Residents praised after hurricane winds cause mayhem

 

A night of hurricane winds caused mayhem across Cheshire East – pulling down power lines and leaving thousands of households in darkness.

Wind speeds reaching almost 100mph battered both south and north of the Borough, meaning the Council received an unprecedented number of calls, including reports of more than 200 trees torn down and several buildings damaged – including Crewe Railway Station.

Leader of the Council Michael Jones, who had a power cut in his own ward of Bunbury, praised the spirit of residents.

He said: “We’ve had unprecedented calls and I can only praise staff who worked through the night to make sure that power was reconnected and the vulnerable were cared for – and we are confident that we can make a quick recovery now.

“I’ve been hearing stories of how well people in the Borough have dealt with this in true British spirit, and they should be praised.”

The gusty winds first moved into the Borough yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon and reports of damage started coming through soon after 4pm, the time that the Met Office predicted the severe winds would start.

Cheshire police reported a total of 1,457 calls, 685 of which were 999 calls and 772 non-emergency calls – a 60 per cent increase.

There were 752 weather-related incidents, the majority being trees and cables down causing disruption on the roads and hazards to the public.

Residents were warned to only make essential journeys while the gales were in full force. Cheshire East winter crews were also out gritting the network after freezing conditions began moving in.

Transport:

Teams of highways engineers remained in force to ensure that the road network was kept as clear as possible after the Thelwall viaduct on the M6 was closed during rush hour and beyond, causing major traffic disruption.

Although today the majority of the road network is now open, including the Thelwall viaduct,  the principal road network remains clear and passable care.

In total, Cheshire East Council’s emergency teams have received a total of 300 plus calls from concerned members of the public reporting blocked roads with fallen trees.

Four further roads remain closed: Cliff Road, Wilmslow Marton Lane, Gawsworth Foden Lane, Warford, Sandy Lane/Whirley Lane, Whirley.

Early on there was a joint tactical coordination centre set up with Police HQ in Winsford to ensure an integrated public safety strategy.

Although en-route to clear up fallen trees, crews were coming across unreported trees down, making the situation even harder to cope as congestion was also a problem.

Gritting across the network began around 7pm in readiness for predicted icy conditions and continued into the early hours of this morning.

Crewe Railway Station was evacuated after damage to the roof and 500 people were evacuated to a nearby hotel. Rail networks are now normal after the disruption.

Buildings :

There were reports of structural damage to chimneys, roof tiles and the gable end of house in West Street, Crewe. Cheshire East Council is currently assessing its safety.

A block of 16 flats on Percyvale Street, in Macclesfield, had damage to the roof causing the evacuation of all residents to a local public house.  Cheshire East Council’s building control teams are currently assessing.

The registered landlord, Equity Housing, put up three families in a bed and breakfast last night.  All other residents were allowed to return to their homes.

Power:

Pockets of power blackouts were reported with 12,000 Scottish Power customers across the Cheshire area without power (Summerford and Knutsford impacted).

There were also 500 Electricity North West customers in Macclesfield without power. Power companies will continue to restore supplies as quickly as possible and are prioritising the most vulnerable people.

A power failure in Knutsford has meant Tatton Park will remain closed today (February 13) due to yesterday’s severe weather. A tree within the park brought down power lines. Scottish Power has assessed the damage and hopes to have power restored by this afternoon.

Traffic lights out:

We currently have nine traffic signal junctions out of action due to power failures. Cheshire East signals teams are out trying to restore services with the help of power companies. We have a couple of junctions with temporary lights in operation until the power is restored. These are:

A537 Chelford Road/Bollington Lane, Monks Heath

A34 Congleton Road/ Astrazeneca Southern Entrance, Months Heath

A34 Congleton Road/Bollington Lane, Monks Heath

A34 Congleton Road/A537 Chelford Road, Monks Heath – temporary lights

A51 Burford Cross Roads, Acton – Temporary lights in operation

A530 Baddington Lane Bridge, Whitchurch Road, Nantwich – temporary lights in operation

Flag Lane/Wistaston Road, Crewe

Crewe Green Link Road Roundabout

Sydney Road/Hungerford Road, Crewe

Today the clean-up operation continues and Cheshire East Highways safety inspectors will be out in force reviewing the network.

Meanwhile, the Met Office is predicting calmer conditions across the North West today, although winds will increase along coastal fringes by early evening.  A yellow warning is likely to be issued in relation to snowfall at higher ground levels.

Scam warning

 

Police are warning Cheshire residents not to fall victim to phone fraudsters claiming to be from a bank or posing as police officers.

Cheshire Police are aware of several incidents in Lymm, Knutsford and Warrington relating offenders phoning elderly people and telling them their bank cards had been compromised and needed to be cancelled.

They advised the victim to hang up and ring the bank or police back to ensure the call is genuine. The offender stays on the line, sometimes passing the call to another person so the caller thinks they are genuine.

