Rio 2016 Olympics Ticket Fraud

Subject: Rio 2016 Olympics Ticket Fraud

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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)

The Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro begin on 6th August 2016 and as of late June, you will be able to purchase tickets from the Rio 2016 ticket offices.  Purchasing from an unauthorised seller or a ticket tout could leave you out of pocket; not only are the tickets advertised at inflated prices, but there is also a risk that the tickets purchased are counterfeit or do not exist. Any individual with a counterfeit ticket will be refused entry.
To help protect yourself, the list of authorised sellers has been published on the official website and provides a list of trusted resellers; this can be found at www.rio2016.com. Equally, tickets purchased that are no longer needed can be sold through the Rio 2016 website for a 100% reimbursement of the amount paid if the tickets are resold.
Protect yourself

• When purchasing from another company or individual, ask questions; specifically when you will receive the ticket and what type of ticket you are purchasing.
• Pay for tickets by using a credit card or trusted payment service. Payments made by bank transfer may not be recoverable.
• Always check that the payment screen is secure by looking for the padlock symbol or making sure the website/url begins with “https”.
• If you have been affected by this, or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk

Council’s finances ‘strong and resilient’ but challenges lie ahead

 

Innovation and creativity will be the key to maintaining a strong and resilient performance for Cheshire East Council and its group of arms-length companies.

A report on the 2015-16 financial position places the Council in its strongest financial position yet with reserves of £93.3m, 85 per cent of which are being held for specific purposes.

But the report warns of further austerity, based on the latest government grant settlements and the potential for uncertainty in the wake of the referendum result and the intended exit from the European Union.

The Council will continue to focus on fairness, equity and meeting need, while also eliminating waste and unnecessary bureaucracy. It is committed to carrying out appropriate improvements in the area of governance and process.

Strong financial management delivered surpluses of £500,000 for the Council and £300,000 for the Council’s wholly owned companies.

Capital spending of £90.6m included completion of the Crewe Green link road and the Crewe Lifestyle Centre.  Net assets for the Council and wider group have increased to £363.1m, although positive changes in the pension deficit exaggerated the overall increase.

Councillor Peter Groves, Cabinet member for finance, says: “The 2015/16 accounts once again reflect strong financial and operational performance from the group.

“The strength and creative design of the group’s delivery arrangements, is reflected in the group’s excellent operational achievements that benefit local residents, businesses and visitors.

“It is important to recognise and celebrate how we continue to adopt the ‘best fit’ approach to service provision.

“We continue to operate within a challenging financial environment with the gradual loss of central government support grant up to 2019/20 placing significant challenges and responsibilities on the authority towards its older residents and the vulnerable.” 

The Council created two new ASDVs (Alternative Service Delivery Vehicle)  in Transport Services Solutions Ltd,  the public transport company and Civicance Ltd, the company specialising in building control, structural consultancy and planning advice.

Fairerpower, the Council’s low-cost community energy supplier, secured savings of £1.5m for its residents and now has more than 5,000 customers.

Ofsted has rated 92.7 per cent of the Borough’s schools as ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’, while refuse recycling rates place the Council in the top 10 per cent of local authorities and well above the national target of 50 per cent.

The Borough’s parks and open spaces continue to collect Green Flag awards and a survey of more than 300,000 people resulted in Cheshire East declared the happiest place to live in England.

But there is to be a decline in grant funding, from £40m in 2015/16 to zero by the 2019/20 financial year. This will have a significant impact on Council finances and the authority is working with its partners to identify sustainable solutions going forward.

The report to the audit and governance committee states: “The outcome of the recent referendum to leave the European Union is an unprecedented and seismic decision, which will be a factor in our forward planning arrangements.

“The Cheshire East Group has limited direct financial links with Europe but changes in the relationship between Europe and the UK – and any effect this has on local services, businesses and our economy – will need to be carefully considered.”

The report adds that an immediate priority will be to seek assurance that any European structural and investment funding in Cheshire East is maintained.

Overall, it will continue to put residents first by targeting appropriate support that protects the most vulnerable people in the community and providing good value for money services throughout the Borough.

Fake Letter Boxes

Subject: Fake Letter Boxes

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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 or forward this email directly; please use the Reply, Share buttons at the bottom of this message)

Message sent by

Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has noticed an increase in reports of fraudsters placing fake letter boxes on residential properties in an attempt to harvest the mail. Residents are sometimes unaware of the fake letterbox as the fraudsters will periodically remove the item, which may leave notable markings. The mail is then used to open various lines of credit with financial providers in the name of the innocent resident.
Protect Yourself

• Be vigilant and check for any suspicious activity, tampering of your post/letterbox or for suspicious glue markings on the wall.
• Check all post received from financial institutions, even if it appears unsolicited.
• Consider reporting theft of mail to your local police force and any cases of identity fraud to Action Fraud.
• If you have been a victim of identity fraud consider Cifas Protection Registration (https://www.cifas.org.uk/protective_registration_form)
• If you, or anyone you know, has 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.

Women in engineering championed in Cheshire East

 

Engineering companies across Cheshire East have teamed up to get more women to take their first steps on an engineering career.
Ringway Jacobs – who work with Cheshire East Council – were among the companies taking part in ‘National Women in Engineering Day’, which aims to help young women to develop careers through apprenticeships and graduate training programmes.
In the last four years, 19 apprentices have been recruited by the company in Cheshire East, several of whom have signed up to become members of the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation to further their ambitions.
Councillor David Brown, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member for highways and infrastructure, said: “40 per cent of highways staff at Cheshire East are women and we are keen to promote the many pathways on offer and to continue highlighting opportunities for them.”
Contract director Chris Shields added: “We have a very healthy succession plan in place – 15 per cent of our staff are apprentices and graduates. They rotate through the business in order to get a broad appreciation of the range of roles on offer.”

The highways team at Cheshire East are on the look-out for apprentices and encourage any interested candidates to visit: http://www.ringway-jacobs.co.uk/opportunities

Environmental drive sees huge savings at Cheshire East

 

Cheshire East Council has made savings of £5.7m as a result of investing in energy-efficiency measures and reducing its office accommodation from 44 sites to six.

In 2008, Cheshire East started a carbon management programme with a view to reducing their carbon emissions by 25 per cent by 2016.

The programme has been a huge success and the target was exceeded comfortably with the Council achieving 42 per cent savings.

The Council has invested in energy-efficient measures, including new boilers, advanced heating controls, insulation, voltage optimisation, high-frequency lighting complete with controls, variable-speed drives, swimming pool covers and many other minor improvements.

These measures had a return on investment in less than three years and led to significant improvements in consumption levels in Council buildings.

To give an indication of the impact that the review has had: emissions at Congleton Leisure Centre were originally more than 800 tonnes per year in 2010. Six years later that figure has almost halved to 470 tonnes per year.

Seven individual zones have been created as part of the new heating control system in the old town hall in Macclesfield, which now adjust the temperature of the building according to weather conditions – reducing running costs by seven per cent.

At Delamere House, in Crewe, a new heating system has reduced the building’s gas consumption by 49 per cent.

At Cheshire East’s headquarters in Sandbach, energy-efficiency measures have led to a 32 per cent saving on electricity as the authority’s usage has reduced from 804,400 kWh to less than 544,000.

Councillor Peter Groves, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member for finance and assets said, “In the last eight years, we have improved energy efficiency in all of our buildings. Historically there were instances where we could have used energy more appropriately and, thanks in large part to this review, we are continuing to put plans in place to do so.

“By reducing the running costs of the Council’s buildings, the financial savings can be used to support frontline services.”

Cheshire East Council is continuing its drive towards improving its carbon footprint and realising the objectives set out in its corporate plan 2016-20.

Ambulance services reviewed by scrutiny committee

 

Ambulance services in the area need to improve says a Cheshire East Council watchdog committee.

The Council’s health and adult social care overview and scrutiny committee has called for local and national health organisations to improve ambulance services in the Borough.

The review was in response to reports of poor ambulance response times for emergency calls in Cheshire East. Waiting times for patients in Cheshire East – in rural areas in particular – are much longer than those of patients in urban areas in the North West.

