 E-Newsletter - Firelink

Subject: Cheshire Fire And Rescue Service February 2016 E-Newsletter - Firelink

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This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service

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Ashley Lawton (Cheshire Fire , Administrator, Cheshire Fire)

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

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Stonewall Top 100

The Service’s efforts to engage lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) staff, volunteers and communities have earned it the title of the UK’s best emergency service in Stonewall’s influential equality index. It has ranked 13th in the 2016 prestigious Top 100 Employers list and is the best performing blue light organisation in the country.

This is the fourth consecutive year the Service has featured in the list, which assesses organisations ranging from local authorities to international investment banks.

Find out more - 13th proves lucky for equality trail-blazer

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Cooking safety month

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service will be sharing cooking safety tips throughout the month of February. 

There are a number of cooking related dates throughout the month including Pancake Day and Chip Pan Safety Week.

Pancake Day

Pancake Day is the day when people reach for the frying pan, lemon and sugar - but some end up needing the fire and rescue service too.

When making pancakes, never leave any cooking or kitchen appliances unattended. It only takes a few seconds for an unattended pan or cooker to catch fire.

Read our pancake day safety advice

Chip Pan Safety Week

Reduce the chance of having a fire in your home by throwing away your chip pan for chip pan safety week.

Please do not use traditional chip pans, because they can cause fatal fires. There are other options for cooking chips which will keep you and your family safer. Please choose an alternative to chip pans.

Read our chip pan safety advice

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Valentine's Day safety advice

We are urging members of the public to stay safe in the home on Valentine's Day by following a few simple fire safety tips.

If you are planning a romantic candle-lit meal on Valentine’s Day be aware of the dangers of naked flames.

Read our Valentine's Day safety advice

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Biker Down courses

If you were the first on the scene of an accident involving a biker, would you know what to do? Would you know who is most at risk, how to protect the area or whether you should remove the helmet of a downed rider?

Actions taken in the first few moments after an accident can be crucial in minimising injuries and can make a real difference to the lives of those involved, but there can be some uncertainty about what to do in these situations.

We are holding a number of Biker Down training courses this year. For dates and details please visit our website.

Find out more - Biker Down

Reasons to be cheerful! Cheshire East named ‘happiest place’ in England

 

Cheshire East has been named as the happiest place to live in England.

It polled a fantastic fifth place in the whole of the UK in the Office for National Statistics’ happiness survey – and was placed number one outside Scotland.

People living in the Western Isles in Scotland are on average the happiest in the UK, according to a major Whitehall study. 

An analysis based on a survey of more than 300,000 people across Britain by the Office for National Statistics found East Cheshire was only pipped to the title of happiest place to live in Britain by three Scottish island regions and the Scottish Highlands. 

Councillor David Brown, Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council, said he was delighted by this national recognition – but not surprised.

He said: “This is wonderful news and confirms what we have been saying for some time – that Cheshire East is a fabulous place to live, work, visit and do business.

“It has a very strong local economy, vibrant communities, fantastic schools and beautiful towns, villages and countryside – no wonder it puts a smile on people’s faces.

“There is so much to celebrate and enjoy about living in Cheshire East that I’m not surprised this survey has highlighted it on the national stage.”

The study, carried out by the Office for National Statistics, asked people to rate their happiness on a scale of one to 10 in the three-year study between 2012-2015, with 0-4 classed as 'low' and 9-10 as 'very high'. 

Cheshire East’s national recognition in this survey is not the first plaudit for the Borough:

Cheshire East has already been named ‘Best in the North West’ two years running and has a number of notable ‘firsts’ and high placings, both nationally and in the region:

● Best place to live in the North West, two years running (Halifax Quality of Life survey);

● Cheshire East’s schools are the second best in England (ranking based on performance in Ofsted inspections);

● First local authority to supply energy direct to the public since gas and electricity were nationalised in 1948. This Fairerpower scheme has saved residents more than £1m in total since its launch in March 2015;

● Cheshire is ‘best place’ in country for starting up a rural business (CLA report);

● Best place to start a family – Bollington (PropertyDetective.com report);

● Best place to both start and raise a family – Poynton (PropertyDetective.com report);

● Best in the North West for our low Neets (Not in employment, education or training) figure for youngsters;

● Local Authority Adoption Service of the Year in 2013/14 – as part of Four4Adoption collaboration;

● One of the fastest rollouts of superfast broadband in the country – taking provision to 96 per cent by the end of 2015 – and aiming for 98 per cent by 2017;

● 18,000+ businesses – more per head than even Manchester Council.

Boost for Sandbach and Audlem as neighbourhood plans pass key milestone

 

Neighbourhood plans for Sandbach and Audlem have successfully passed a key milestone on their way to giving local communities a greater say in development decisions.

Sandbach Neighbourhood Plan and Audlem Neighbourhood Plan have both been given the green light by a planning examiner.