They then tell the victim that a courier will pick up the cards and that there will be a charge for this. The cards are then picked up from the victim′s address and used by the offenders to steal money from their account.

PC James Read said:

Not only do they take money from your account; they charge you a fee for the privilege.

Don′t be afraid to put the phone down on someone if you are unsure about handing over details.

Banks never call and ask for your four-digit card Pin or ask you to withdraw money to hand over to them or transfer money to another account.

Never assume a caller is genuine just because they hold some information about you. Criminals may already have some basic information, such as a name, address and account details to try to make the call appear legitimate.

Always be wary of cold callers who suggest you hang up the phone and call them back.

Remember that it takes two people to terminate a call so try and use a different phone line if you are asked to ring back. If you think you′ve already been a victim of this scam, contact your bank or card company immediately.

Message from Inspector Christian Watkins

I am pleased to report that as we have entered 2014, crime continues to fall in the Crewe area, particularly in respect of burglary and car crime offences.

The busy New Year period passed without serious incident, and it is pleasing to see that more and more drivers are understanding the dangers and repercussions of drink driving, meaning fewer casualties on our roads. Our officers were out in force, targeting those suspected of drink driving to ensure the safety of other drivers and road users was not compromised.

The high visibility policing presence around our retail centres over Christmas and the January sales proved to be a huge success, with shoplifting offences reduced by 40% on previous years' figures. It also presented local people and visitors to Crewe with a ready opportunity to speak to the 'bobby on the beat' who were providing a reassuring presence around the town centre and Grand Junction areas.

Reducing burglary continues to be a key priority for us, and I continue to urge homeowners to protect their property by adopting basic crime prevention measures, and to report any suspicious activity to police so we can act on the information you provide us with.

Inspector Christian Watkins

Prolific Burglar Arrested

A prolific burglar was snared by Crewe detectives following a crime spree that stretched across the east of Cheshire as far as Crewe, Nantwich, Alsager, Macclesfield and Disley . Peter Clarke, 26 and from Oldham, appeared before Magistrates in Crewe charged with 2 counts of burglary and driving offences. He admitted a further 21 offences of burglary whilst being interviewed by detectives. Clarke has been remanded in custody to await trial later this year.

Car crime warning

As the cold winter nights create problems on our road networks, police are reminding car owners to not only drive safely on icy and frosty roads, but to take extra care when defrosting their cars before leaving home on icy mornings. Opportunist thieves will seize the chance to drive away in a car left ‘defrosting’ with the keys in the ignition. Never leave your car unattended in this way, simply allow a few extra minutes each morning to defrost your car and protect your property from thieves.

Thousands of pounds worth of stolen goods returned

Thousands of pounds worth of cycles have since been returned to their rightful owners following a drugs warrant carried out on Maxwell Street in late November. A number of expensive, custom made cycles worth thousands of pounds were recovered in the raid, and following careful examination and investigation by officers, the owners were traced and the bikes returned, some many months after they were initially reported stolen.

MP’s 147th news bulletin.

Friday, 7 February 2014

Welcome

Welcome to this, my 147th news bulletin.

I am committed to lowering unemployment and helping people back to work, and I am proud that there are now 1.2 million more people in jobs since the last election.

In Crewe and Nantwich, we’ve seen unemployment fall by a huge 22.5 per cent in the last year, and youth unemployment fall by an even greater 24.1 per cent.

The Work Programme is just one of the Government’s initiatives to achieve this. Unlike the short term focus of previous schemes, the Work Programme is geared towards finding individuals stable work, with extra incentives to support the hardest to help.

I am proud that the Work Programme has so far helped 208,000 jobseekers find lasting work, including 17,560 young people. However, I can assure you that the Government is not complacent, and continues to make improvements to the scheme.

Work Programme providers have improved significantly, but the Government has always been clear that some are lagging behind. That is why the Government began referring more claimants to the better performing providers from August last year.

The Work Programme is having a real impact in helping people back to work, and I am confident that this will increase as the scheme develops, both here in Crewe and Nantwich and across the country.

Edward Timpson MP
Member of Parliament for Crewe and Nantwich and Minister of the Year

Please remember, you can always contact me directly if you have any questions for me, or if there is anything I can do to assist you.

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Locally, I have...

• Held one of my popular open 'On Your Street' surgeries, in Haslington (see photo, right), where I spoke to many local residents and local Borough Councillor John Hammond, about lots of issues, including welfare, immigration and local planning concerns.
• Attended this year's Holly Holy Day re-enactment, 370 years to the day of the Battle of Nantwich, and laid a wreath at the act of commemoration.
• Met with other Cheshire MPs and the Cabinet of Cheshire East Council, to share with the Council the concerns of Crewe and Nantwich residents and hear more about what the Council is doing to help local people.
• Attended the launch of "Nantwich Family Films @ 4", the new community cinema project run on Sundays at Nantwich Methodist Church. The next screening is Despicable Me 2, which will be on Sunday February 16 at 4pm.
• Hosted two of my regular constituency advice surgeries at my office in Crewe. Please get in touch if you need to speak with me about any issue or concern.