Ambulances should respond to three quarters of the most urgent calls within eight minutes. Performance in Cheshire East falls well short of this.

The public meeting heard statements from senior representatives of local health and care organisations, including North West Ambulance Service, both local clinical commissioning groups, Cheshire East’s hospitals and the Council.

Details of a number of initiatives for improving response times were presented including the ‘frequent callers’ initiative, where residents identified as making regular calls to the ambulance service are identified and supported in different ways, thereby freeing up ambulance time. In total, the committee issued 20 recommendations to help ensure Cheshire East residents are provided with a safe, effective and high-quality ambulance service.

The committee has urged the Department of Health and NHS England to review the way paramedic emergency services are commissioned and monitored, placing a greater focus on better outcomes for patients and ensuring that access to ambulances is consistent. 

Councillor Paul Bates, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member for health and communities, said: “This comprehensive review has helped to shed light on many of the factors leading to longer ambulance response times in Cheshire East.

“It has also led to the committee making a number of important recommendations across the national and local health and care system.

“I am pleased by the input and active engagement of our local health and care organisations into this review and look forward to their response to the committee’s recommendations.”

Councillor Jos Saunders, chair of Cheshire East’s health and adult social care overview and scrutiny committee said: “Paramedics, community first responders and other health and care frontline staff and volunteers are fully committed and provide an excellent and caring service.

“However, it is unacceptable that Cheshire East residents should not have the same access to emergency care outside of hospital as people living in urban areas.”

The report has been sent to all relevant organisations, who have been asked to respond to the committee by September. It has also been escalated to the Secretary of State for Health.

Police warn young people to be vigilant when using social media

Subject: Police warn young people to be vigilant when using social media

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This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Cheshire Constabulary

(Please do not reply or forward this email directly; please use the Reply, Share buttons at the bottom of this message)

Message sent by

Emma James (Police, Media Officer, Cheshire)

Police are reminding young people to be absolutely sure that they know who they are making friends with on social media.
Cheshire Police has received a number of reports of Facebook profiles, being created by individuals pretending to be a young person and befriending children online.
PC Helen Harrison, of Sandbach Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “What they are doing is firstly establishing a “friendship” or connection with a young person through Facebook and then sending them sexually explicit images through the messenger services.
“It is children who are seeing images and we are urging parents and carers to pay close attention to their child’s use of social media and provide them with advice and guidance to ensure they remain safe online.
“Sharing our personal lives with friends and loved ones on social media can be fun and rewarding. However, if we don’t pay attention to the security of our social media profiles, it allows strangers to also have the exact same access.
“This is a criminal offence and any such reported incidents will be fully investigated.”
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of inappropriate messages received online please contact Cheshire Police on 101. Information can also be passed on anonymously via Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.
Cheshire Police is issuing the advice and guidance below to help stay safe online

• Never accept a friend request from somebody you have never met or do not know in person
• Check the security settings on all social media profiles and ensure they are set at the maximum level
• Parents and carers to sit down with children and young people and look through their friends list, deleting anyone who is not known to them or their child
• It is recommended children under the age of 13 do not use Facebook or similar social media

More advice on online protection for children and young people can be found at:
CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre)
Childline

Catering team receives gold award

 

The team from Cheshire East Council that provides meals to more than 100 schools has received a gold award.

This means that children in Cheshire East are eating food every day that meets the highest possible standards of the ‘food for life’ catering mark awarded by the Soil Association.

The gold catering mark measures every penny spent on ethical, environmentally-friendly and local ingredients and recognises healthy menus where at least 15 per cent of ingredients are organic.

The Council’s 400-strong catering staff prepare and cook more than 15,000 school meals a day in more than 100 schools across the Borough with flexible menus that cater for all tastes. 

The Council’s catering team delivers meals at a competitive price while remaining committed to making a vital contribution towards providing a healthy diet for the Borough’s schoolchildren.

Councillor Liz Durham, Cabinet member for children and families, said:  “My mother was a great school cook and and I have always championed the importance of a high standard of food in schools. In my 25-year career as a school governor, it is something that I have made and will continue to make a top priority.”

“A nutritious meal is so important to the health and academic performance of our children, enabling them to eat well and helping to ensure that they are able to achieve more.

“This gold award recognises all the hard work of the team in promoting the pleasure of growing, cooking and eating food prepared from fresh, sustainable and locally-sourced ingredients.”

“I wholeheartedly congratulate them on their achievement in placing good nutrition and the health of our children at the heart of their service.”

Evidence from the Food for Life Partnership shows that schools serving catering mark meals can expect to see a significant increase in school meal take-up.

For more information about Cheshire East Council’s catering service, visit: www.freshcateringservices.co.uk

Be Aware of Spoof Emails Claiming ‘Buyer Protection’

Subject: Be Aware of Spoof Emails Claiming ‘Buyer Protection’

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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 or forward this email directly; please use the Reply, Share buttons at the bottom of this message)

Message sent by

Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

Online shopping websites are being utilised by fraudsters to advertise vehicles for sale which do not exist. After agreeing to purchase the vehicle via email with the fraudsters, buyers then receive emails purporting to be from Amazon Payments and/or Amazon Flexible Payment Service stating that their money will be held in an ‘escrow account’ (a bank account held by a third party, used as a temporary holding account during a transaction between two parties- for a 7 day ‘cooling off’ period). Once happy with the purchase the email indicates the money will be released to the seller, therefore offering ‘buyer protection’. In reality these emails are fraudulent and do not come from Amazon. The bank accounts are controlled by fraudsters.
Protect yourself

• Remember that Amazon does not provide an escrow account to purchase items.
• Meet the seller ‘face to face’ and view the vehicle before parting with any money.
• Be vigilant of emails that purport to be from genuine companies and check the ‘domain’ name of the email address for any inconsistencies.
• Check feedback online by searching the associated phone numbers or email addresses of the seller.
• If the vehicle is below market value consider whether this is an opportunity too good to be true!
• 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.

The ‘37th World Worm Charming Championship’

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

The ‘37th World Worm Charming Championship’ - http://www.wormcharming.com/ - took place on the afternoon of Saturday 25th June 2016 within the grounds of Willaston Primary Academy http://www.willastonprimaryacademy.co.uk/ , Derwent Close, Willaston, near Nantwich, Cheshire.

The Championship commenced at 2pm following an inspection of the plots by the International Federation of Charming Worms and Allied Pastimes (IFCWAP). Participants in each of the 144 plots had 30 minutes to collect as many worms as possible from their 3x3 metre plot. There were 'traditional' plots for two adults and two children and 'tag-team' plots for teams who wished to change their pairings throughout the charming period.

Techniques included vibrating a garden fork, whacking a tennis racquet and jumping up and down, whilst musical accompaniments included a saxophonist, a guitarist, a tambourine player and a drummer.

A World Worm Charming Championship certificate was awarded to official groundsman Winston Higham from Stoke-on-Trent.

The Chief Wormer's trophy was won by Mrs West for thirty-one years of worming. She has also been a teacher at Willaston Primary Academy for thirty-one years.

Most Promising Newcomer Award was won by the Fischer family, who are originally from Germany, in plot 7 with an impressive debut of 136 worms.

The Heaviest Worm trophy was won by Luke and Ashton in plot 22 with 4.79 grams.

The Championship trophy for Most Worms was won by Hope Smith from Willaston in plot 102 with 272 worms. Hope, who is a Year 5 pupil at Willaston Primary Academy and was competing in her sixth championship, said on collecting her trophy, “I am really happy to win.” Hope’s older sister - Sophie Smith - won in 2009 with a world record 567 worms, so the family are clearly talented worm charmers. Second place went to the Whiting family in plot 87 with 234 worms and third place went to last year’s winners The Caravan Club in plot 132 with 230 worms. The championship also included representatives from Holland, the Philippines, and India.

Event organiser Mike Forster gave his sincere thanks to all the volunteers and visitors for their continued support of the event.

