Queens Park Rumours

On Radio Stoke on Monday they started a rumour that the park wasnt going to be finished you can here the rumours here 

I spoke to the horse mouth so to speak the manager of the Queens Park and there is no problem what has happened that the paths were all to be one contract but as there are different requirements for the paths ie the path by the lodges will all be on new soil and will settle in time so will need to be temporary paths. So what they have picked up on is that the contract has been stopped and changed to the new one were several tenders for different parts of the park. But she assured me the money was there and everything was going ahead as normal.

You can see on the WWW.crewetown.co.uk the main website for the park  that everything is progressing with work on the lodges starting next week

Special rail tour to pass through Cheshire East

Keen day trippers in Cheshire East are being urged to climb aboard a special rail tour to the North East of England.

The one-off North Eastern Express Rail tour to Darlington, Durham and Newcastle-upon-Tyne departs on Saturday, May 7, and will pick up travellers at stations in Cheshire East.

Residents can board the train at Knutsford, Plumley, Mobberley and Ashley and investigate the rich railway heritage of Darlington, take in picturesque Durham, visit the Beamish Living Museum of the North and tour the city of Newcastle.

It is being organised by Mid Cheshire Rail Users’ Association (MCRUA), of which Cheshire East Council is a member and pays a contribution each year to help promote sustainable travel.

Councillor Jamie Macrae, Cabinet member with responsibility for prosperity, said: “This special rail excursion should prove to be a marvellous day out for the residents of Cheshire East.

“It is a one-off tour and is aimed at promoting the use of the Mid Cheshire Rail line, which features various Cheshire East rail stations.

“This is another fine example of how Cheshire East works with others to improve community life.”

The first stop is Darlington where tourists can visit Shildon, dubbed the cradle of railways. The train continues to Durham for its cathedral, university and riverside or an optional trip to the museum.

The final destination is Newcastle where visitors can take in the Quayside area, bridges and many other places of interest.

The Mid Cheshire Rail Users Association (MCRUA) has been organising special excursions for more than 22 years and around 480 passengers enjoyed its last trip on the Great Western Express, to Oxford, Bath and Bristol.

Fares start at £45 for MCRUA members and £50 for non-members, with prices ranging from £41-45 for senior citizens.

To book, visit www.northeasternexpress.org.uk, where payments can be made using debit card, credit card or PayPal or by downloading a booking form from the website.

Cheshire East railway stations honoured

It is full steam ahead for six Cheshire East railway stations saluted at an annual awards ceremony.

The sites were among the winners in the Cheshire Best Kept Station competition, in which 13 awards were bestowed throughout the county.

The overall area winner for the Cheshire East-sponsored award was Holmes Chapel, while Crewe was judged ‘best staffed station’ and Nantwich had the ‘best kept gardens.’

Handforth received the ‘tidiest station award’, Knutsford was given the ‘youth challenge award’ and the Cheshire community award went to Chelford at the ceremony, held at the Weaver Hall Museum & Workhouse, in Northwich.

Councillor Jamie Macrae, Cabinet member with responsibility for prosperity, said: “I am delighted that our railway stations have been recognised once again in this way.

“It is testament to the hard work of those in the community who help to keep our stations attractive and well used and to the staff, who provide a top class customer service to travellers.

“This contributes to our overall aims to enhance the Cheshire East environment and to work with others to improve community life.”

The Cheshire East award was given to Holmes Chapel in recognition of the work carried out by Northern Rail station supervisor Graham Blake. His passengers are on first-name terms with him and enjoy a self-styled waiting room complete with a ‘traveller’s library.’

The accolade for Crewe, which is managed by Virgin Trains, reflects best customer practice and Nantwich’s award was in tribute to the partnership between Nantwich in Bloom and Nantwich Town Council.

There are raised flower beds made from sleepers, planters and hanging baskets, which are regularly weeded, watered and dead-headed.

Handforth won its award through the efforts of station staff and voluntary group Friends of Handforth Station.

Knutsford’s award recognises youth involvement at its station. Through creative partnership working with Knutsford High School, Northern Rail, the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership and Mid Cheshire Rail Users’ Association, the station has its own art gallery, planted gardens and provides a welcome to those visiting the town.

Chelford was awarded for community involvement at the station. A handful of dedicated volunteers, with support from their parish council and local businesses, have transformed it into a first-class railway station.

