Cheshire Independent Issue 196

JANUARY 2025 2 EDITOR: GedHenderson ged@hendersonnewsandmedia.com ADVERTISING: RobinAtkins 07767 840274 robin@cheshireindependent.co.uk CLASSIFIED: JayneMeadowcroft 01204 478812 or 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk CONTACT US No part of this publicationmay be used or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure that the articles and advertisements that are carried are authentic, however the publisher accepts no responsibility for claims made. © Investors in Publishing Ltd 2024. This newspaper is publishedmonthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate,Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD. 01204 478812 CHESHIRE East Council has embarked on a recruitment drive in a bid to improve its planning and building control service. The local authority processes a combined total of more than 6,000 applications and building inspections a year and has one of the busiest planning departments in the country. The service is now looking for more people to work in the department after a recent restructure of the service it provides. Liz Braithwaite, vice chair of Cheshire East’s environment and com- munities committee, said: “The council faces significant financial challenges and as part of our ambitious trans- formation programme, we’re investing in plan- ning and building control to make sure we can deliver an effective and financially efficient ser- vice that supports our local economy. “These services touch a lot of people’s lives – they’re high profile and a crucial part of the coun- cil’s responsibilities. “Delivering them to a high standard is essen- tial to investment in the borough. After a period of reviewing our approach to how we achieve this, we’re now in a stronger position to deliver an improved service. “Our teams work hard to provide a high stand- ard of customer service and it’s clear that we need to invest in our peo- ple to continue to do that. “By recruiting to vacancies we’ve been holding for some time, we’re ensuring we can successfully respond to the government’s plans to deliver more homes across the country.” Cheshire East is recruiting for multiple roles including officers that ensure buildings are safe, teams that process planning applications and work on strategic policies such as the Local Plan and specialist staff that advise the council on heritage, design, land- scape, trees and ecology. NEW figures have revealed people in Cheshire have a high level of confidence in the service their police force provides. The latest statistics from The Crime Sur- vey for England and Wales – Perceptions of Police cover the year to June 2024 and highlight that the Cheshire force ranks well above the national average. O f t ho s e who responded to the survey in Cheshire, 73.4 per cent of people said they FLU hit hospitals in the North West hard in the run up to Christmas with a ‘tidal wave’ of infec- tions leading to a 28 per cent increase in admissions across just seven days. The NHS was encour- aging people eligible people to get vaccinated without delay if they haven’t done so already to avoid “festive flu” with 1,153 patients with flu in hospital in the first week of December – up from 825 in the previous week. Winter vaccinations were being offered at com- munity centres, super- markets and Christmas events as the NHS in Cheshire and Merseyside braced itself for a rise in winter viruses as Christ- mas approach. Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) showed flu cases highest among 5 to 14-year-olds, but adult cases were expected to rise significantly once schools and nurseries close for Christmas, as the NHS contends with a ‘quad-demic’. The effort to vaccinate as many eligible people as possible came amid new fears of a ‘quad-demic’, with flu, RSV, Covid-19 and norovirus all reach- ing record levels for this time in the year, as the NHS braces for a long winter ahead. Flu season usually peaks in December and January and the vaccine provides vital protec- tion to prevent people from developing serious illnesses and ending up in hospital during the busy winter months. Professor Rowan Pritchard Jones, medical director at NHS Chesh- ire and Merseyside, said: “The increase in flu cases and other seasonal viruses creates addi- tional demand during an already very challenging winter period.” FENCING outside Wi lms l ow t ra i n station has been replaced as part of the work to improve the look of the area. The work has been carried out by Wilmslow Town Council. Old fenc- ing at the entrance to the station that was beyond further repair has now been replaced. Town mayor Tim Hig- gins said: “The approach to Wilmslow train sta- tion is seen by huge numbers of people every day: not just train users, but those getting buses from the train station, NEWS IN BRIEF AS part of its shop local campaign Poynton Town Council launched a ‘Holly Jolly’ Christmas rewards scheme with a loyalty card and prize draw. MACCLESFIELD MP Tim Roca joined members of staff at the town’s Tesco store, alongside Trussell Trust, FareShare and Streetwise volunteers who help collect donations for