Events in the playground and arena included singing from The Funky Choir and the Willaston Primary Academy Junior Choir, dancing by the X Academy of Performing Arts, and a performance from Cheshire Gymnastics. The arena and adjacent areas were surrounded by charity stalls, an inflatable slide and food and drink outlets. Charities represented included Cystic Fibrosis, Willaston Neighbourhood Plan, Cancer Research UK, Crewe and South Cheshire Voluntary Group of Diabetes UK, Keep Britain Tidy (Recycle Now) as well as Willaston Primary Academy.

The main sponsor was UHY Hacker Young chartered accountants http://www.uhy-uk.com/

The event took place in dry and sunny weather and was enjoyed by several hundred people.

I’ve uploaded my photos to a Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jonathanawhite/albums/72157669667475371

Diabetes UK garden party

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

Sheena & Ken Sambrook of the Crewe and South Cheshire Voluntary Group of Diabetes UK - http://crewe-and-south-cheshire.diabetesukgroup.org - are once again opening up their garden in Wistaston for a fund-raising Garden Party. The event will take place on Wednesday 13th July 2016, from 7pm, at their house at 6 Westfield Drive, Wistaston. Entrance is 50p and includes tea and biscuits. Strawberries & cream, cakes and jam will be available for sale. There will also be a prize draw. Please contact Ken for further information: Tel. 01270 662455.

Communities urged to join Council’s campaign to crack down on dog fouling

 

 

Macclesfield is the latest town to be targeted in Cheshire East Council’s ongoing crackdown on the anti-social nuisance of dog fouling.

The Council is spearheading a cross-community initiative to improve the behaviour of irresponsible dog owners.

One owner has already been issued with a fixed penalty notice for failing to clean up after her dog in the town’s South Park, which is popular with families and young people.

Known as ‘Dog Watch,’ the campaign includes a public presence on high streets across the Borough, to draw attention to the problem of dog fouling and to encourage a greater sense of responsibility on the part of owners who fail to clean up after their pets.  

The Council has set up a stall at the front of Park Royal School in Bond Street, Macclesfield, to highlight the nuisance of dog fouling in the Borough’s streets and open spaces.

Officers from the communities and enforcement teams are also talking to school children as part of an ongoing education strategy and have praised Park Royal School, where pupils have already put up a banner drawing attention to the nuisance and appealing to dog owners to take a responsible attitude.

The week-long campaign in Macclesfield, which follows a successful campaign in Congleton, highlights the serious health hazards from dog fouling and the importance of clearing up after pets.

It also seeks the support of communities in tackling the problem and is engaging with pet owners by offering a microchipping service and health check for canines. 

The Council will work in partnership with community groups, schools, sports clubs and businesses to spread the message. Similar events will take place around the Borough in the months ahead.

The Council’s community enforcement officers have been engaging with residents to discuss responsible dog ownership and the importance of cleaning up after their pets.

Councillor Paul Bates, Cabinet member for communities and health, said: “This is a concerted, ongoing campaign and I urge dog owners and other residents to support us in trying to rid our streets of this nuisance.

“We encourage all in the community to work together to free our town centres, residential areas, parks and open spaces from the anti-social nuisance of dog fouling.

“We have a minority of irresponsible owners who are discrediting the reputation of the majority. We share the frustrations of responsible dog owners and those affected by such irresponsible behaviour.

“As an enforcing and ‘residents first’ authority, Cheshire East Council is urging all dog owners to take a responsible attitude when exercising their pets and to make sure they clean up after their animals.

“Children in particular can be susceptible to diseases carried in dog faeces, so it is imperative that we seek the cooperation of the public and dog owners in trying to eradicate this dreadful nuisance.

“Some owners need to be reminded that there is a law allowing local councils to fine dog owners who fail to clean up after their pets and the fixed penalty is £50, with far higher fines possible if the owner is taken to court.

“The Council will be tough on residents and visitors to the Borough who selfishly cause issues for others by failing to clean up after their dog.”    

Residents, businesses and community groups can help to tackle this problem by reporting dog fouling on 0300 123 5021.

The Council will target specific areas, with high-visibility patrols, including areas popular with visitors from outside the Borough and will advise people on how to report offenders.

The ‘Dog Watch’ team will be moving on to other parts of the Borough in the weeks ahead.

Battle of the Somme commemorated in music and drama

 

Cheshire East Council is supporting a new piece of music, a film and a drama production to commemorate the battle of the Somme.

Cheshire East, in partnership with Crewe Town Council, has secured grant funding to commission a screening of the film ‘Where the fallen live forever’.

The funding also extended to commissioning PhD student Adam Shilton to produce a soundtrack for the film produced by Brass in the Blood productions – a community film company based in Cheshire. The film will be premiered at Crewe Lyceum Theatre on  July 2.

The film also has contributions from the First World War researcher Mark Potts. This multi-artist approach to the project brings further understanding and compassion to the audience about the battle.

The performance is based on the Bearpark family, from Crewe, who lost a number of family members at the Somme and is told from their experiences through song, dance and drama as well as having an original score from a brass concert band.

Adam Shilton is also working with the Cheshire Youth Theatre and the Co-op North West Concert Band.

Councillor Paul Bates, Cheshire East Council’s Cabinet member for communities and health, said: “It’s wonderful to see a significant event in British history commemorated in this way and I am delighted that we have been able to fund these very talented artists to allow them to work collaboratively.”

Prior to the premiere at the Crewe Lyceum Theatre, there will be other commemorative events in Crewe. These include a candlelit vigil on the memorial square on June 30 which will feature a reading of poems, letters and prayers.

On July 1, there will also be a service on memorial square where local schools will read out the names of the 87 who gave their lives during the battle.

As the names are read out, children will place a cross or a poppy on the green space opposite the Royal British Legion shop in a shape of a cross.

To purchase tickets for the premiere of  ‘Where the fallen live forever’ at the Lyceum Theatre please visit: http://ow.ly/QFRi301rlDc Tickets are £10.

Cheshire East ‘best in the North West’ for physical activity

 

Cheshire East residents are the most physically active in the North West region, according to a new survey.

The annual Active People Survey results have just been released and residents in Cheshire East came top of the tree – part of a picture that shows that significant improvements are being made nationally in getting people more active.

For people aged 16 and above there has been a more than 5.5 per cent rise since 2005 in those taking part in physical activities. This figure now stands at 42.7 per cent.

Councillor Paul Bates, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member for communities and health, said: “It is a key priority for the Council to ensure that our communities are given every opportunity to improve their physical wellbeing and stay healthy.

“These figures confirm that, as a Borough, we are doing extremely well in this respect. However, I realise that there is still much work to do. This is a great achievement but it’s just the beginning of improvements for residents in Cheshire East.”

Andrew Kolker, chairman of Everybody Sport and Recreation, who operate leisure services on behalf of the council said: “The latest figures from the Active People Survey put Cheshire East firmly on the map for increasing participation in sport and physical activity.

“Everybody participation numbers have grown from 2.7 million in 2014 to more than 2.85 million last year, a six per cent increase in our community taking part in healthy recreation. These figures show the commitment we have taken to encourage and support our community to get active.  

“Our Everybody Healthy Lifestyle programme during 2015 saw 165 people go from being inactive to active. Since May 2015, we have supported volunteers to achieve over 6,000 volunteer hours delivering sport and physical activity in the community.

“Our partnership with Cheshire East Council has enabled us to provide significant investment in our facilities and show our commitment to assessing the needs of our customers.”

For further information on the survey results please visit: https://www.sportengland.org/research/who-plays-sport/local-picture/

Police investigate Council after Vote REMAIN, Green Party leaflets are displayed on Council noticeboard.

 

UKIP Councillor Brian Silvester has asked the Police to investigate the Cheshire East Council after three Green Party leaflets were placed in the Council notice board in the centre of Crewe,next to Marks and Spencers.

He said ,"This breaks at least two laws.Council facilities should not be used to influence the way people vote.Secondly,we are currently in the purdah period for the EU Referendum and the Council is legally bound to comply with that.