The awards were presented by Michael Trevor Barnston, chairman of Cheshire Crimebeat. For more information, visit www.bestkeptstations.org.uk

Crewe Works falling down?

The wall of Crewe Works in West St opposite Minshull new rd has over the past few weeks been falling apart as large pieces of bricks and masonry have been falling on the pavement.  It may well be due to the frost as half the wall was very damp long after the frost and its been crumbling ever since. The wall is very old as is evident by the camouflage on it from the war. They have now erected scaffolding so hopefully repairs are now underway before it gets any worse. The problem with the scaffolding is they blocked the footpath while they were erecting it making it very dangerous as they didnt leave anywhere for pedestrians to walk but into the road they should have made safe passage for them

Have your say on Local Transport Plan implementation

 

Cheshire East Council wants YOUR views on how best to turn ambitious local transport proposals into reality.

The Council has worked with partners to draw up a comprehensive Local Transport Plan (LTP) strategy. This aims to tie in with the local authority area’s Sustainable Community Strategy and wider ambitions for the area – including boosting the local economy and tackling climate change.

The priorities of the LTP – backed by the public – are to ensure a sustainable future and create conditions for business growth, while tackling carbon emissions.

The Council held an extended six-week public consultation via a questionnaire last October/November to seek the public’s views on what the future transport priorities should be for the next 15 years.

Now the Council is launching a further round of consultation on a draft implementation plan – which aims to transform the transport strategy into actions.

Councillor Jamie Macrae, Cabinet member with responsibility for prosperity, said: “The successful first round of consultation has informed and shaped our transport priorities – and now we want people’s views on the initiatives we are proposing to deliver those priorities over the next four years.

“This is a real opportunity for local people to have their say and really shape, and take ownership of, local transport policy priorities and their implementation.”

Priority policy initiatives include:

● Working with the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities to carry out feasibility studies of tram-train opportunities in the north of the Borough, including park-and-ride sites for the city centre;

● Preparing bids for funding to support the improved integration of different modes of transport, including public transport, road, walking and cycling;

● Supporting proposals for high-speed rail links and improved rail services in Cheshire East;

● Continuing to work with the Department for Transport to secure funding for the Crewe Green Link Road;

● Working with strategic partners, via the Local Enterprise Partnership, to secure transport improvements to boost economic growth across the Borough.

Cllr Macrae added: “Transport and travel is a fundamental part of everyday life and supports a vibrant economy.

“The Local Transport Plan (LTP) aims to build on the strengths of the existing transport system in Cheshire East, including our good transport links to major centres via the motorway and rail network and the international gateway at Manchester Airport, and set out a strategy and proposals to improve it further to foster our ambitious plans for economic growth and protect our environment to ensure a sustainable future for all our residents and businesses.

“Our travel patterns are heavily reliant on the car for most people, which means we have to improve alternative options for travel to make these more attractive, including public transport networks. The LTP will shape future investment in our highways and public transport network over the next 15 years, so we would welcome your comments on the implementation of the identified strategies and priorities for Cheshire East.”

To have your say on implementation of the new Local Transport Plan, fill in the questionnaire online by visiting the Council’s website at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/travel

Alternatively, get a copy of the questionnaire from council customer service point offices – at Westfields in Sandbach, Macclesfield Town Hall or Delamere House in Crewe – and send the completed form to:

Cheshire East LTP Strategy and Consultation, FREEPOST CW247, Floor 6, Strategic Highways and Transportation, Delamere House, Crewe CW1 2LL.

The deadline for filling in the questionnaire is Wednesday, February 16.

Cheshire East’s new LTP will be published in April 2011.

Cheshire & Merseyside welcomes proposals on availability of cheap alcohol

 

Cheshire & Warrington Health and Wellbeing Commission and the Liverpool City Region Safer Healthier Communities Board welcome this week’s Home Office proposals to introduce a minimum unit price for alcohol, however there is still commitment in Cheshire & Merseyside to work towards a minimum unit price of 50p. 

