Cheshire Independent Issue 200

MAY 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 2025. 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 brought its waste, recycling and bereavement services back in-house. The range of services now being directly delivered by the local authority includes bin collections, street cleansing, the main- tenance of green spaces, parks development and fleet services. Bereavement services – including the management of cemeteries and crematori- ums – is also now back in council control. The services were previously managed by Orbitas Bereavement Services Ltd and Ansa Environmental Services. The switch follows an extensive review of two of the cash-strapped council’s whol- ly-owned companies and a decision by its finance sub-committee made last June. Lata Anderson, vice chair of the council’s finance sub-committee, said: “The decision to bring the services delivered by Ansa and Orbitas back in-house is considered the best way to deliver these services to our residents going forward, and it forms a key part of our whole-organisation transforma- tion programme. “Our key priorities while bringing these services back in-house have been to ensure that high-quality frontline services continue to be delivered efficiently and effectively, and that all staff affected by these changes have been supported. “I would like to reassure residents that services, including bin collections, will con- tinue as normal, while ensuring value for money for the council and our residents. “The council also recognises that both Ansa and Orbitas colleagues have brought with them a lot of knowledge, commitment and experience, which will be of great value as the authority moves towards delivering exciting transformational change.” TATTON MP Esther McVey has called for the switch to digi- tal telephone land- lines to be delayed to ensure adequate safeguards are in place to protect rural communities and the most vulnerable. Internet-based con- nections are set to replace copper-wire cables completely by January 2027, but some homes have already been switched over. The next two years will see the programme ramped up to ensure all households are ready before the old analogue network is switched off. But Ms McVey says the quality of broadband in Tatton’s rural and semi-rural areas is often very slow, very varia- ble or non-existent and would leave people with- out a reliable phone line and at risk. She said: “Accessing better broadband for my constituents is a priority, and I have written to suc- cessive ministers about this, as well as working with the industry to see what can be done and I will continue to do so. For this to work, households CHESHIRE Police is supporting a national operation aimed at addressing the ‘Fatal Five’ and reducing criminality on the roads. The policing operation is running throughout April and focuses on the five key factors that contribute to themajority of serious and fatal road collisions. These are speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, distracteddriving, notwearing seat- belts, and careless driving. Throughout the operation officers will be con- ducting roadside checks, enforcing speed limits, and taking action against road offenders in order to prevent collisions, protect lives, and hold offend- ers accountable. Officers will also be targeting offenders who are using the roads to conduct their criminal activities, including stopping uninsured drivers, as research shows those engaged in criminality are statistically more likely to be uninsured. Inspector Brad Hughes, from Cheshire’s Roads and Crime Unit, said: “In Cheshire we are dedicated to policing the roads all year round, however this oper- ation gives us an opportunity to highlight and target these high-risk behaviours in order to educate road users, prevent collisions andmake our roads safer. “For each person injured or killed on the roads there are friends, families or communities affected. I am encouraging the public to use the roads safely and not contribute to any unnecessary and prevent- able collisions. “My message to anyone who intends to use the county’s roads for their criminal activities – we will take action.” NEWS IN BRIEF MACCLESFIELD Town Council is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a special event in the town hall on Saturday May 17. It will feature games, crafts, displays and refreshments. CHESHIRE East Council in collaboration with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Jobcentre Plus team, hosted a ‘Work for All’ jobs fair at Congleton Town Hall. CONGLETON town mayor’s civic awards have been launched to recognise outstanding volunteers who make a significant impact on the community. Nominations have closed and the winners will be honoured at a special ceremony during the Annual Town Meeting on May 15. CHESHIRE Police has been highlighted for its good practice in a national report looking at how forces across the UK investigate crime. His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) referenced the force in a report for its innovative practices in catching criminals and providing a better service to victims. Council brings services back in-house Farm crime law breakthrough ! Continued from page one for farmers, not only due to the cost of the unit, but also the knock-on financial implications that being without the device can cause. Delays in being able to carry out essential work with crops or having to revert to older meth- ods of carrying out the work, effects farmers’ ability to max- imise small windows of favour- able weather. Dan Price said: “These legis- lative changes will make a real difference to our rural commu- nities in Cheshire, who have faced the increased personal and financial threat of being targeted by organised criminals. “By bringing Cheshire MPs together with those on the front- line of this, we have been able to take decisive action to ensure the future safety and prosperity of farmers.” Mr Roca said: “This is excel- lent news regarding new leg- islation to tackle GPS theft, especially in rural parts of my constituency.” MP calls for digital switch delay Tatton MP Esther McVey need decent broadband. “For those where internet connections are patchy, it will leave them with no means of communication, both in an emergency and for everyday use. We know for many their landline is their support network. Ms McVey said many also rely on their lan- dlines for their health needs, such as pendant alarm systems which can be triggered after a fall or in another emergency. Speaking in a West- minster Hall debate she also raised concerns over how the changes would affect businesses. She added: “Whilst many rural businesses can take card payments over Wi-Fi, they will often use a card machine linked to a phone line as a backup. Forcing them to rely on an unrelia- ble digital connection will put them at risk of nonpayment. “This switch to digital is a major infrastructure change and poses many problems that have not been thought through. It affects everyone and must be done properly and not rushed.” Ms McVey questioned claims by the industry that the copper network was so bad the switchover cannot be delayed and called on government to investigate further. Tackling the ‘Fatal Five’ To advertise contact Robin Atkins on 07767 840274 FIFTY plants have been seized and a man arrested after a cannabis farm was discovered in Macclesfield. The discovery was made when Cheshire Police officers executed a warrant at an address at Bro- ken Cross in an early morn- ing raid. A total of 50 cannabis plants were seized from the property, all at varying stages of growth, along with heat lighting, fans, irrigation systems, and a ‘Can- nabis Grow Bible’. Police also seized further cannabis in a variety of forms, including ground cannabis and loose cannabis buds. A 48-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the production of a class B drug. He has been released on conditional bail until Monday June 23. PC Callum Burness, of Mac- clesfield Local Policing Unit, said: “This is another great result, with a significant quan- tity of cannabis removed from the streets of Macclesfield. “The supply and use of illegal drugs has an incredibly negative impact on the community, and our fight against this type of behaviour is never over. We will continue to do all we can to put a stop to this activity. “I urge anyone with any infor- mation about suspected drug related activity in their commu- nity to get in touch. You will be listened to, and we will investi- gate the matter.” Cannabis farm is uncovered Seized: Some of the plants found by police (Photo credit: Cheshire Police) WORK to create a new toucan crossing and improve the road junction’s lay-out has been completed on Park Lane, close to Congleton railway station. Road works completed