Cheshire East Council are counting the votes in the referendum and they must not be seen to be favouring one side over another.

Cheshire East have form in using Council facilities for party political purposes.The infamous 'Tweetgate' is just one example.

Below are the responses from the Police and attached is one of the leaflets.

This is not the first time that I have had to complain about this noticeboard being used inappropriately. http://www.crewenews.net/2015/08/has-cheshire-east-been-hijacked-by.html

Simon Byrne ‏@CheshirePolCC 48s48 seconds ago

@CllrBSilvester Thanks for flagging this up. This will be assessed and I will respond when I have further details

Simon Byrne ‏@CheshirePolCC 1m1 minute ago

@CllrBSilvester Thanks, this has been passed to our Economic Crime Unit who manage election issues. An update will be sent in due course

Cllr Brian Silvester

UKIP Councillor

Tel 07760147609

Hankelow Fete

Reporter. Jonathan White, Wistaston

Hankelow Village Fete - http://www.hankelow.eu - took place on Hankelow village green on the afternoon of Sunday 19th June 2016.

There were numerous stalls such a coconut shy, splat the rat, football challenge, bowls, a plant sale, a clothes sale, bric-à-brac and a Summer Prize Draw. Several charities were represented including Bloodwise South Cheshire, St Luke's (Cheshire) Hospice, Hope House Children's Hospice, NSPCC and the Audlem Charity Shop.

There were sports activities for the children including sprint and skipping races.

The Arena hosted a Fun Dog Show, U3A Scottish Dancers, and a demonstration featuring birds of prey from Vale Royal Falconry.

There was music from Musicland (Market Drayton) and the Crewe Concert Band.

Cheshire Fire & Rescue from Audlem Fire Station displayed a full size fire appliance.

A wide range of refreshments were available.

Despite some rain later in the day the event was enjoyed by hundreds of people.

The event is organised by the Hankelow Amenities Group.

Proceeds from the Summer Prize Draw will go to Bloodwise South Cheshire: https://bloodwise.org.uk/group/south-cheshire-branch . Liz Boffey from Bloodwise South Cheshire said, “Bloodwise South Cheshire were delighted to be at the Hankelow Fete. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their tremendous support. People were generous with their giving and every penny raised will go into the research of all 147 Blood Cancers”. For further information relating to `Bloodwise South Cheshire` please contact Liz Boffey (Bloodwise South Cheshire Chair) on 01948871250/077526224171 or  liz.boffey@btinternet.com

Love Crewe Mission Week’

Reporter  Jonathan White, Crewe

Love Crewe Mission Week (4-10 July 2016)

A range of events will take place in Crewe from Monday 4th to Sunday 10th July 2016. Everyone is welcome!

The events are organised by ‘Love Crewe’ - http://www.lovecrewe.co.uk/ - who are comprised of twelve churches serving the Crewe area:

-Monday 4th to Thursday 7th July - Brightline band visiting 4 local high schools.

-Wednesday 6th July - 7:30pm - Do you know God loves you? - Carlsberg Suite, Crewe Alex.

-Thursday 7th July - 7:30pm - Brightline Youth Gig (tickets only) - Carlsberg Suite, Crewe Alex.

-Thursday 7th July - 7pm - Meal for all, bring your friends! - The Lighthouse Centre, 56 Stewart St.

-Friday 8th July - 6pm - Open air meeting - Town centre square.

-Saturday 9th July - 10am-2pm - Free Fun Day, stalls, music, theatre and more! - Queens Park, Crewe.

-Saturday 9th July - 7:30pm - Do you know God heals? - West St Christian Fellowship.

-Sunday 10th July - 6pm - The evening celebration! - Carlsberg Suite, Crewe Alex.

‘Love Crewe’ have a free tea/coffee stall on the Crewe town square every Wednesday (10am-2pm) and on Wednesday to Friday of the Mission Week.

Each afternoon a team of volunteers will be doing gardening and painting/clean up around the town.

The event is supported by Crewe Town Council and will allow Crewe churches to promote a positive atmosphere within the town.

Love Crewe has been born out of a desire to see the town blessed and transformed. As the churches in Crewe we believe the heart of this change is each person experiencing the love of God through Jesus. This brings healing, forgiveness and real hope!

Please contact Phil and Emma Howell on 07906616373 or 07525650483 for further information.

Council contractors begin demolition of dangerous mill

 

Demolition contractors have begun a step by step process to dismantle the centuries old Bossons Mill, in Congleton.

Acting under emergency powers, Cheshire East Council has commissioned the work because the building, also known as Brook Mill or Big Mill,  has become unsafe after years of neglect from the owners of the property.

Scaffolding has been erected and slates are being removed from the roof of the seven-storey former silk mill.

The derelict building has stood empty and neglected for 20 years.

A structural engineer’s report found the 200-year-old building, which was once a landmark in the town’s rich industrial heritage, was in a dangerous state and could collapse.

The mill is Grade II listed and therefore the Council has consulted with Historic England, the organisation that works to preserve the country’s heritage

They have said that they can understand the Council’s position and regret that the building has to be taken down.

Cheshire East Council is acting in the best interests of neighbouring residents and businesses, who are living and working in the shadow of the old brick edifice, which is in such a state of internal and external decay that it could crumble at any time.

The entire programme of works is predicted to take 81 days and special protection measures will be put in place across the brook, which runs alongside it.

Further protection will be positioned over adjoining buildings, including residential properties.

The first phase of work will begin with dismantling the structure by hand and, when this phase is complete, mechanical demolition of the remaining structure will begin in August, when all other preparations and surveys have been undertaken.

Cheshire East Council has commissioned DSR Demolition to carry out the works, who have indicated they will keep the town council and residents informed every step of the way.

In order to minimise the disruption to local residents and businesses, the Council and the contractors are consulting with Congleton Town Council to minimise any inconvenience likely to be caused, especially on market days.

Currently, the programme of works extends to the end of September and that will include clean up of the site and removal of materials.

Councillor Ainsley Arnold, Cabinet member for housing and planning, said: “I want to reassure the people of Congleton that Cheshire East was left with no alternative but to take this action for the safety of the town and our residents.

“We have made numerous attempts to persuade the owners, Kitewood, to make this building safe but its ongoing neglect has caused the building to become so dangerous that we have to demolish.

“I want to reassure our residents that we will explore every avenue to recover all the costs the Council is currently faced with.”

Councillor Paul Bates, Cabinet member for communities and health, said: “As a Congleton ward member, I am very disappointed that the owners of Bossons Mill, have stood back and allowed this Grade II listed building to become a dreadful eyesore and a blot on the landscape of the town.

“It is a great pity that a building of this character with its place in the history of Congleton should be lost in this way.”

Cheshire East salutes fallen in Battle of the Somme

 

Cheshire East Council is to hold a ceremony of commemoration to mark the centenary of the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

Veterans groups, dignitaries, schoolchildren and other members of the public will gather for a poignant ceremony and wreath laying at Nantwich War Memorial at 10.30am on July 1.

Mayor of Cheshire East Councillor Olivia Hunter will lead the tributes on behalf of Cheshire East Council to the fallen from the First World War battle.

The Battle of the Somme, which began at 7.30am on July 1, 1916 is the single bloodiest day in British military history.

The British Army suffered a staggering 57,540 casualties that day, of which more than 19,000 were killed.

The battle lasted until November 18, 1916 and was one of the costliest of the First World War. In total, more than one million soldiers were killed or wounded.

Councillor Rachel Bailey, Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “It is tremendously important that today’s generation continues to remember and honour the sacrifice made during the First World War by families across what is now Cheshire East.

“There were few families in Cheshire who did not suffer some loss during this cataclysmic and brutal battle. It is only right that now, 100 years on, we pay tribute to their great sacrifice.” 

The ceremony will be attended by representatives of the Royal British Legion, Cheshire Regiment Association, Cheshire East Council and Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire David Briggs as well as local schools.

Members of the public are warmly invited to attend (seating, however, will be limited).

The commemorative event is part of the Council’s four-year programme of remembrance of the sacrifice by the people of Cheshire East during the First World War.