In response to the Government proposals, Cllr Andrew Knowles, Chair of the Cheshire & Warrington Health & Wellbeing Commission and Cheshire East’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing said: “We see this as a positive step forward in tackling the availability of cheap alcohol but we would still call for a minimum unit price of 50p because the majority of alcoholic drinks are already priced above the levels ministers are proposing.  We will continue to explore the possibility of a local bylaw as the evidence shows a minimum unit price of 50p is the most effective way to reduce deaths, chronic illness and crime due to over-consumption of alcohol”

A recent study by Sheffield University has shown that a nationwide minimum of 50p per unit of alcohol would prevent 98,000 alcohol related hospital admissions and 46,000 alcohol related crimes*.

Julie Webster, Lead Director of Public Health for Alcohol from Cheshire & Merseyside Public Health Network (ChaMPs) states “In Cheshire & Merseyside, applying a 50p per unit of alcohol would have a greater impact on heavy and younger drinkers as these are the groups who traditionally buy cheap alcohol.  A minimum unit price of 50p could reduce hospital admissions in Cheshire & Merseyside by 7,000 resulting in savings of around £2million.”

Also in support of a minimum unit price of 50p, Charlie Barker, Lead Officer for the Liverpool City Region Safer Healthier Communities Board said “45% of all violent crime is alcohol related**, we cannot continue with the high levels of alcohol harm in our communities and we are working with colleagues in the North West to take action to reduce it.”

Cheshire & Warrington Health and Wellbeing Commission and the Liverpool City Region Safer Healthier Communities Board have agreed to establish a joint working group, with colleagues from Manchester, to explore the issues around alcohol related harm including minimum unit pricing for alcohol.

*Sheffield University ScHARR study, 2008

**Crime in England & Wales 2007/2008, findings from British Crime Survey and Police recorded crime, July 2008

Pre-Budget Report 2011/2012:

Working Together to Improve Community Life –

Cheshire East to freeze Council Tax while boosting cash for children and vulnerable adults and nurturing economic growth

Cheshire East is set to freeze Council Tax while boosting the coffers of services for children, the elderly and vulnerable.

Despite a 25 per cent cut in Government grants over four years, proposals in a Pre-Budget Report approved by the Cabinet also aim to help nurture economic growth in the Borough and still further improve efficiency at delivering services.

The planned gross Council expenditure (funding available to services, less charges and fees for services) for 2011/12 is £587.7m. This is £4.8m lower than the previous year’s figure, £592.5m.

The finalised Budget is due to be put before the Council for approval on February 24.

Cheshire East Council Leader Wesley Fitzgerald said: “The Council is facing high demand for services – particularly those involved in care of the elderly, protecting and enhancing the lives of children and repairing and enhancing our winter-damaged road network.

“This is set against a backdrop of the Government’s tightening of public sector purse strings to manage the national deficit reduction programme.

“We are responding positively to meet this challenge, as we recognise that delivering high-value, low-cost council services is essential – and a vital part of being accountable to the people of Cheshire East.”

Proposals in the Pre-Budget Report include:

● No increase in basic Council Tax levels for 2011/12 – securing extra Government 

   funding of £4.4m (equivalent to increasing Council Tax by 2.5 per cent);

● Raising about £1m by increasing taxes on second and long-term empty homes in    

    Cheshire East – helping to boost moves to increase the number of empty homes  

    brought back into use to meet housing demand;

● £9.8m investment in Adult Services– to meet rising demand for frontline services 

   and give older and vulnerable adults greater choice and control over their lives;

● £0.9m extra for Children’s Services – increasing budgets to provide care for 

   children;

● £3.7m savings from the Places Budget – including transforming the way 

   Council transport is run and improving refuse collection efficiency;

● £11.41m savings in efficiency measures including proposed changes to conditions of

    employment, reducing agency staff costs, targeting procurement savings, greater 

    management efficiency, improving use of the Council’s estate and increasing energy  

    efficiency;

● No proposed Supplementary Business Rates levied in 2011/12.

Councillor Fitzgerald added: “As a Council, we have restructured and used a transformational approach to create real efficiencies over the past two years. This work continued over the autumn as the Cabinet and managers worked to reduce the impact on services.

“Setting a Budget always needs balance and the Council must raise the necessary funds to meet the demands from service users. The authority’s spending is still based on the needs of local residents.

“Using Government comparisons, the spending power for Cheshire East Council is only £753.31 per head. This compares with an England average of £1007.21. Value in Cheshire East is, therefore, already high but we will continue to do more.

“The Council is engaging with Government to ensure it recognises the potential in Cheshire East.

