Cheshire Independent Issue 213

MAY 2026 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 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 2026. This newspaper is publishedmonthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate,Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD. 01204 478812 CONTACT US l Continued frompage one He added: “We are aware of the level of concern felt across the entire force area following the recent departure of 30 of our Police Community Sup- port Officers. “However, through this revised approach, local commu- nities can expect to see an addi- tional 30 officers patrolling the beats across the county, with our remaining 57 PCSO’s working closely alongside local Beat Man- agers to continue to strengthen the relationship between communities and police. The recruitment for the additional 30 officers is currently ongoing. “Every Local Policing Unit has received an uplift in Police Constable numbers and every beat area in the county will con- tinue to have designated named police officer residents can con- tact when needed. “As always, Cheshire Con- stabulary’s top priority remains keeping our residents safe. Through these changes resi- dents can expect to see a more visible policing presence, with officers tackling the issues that matter to our residents and com- munities the most.” CRIME in Cheshire has fallen for the fourth year in a row, according to new official figures. They show an overall reduction in crime of 14 per cent in the Cheshire force area – with more offenders being charged than any- where else in the country. Reductions were seen across many categories of TATTON MP Esther McVey has “cautiously” welcomed extra support for households heated by oil hit by huge hikes due to the Middle East conflict. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced £53million has been made available to help “vulnera- ble” households affected by the sharp increase in costs. Ac t i ng befor e the announcement was made, Ms McVey had sent a letter to the Competitions Markets Authority (CMA) calling for an investigation. She had been contacted by constituents who were having their oil orders cancelled, only to be told to reorder and then charged double. Ms McVey said: “It is right the Prime Minister has lis- tened and announced support for these households – the majority of who are in more rural areas – but I fear £53m will not be enough. “I will always welcome any help for my constituents but as with anything the devil is in the detail. I’ll be asking further questions of govern- ment about this to see what actual help is available for my constituents hit by these unac- ceptable price hikes.” She added: “Will this be enough to offset the soaring prices and how long will it take to get support to these households? These are just two of the questions that need answering.” Households using oil to heat their homes are not capped by regulator Ofgem in the same way customers who use gas and electricity are. Oil prices have surged as the conflict continues. Ms McVey added: “We should be doing everything we can to reduce energy bills for all households and what I want to see is the Prime Min- ister go further and remove net zero taxes and climate levies on energy bills.” In her letter to the CEO of the CMA, Ms McVey, along with Conservative colleagues, ANEWcampaign has been launched to celebrate and champion local businesses in Cheshire East. From world-leading manufacturers and innovative tech start-ups to long-es- tablished family firms, the borough is home to a host of business excellence. Now the council’s ‘Made in Cheshire East’ initiative will shine a spotlight on these businesses through visits from sen- ior council representatives, highlighting their achievements and the contribution they make to local communities. The programme will showcase busi- nesses of all sizes and sectors – from those crafting globally recognised products to those delivering essen- tial local services or investing in home-grown talent. CRIME FIGURES FALL County force has highest charge rate Proud: Chief Constable Mark Roberts (Photo credit: Cheshire Police) On patrol: The force says its neighbourhood policing is having an impact (Photo credit: Cheshire Police) crime, including criminal damage, which was reported to be 5.5 per cent down on the previous 12 months. The number of burglaries also dropped by 9.4 per cent over the same period, with burglary rates now the fifth lowest in the country. According to the data, shoplifting and theft offences have also fallen in Cheshire by 10.2 per cent, which the county force says is “in stark contrast” to the national pic- ture around shoplifting. Chief Constable Mark Roberts said: “These figures reflect the hard work of our officers and staff, who are continuing to keep Chesh- ire residents even safer by making the county hostile to criminals. “We continue to carry out cross border operations to deter those who travel into Cheshire to commit crime. “We have a real focus on neighbourhood policing and our officers work closely with their communities they serve by launching initiatives to not only catch offenders and prevent criminal behaviour but also offer advice and public reassurance to resi- dents and businesses. I am proud that Cheshire has the highest charge rate in the UK, and one of the highest charge rates for burglary. “This success comes despite crime continuing to fall in Cheshire and is a result of our officers’ com- mitment to bringing offend- ers to justice.” He added: “All of this sets a strong example to anyone who thinks they can come and commit crime in Chesh- ire and get away with it. “I hope members of the public will also be reas- sured of the action we carry out to prevent our residents, businesses and communities from becoming victims of crime. “Overall, these latest fig- ures highlight Cheshire as one of the safest places to live in the country. “Crime is falling and we are charging more people than ever before, which is testament to the hard work of everyone across the constabulary.” We’ve got it made! MP welcomes heating support but calls for more Action call: Esther McVey called for an investigation into three areas; price gouging during the Iran conflict, local monopolies and lack of price transparency and systematic overcharging of customers on automatic delivery schemes. Council’s cabinet returns CHESHIRE East Council is set to end its committee systemandmove back to a leader and cabinet model of decision making. The decision, taken at a meeting of full council last September, will take effect from the council’s annual meeting on May 13. The move follows the gov- ernment’s introduction of the English Devolution and Com- munity Empowerment Bill last June. It includes plans to abolish the committee system used by a number of councils this autumn. To avoid confusion part- way through the municipal year, the council has decided to move to the new arrange- ments at the start of the coun- cil year this May. In a statement it said: “The council’s decision is a positive and proactive measure to ensure it has effective govern- ance processes in place that enable decisions and improve- ments to be made at pace. “The move will also stream- line current decision-mak- ing arrangements and give Council leader Nick Mannion said: “Cheshire East is home to an outstand- ing range of businesses that contribute enormously to our local economy and our communities. “Made in Cheshire East is about recognising that strength, showcas- ing success and helping to create the conditions for businesses to continue to grow. “We want to highlight the innova- tion, skills and ambition that exist across the borough and ensure our business community has the visibility and support it needs to thrive.” Holmes Chapel-based Bespak – which has transformed its London Road site into a world class pharma- ceutical manufacturing hub that makes sustainable inhalers – was the first business to be showcased. The campaign recognising the com- pany’s pioneering role in the global supply of inhalers, and its significant contribution to the local economy. Bespak employs more than 1,250 people in the UK, including 429 at its Holmes Chapel site. CHESHIRE East Coun- cil’s anti-social behav- iour team has obtained its first closure order in the borough after a court approved a three-month restriction on a domes- tic property. The order – which is the maximum term that can be granted – was secured against a property on Bux- ton Old Road in Disley at Crewe Magistrates’ Court. The property is tenanted and owned by a local land- lord, who also lives in Disley. In a statement after the hearing, the council said: “The closure follows months of serious and persistent anti-social behaviour caused by the tenants at the address which have included; violence and harassment, domestic disputes, drug use and linked noxious fumes related to drug use, use of dangerous dogs and parking complaints. “Both the tenants and landlord of the property have been issued warning letters, community protec- tion warnings and notices, and also been issued fixed penalty notices.” more time and emphasis to scrutiny.” After the September deci- sion, the council established a task and finish group of coun- cillors to drive forward the necessary new arrangements for decision making. Under the change, up to 10 cabinet members will have responsibility for policies and decision making in relation to specific areas of council services, such as children and families, or highways and transport. The council’s statement said: “This will streamline decision making and make accountability clearer to the public. Scrutiny pow- ers for councillors will also be strengthened by the planned changes.” Closure order on problem property