Cheshire Independent Issue 200

MAY 2025 4 MACCLESFIELDMP Tim Roca is calling for urgent govern- ment action to tackle dog attacks on livestock. He has written to polic- ing minister Diana Johnson calling for stronger enforce- ment and tougher penalties for offenders. His move comes after a rise in livestock worrying incidents across Macclesfield and Cheshire. The MP said: “I am con- cerned about the rise in dog attacks on livestock across Macclesfield and Cheshire. “Theseattackshavedevas- tating effects, causing severe injuries, anxiety among animals, and significant financial loss to our farmers.” He added that stronger action was needed “to protect our farming com- munities and livestock from these distressing incidents, especially as we approach lambing season. “I will keep pushing until we see real action on this important issue.” In his letter he told the minister: “Farmers in Macclesfield and across Cheshire are living in fear of repeat incidents. “The situation is worsened by many dog owners’ appar- ent lack of awareness about the potential for their pets to inflict harmon livestock.” Mr Roca also highlighted figures from insurer NFU Mutual that revealed the cost of dog attacks on farm animals nationally rose by 30 per cent to £2.4million in 2023. He said: “Cheshire, like many other regions, has witnessed a worrying rise in these incidents, exacerbated by a surge in dog ownership since the Covid lockdown. “These attacks are causing financial harm to farming businesses, andmore impor- tantly, horrific and needless suffering to livestock.” A PROJECT led by Manchester Airport that seeks to pre- serve woodland hab- itats has been given a prestigious Green Apple award. The airport has teamed up TV ecologist Josh Styles to help protect woodland habitats sur- rounding its site. The Cotteril Clough Site of Special Scientific Interest, sits partly on the airport’s land, close to the runway and near to the River Bollin and Hale Barns. Its proximity to the airfield means it has been protected from human interference for many years and is home to a rare combination of ancient plants. Species like bluebells, wild garlic and wood anemones used to coexist in ancient woodlands all over the country. Now they are treated as ’indicator species’ – meaning their presence is an indicator of a healthy ecosystem. These species and oth- ers all exist in Cotter- ill Clough and now the airport’s environmental team, in conjunction with Styles Ecology, is helping spread them into nearby woodlands and wild spaces to support their biodiversity. The work began last June and nine months later, the team behind the scheme are cele- brating after receiving their award. The Green Apple awards have been running for more than three dec- ades and recognises the best and most innovative environmental schemes on the planet, aiming to reward and promote envi- ronmental best practice. The Manchester Air- port environment team was presented with the award at a ceremony in the Houses of Parliament. Martin Churley, head of environment and sus- tainability at the airport, said: “I’m incredibly proud of our environmental team for their work on this important initiative.” Airport’s apple reward for green project Recognition: Manchester Airport environmental specialist KarenWallis with the Green Apple award (Photo credit: MAG) GRANTS of £50 are being offered to people in Wilmslow to organise local neighbourhood community events to mark VE Day 80. The town council grants are to sup- port occasions such as street events tak- ing place between May 3 and 11, helping to buy items such as bunting, table- cloths, paper plates, hats and signage. There are 50 grants available in total, allocated on a first come, first served basis. The closing date for applications is April 23. Town mayor Tim Higgins said: “It is important to mark the significant anni- versary of 80 years since the Second World War came to an end in Europe – when spontaneous celebrations broke out across the nation after the long-an- ticipated news. “VE Day 80 is a time for communities to come together to commemorate the VE Day generation – especially those that served. “We hope that we can help the Wilmslow community do this through an afternoon of vintage live music on Grove Street and grants to support neighbourhood events.” The afternoon of live music, featuring dance band Debonaires, will take place on Saturday May 10, with performances between 12.30pm and 4pm. Celebrating VE Day Action call over dog attacks Meanwhile, Alderley Edge Parish Council is marking the anniversary with a big band dance at the Festival Hall on Sunday May 4 from 3pm to 6pm. CHESHIRE East Coun- cil has confirmed a number of changes to parking arrangements across the borough including the intro- duction of charges on Sunday. The changes, which will come into effect next month, will also see some increases in car park- ing fees. The Sunday charges will be based on the weekday tariffs for each car park. The shake-up will also see charges extended by four hours to cover the period 8am-10pm. The cash-strapped coun- cil says the increase in some parking charges and permits reflects the tariffs in similar local author- ity areas. And it adds that the introduction of a new tariff band will allow motorists to purchase parking for up to 14 hours. Mark Goldsmith, who chairs the council’s high- ways and transport committee, said: “When benchmarked against neighbouring councils, it is clear that our current parking charges are sig- nificantly lower. “Nor do they reflect inflation as this is also only the second time park- ing charges have been increased since Cheshire East was formed in 2009. “Coupled with the coun- cil’s financial challenges, Sunday car park charges to go ahead NEWS IN BRIEF CONGLETON youth groups have given their nominations for the next town mayor’s cadet. Interviews for the role will take place in early May with the successful candidate officially appointed at the mayor making ceremony at the town hall on Thursday May 22. CHESHIRE East Council is looking to fill a vacancy on its independent remuneration panel which advises the authority on appropriate payments for the work carried out by elected members. The panel meets as and when required, depending on its work programme. Candidates will be expected to serve for four years and can claim an allowance of £75 per meeting. we have little option but to look at how we maximise our income and ensure that the charges we collect are sufficient to help cover the rising costs of maintaining, managing, and enforcing our car parks. “Any surplus from parking charges is money that can be used to sup- port other services that fall under the highways and transport committee, for example roads main- tenance or Sunday and evening bus services.” He added: “I am pleased that the council’s ‘free after 3pm’ initiative remains in operation at one car park in each of our towns and villages, which we know is a popular initiative with residents and shoppers. “Short stay on-street parking bays in many towns remain free too as we have not intro- duced charging for these facilities, unlike many other councils. “Additional Sunday and evening bus services are also being introduced from March 31 as part of the council’s bus service improvement plans.” The exact date the changes will come into effect in May is being finalised. Once that has been done, the full details of the changes and the go live date will be publicised by the council.