“I also look forward to continuing our work with local partners and businesses to maintain Cheshire East’s position as a prosperous place with great potential. The real work starts now.”

Engagement with key partners will now begin to more fully assess the impact of the Pre-Budget Report proposals and what can be done to mitigate its impact.

The Pre-Budget Report outlines proposals to support the Council’s vision over the next 15 years to ‘Work together to improve community life’.

The seven strategic priorities are: to nurture strong communities; create the conditions for business growth; unlock the potential of our towns; support our children and young people; ensure a sustainable future; prepare for an increasingly older population; and drive out the causes of poor health.

Lisa Quinn, Cheshire East’s borough treasurer and head of assets, said: “The Council launched a business planning process in July to assess the likely reduction in available funding levels and set a framework for generating policy changes in response to priorities and desired performance.

“The Budget includes ambitious savings proposals but I am confident they are realistic and achievable.

“This Pre-Budget Report marks a key milestone in setting the final Budget.”

A press release on behalf of Councillors Derek Bebbington and John Jones.

 

When we heard that Cheshire East Council had looked and surveyed a site on Parkers Road to establish if the site was suitable to accommodate a Gypsy and traveller site, we immediately called for a meeting with Senior Managers to discuss local issues, which we felt clearly did not favour proceeding to develop a site on Parkers Road.

We are pleased to be able to say as a result of that meeting, the Council have agreed not to proceed with a site on Parkers Road and are now looking at other sites that they have shortlisted.

Councillors Derek Bebbington & John Jones

Tribute to Mike Heywood

I write to pay tribute to Mike Heywood, the Chairman of Willaston Parish Council who has sadly died. I would also like to express my sympathy and condolences to his wife Judy and her family.

Mike was a wonderful, lovely man. He was gentle, quietly spoken, kind, patient and caring. He always had a friendly word with everyone. He worked tirelessly for the residents of Willaston, for the Parish Council, for Willaston Scouts, for Willaston in Bloom and for so many other groups. Whatever event you went to in the village he was almost always there, showing support, commitment and giving a word of praise.

Mike was first elected to the Parish Council in 1996 and brought with him an energy to immediately get the job done.

He became Chairman in 1999. It was at this time I was elected as the Willaston Borough Councillor and when I got to know Mike. As soon as you met him it was like you had known him all your life. He was always so friendly, welcoming and helpful.

I was delighted that during my period as Mayor of Crewe and Nantwich in 2009 I was able to award him a special Mayor's Oscar for his excellent work in Willaston for so many years. He was a very worthy recipient of the award in the Civic Hall at Nantwich but he collected it in his usual unassuming way, wondering what all the fuss was about.

Last August Mike persuaded the Parish Council to revive the Village Fete. It was a beautiful sunny day and over 500 people turned out to see the procession and  to enjoy the fete on the playing fields. As Parish Council Chairman Mike  crowned the Rose Queen, Emily Bennett, who was surrounded by her young attendants. He was really happy at the success of the Fete and rightly proud of the support the revived Fete had been given by local people.

Mike was the Chairman of the Willaston in Bloom Committee and  worked hard with his team to make the village look really beautiful with hanging baskets and  flower borders everywhere in time for the judging process. All the hard work paid off  however and the village has won numerous Britain in Bloom awards over the years which are displayed at the entrances to the village.

Mike was a local character who worked really hard for the village he loved for so many years and local residents really appreciated his tremendous efforts on their behalf.

He always had a friendly word and a smile for everybody. His leadership, energy  and work rate will be greatly missed

He was a shining star, a very honourable man and a dear friend to all who knew him.

Mike was 'Mr Willaston' and Willaston will not be the same without him.

His passing will leave an enormous gap that will be impossible to fill.

Yours faithfully,

Cllr Brian Silvester

Cheshire East Borough Councillor for Willaston

GCSE results push Cheshire East up the league

 

Record-breaking GCSE results mean that Cheshire East continues to strengthen its position in performance league tables, which have just been published.

The tables compare local authorities both regionally and nationally.

When looking at the amount of students achieving five or more A*-C grades, including English and maths, Cheshire East has moved from fourth to second amongst its statistical neighbours – those authorities with a similar profile in terms of demographics, size and areas of deprivation, for example.

National tables look at all 151 local authorities, here Cheshire East has improved from 26^th to 15^th.