Cheshire East will be marking a number of key anniversaries in the period up to November 11, 2018, when the centenary of the signing of the Armistice will be commemorated.

Cheshire East flies the flag to salute Armed Forces Week

 

Cheshire East Council today held a flag ceremony to mark Armed Forces Week.

The Armed Forces Day flag was raised outside the authority’s Westfields HQ in Sandbach at 6.30pm today (June 20), by Council Deputy Leader David Brown and the authority’s armed forces champion and former mayor Councillor Gordon Baxendale.

The occasion was part of a national drive to have hundreds of armed forces flags flown at significant, strategic and eye-catching sites across the UK.

Armed Forces Week provides an opportunity for communities to show their support for the men and women who make up the forces community, from serving members of the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force to service families, veterans and cadets.

Events are being held across the nation in coming days to mark Armed Forces Week. These range from major set-piece events including military personnel to smaller scale, community-based events. Among the events planned locally is an Armed Forces Day and military festival, with a host of attractions for all the family, being held on Sunday (June 26) at Victoria Park, Crewe, from 11am to 5pm.

Cllr Brown said: “We are very proud of Cheshire’s long and distinguished military history and Cheshire East is proud to be a signatory to the Armed Forces Community Covenant.

“We raise this flag today to honour that ongoing commitment and to reaffirm the strong ties of gratitude and respect with all our servicemen and women for the tremendous work they do, and so selflessly, for the nation.”

The community covenant is a voluntary statement of support between communities and the armed forces. The aims of the community covenant are to:

● Encourage local communities to support the armed forces community in their areas;

● Nurture public understanding and awareness of issues affecting the armed forces community;

● Recognise and remember the sacrifices made by the armed forces community; and

● Encourage activities which help to integrate the armed forces community into local life.

The Government has published a national Armed Forces Covenant, which sets the tone for national policy to improve the support available for the armed forces community.

The core principles are that members of the armed forces community do not suffer disadvantage as a result of their service and that they receive special treatment where appropriate.

For further information visit the Armed Forces Covenant pages on the GOV.UK website.

For more information about local events to mark Armed Forces Week and Armed Forces Day, on Saturday, June 25, visit the Royal British Legion website at: www.armedforcesday.org.uk/find-events/

St Andrew’s Church, Bedford Street

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

A whole day of events took place at St Andrew’s Church, Bedford Street, Crewe on Saturday 18th June 2016 to celebrate both the 90th birthday of the Parish of St Andrew and Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th birthday.

Events included children’s activities such as bead necklace making, fish pattern paper weaving, and the decoration of buns to eat; there was an organ recital with Phil Houghton, Simon Russell and Father Powell (St Barnabas, Crewe); a singalong with The Diamonds choir; Fred Allman and Chris White performed together as ‘Pick n Mix’; detailed and extensive historical displays relating to Parish of St Andrew; a display relating to Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th birthday; a prize raffle and an evening concert with the Wistaston Singers. There were refreshments at breakfast, lunchtime and at the interval in the evening.

During their evening concert Wistaston Singers sang songs from 42nd Street, Mamma Mia, and Les Miserables as part of an extensive programme. Conductor Phil Houghton also played the organ. Chris White sang and played his ukulele. Jane Hale was the Accompanist, who also played the flute and saxophone. There were also many soloists within the choir. The Church was bedecked with celebratory bunting and the audience was encouraged to wave their Union flags and sing along to Land of Hope and Glory and Jerusalem and join in singing the National Anthem.

Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of St Andrew Reverend Lynne Cullens was present all day and thanked everyone for their support.

Proceeds from the day will go to the upkeep of St Andrew’s Church.

History of the Parish of St Andrew: Christ Church was built in the mid-1800s by the railway companies for its workers, along with houses, shops, gas works and a hospital. By 1890 the new town of Crewe had grown and a new Church was needed north of Nantwich Rd. The new church opened in 1890 in a house in Catherine St, and was called the Mission of the Good Shepherd. By 1920 it had transferred to a tin hut on the corner of Bedford St and Ernest St and the congregation worked hard to raise funds for a new permanent church building to be dedicated to St. Andrew. The actual parish of St Andrew came into being on 18th June 1926, with the brick-built church on Bedford St. officially opened in 1932.

This year’s Wistaston Fete.

Reporter  Jonathan White, Wistaston

The Wistaston Village Fete took place on the afternoon of Saturday 18th June 2016. This annual event is organised by the Wistaston Community Council and took place at Wistaston Church Lane Academy, Church Lane, Wistaston, by kind permission of the Academy.

The event began with a procession from Wistaston Memorial Hall led by a Scottish Piper Reg Flower, followed by the 35th South West Cheshire Scout group with Union Jack flag, St Mary’s Guides, and the Liberty Dance Troupe Crewe. The procession also included the retiring Wistaston Rose Queen (Rachel Astbury) in an open-top sports car and this year’s Wistaston Rose Queen (Emma Horne), her Attendant (Emily Edge) and the retiring Attendant (Chelsea Horne) in an open-top vintage car.

Once the procession had arrived within the Arena at the Academy the retiring Rose Queen (Rachel Astbury) thanked Wistonian's for their support and stated that over £2,950 had been raised for Macmillan Cancer Support during her year of office. St. Mary's Wistaston Rector Mike Turnbull then passed the crown from Rachel to this year's Rose Queen (Emma). Emma stated that her chosen charity this year is Diabetes UK. This year’s Wistonian of the year, Roger Woodward, then officially opened the Fete.

Ken Sambrook and John White were the Master of Ceremonies and introduced each event in the Arena. Bob Squirrell setup and monitored the sound system.

Several children took part in the fancy dress competition and entries included a young lady dressed as Her Majesty the Queen. The winner was dressed as a London bus. They collected their prizes from judges Roger Woodward, former Wistonian of the year Gwyneth Brown and Mayor of Cheshire East Councillor Olivia Hunter. All of the children who entered received a bag of sweets.

The Arena also had displays by the Liberty Dance Troupe Crewe, TheFunkyChoir.com, Eskdale Falconry, X-streme street dancing, and Hartford Gymnastics Display Team. In the school hall there was entertainment from Wistaston Church Lane Academy Choir. Cheshire Fire displayed a full size fire appliance on the front playground.

Wistaston Roundabout Editor Eileen Bamber and Wistaston Community Council committee member Barbara Brereton presented prizes to the winners in the annual Laurie Twiss Award for Journalism. The winner was Jessica Shaw, aged 9, from Wistaston Church Lane Academy, with second prize awarded to George Edge-Robinson and third prize awarded to Isaac Stubbs. Chloe Brereton and Lilly Doering were both Highly Commended. There were an impressive 53 entries.

There were over 35 stalls representing local organisations and charities, plus refreshments stands. Refreshments were also available in the school hall. The best dressed stall winner was Diabetes UK.

The event took place in sunny weather and was enjoyed by several hundred people.

Dane Chaplow (Chairman, Wistaston Community Council) said, "We are very grateful to the Academy for allowing us to use their premises. The procession and crowning ceremony were a success and there was excellent entertainment both outdoors and indoors with a splendid range of stalls. So many people attended to show their support. We hope that lots of money was raised for local charities and the Wistaston Community Council.”

Admission to the Fete was by donation and proceeds from the gate receipts and Wistaston Community Council stalls will go towards other Wistaston village events, such as the Flower and Produce Show, Spring and Christmas Concerts, and the November Fireworks Display. The Wistaston Community Council desperately requires new members to help organise next year’s Fete, as well as the other Wistaston-based events. Please visit http://www.wistastoncommunity.co.uk/ for further information if you would like to join.

A Queen’s Birthday Celebration Concert

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston 

A Queen’s Birthday Celebration Concert to mark Her Majesty's 90th Birthday took place on the evening of Thursday 16th June 2016 at Wistaston Memorial Hall, Church Lane, Wistaston.

Crewe Concert Band http://www.cwecb.co.uk/ performed highlights of music from England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Cornwall. Glenn Thomas was their Musical Director and inspired the players to give an outstanding, patriotic, joyful and enthusiastic performance. The celebratory concert was atmospheric with excellent audience participation.