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Photo News

Edward Timpson voted Minister of the Year

I was humbled to be named "Minister of the Year" at the Dods Parliamentary Awards, last month.  The annual prizegiving is voted on by MPs of all parties, and I received my award from Labour MP Gisela Stuart, for my work on adoption and fostering, inspired by the child protection cases I have worked on in Cheshire.

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Nantwich MP Timpson calls for Muller public inquiry to be switched

Nantwich News: Council chiefs are being urged to move an inquiry into a Nantwich housing plan, which is set to be held 30 miles away in Macclesfield.

Crewe & Nantwich MP Edward Timpson has stepped in to request the inquiry into the Muller Homes application be held in the Nantwich area.

It has emerged that Mr Timpson has written to Cheshire East Council leader Cllr Michael Jones and chief executive Mike Suarez asking for an explanation on the location of the public inquiry. And he has joined residents in calling for it to be switched to a more appropriate location near to the Stapeley site, so residents have a chance to attend.

Muller Homes wants to build a 1,100-home "Nantwich South" village on land between Peter de Stapleigh Way, London Road, has caused uproar among many residents. The company appealed against Cheshire East Council's move to reject the first phase application of 189 homes, business units and an access road. The Planning Inspectorate has ruled an inquiry is to be held on February 18 at Macclesfield Town Hall.

In his letter, Mr Timpson said: "Whilst I do not have a direct role in the town planning process, I have seen a significant and consistent view among my constituents that this development is not sustainable or wanted.

"I have therefore championed that view and you will see correspondence on file from me supporting my constituents' objections.

"Whilst I welcome a public enquiry I am extremely concerned that an event that affects my constituents, and in particular the residents of Stapeley, is being held in Macclesfield.

"In the interest of affording my constituents access to the democratic process, I would be grateful if you would consider relocating the inquiry to this area."

Stapeley campaigner Pat Cullen, who was informed of Mr Timpson's letter to the council, said: "Previous appeals have been held at Macclesfield. Assuming that it's Cheshire East that sets the venue, I think that probably someone who doesn't know the geography of the county thought that because appeals have been held there before, then this one will be there too."

Stapeley Parish Council is holding a public meeting on February 4 at the new community hall from 7.30pm in advance of the public inquiry.

Meanwhile, Cheshire East Leader Cllr Jones claims the authority now has a "robust" 5-year housing land supply plan. Cllr Jones said it signals the council's determination to fight off unplanned, unsustainable and unwanted development. It comes after a number of appeal decisions last year which ruled the council did not demonstrate a five-year supply of housing.

Cllr Jones said: "There are many variables in the calculation of housing land supply but we have been careful to take on board many of the outcomes of the recent planning appeals.

"We have included a five per cent buffer for choice and competition because, historically, Cheshire East has always been a healthy housing market area.

"We hope the current rash of speculative planning applications for housing will now start to ebb away and the development industry will work constructively with us to secure the effective implementation of new Local Plan."

The five-year-housing supply report will go before the council's strategic planning board on February 5. The five-year housing requirement is 8,311 homes (inclusive of a five per cent buffer) and the identified supply is 9,757 homes – equivalent to 5.87 years.

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Cheshire East Council to move Muller Homes Nantwich inquiry to Crewe

Nantwich News: Cheshire East Council chiefs have bowed to pressure and switched a public inquiry into the Muller Homes Stapeley plan from Macclesfield to Crewe. The four-day inquiry, originally scheduled for Macclesfield town hall on February 18, will now take place in Crewe Municipal Buildings.

Cllrs Peter Groves and Andrew Martin, of Nantwich South and Stapeley ward, hailed the decision as a victory for common sense.

Many residents were furious at the idea if staging an inquiry into the controversial “Nantwich South” Muller plans some 30 miles away. It was feared it would deter many residents from attending.

Cllr Groves told Nantwichnews: “We have managed to move original bookings that were in the Municipal Buildings to other venues so we can now use for the public inquiry. There was no where else we could have gone.

“So this is wonderful news. We have been very concerned as Macclesfield is a 50-mile round trip and the travel and cost would have been too much for residents who want to attend this. Now hopefully a lot more people will be able to attend this important inquiry.”

MP Edward Timpson waded into the row last week and called for Council Leader Michael Jones and chief executive Mike Suarez to find an alternative venue nearer to the site.

The appeal is over Muller’s original outline applications for phase one of their planned “Nantwich South” 1,100-home village on land between Peter de Stapleigh Way, Broad Lane and London Road. The applications are for the first 189 homes and an access road off Peter de Stapleigh Way. Muller representative Carl Davey was keen to point out at a public meeting in Stapeley earlier this week that they had nothing to do with where the inquiry was originally scheduled for.

Stapeley Parish Council has earmarked £20,000 to pay for a legal team to fight Muller Homes at the appeal.

