Cheshire Independent Issue 206

OCTOBER 2025 4 CHESHIRE East has become the first local authority in the UK to receive Platinum Accred- itation from the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA). It is the organisation’s the highest honour and is awarded to housing provid- ers for their work in tackling domestic abuse. The award recognises the council’s efforts to support survivors of domestic abuse through safe, effective, and compassionate hous- ing interventions. The local authority has fully adopted DAHA’s Whole Housing Approach – a com- prehensive framework that integrates all housing ten- ures and support services to meet the diverse needs of survivors. In 2022, Cheshire East, in partnership with local organisations, secured more than £250,000 in National Lottery funding to pilot the Whole Housing Approach. Working alongside the charity Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse, the council became the first in the country to deliver all 14 components of the framework within a single local authority over a three-year period. Since the pilot began 487 professionals have been trained to identify and respond to domestic abuse and 1,074 referrals have been made to domestic abuse services from hous- ing agencies. A total of 254 survivors and children have received direct support from three specialist independent domestic vio- lence advisors. Laura Crane, who chairs the council’s children and families committee, said: “I am incredibly proud that Cheshire East has been successful in achiev- ing this national Plati- num Accreditation. “It provides solid evidence of our unwavering commit- ment to delivering safe, effective interventions and supporting our staff to meet the needs of survivors while holding perpetrators account- able. Through strong part- nerships, we are ensuring survivors receive the highest standard of care.” Nicki Clarke, head of hous- ing at DAHA & Standing Together Against Domes- tic Abuse, said: “Working closely with the team at Cheshire East Council we have seen first-hand their commitment and dedication to help survivors of domestic abuse, and everyone involved should feel incredibly proud of this achievement.” A BRAMHALL man who tookmoney for double-glaz- ing jobs which were never delivered and fled to Flor- ida has been convicted of fraud in his absence. Following a number of com- plaints from people that they had paid deposits for windows and doors that were never supplied or fitted, Stockport Council’s trading standards team investigated The Chesh- ire Window Outlet Limited. Investigations revealed that the company was run by Steven Wright, who was already subject to two director disqualification orders for two separate offences – one in 2014 banning him for eight years, and another in 2018 banning him for a further four years. Despite this, Wright set up The Cheshire Window Outlet within months of the second ban, using his wife, Louise Wright, and later his friend, Mark Tibbot, as directors. In 2022, the Trading Standards team pursued criminal charges against the company, Steven Wright, Louise Wright, and Tibbot, including fraud by false rep- resentation and breaches of the disqualification orders. At a plea hearing in Decem- ber 2022, a trial date was set for January 2024. However, in early 2023 the Wrights sold their Bramhall home and fled to Florida, prompting the court to issue arrest warrants. The trial was rescheduled for September and proceeded in their absence. Steven Wright was unan- imously convicted of fraud by false representation and breaching both disqualifica- tion orders. Louise Wright was found guilty of two counts of acting in contravention of a disqual- ification order by assisting her husband. The company itself was also convicted of two counts of breaching a disqualification order. Tibbot, who initially absconded, was arrested in 2023 after Greater Manches- ter Police issued a wanted appeal. He later pleaded guilty to assisting in the breaches and, in early 2024, received a 12-week suspended prison sentence. Speaking after the latest court case Dan Oliver, Stock- port Council’s cabinet member NEWS IN BRIEF CHESHIRE East Council has voted to scrap its committee system and return to a leader and cabinet model of governance. It follows proposals being set out in a government Bill which describes the committee system, adopted by the council in 2021, as ‘unclear, duplicative and wasteful’. TRACY Scott has been elected as councillor for Wilmslow Town Council’s Lacey Green ward. She is a governor at Ashdene Primary School and has been a member of the coaching team at Wilmslow Scorpions Swimming Club. Domestic abuse support recognised Fundraising off to a tee Golf day: From left, Nick Bianchi, Luke Hughes, Amanda Cross, John Davies, Victoria Devon, Georgina Devon and Paul Bianchi JEWELLER Micky Jones led his gem of a team to sparkling victory at an annual golf day at Prestbury. The players from the Mac- clesfield family business PR Jones Jewellers came out on top – holding off the challenge of 15 other teams. All were competing for the prestigious Mactex Trophy which has been running for 37 years. However, the big winner on the day was East Chesh- ire Hospice which received a bumper donation of £14,562 from the tournament. The event always raises large sums for the hospice and is the flagship competi- tion on Prestbury’s charity golf calendar. It is organised by John Davies, Director of Maccles- field based Mactex Properties and ex-golf professional Nigel Preston, from Interflex. John said: “We’re delighted to have raised another mag- nificent total and would like to thank all the businesses Double-glazing firm fraudster who fled country is convicted Convictions: Steven and LouiseWright (Photo credit: Stockport Council) and volunteers who helped make it possible. “Prestbury Golf Club are wonderful hosts, boasting excellent facilities and one of the finest courses in Cheshire. “The hospice needs to raise £9,362 a day so the contri- bution from the golf day is a welcome addition to its funds. We’re aiming tomake our 2026 golf day another big success.” for communities, culture and public protection, said: “This successful prosecution demon- strates the council’s absolute commitment to protecting our residents and holding dishon- est businesses to account. “Steven and Louise Wright acted with complete disregard for the law, deceiving custom- ers and undermining trust in legitimate local traders. Thanks to the persistence of our trading standards team, we secured justice for those affected. “This case sends a clear message – we will not toler- ate fraudulent practices and will take firm action against those who exploit residents in our borough.” To advertise your business in the Independent, contact Robin Atkins on 07767 840274 To advertise call Robin Atkins on 07767 840274