Chris White sang and played his ukulele inspired by George Formby and David Clews played his harmonica with his usual expertise and skill.

John White was the Master of Ceremonies.

Our own Queen was present - Wistaston Rose Queen (Rachel Astbury) and her Attendant (Chelsea Horne) were in attendance. Wistonian of the Year – Roger Woodward – enjoyed the evening’s musical variety.

The Hall was bedecked with red, white & blue and Union flag bunting and the audience was encouraged to wave their Union flags and sing along to ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ and ‘Jerusalem’.

Refreshments were provided by Audrey Astbury and her team during the interval.

The memorable occasion was enjoyed by an audience of over sixty people, who left the hall in true patriotic mood.

Over £300 was raised which will be shared between the Wistaston Memorial Hall, Crewe Concert Band and Macmillan Nurses.

The hall’s Chairman commented, “This was a truly inspirational and celebratory evening. The Queen would have been pleased with the patriotic and loyal royal atmosphere in evidence. Wistaston’s Rose Queen was suitably impressed.”

Old school BMX

Reporter Jonathan White, Crewe

Old school BMX bike fans converged on Crewe on Saturday 11th June 2016 for a social ride through the town.

Around twenty people gathered at Crewe railway station in the morning for the 'Chesh-Air' event organised by the Crewe-based 'Air Series of Old school BMX Rides' group. They rode to a handful of pubs in the town for light refreshments and lunch and their ride finished at The Shanaze Reade BMX track at Tipkinder Park in Crewe.

The event was open to all and bikers ranged in age from children to adults. There were local participants along with visitors from further afield including Halifax, Peterborough, Telford and Wrexham.

They rode racing and freestyle vintage BMX bikes from the 1980s as well as modern BMX bikes. BMX brands represented included Raleigh, GT, Mongoose, Puch, Haro, Huffy and Hutch. Many of the bikes had been lovingly restored and rebuilt by their owners.

The event was organised by John Collins and Gary McBride, who are both from Crewe.

Co-organiser Gary McBride said, “It was nice to see some fantastic bikes and new faces on the first Chesh-Air ride. I hope we can make this an even bigger success next year.”

For further information relating to the 'Air Series of Old school BMX Rides' group please visit: https://facebook.com/groups/1481731262088201

Old school BMX rides take place throughout the United Kingdom and around the world. For further information relating to the UK old school BMX scene please visit: http://www.radbmx.co.uk

Construction of environmental hub begins

 

The construction stage of the new environmental hub in Middlewich starts tomorrow and Cheshire East Council has released an image providing an artist’s impression of how the site will look when complete next year.

The hub aims to end the landfill disposal of black-bin waste in the Borough and provide a site for Ansa to run waste collection and recycling, parks and street cleansing services for the Council.

The environmental hub will enable the Council to increase its recycling, attain targets in waste collection and at the same time have wider economic benefits, preserving existing employment through the relocation of jobs to Middlewich.

Access to the site will be via two entrances on Cledford Lane. One will provide access for office staff situated in a building on the corner of Cledford Lane and Booth Lane, the other will be for vehicle access to both the household and recycling plants.

There will also be a fleet workshop, which will double up as a MOT testing bay that backs on to Booth Lane, next to the canal.

The household waste transfer station is next to Cledford Lane, with the recycling station to the left, set slightly further away from the road. The stations are needed to transfer recycling and waste to processing and disposal plants outside the Borough.

The Council is also investing £1m into constructing a state-of-the-art air treatment system, which will ensure that the impact of odour from the site is kept to a minimum.

As part of the arrangement with the Council’s partner, Wates Construction, a liaison committee has been created involving Middlewich residents to ensure that local people are fully involved every step of the way.

A dedicated community site cabin will be established, where a Wates staff member will be on hand to answer any queries people may have. Over the next nine months, there will also be local school visits and opportunities for young people to have work experience placements on site.

Councillor Don Stockton, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member for regeneration, said: “This project will maximise our recycling efforts and reduce landfill to an absolute minimum.”

The contract with Wates will see the construction and refurbishment of new and existing buildings as part of scheduled works for the development on Cledford Lane. The project begins on 16 June.

Phishing Campaign Targeting University Students

Subject: Phishing Campaign Targeting University Students

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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 or forward this email directly; please use the Reply, Share buttons at the bottom of this message)

Message sent by

Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

A new phishing campaign which has hit students of UK universities claims that the student has been awarded an educational grant by the Department for Education. The email purports to have come from the finance department of the student’s university and tricks the recipient into clicking on a link contained in the message to provide personal and banking details.
One victim reported that after submitting their sensitive information (including name, address, date of birth, contact details, telephone provider, bank account details, student ID, National Insurance Number, driving licence number and mother’s maiden name), they were taken to a spoofed website which appeared like a genuine website of their bank, where they were asked to type in their online banking login credentials.
Protect Yourself:

• Do not click on any links or open attachments contained within unsolicited emails.
• Do not reply to scam emails or contact the senders in any way.
• If an email appears to have come from a person or organisation you know of but the message is unexpected or unusual, contact them directly via another method to confirm that they sent you the email.
• If you receive an email which asks you to login to an online account via a link provided in the email, instead of clicking on the link, open your browser and go directly to the company’s website yourself.
• If you have clicked on a link in the email, do not supply any information on the website that may open.

If you think you may have compromised the safety of your bank details and/or have lost money due to fraudulent misuse of your cards, you should immediately contact your bank, and report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.

Wybunbury Fig Pie Wakes

Wybunbury Fig Pie Wakes (Sat 11/6/16).

Reporter. Jonathan White, Wistaston

I’ve uploaded all my photos to a Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jonathanawhite/albums/72157669574409186 .The annual Wybunbury Fig Pie Wakes - http://www.wybunbury.org.uk/ – took place on Saturday 11th June 2016 in Wybunbury, near Nantwich, Cheshire.

Wybunbury Fig Pie Wakes is organised by the Wybunbury Tower Preservation Trust. It dates back at least 200 years though stopped in 1920. The event was reprised in 1995, when the Wybunbury Tower Preservation Trust revived it to raise money for the upkeep of their historic leaning tower in the village.

The event started in the morning with a peal of bells at Wybunbury Tower to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday with the Tower itself dressed in Union Jack bunting.

The fig pies are made from a traditional recipe containing a hard pastry and were rolled from the Swan Inn pub down Main Road to see how far they would travel. There were separate race categories for 10 & Under, 16 & Under and Adults. Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson rolled the first fig pie at 3pm, which this year was an in/out EU referendum pie.

The 10 & Under race was won by Henry Foster with 67 metres, the 16 & Under race was won by Joe Wright with 92 metres and the Adult race was won by Ian Edwards with an impressive 112 metres.

Wybunbury Tower was open to the public, and there were various charity stalls, a children’s fairground, a prize draw, and refreshments. There were steam traction engines on display. The Swan Inn and the Red Lion pub both sold refreshments and hosted live bands. There was an art exhibition in the village hall.

The main sponsor was Watts Mortgage & Wealth Management Ltd http://www.watts-ifa.com/

The rain clouds disappeared during the fig pie competition and the event was enjoyed by hundreds of people.

Council acts to make dangerous Congleton mill building safe for the town

 

Acting under emergency powers, Cheshire East Council is to demolish Bossons Mill in Congleton because of major safety concerns about the stability of its structure.

The Council has been advised the building is in danger of collapse and has informed the owners Kitewood that emergency works must be carried out on the seven-storey former silk mill and that this will take the form of demolition.

Cheshire East Council has proceeded under a Section 78 Notice under the Building Act 1984 after a last-ditch appeal to the owners to make the 200 year old building safe.

Emergency works were carried out by the Council last autumn after Kitewood failed to carry out the work themselves.

The Council has had to take immediate action owing to the condition of the structure.

Letters have been delivered to nearby residents urging them to take up temporary accommodation.