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Minister's taste of cafe society on visit: MP invites Iain Duncan Smith to see YMCA

Crewe Chronicle: Edward Timpson invited Iain Duncan Smith, Secretary of State for work and Pensions, to visit Crewe's YMCA on Gresty Road. The minister had a tour of the YMCA, including bedrooms, community spaces, and the new cafe that is a social enterprise.

He sat down with current and past residents to discuss how the YMCA has supported them in gaining resilience, stability, confidence, employment, qualifications and, ultimately, transition to independent living.

The minister asked the residents searching questions about what they felt was most effective in helping them turn their lives around, and explained how universal credit will help tailor that individual support needed so they are always better off earning a living.

He said: "It was a pleasure to meet the young people at Crewe YMCA with Edward Timpson, and hear first hand how the support available is helping them turn their lives around. I was extremely encouraged to hear about the excellent work the local staff and volunteers do to support the young people in times of crisis as well as the work to equip them with the right skills to move into the world of work."

Dan R, one of the residents, said of the visit: "It was really good to see that someone from central Government was interested enough to see what the YMCA is doing to improve the lives of young people. Everybody who spoke to him had a different experience of how YMCA Crewe had helped them."

Richard Holmes, development manager of the Crewe YMCA added: "We were delighted to welcome the minister who heard first hand how the activities, programme and positive approach of the Foyer had impacted on their lives. Young people with an experience of homelessness need services that really engage them and bring out their potential. We try to do that at YMCA Crewe in lots of different ways."

Edward Timpson praised the YMCA, saying: "The importance of work underpins all of the government's welfare reforms, especially Universal Credit which will make work pay and change lives as a result.

"Helping people make the right life choices is what we saw in action at Crewe YMCA, and we owe a huge amount of gratitude for all their hard work which helps support some of the most vulnerable in our society."

As a result of this visit and a visit by YMCA residents to Parliament, Mr Timpson will be using the YMCA as a venue for some of his advice surgeries.

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5 ways to contact Edward Timpson

• By e-mail: timpsone@parliament.uk
• On the web: www.edwardtimpson.com
• By phone: 01270 501 725
• By post: 30 Victoria Street, Crewe CW1 2JE
• In person: Click here to see surgery times

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Communities urged to apply for slice of £100,000 pot to refurbish Cheshire East’s war memorials

 

Communities and voluntary organisations are being urged to apply for a slice of £100,000 being provided by Cheshire East to fund the repair and refurbishment of First World War memorials across the Borough.

Council Leader Michael Jones announced the creation of the new £100,000 fund at a meeting of full Council in December.

This year sees the 100th anniversary of the start of the Great War, which shattered Europe and much of the wider world from 1914 to 1918.

Application forms and details of how to apply for a slice of the new funding are now available on Cheshire East Council’s website.

The deadline for the return of application forms is March 28, 2014, and funding is available for the financial year 2014/15 only.  

Individual grants up to £2,500 are available. However, applications for sums over £2,500 but up to a maximum of £10,000 will be considered in exceptional circumstances.

Funding is available for:

● Cleaning (under certain circumstances);

● Improving legibility of inscriptions;

● Like-for-like repairs;

● Professional condition surveys or structural reports by conservation professionals to

inform future repair work;

● Replacement of lost elements integral to the design of the memorial (supported by

historical evidence);

● Addition of names, where they can be sympathetically placed on existing memorials.

Organisations such as town and parish councils, the Royal British Legion, voluntary and community groups and charities will be able to apply directly to the Council for funding.

Councillor Jones said: “I have an immense amount of respect for those who gave their lives for their country in the Great War – as I have for those who erected and maintain memorials to their sacrifice.

“I am delighted that this Council has been able to put forward £100,000 to fund repairs and refurbishment of these important local community monuments – and I would urge local communities and local organisations to get their applications in soon.

“These memorials are important, as we must never be allowed to forget the depth of loss sustained across our Borough – or our debt to previous generations’ self sacrifice to duty and the country and communities they loved.”

The First World War saw the deaths of an estimated 17 million combatants and civilians with around a further 20 million wounded.

War memorials sprang up in towns and villages across Cheshire East and the whole of Britain and beyond as a way to commemorate the sacrifice of combatants for their communities and country.

For more information about applying for this funding for war memorial repairs, visit the Council’s website at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/warmemorials or contact the Council’s partnership support manager, Tina Jones, on 01270 685811.

Grab your chance to find out more about the benefits of fibre broadband

 

Now is your chance to find out more about the benefits of high-speed fibre broadband coming to Cheshire

Connecting Cheshire will be rolling out high-speed fibre broadband to more than 80,000 premises over the next 18 months.

To help explain how the much anticipated roll-out will be delivered a drop-in briefing event is being held on:

February 19, at Wrenbury Village Hall, Cholmondley Road, Wrenbury CW5 8HG,

any time between 4pm and 8pm.