nearby food banks. PEOPLE are being reminded to renew or sign up for the first time to Cheshire East Council’s Garden Waste Recycling Scheme. The 2025 service starts on January 20. A NATIONAL charity has awarded Chesh- ire East ‘Fostering Friendly’ accredi- tation as part of its recruitment drive. The Fostering Network delivered the recognition after the council imple- mented a policy to make a “real difference” to employees who foster, and support others in becoming approved fos- ter carers. It now offers a flexible Signs of confidence Planning a recruitment drive First impressions: Tim Higgins with the new fencing at Wilmslow train station Train station gets welcome improvements ‘Tidal wave’ of flu hits hospitals Fostering caring ambitions working pattern to foster carers and those going through the application process, who can access a minimum of five days extra paid leave for their fostering commitments. These involve meetings with social workers and other agencies, attending training, settling young people into their new home and more. Carol Bulman, chair of its children and families committee, said: “Being recognised as a Foster- ing Friendly employer is fantastic news. It is an important step in making fostering more appealing and encouraging more families to join our fos- tering community across the borough. “The role of a foster carer is such an impor- tant one and we will support people, includ- ing our own staff, in any way we can to take on this vital work. Many people believe they can’t foster while working full-time, but this isn’t true. Some flexi- bility in their work sched- ule may be necessary to meet the child’s needs.2 The Fostering Net- work is the UK’s lead- ing fostering charity.Its executive chair, Mervyn Erskine said: “Becoming a Fostering Friendly employer is something to be really proud of. “Foster carers are the bedrock of children’s social care – for the dif- ference they make to the lives of children. It is important that this vital role is not only recognised, but also encouraged by their employers. “By supporting exist- ing foster carers and pro- moting the role to other employees, this helps to build on the thousands of extra fostering house- holds needed in the UK, for the children who need them most.” workers and visitors of the surrounding offices and people passing on Station Road. “Before Wilmslow Town Council redevel- oped the green space outside of the station, it looked unkempt and unwelcoming. With fenc- ing, floral displays and regular maintenance from our handyper- son, the area has been much improved. “As one of the first impressions that visi- tors to Wilmslow have, we want to ensure the station approach con- tinues to look attrac- tive, so replacing the fencing was imper- ative. We thank our town handyperson for a great job installing the new fencing.” had overall confidence in policing. That rated the constab- ulary the second highest in England and Wales, and above the national average of 65.3 per cent. A total of 58.9 per cent of people in Cheshire said police can be relied upon when needed. This was also the second highest level in England and Wales and well above the national average of 50.4 per cent. The force was also ranked third for people agreeing that police were doing a good/excellent job in their local area, with 58.7 per cent of people agreeing with the state- ment. The national aver- age was 48.3 per cent And 84 per cent of peo- ple in Cheshire believ- ing that the police will treat them with respect. Again, this figure was above the national aver- age of 79.8 per cent. Chief Constable Mark Roberts said: “These fig- ures are testament to the hard work of our officers who build a strong rela- tionship with the people we serve. “Not only do our officers and staff work tirelessly to catch offend- ers and prevent criminal behaviour in our county, but they also offer public reassurance and advice to residents and busi- nesses, and always strive to help people feel safe in their communities. “Over the past few years, the force has undertaken incredibly difficult investigations into some horrendous crimes, ensuring those responsible were brought before the courts and dealt with accordingly. “We have also under- taken a number of proac- tive operations, targeting those who bring harm to our communities. “These have included Operation Crossbow, where we worked with neighbouring police forces as part of our efforts to disrupt those crossing the border to commit crime in Cheshire. “These operations have been a huge success, with multiple arrests and items seized to make Cheshire a safer place for those who live and work here. “This is just a snap- shot of what officers and staff have dealt with day in and day out over the past 12 months and will continue to deal with as we enter the end of 2024 and into 2025. “These latest figures will redouble our efforts to further enhance our relationship with the people of Cheshire.” THE RVS Alderley Edge Luncheon Club has celebrated its 60th anniversary. Guests were entertained with a pre-dinner sing-song of festive carols before enjoying a traditional Christmas turkey dinner.