The old mill, also known as Big Mill and Brook Mill, has been empty for around 20 years and has been exposed to the elements, leading to rotted beams, floors and internal load-bearing structures.

As the building is Grade II listed, the Council has taken the appropriate steps to inform Historic England that it was left with no option but to take remedial action.

Councillor Ainsley Arnold, Cabinet member for housing and planning said: “The Council has made numerous attempts to resolve this problem, but without the cooperation of the owners of the building we were left with no option but to take this emergency action.

“The owners have allowed this piece of Congleton’s history to deteriorate to such an extent that it has become an eyesore and a danger to our residents.

“We put our residents and businesses first and must now send in contractors to deal with this risk through demolition.”

The Council commissioned expert structural engineers to examine the building.

Their 26-page report concluded it was too dangerous to allow workers to operate from inside and that the building was in danger of collapse, which could be brought about by prolonged rain or high winds.

The report said: “These works are now urgent as continuing deterioration will result in uncontrolled collapse; the timing of such collapse is indeterminate but could readily occur in the near future.”

Councillor Arnold added: “It is a great pity that a building of this character, which has long been a part of the town’s industrial heritage, should be lost in this way.

“As a Council we have to act in the interests of our residents and businesses and have taken action to protect them.

“We will take steps to recover our costs on behalf of our residents.”

Bossons Mill was last in use for manufacturing in the 1990s but the company ceased operating there in December 1996.

At one time it was one of 20 working silk mills busily producing silk attire for the Victorians.

Historic England commented “We’re extremely disappointed that a significant part of Brooks Mill has deteriorated to the extent that it needs to be demolished.

“We have been actively working with Cheshire East Council for over a year to try to save Brooks Mill, by providing technical support and exploring funding options.

“Now, in the interests of public safety, we accept that the council has to use emergency powers to address serious structural problems.

“We will continue to work closely with the Council to advise them on the future of the site, focussing on finding solutions for what remains of the listed building and for the Congleton West Conservation Area.

“This aptly demonstrates the threats that historic buildings can face when they’re not being used and sadly, this is not an isolated case: our region’s historic mills, once the powerhouses of the North West, are challenging buildings to re-use and are increasingly falling into disrepair.”

Council officials are due to meet with demolition contractors this week to discuss the way forward.

Contractors moved in on the site on Tuesday (June 14) to assess the measures required prior to commencing demolition.

Council acts to deliver greater fairness and promote walking to school

 

Cheshire East Council has taken steps to ensure greater fairness, encourage walking to school and deliver savings to local taxpayers.

The Cabinet today decided that five walking routes to local schools are now available to be used by pupils – and that free school transport will be withdrawn for some students from April 2017.

It follows a review of routes that takes into account the improvements to the highways, footpaths and public rights of way – which will now form available walking routes to schools.

Cabinet today also agreed to use £150,000 from the government’s Local Transport Plan Fund to improve further routes to schools over the next few years, bringing them up to standard and enabling more pupils to walk to school.

The moves would also deliver Council savings of approximately £495,000 by 2019.

The decision means the Council is applying its own policies more consistently and fairly by providing free transport only to those who are eligible. For all other pupils it remains a parental responsibility to ensure that children and young people get to school safely.

Under the Council’s ‘Available Walking Routes’ policy, free transport is provided to primary school pupils who would have to walk more than two miles to school and to secondary school pupils who would have to walk more than three miles. This provision remains unaffected by today’s decision.

Councillor Liz Durham, Cabinet member for children and families said: “On the grounds of fairness to all parents and pupils, these measures are the right thing to do. While it will undoubtedly prove unpopular with the people affected, this decision is about fairly applying an existing policy, now that these walking routes have been made available.”

Councillor George Hayes, Deputy Cabinet member for children and families, said: “ In order to ensure that parents and schools are aware of these changes, we have already communicated with the relevant local ward members and head teachers and contact will be made directly with the parents of pupils who will be affected by this decision. All of this will be happening before the summer break and well in advance of the April 2017 implementation date.”

A total of 1,152 Cheshire East students currently receive home-to-school transport because no walking route is available, which represents 35 per cent of children entitled to transport provision. This compares with figures of 26.5 per cent in Cheshire West and Chester and just 10 per cent in Staffordshire.

The Council’s review of walking routes will affect the following five schools in the first phase: Tytherington High School, Poynton High School, Brine Leas School, Wheelock Primary School and Malbank School and 6^th Form College. A total of approximately 380 pupils will be affected by the change.

For further information on available walking routes to school, including frequently asked questions visit www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/availablewalkingroutes

Nantwich Words & Music Festival announces first Headlining Acts

 

Headlining acts for Nantwich’s 9th Words & Music Festival are to include legendary punk poet Dr John Cooper Clarke and Scottish singer/songwriter Eddi Reader, formerly of Fairground Attraction.

Celebrated alt folk band Stornoway and Sex Pistols songwriter Glen Matlock are among other famous names making their way to Nantwich between October 10 and 16.

Internationally acclaimed Nantwich resident Thea Gilmore is appearing again and many more acts expected to be announced this month, Words And Music has cemented its upward trajectory and it's presence on the UK festival calendar.

The annual event draws musicians and poets from across the world to the Cheshire Market Town, many of them to perform at intimate venues close to the heart of the Nantwich community.

Further acts will be announced in the coming weeks, with tickets already on sale for four shows.

Dr John Cooper Clarke - an iconic poet and regular guest on top TV panel shows - plays sell-out venues around the world and will be performing at the Civic Hall on Saturday 15th October.

Words & Music Festival is organised by producer, musician and singer/songwriter Nigel Stonier alongside internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter Thea Gilmore and a team of Nantwich-based volunteers.

Nigel Stonier said: “We started as a weekend event with just three shows back in 2008. Now we're running for a week, and Nantwich as a town has given us a repeated ‘thumbs up’.

“Most of our shows are sell-outs, and we're very happy that every year visitors from further afield come and enjoy the shows and discover the town. Audience members have previously travelled from Japan, Norway, Germany, France as well as from all over the UK.

“Tickets have been on sale for less than two weeks and are selling really strongly. We are excited by this year's line-up of headlining acts and we'll announce more events - both ticketed and free - very shortly."

Support from venues across the town allows acts to be presented in suitable settings. Eddi Reader will sing in beautiful setting of St Mary’s Church on Tuesday 11th October, after a stunning performance from Barbara Dickson in this venue last year.

The Crown Hotel, The Railway Hotel, Enzo and Bloom are among the other venues for the remaining acts that will be announced in the coming weeks.

Previous Words & Music Festivals have attracted world famous names including Badly Drawn Boy, Ian McCulloch, Athlete, Barbara Dickson, The Magic Numbers, Tim Burgess, The Lightning Seeds, Mike Scott, Simon Armitage, John Bramwell, Mark Radcliffe, 'Whispering' Bob Harris, Fyfe Dangerfield (Guillemots) and Eliza Carthy, to name but a few.

Tickets are now on sale via our website at www.wordsandmusicfestival.com or in person via Grapevine, The Crown and Bloom in Nantwich.

Counterfeit Cheques

Subject: Counterfeit Cheques

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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 or forward this email directly; please use the Reply, Share buttons at the bottom of this message)

Message sent by

Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

Businesses are being contacted for the sale of goods or services by fraudsters, who request to pay by cheque. The fraudster sends a cheque with a higher value than the amount expected, and then sends the business a request for the difference with instructions on how it should be paid back. This is usually by bank transfer or through a money transfer service, such as Western Union or PaySafe. Once the ‘refund’ has been provided, it is realised that the cheque provided was fraudulent and no funds are credited to the business’s account.
The NFIB has seen an increase of 84% in the number of counterfeit cheque frauds reported to Action Fraud since November 2015. Criminals are targeting a wide range of services including paintings or other artwork, photography and lessons, with various amounts requested to be refunded.  The average amount requested to be refunded is £1,818. The highest amount requested was over £80,000.
The suspects have used pressure tactics to persuade victims to refund the amounts immediately prior to the cheques clearing.
Crime Prevention Advice

• Be cautious of payments where the amount provided is higher than expected. Refuse to provide the service unless the correct balance is received or wait until the cheque has cleared before refunding the difference.
• Always contact banks on a trusted number found on their website or correspondence that is known to be authentic to confirm whether the cheque has cleared.
• Do not feel pressured to provide a refund before the cheque has cleared.