People can find out how more about the arrival of fibre broadband and see how everyone can benefit from switching to high-speed broadband for home or business use.

Experts from BT Openreach will be on hand to explain the technical and logistical challenges, plus there will be information and maps showing where and when the new services will be arriving. Information on the free superfast business support programme will also be available.

Councillor David Brown, Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council, on behalf of the Connecting Cheshire Partnership said: “I urge everyone to attend this event to learn more about the benefits of faster broadband, which will transform how we work, how we learn, how we communicate with friends or family and how we entertain ourselves.

“The digital age is with us – so let’s exploit it.”

The telephone exchange covering Aston, Wrenbury, Newhall, and Sound will be among the first to benefit from upgrades to fibre from the end of March onwards. This will be followed by exchanges covering parts of Audlem, Wychwood Park, Hough, Stapeley, Crewe Green, Barthomley, Wistaston, Acton and Wybunbury later in the year.

For more information on Connecting Cheshire and proposed fibre coverage visit:

www.connectingcheshire.org.uk

Fire and Rescue News

 

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

Date: Tuesday, February 04, 2014                                             

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National Sprinkler Week

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is supporting the very first National Sprinkler Week from 3rd - 9th February. The aim of Fire Sprinkler Week is to widen awareness of the safety benefits of sprinklers in preventing loss and improving fire safety in businesses and homes across the UK.
Did you know that sprinklers are the equivalent to having a firefighter ready and waiting in every room of your home or business?
Smoke alarms can warn of a fire, while sprinklers control the fire or even extinguish it completely.

Find out more information about National Sprinkler Week

Press release - Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service supports National Sprinkler Week campaign

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Recruitment of on-call firefighters in Stockton Heath

We are looking for enthusiastic and willing people to work as on-call firefighters at Stockton Heath Fire Station in Warrington. We want to meet people who are enthusiastic and willing to work in a team environment and who would like to earn an additional income of around £5000 each year.

Anyone who is interested in finding out more about the on-call firefighter roles is welcome to attend an open day that is being held on Stockton Heath Fire Station on Wednesday 12 February from 1400 to 1600 to find out what being an on-call firefighter is all about.

Find out more about becoming an on-call firefighter in Stockton Heath

Find out about the role of an on-call firefighter

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Stonewall Top 100

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has been honoured twice by Stonewall this year. The Service made it into the top quarter of Stonewall’s annual top 100 list of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LBGT) friendly employers and Chief Fire Officer Paul Hancock was presented with Stonewall’s North West Senior Champion award.

You can read more about how we are championing inclusive workplace culture on our website:

Read our press release - The star-performing organisation changing perceptions of fire service

Read our press release - Star performing Service has star performing Chief

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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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National Chip Week

Reduce the chance of having a fire in your home, by throwing away your chip pan during National Chip Week (17th Feb - 23rd Feb).

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 opt for an alternative to chip pans.

Find out more about National Chip Week

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Two households saved by the bell after kitchen fires

Smoke alarms have helped to protect lives and property in two separate incidents, both involving fires in kitchens overnight between 23rd and 24th January.

One incident happened in Norley, with the second in Warrington.

Find out more about the two households that were saved by the bell after kitchen fires

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Crewe Fire Cadets looking for new recruits

Crewe Fire Station is looking for young people to become Fire Cadets and is inviting anyone between the ages of 12 and 16 years of age to join.

We are keen to recruit young people to take part in this rewarding training scheme, which will not only be fun and enjoyable but will also give them the chance to learn new personal and social skills and potentially obtain a professional qualification.

Find out more about the fire cadet scheme in Crewe

Cheshire East is ‘putting youth first’

 

The number of young people across Cheshire East classed as ‘Not in Education, Employment or Training’ fell by 34% last year – the largest fall of any borough across the North West.

Data from the Department for Education show that just 3.7% of 16-18 year-olds in the borough are ‘NEETs’  compared to 5.6% across the region as a whole.

Welcoming the figures, Cheshire East Council Leader, Michael Jones, said: “I’m extremely proud that the number of NEETs across Cheshire East has fallen by such a large margin. This shows that the national economic recovery is on the right track, with businesses growing in confidence and creating jobs and opportunities for our young people.”

He added: “What is also clear is that the council’s focus on jobs, investment and skills is helping to set the right framework locally. We are committed to driving growth, encouraging investment and supporting innovation. From the hi-tech bio-sciences jobs that are coming into Alderley Park, right the way through to our exciting plans for a new hub rail station at Crewe, the council is working flat out to support jobs and prosperity in Cheshire East.”

Cllr Jones added: “However, one child is too much and we are not complacent and we will work to help all young adults to succeed.”

The dramatic fall in the number of NEETs reflects the innovative ways in which the Youth Support Service has been reorganised into small, focused, agile, geographical teams, with the focus on understanding the individual needs of young people. 

The approach includes developing new flexible working practices in order to better support young people, including detached teams out on the streets at night, offering targeted provision to engage and motivate our young people.