The most recent data shows that 62.5 per cent of students in Cheshire East achieved five or more A*-C grades, including English and Maths. This is an increase of 5.2 per cent on the previous year’s results.

In terms of A*-C grades, final figures show a record 80.1 per cent of students achieved five or more GCSEs, compared with 73 per cent last year. This is a seven per cent increase and sees the authority move up to third, when comparing with our statistical neighbours.

The English Baccalaureate, the Government’s new GCSE performance measure, has also been applied to this year’s results. This measure requires learners to achieve a good grade in English, maths, two sciences, a modern or ancient language as well as history or geography.

Cheshire East results show that 19.2% of learners would have achieved this new qualification which compares positively to the national average of 15.1%.

Councillor Hilda Gaddum, Cabinet member with responsibility for children and families, said: “The GCSE results achieved by our students last year were a splendid achievement. It is a testament to their hard work and the efforts of all the school staff that helped them prepare.

“Our strong showing in these performance tables indicate that we are doing things correctly, and giving our students the best possible preparation for entering further education, or the world of work.”

BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY.

  PLEASE READ CAREFULLY, and forward to friends similar emails come round every so often, but you never know.

Its sad that the world has got to this stage,but we should all be aware that these things do happen and be prepared just in case!!
Better to be safe than sorry!!!!

POLICE INFORMATION

The first bit is mainly for women, but gents, please read it and send it on to any women you care about.  The second bit is a warning to all of us!

Some sound advice for us all, as we all sometimes forget to take our commonsense with us when we go out.

This is from The Northants Police..... Please read, and pass on.
An important message from the Police - please pass this along to all the women you know.....

This actually happened a few weeks ago on the M3 FLEET SERVICES

It was early evening, and a young girl stopped to get petrol. She filled her tank and walked into the shop to pay for her petrol. The cashier told her, 'Don't pay for your petrol yet......walk around the store for a while, and act as if you're picking up some other things to buy. A man just got into the back of your car. I've called the police, and they're on their way'.

When the police arrived, they found the man in the back seat of the girl's car and asked him what he was doing. He replied, he was joining a gang, and the initiation to join is to kidnap a woman and bring her back to the gang to be raped by every member of the gang. If the woman was still alive by the time they finish with her then they let her go. According to the police that night, there is a new gang forming here, originating from London . The scary part of this is, because the guy didn't have a weapon on him, the police could only charge him with trespassing....

He's back on the street and free to try again. Something similar to this happened at the Tesco garage on Cardiff Road in Newport recently, but luckily the cashier saw the man get into her car. Please be aware of what's going on around you, and warn your family and friends.

LADIES, you or one of your family or friends could be the next victim. Please forward this on to everyone you know. Please do not discard this message; it is very important that everyone knows what is happening. Please be careful when leaving your vehicle, and make sure it is ALWAYS LOCKED to prevent this from happening to you.
FROM THE MET POLICE
In light of the recent kidnapping and now murder of Leigh Mathews, I think it is important to read the following info for your own safety. Things women should know to stay safe: Please take the time to read these pointers. There may be just one or two you hadn't thought of. After reading this, forward it to someone you care about. It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in.

1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!

2. if a robber asks for your handbag, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you..... He is probably more interested in your handbag than you, and he will go for the handbag. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!

3. if you are ever thrown into the boot of a car: Kick out the back tail lights, and stick your arm through the hole and start waving. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc, and just sit (doing their cheque book, or making a list). DON'T DO THIS! A predator could be watching you and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, and attack you. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.

5. A few notes about getting into your car in car park:
a) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, look at the passenger side floor, and check the back seat.
b) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most attacker’s surprise their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.
c) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the shop, or work, and get guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)

6. ALWAYS take the lift instead of the stairs. Stairwells are horrible places to be alone, and the perfect crime spot.

7. if the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; and even then, it most likely WILL NOT BE A VITAL ORGAN.

8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic:
STOP IT! It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women, He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked "for help" into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.

9. Another safety point:
Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird. The police told her, 'Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.' The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, 'We already have a unit on the way. Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.' He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes, thinking that someone dropped off a baby. He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls from women saying that they hear babies' cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night.

I'd like you to forward this to all the women you know. It may save a life.

A candle is not dimmed by lighting another candle. Send this to any woman you know who may need to be reminded that the world we live in has a lot of crazies in it, and it's better safe than sorry.