If you have been affected by this, or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk

Have you received your voting guide? – You can’t miss it!

 

With the EU referendum fast approaching, Cheshire East Council is urging residents to check the Electoral Commission’s voting guide for advice on how to take part.

The referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union will take place on Thursday June 23, 2016.

The guide, which was delivered to every UK household at the end of May, contains important information for voters on how to cast your vote and arguments from the lead campaigners for the ‘Remain’ and ‘Leave’ side.

Mike Suarez, Electoral Registration Officer for Cheshire East Council, said: “Now that voters in the Borough have received the voting guide from the Electoral Commission, we hope people feel confident about taking part in the referendum on 23 June. 

“Anyone that hasn’t received a copy can view it online at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk.

“The referendum on June 23 is an opportunity for people to have their say on one of the key political issues of our time. 

“Don’t forget that you can’t have a voice in this important question unless you vote. So I’d encourage everyone to get out and cast their ballot on June 23.”

Emma Hartley, head of campaigns and corporate communications at the Electoral Commission, said: “Voters have told us that they want accessible and impartial information so that they feel they can make an informed decision at the ballot box. 

“We have sent our voting guide to every household across the UK so that as many people as possible feel confident about casting their vote on June 23.”

The guide is also available online and has been produced in a range of different languages and accessible formats.

Any voters who require any additional information are advised to go to: www.aboutmyvote.co.uk or phone the Electoral Commission helpline on 0800 3 280 280.

Connecting Cheshire saddles up to boost broadband roll-out

 

Connecting Cheshire has lined up as a Tour of Britain stage sponsor and launched a ‘broadband without brakes’ campaign to promote the roll-out of superfast fibre.

To coincide with the Tour of Britain cycle race stage across Cheshire in September, the campaign will help to drive the take-up of the additional fibre broadband across the county funded by the Connecting Cheshire Partnership of BT and four local authorities – including Cheshire East – and will feature the Fibre Guy characters.

Using the analogy of comparing cycling uphill on slow broadband with speeding downhill with superfast fibre broadband, the campaign will explain how to upgrade to a faster network and that in most cases upgrading can work out cheaper due to competition in the provider market.

Connecting Cheshire will be attending community cycling events during the summer as well as the Royal Cheshire County and Nantwich shows, plus at the start and finish of the Tour of Britain Cheshire stage on September 6.

To check availability of faster broadband in your area you can visit the Connecting Cheshire website and enter a postcode or a telephone number online at: www.connectingcheshire.org.uk/check-availability

Councillor David Brown, Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council and on behalf of the Connecting Cheshire partnership, said: “This is a great fun campaign with a serious message that around 90 per cent of premises can now upgrade to superfast broadband.

“Not only is it likely to be cheaper but homes and businesses can take advantage of all the benefits of faster speeds for both work and play. So check, compare prices and change.”

Police are appealing for help in tracing a missing teenager from the Tarporley area

Subject: Police are appealing for help in tracing a missing teenager from the Tarporley area

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This is a message sent via Neighbourhood Watch. This information has been sent on behalf of Cheshire Constabulary

(Please do not reply or forward this email directly; please use the Reply, Share buttons at the bottom of this message)

Message sent by

Peter Caldwell (Police, New Media Manager, Chesh Engagement Unit)

Officers growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of 14-year-old Kizzy Whitehurst.
Kizzy, who lives near Oulton Park, was last seen at home at around 10pm on Monday, June 6.
Kizzy is described as being around 5ft 1ins tall, slim, with bob-style hair and wearing glasses. She may be wearing a pink coat and carrying a large pink holdall.
Chief Inspector Simon Meegan said: “We are concerned that Kizzy’s family have not heard from her at all and, given her age, we want to ensure she is returned home safely. It would be unusual to see a girl of her age not in school so if anyone thinks they may have seen Kizzy, we need to know.
“I’d ask people to check their outbuildings or sheds in case she has taken shelter, and I’d also appeal to Kizzy herself to get in touch, and let us know that you’re ok.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Cheshire police on 101, quoting incident 108 of 7 June 2016.

Euro 2016 Ticketing Fraud

Subject: Euro 2016 Ticketing Fraud

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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 or forward this email directly; please use the Reply, Share buttons at the bottom of this message)

Message sent by

Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

The 2016 European Football Championships will begin shortly and those wanting to purchase last minute tickets are likely to be targeted by fraudsters posing as official sellers.  Purchasing from an unauthorised seller or a ticket tout could leave you out of pocket; not only are the tickets advertised at inflated prices, there is a risk that the tickets purchased are counterfeit or do not exist. Any individual with a counterfeit ticket will be refused entry.
Resale Platform
Consumers wanting to sell their tickets can do so through the resale platform, where tickets will be resold at face value. For further information please visit UEFA’s website. Those seeking to purchase tickets are advised to check the site regularly as tickets will be sold on a first come first serve basis and are likely to change regularly as different tickets become available to purchase.

• Only purchase tickets from an authorised seller by using the exchange portal.
• When using the portal do not be encouraged to contact the seller privately and complete the transaction outside of the portal.
• Be wary of purchasing tickets from a social media account. There is a risk that the ticket does not exist or is counterfeit. Consider conducting research on the information provided by the seller, for example a mobile phone number or email address used by the seller could alert you to any negative information associated to them online.
• Avoid making payments through bank transfer or money transfer services, as the payment may not be recoverable.

If you have been affected by this, or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.

Council set to take steps to boost walking to school – to help tackle pupil obesity and deliver savings

 

Cheshire East Council is set to take steps to boost walking to school, help tackle pupil obesity and deliver greater fairness – as well as savings to local taxpayers.

The Cabinet will be asked to decide (Tuesday June 14) that five walking routes to local schools are now safe to be used by pupils – and that free school transport will be withdrawn for some pupils from April 2017.

It follows a review of routes that takes into account the significant improvements to the highways, footpaths and public rights of way – including walking routes to schools – in recent years.

Cabinet is also set to agree to use £150,000 from the government’s Local Transport Plan Fund to improve further routes to schools over the next four years, bringing them up to standard and enabling more youngsters to walk to school.

It means the Council is applying its own policies consistently and fairly by providing free transport only to those who are eligible.

The moves would deliver potential Council savings of £495,000 by 2019.

Under the Council’s ‘Available Walking Routes’ policy, free transport is provided to primary pupils who would have to walk two miles or more to school and to secondary school pupils who would have to walk three miles or more. This will be unaffected.

However, Councils are also required by law to provide free travel where a pupil lives within the statutory walking distance to school but does not have a route available that can be walked in reasonable safety.

A total of 1,152 Cheshire East students are currently receiving home-to-school transport because no walking route is available – which represents 35 per cent of children entitled to transport provision. This compares with figure of 26.5 per cent in Cheshire West and Chester and just 10 per cent in Staffordshire.

The Council’s review of walking routes is set to affect, in the first phase, the following five schools: Tytherington; Poynton High, Brine Leas, Wheelock Primary; and Malbank. About 380 pupils will be affected by the proposed change.

Councillor George Hayes, deputy portfolio holder for children and families said:  “As a ‘Residents First’ council – we have a duty to treat people fairly and apply our rules consistently. This decision is about fairly applying an existing policy, now that these walking routes have been made available for safe use.

“There are also clear health benefits from getting more of our young people to take regular daily exercise by walking. A study in 2015 revealed that a staggering 28 per cent of year six children in Cheshire East were overweight or obese

“In order to ensure that parents and schools are aware of these changes, we have already communicated with the relevant local ward members and headteachers and contact will be made directly with those parents who will be impacted by this decision. All of this is happening well in advance of the April 1, 2017 implementation date.”

For further information on available walking routes to school, including frequently asked questions visit www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/availablewalkingroutes