The approach is a move away from them being seen as ‘numbers’ to individuals with clear actions for each young person.

Councillor Rachel Bailey, Cabinet Member for Children and families, explained:  “We know that it can sometimes be hard for young people to find the right direction when they leave school which can lead them to end up feeling lost and frustrated, hence they end up not in education, employment or training.

“Our approach has been to identify the barriers that stand in the way of young people and find practical ways of overcoming them.

“Our teams assess young people’s individual needs, which might include help with mock job interviews or assisting with accommodation issues. In the hardest cases, the focus has been in voluntary projects, helping young people understand the value of attendance and motivation.” 

She added: “While these figures are extremely encouraging and reflect the hard work and innovation of our teams, the council, schools, employers and careers services will continue to work together to make sure this encouraging fall in the number of those not in education, employment education or training is improved further still.”

Wistaston Jubilee Tennis Club and its recent Annual General Meeting.

reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

Wistaston Jubilee Tennis Club (WJTC) held their Annual General Meeting in the tennis pavilion on Wednesday 29th January 2014.

The Chairman Alastair Bain welcomed the fifteen present and announced that he was standing down as Chairman at this meeting.

The Membership Secretary Bill Heath reported that there had been 114 members compared with 93 in the previous year. He was pleased to announce that there were now 29 junior members.

The Club Captain Tony Mason reported on the teams in the Slazenger South & Mid Cheshire Tennis League. The 'A' team finished as Champions of Division 3 of the Summer league. The 'B' team finished fourth in Division 4 and the 'C' team finished third in Division 5.

Club sessions continue to be well attended on Monday and Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons. The senior morning sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays are most successful.

The Treasurer Bill Heath reported that the Club was in a strong financial position. The courts will be repainted during the Spring.

The Election of Officers and Committee for 2014 resulted:

-President - Alice Chalwin

-Vice President - Diane Mayman

-Acting Chairman - Bill Heath

-Vice Chairman - Margaret Maddock

-Secretary - Chris Raiswell

-Treasurer and Membership Secretary - Bill Heath

-Club Captain - Tony Mason

-Grounds Coordinators - Tony Mason and Bill Heath

-Memorial Hall Delegate - John White

-Press Officer - Alice Chalwin

-Junior representative - George Raiswell

-Co-opted members - Carole Kearns, Ben Reinhardt and Adrian Dunning.

It was agreed to increase the membership fees by a small amount.

Two men's teams will be entered into the Summer league.

Benefits cheat ordered to do 200 hours’ unpaid community work

 

A woman who fraudulently claimed nearly £6,000 in benefits has been given a 12-month community order and told to do 200 hours’ of unpaid work.

Hazel Tinsley, 59, of Tailors View, Nantwich, pleaded guilty at South Cheshire Magistrates’ Court to two offences each of fraudulently claiming both Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

The offences related to her failure to declare a change in her financial circumstances.

Magistrates’ sitting in Crewe heard (Monday, January 27) that Tinsley claimed the above benefits from December 2007 on the basis that she was on a low income and that her daughter was in receipt of income support.

However, during an investigation by Cheshire East Council’s benefit fraud investigation team, it was found that Tinsley’s earnings had increased significantly on or around April 1, 2010, and also that her daughter’s income support had ended on October 31, 2011.

Failure to report both these changes led to Tinsley being overpaid Housing Benefit of £5252.11 and Council Tax Benefit of £737.67.

The prosecution was brought by Cheshire East Council’s legal team.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order on Tinsley and ordered her to do 200 hours’ unpaid work. Tinsley was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £60 and to make a contribution of £150 towards prosecution costs.

Councillor Peter Raynes, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member in charge of finance, said: “This prosecution, and others like it, send out a clear message that we are an enforcing Council and will take firm action to protect our communities from those who abuse the rules at the expense of taxpayers.

“Benefit fraud will not be tolerated. In the last financial year we successfully prosecuted more than 30 benefits offenders and we are committed to ensuring these people are brought to justice.”

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

Cheshire East to work with villages on details of Local Plan

 

Cheshire East Council is set to engage with villages and rural areas over the detailed stages of the Local Plan.
The Local Plan has focussed, thus far, on larger towns and the main strategic development sites. As this stage nears completion, the Council will start to focus at a more detailed level.
Cheshire East Council Deputy Leader Councillor David Brown, Cabinet member in charge of strategic communities, said:  “We want to work closely with villages and rural parishes to ensure we get a detailed planning framework in place.

“We want to hear from villages about their future development needs – for businesses, recreation or community facilities.

“The recent assessment showing Cheshire East has a five-year supply of housing land should also provide the opportunity for a more measured approach to housing, giving time for local communities to consider their future requirements.”
Cheshire East Council last week published its latest assessment of housing land supply in the Borough – which shows that the authority now has more than a five-year supply of housing land, inclusive of a crucial five-per cent buffer for choice and competition.

It means Cheshire East’s countryside should now be better protected against unsustainable development.