Sandbach Town and Audlem Parish councils are among the first in Cheshire East to take up the new neighbourhood planning powers and, following independent examination, the examiner has declared their plans meet and pass all the relevant tests.

This means that, subject to some modifications, the plans can now move forward to local referenda, where residents of each community can vote on their local neighbourhood plan.

If each referendum is successful, the policies in each plan will be brought into full effect and used when Cheshire East Council considers planning applications in Sandbach and Audlem.

Councillor Ainsley Arnold, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member in charge of housing and planning, said: “It is excellent that we are now at a stage where there will be a democratic process to decide if the proposed plans are robust and appropriate for the communities of Audlem and Sandbach.

“To have got to this stage is an achievement for both communities and their neighbourhood plan steering groups and I’d like to congratulate everyone involved on all the hard work that’s been put in to reach this point.

“Sound and robust neighbourhood plans can allow communities to take ownership of planning policy, which directly impacts on their lives. They enable local people to develop policies to address those planning matters that affect not only their interests but also wellbeing.

“The next steps are to put the Sandbach and Audlem neighbourhood plans to their local residents and ask if they would like it to be used to inform and shape planning decisions. If half or more of those that vote are in favour of the plan, Cheshire East will formally ‘adopt’ it and bring it into force.

“We look forward to supporting our growing number of neighbourhood planners to get to the same point.”

The communities of Sandbach and Audlem have been part of the plan-making process from the beginning and have designed plans that are unique to each local area.

The Audlem and Sandbach neighbourhood plans contain a number of policies specifically designed to shape local development.

Both plans were created to safeguard the long-term development of each town. The Sandbach Neighbourhood Plan focuses on delivering local employment and protecting wildlife and green spaces around the town, while the Audlem plan emphasises good design and meeting the housing needs of local residents.

It is anticipated that referenda in Sandbach and Audlem will be held in the spring.

A51 London Road to benefit from highway improvements

 

The A51 London Road through Stapeley and Walgherton is to undergo improvements and repairs.

Cheshire East Highways is replacing road markings and patching London Road between the junctions of Back Lane and Checkley Lane for five days, from February 15-19. Gully cleansing and drainage repairs will also take place in this location.

To allow works to take place safely, London Road will be closed between the Peter Destapleigh Way/Elwood Way junction, Stapeley and the A525 in Woore. Works are planned between 9.30am and 3.30pm during the February school half-term holiday to ensure peak travel hours remain unaffected and disruption is minimised. Any winter maintenance gritting activities will be unaffected.

A diversion route will be put in place to help traffic flow during the work. It will be signed via the A529 and A525, also operating in reverse. This route will be mapped out using variable message signs.

Emergency access will be maintained at all times and local residents and businesses have been informed. 

Businesses located on London Road will be open as usual and staff will be available at the closure points to arrange entrance and exit to both properties and businesses. Traffic marshals will be on hand to provide help and advice, as first point of contact, to members of the public throughout the duration of the scheme.

Councillor David Brown, Cabinet member in charge of highways, said: “In order to minimise disruption, we’ve taken a decision to do this during the school half-term to make access available at peak hours. We will be carrying out gully emptying so that we do not have to return in the near future.”

Keep up to date with the latest developments via the @CECHighways twitter account and online at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/highways

Any queries can also be directed to Cheshire East Council’s customer contact centre at 0300 123 5020.

Advice for Flood Victims: Bogus Trades People

Subject: Advice for Flood Victims: Bogus Trades People

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This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. 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)

In December 2015 the UK was hit by three severe storms resulting in widespread flooding across the North of England and Scotland.
The NFIB would like to make flood victims aware of the possible threat that Rogue Traders and Bogus Trades People pose to them. Buying on your doorstep can be convenient. However, a salesman who uses clever tactics can pressurise you into buying something you actually don’t want or something that’s poor value for money.
Protect yourself against bogus trades people fraud

• Always ask for identification before letting anyone you don't know into your house.
• Check credentials, including a permanent business address and landline telephone number. The mobile phone numbers given on business cards are often pay-as-you-go numbers which are virtually impossible to trace.
• Take control by asking the questions. Ask for references from previous customers or to see examples of their work.
• Don’t sign on the spot – shop around. Get at least three written quotes to make sure you’re not being ripped off.
• If in any doubt, ask the person to leave or call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06.

If you do decide to buy:

• Always get any agreement you make in writing.
• Beware when filling in forms or when speaking to the salesperson, and ensure you don’t reveal confidential details that a fraudster could use to assume your identity or take control of your finances. This may allow a fraudster to steal money from your account or order goods and services in your name.
• Usually, you have a seven-day cooling off period. So if you decide to cancel the contract, act fast.
• Think very carefully about having any work done or goods delivered during the cooling off period. You may have to pay, even if you change your mind.
• Never pay for work before it has been completed, and only then if you are happy with it.

If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud you can report it online http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud or by telephone 0300 123 2040.