TO ALL CAR OWNERS AND CAR DRIVERS: PLEASE READ

Warning!!!! Be aware of new car-jacking scheme ..You walk across the car park, unlock your car and get inside. Then you lock all your doors, start the engine and shift or put into reverse. You look into the rear-view mirror to back out of your parking space, and you notice apiece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear window. So, you shift the gear stick back into park or neutral, unlock your doors and jump out of your car to remove that paper, or whatever it is that is obstructing your view.
When you reach the back of your car that is when the car-jackers appear out of nowhere, jump into your car and takeoff!! Your engine was running, you would have left your purse in the car, and they practically mow you down as they speed off in your car.
BE AWARE OF THIS NEW SCHEME THAT IS NOW BEING USED IN LONDON , MANCHESTER , AND MAKING ITS WAY ACROSS THE COUNTRY!!!

Just drive away, and remove the paper later! It is stuck to your window, and be thankful that you read this email. I hope you will forward this to friends and family, especially to women! A purse contains all identification, and you certainly do NOT want someone getting your home address. They already HAVE your keys!

JUST BE AWARE AND TAKE CARE -- IT WILL PROBABLY SOON ARRIVE IN YOUR AREA....

Turn over a new leaf with Cheshire East Council

Join our world.

That’s the message from Cheshire East Council, whose libraries are encouraging bookworms to make use of their online services.

As part of the Council’s Your Library Online Week, staff are raising awareness about online services such as renewals, the library catalogue, reservations and the Virtual Reference Library.

From Monday, January 17, libraries will be collecting email addresses and explaining how it gives people access to a range of helpful services such as pre-overdue alerts, overdues and reservations waiting for collection as well as a monthly events listing.

Councillor Andrew Knowles, Cabinet member with responsibility for health and wellbeing, said: “More and more of our daily activities are being carried out using the internet and we have some excellent online facilities in Cheshire East.

“Many of our residents may be unaware that they can reserve titles and renew loans online. They can also borrow books and return them to any public library in the county, whether it be Cheshire East or Cheshire West and Chester. We can also send text messages to remind people to return items on time.

“You need to be a library member to be able to access all resources. If you are not a member, join online via the library catalogue where membership is free. However, those who prefer to sign up in person can do so.

“Remember to use libraries for leisure and pleasure as well to help achieve a good work, life balance.”

Cheshire East libraries’ reference and information specialists have been busy subscribing to key reference works and searching the web to bring customers the best online content, saving them time searching for reputable sites.

Whether you want business, government, statistical or any other information, visit the Virtual Reference Library at
www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture/libraries.aspx

For more information or help in using online services, email librarynotifications@cheshiresharedservices.gov.uk or call 0300 123 5500.

Boosting business with Cheshire East

 

Traders are being offered the chance to learn how to boost business during the economic recovery.

Two procurement training workshops are being hosted in Macclesfield and Sandbach later this month.

They are designed to help businesses gain a better understanding of how to tender for work with Cheshire East Council and other public sector organisations.

The events – at Macclesfield Town Hall, on January 20, and Sandbach Enterprise Centre, on January 25 – are being co-hosted with Melanie Bryan of WhyNotChange, a company which offers leadership and management training.

Councillor Jamie Macrae, Cabinet member with responsibility for prosperity, said: “These two events have been organised in response to feedback from local businesses and as part of the Economic Recovery Task Group.

“The Council is holding a series of procurement events to help local businesses through the economic recovery and to learn more about tendering for public sector contracts.

“They focus on how to ensure a business is ‘tender ready’ and to understand the processes and what is involved in putting a tender together. 

“I would urge businesses to get one of these dates in their diaries and get them booked as soon as possible, as they are extremely useful.”

To book a place, businesses should contact Jacqueline Wilson, business engagement co-ordinator, on 01270 685911 or email: jacqueline.wilson@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Learn how to start your own business with Cheshire East

 

A lively presentation is to be held as part of a Business Hub event aimed at start-up businesses in Cheshire East at Macclesfield Town Hall on Wednesday, January 12.

The Council’s Economic Recovery Task Group is working hard to support its local business community and this event is the latest in a line of workshops to help boost trade in the area.

Blue Orchid, which offers free and impartial advice to anyone considering self employment, will be making the presentation which is specifically aimed at businesses in the early stages of trading or those looking to start a new business.