Cheshire East Council Leader Councillor Michael Jones said it signalled the Council’s determination to continue its fight to fend off unplanned, unsustainable and unwanted development in the Borough and protect the best of our countryside.

The latest assessment takes account of all the latest information and available data – and includes all evidence on housing completions and planning permissions up to December 31, 2013.

The assessment recognises the results of appeal decisions in the autumn, which concluded that the Council could not demonstrate a five-year supply of housing at that point and takes on board many of the comments made by the Planning Inspectors. It also follows consultation with the Housing Market Partnership, in December, on methodology and sources of supply.

The five-year-housing supply report will go before a meeting of the Council’s Strategic Planning Board on Wednesday (February 5).

The five-year housing requirement is 8,311 homes (inclusive of a five per cent buffer) and the identified supply is 9,757 homes – equivalent to 5.87 years. The Housing requirement is based on the figures in the former North West Regional Spatial Strategy.

The Council’s Local Plan document is due to be ratified by the Government later this year. The Local Plan will then provide a blueprint for necessary sustainable growth in terms of housing and infrastructure.

For more information about the Local Plan, visit the Council’s website at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/planning and click on the ‘Cheshire East Local Plan’ link.

Cheshire East receives funding for geothermal exploration

 

Cheshire East Council has been awarded the biggest grant for geothermal exploration in the country.

The £200,000 granted by the Department for Energy and Climate Change will be used to carry out further feasibility studies into the exploration of deep geothermal in the Leighton area of Crewe.

Council leader Councillor Michael Jones said: “This is fantastic news and we can now begin to undertake further research and understand this incredible energy resource deep beneath the ground here in Cheshire East.

“This council is committed to tackling energy poverty as well as reducing our carbon emissions, so this may be the right solution for the Borough.

“Low-carbon technologies, such as geothermal, are the way forward and will enable local energy solutions and self-sufficiency.

“The grant will be used to verify the benefits of drilling down as far as 5km to extract water at temperatures in excess of 100 degrees centigrade.

“If this is indeed successful, we could be looking at an opportunity to heat new homes in the area with this new technology as well as using heat exchange technology to create electricity.

“The Council is also looking at the possibility of geothermal for other parts of the Borough.”

WISTASTON COUNCILLORS CALL FOR ACTION ON THE BUSY A534 CREWE/NANTWICH ROAD

Cheshire East’s  Wistaston Ward Councillors Margaret Simon and Jacquie Weatherill have met with the Council Leader, Cllr Michael Jones and Kevin Melling the Council’s Head of Highways and Transport to discuss their ongoing and increasing concerns about the number of accidents and incidents on the busy A534 Crewe/Nantwich Road which runs through the middle of their patch.  In the past few weeks there have been several more accidents some of which have resulted in damage to property.  They have been promised a safety review of this road, which will include local public consultation, and it is due to be undertaken shortly.

Cllr Margaret Simon says;

“Jacquie and I are very concerned about the number of accidents, not only reported and recorded but also unreported, which have taken place on Crewe Road Wistaston and Willaston.  It is a very busy road, running through a built up residential area.  It has a speed limit of 40mph and the perception of many residents is that this is often exceeded, in particular, during the hours of darkness when many of the incidents occur.  This review is  urgently needed in our Ward.   Many Crewe Road residents have been in touch with us recently saying that they have had enough and that their quality of life is being badly affected.”

Cllr Jacquie Weatherill says;

“Margaret and I have always had great concerns for the traffic problems along Crewe Road and, I am at last delighted that, after our meeting with the officers, they were listened to and will be acted upon.  I urge our residents to take a very active part in the public consultation that we have been promised.”

Crewe Road, Wistaston resident Rob Knight says;

“I have been in close contact with Cllr Simon about road safety on Crewe Road and I am delighted that she has been able to take it up with the Council Leader.   My wife and I have been involved in helping with traumatic incidents very close to our home.  A review of road safety is much needed, there must be ways of making this road less dangerous.”

Helen Daniels who also lives in Crewe Road says;

“We do need the Council to listen to Crewe Road residents, we are very worried about the number of incidents that take place along here.  I suspect that we have had many more accidents than either the Council or Police know about.  I do hope that our local community will take an active part in any consultation that the Council carry out.  That is the only way for the Council to get to understand our fears and concerns.”

Police warn Cheshire residents to be vigilant following several phone scam incidents

 

Police are warning Cheshire residents not to fall victim to phone fraudsters claiming to be from a bank or posing as police officers.

Cheshire Police are aware of several incidents in Lymm, Knutsford and Warrington relating offenders phoning elderly people and telling them their bank cards had been compromised and needed to be cancelled.

They advised the victim to hang up and ring the bank or police back to ensure the call is genuine. The offender stays on the line, sometimes passing the call to another person so the caller thinks they are genuine.

They then tell the victim that a courier will pick up the cards and that there will be a charge for this.

The cards are then picked up from the victim′s address and used by the offenders to steal money from their account.

PC James Read said: "Not only do they take money from your account; they charge you a fee for the privilege.

"Don′t be afraid to put the phone down on someone if you are unsure about handing over details.

"Banks never call and ask for your four-digit card Pin or ask you to withdraw money to hand over to them or transfer money to another account.

"Never assume a caller is genuine just because they hold some information about you. Criminals may already have some basic information, such as a name, address and account details to try to make the call appear legitimate.

"Always be wary of cold callers who suggest you hang up the phone and call them back.

"Remember that it takes two people to terminate a call so try and use a different phone line if you are asked to ring back. If you think you′ve already been a victim of this scam, contact your bank or card company immediately."

Fans flock to fight night

South Cheshire ABC hosted their first boxing night which saw hundreds of fight fans flock to Nantwich Civic Hall on Saturday 1st February 2014. The show saw local boxers taking on fighters from across the north-west at different weight classes over several bouts of amateur boxing. There was also a charity raffle and auction of boxing memorabilia.

South Cheshire ABC opened 5 months ago and is supported by Wulvern Housing, Cheshire East Council and the Cheshire Constabulary. The show was sponsored by CAR CARE, TSC Store, Enzo Nantwich, Mid Cheshire Radio and Gedsystems Media LLP.

South Cheshire ABC is located at Unit 7, Wistaston Road Business Centre in Crewe. It has fully qualified ABA coaching staff and runs classes for children and adults. For further information relating to South Cheshire ABC please phone Nathan Clarke on 07720381977 or Robert Taylor on 07583693395.

I’ve uploaded all my photos from the event to Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonathanawhite/sets/72157640416413914/

Cheshire East Council is proposing to dispose of the land at Crewe Swimming

Cheshire East Council is proposing to dispose of the land at Crewe Swimming Pool, Shavington Leisure Centre, Victoria Community Centre (Oakley Centre and Cumberland Sports Track), including any public open space.

As the freehold owner of the premises, the Council is proposing to grant a lease for the site for up to 125 years to Everybody Sport and Recreation, the charitable trust set up by the Council to take over the running of leisure services across the Borough.

Cheshire East Council is also proposing to dispose of the land at several other leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.

The Council's leisure facilities were managed in-house but in order to save money the running of the leisure centres has transferred to the trust, which is expected to save the Council at least £700,000 a year through VAT and NNDR (business rates).

Cheshire East Council had been spending over £9 million a year on leisure services and employing 400 full time staff, who will be transferred to the trust.

Any representations or objections with respect to the proposals must be made in writing to Suki Binjal, Interim Head of Legal Services and Monitoring Officer, Cheshire East Borough Council, Westfields, Middlewich Road, Sandbach, Cheshire CW11 1HZ, quoting reference TL.10509 and should be received no later than 5pm on 12th February 2014. Please state the grounds upon which any representation or objection is made.

Full details are available from: http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/council_information/public_notices/open_space_disposal.aspx

Please be aware

Please be aware that I have been advised of the below and asked to make you aware of an emerging trend occurring in the South of GMP. As of yet there has been no recent reports of this happening in Cheshire, however as this trend is emerging it may not take long for a similar incident to occur in Cheshire:
There have been a number of reports of distraction burglaries occurring in the south of Greater Manchester within recent weeks. The MO used by the offender/s is that they are from the water board. The offender/s will gain entry to a property with the resident and will either distract the resident while a further offender enters the property without the residents knowledge, or, the offender will ask the resident to carry out a task, for example, switch on the taps upstairs while they do a quick search of the property.
Please can residents be vigilant and keep an eye out for cold callers. Elderly and vulnerable residents should also be made aware and advised not to let anyone in who is not expected.

Crewe Station to become a Museum !!!

 

Willaston and Rope Ward UKIP Councillor Brian Silvester is shocked by yet another U-turn by Cheshire East Council Leader Cllr. Jones on local radio today.

Brian said," I was amazed to hear him say that Crewe rail station was to become a museum. This comes only weeks after he assured Councillors that the station would remain open. Currently the new entrance to Crewe Railway Station is being transformed following £6.5m cash injection that will pave the way for Crewe to become a gateway to the North.Cheshire East Council bought the former Royal Mail depot in 2011 for £2.75 million to help deliver this new station project.

If Crewe Station is to become a museum why is all this public money being spent on it now?

Cllr Jones moves from one self inflicted calamity to another at a baffling pace. He is making CEC look increasingly ridiculous. The current multi million investment in Crewe Station is marvelous for the town and the Borough. He should not undermine the good work of his own Council by making wild statements about Crewe Station becoming a museum."

Best wishes

Brian Silvester
Cllr Brian Silvester BA (Hons) (Photo attached)

UK Independence Party Councillor

Willaston and Rope Ward UKIP Councillor

Cheshire East Council

11 Rimsdale Close

Rope,Crewe

CW2 6RS

Tel/fax 01270 567757