Councillor Jamie Macrae, Cabinet member with responsibility for prosperity, said: “The Business Hub is an opportunity to get some independent expert advice about improving or starting a business.

“We are delighted to have Blue Orchid on board to assist us in helping local businesses through the economic recovery. Maintaining a successful local economy and supporting businesses is what the Business Hub is all about and this event will be extremely valuable.”

Blue Orchid has been established as a key provider of business support for more than seven years and works closely with the North West Development Agency.

Its spokesman Derek Williams said: “Each client is given a one-to-one assessment and action plan designed to meet their own particular needs, with the creation of business plans, cash flow forecasts and detailed target marketing analysis prior to trading.”

Blue Orchid is currently the designated provider for all pre-start business support across the North West, working with Job Centre Plus and Business Link to provide all new business advice and workshops for 2011.

The Business Hub event takes place between 10am and noon. For more information, Cheshire East business engagement co-ordinator Jacqueline Wilson is available on 01270 685911 and jacqueline.wilson@cheshireeast.gov.uk

STATEMENT RE Audit Commission: ‘Cheshire East Council is steering housing strategy in the right direction’

 

Councillor Jamie Macrae, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member with responsibility for prosperity, said: “We are pleased that the independent Audit Commission has recognised the hard work, dedication and successes of the council’s strategic housing services in what is a difficult economic climate.

“The Audit Commission gives the strategic housing services a one-star rating and describes them as ‘fair’ and having ‘promising prospects for improvement’.

“It praises the Council’s clear vision, positive leadership, strong local partnerships and an effective approach to preventing homelessness and supporting those in housing need.

“It is pleasing that the Commission also recognises that housing is prioritised in Cheshire East to meet residents’ needs, as well as the long-term aspirations and ambitions of the Council, partners and wider community.

“There are improvements to make – but we are determined to keep doing things better.

“As the report points out, Cheshire East Council ‘has come a long way in the past year’ and is building a better understanding of housing needs and taking active steps to improve the overall housing situation.

“As a Council we are determined to give the people of Cheshire East more choice and control over services and resources and help improve the life opportunities and health for everyone in the Borough.

“We are also determined to work with our partners to enhance the Cheshire East environment.”

CHESHIRE COUNCILS TO SEEK JUDICIAL REVIEW AGAINST GOVERNMENT’S PFI DECISION

 

Cheshire’s unitary councils are to seek Judicial Review against the Government’s decision to withdraw over £100 million of PFI support for the scheme to dispose of Cheshire’s household waste.

The decision – taken by Cheshire West and Chester and Cheshire East Councils - followed legal advice from Leading Counsel and meetings with DEFRA officials.

It is thought that the authorities’ legal advisors will next week apply to the High Court for permission to issue Judicial Review proceedings.

CWAC leader Mike Jones said: “We have decided to take this joint action because we believe that the methodology used by Defra to assess the merit of our scheme was seriously flawed.

“Also, it is our opinion that the assessment process has under-estimated the benefits which would accrue from that scheme.”

To date the two councils have spent over £4.5m on a lengthy procurement process, inherited by the legacy County Council, which led to the appointment of Viridor as the provisional preferred bidder.

The company’s proposal envisaged a mechanical and biological treatment plant at the former INEOS chemical works at Griffiths Road, Northwich.

Added the Leader: “We recognise the very real need for Government to make cuts to put this country back on a firm financial footing.

“However, a considerable amount of public money has been spent on a four-year process and I believe we have a duty to our council taxpayers pursue this issue with Defra.”

Councillor Wesley Fitzgerald, Leader of Cheshire East Council said: “Both councils believed that there was Government support for this scheme right up to the announcement that PFI credits were being withdrawn.

“Not only has much time, effort and money been wasted believing that we were approaching this issue in a manner which had government approval but this decision would take us back to square one.

“We are still in the position of having to find a sustainable method of disposing of Cheshire’s household waste over the next 25 years.”

Whilst Cheshire’s unitary councils are considering all options available to them, both face a major problem of dwindling landfill space.

Welcome back the Blazer

After being closed for along time The Delemere Arms (the Blazer)in Underwood Lane  is now open again with Poker and Pool nights. Its good to see a pub opening and specially in the West End as pubs are becoming few and far between