Midcheshire Independent Issue 185

NOVEMBER 2025 2 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 EDITOR Ged Henderson ged@hendersonnewsandmedia.com CONTACT JayneMeadowcroft 01204 478812 or 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk ADVERTISING Robin Atkins 07767 840274 robin@cheshireindependent.co.uk CONTACT US CASH-STRAPPEDChesh- ire East has warned that it faces a £33million ‘fund- ing gap’ next year. The council says that its current forecast shows a “manageable gap” of £3.1m by March 2026 – less than one per cent of the total £427m budget. However, it adds that next year’s gap could rise sharply to £33m – driven by increas- ing demand for services and inflationary pressures. The financial situation was laid out as Cheshire East launched a survey, urging people to shape its budget priorities. Council leader Nick Man- nion said: “Every pound we spend is a choice. We’re committed to making those choices transparently and responsibly. “The budget we agreed in February 2025 was shaped by your feedback – and now we need your views again to help guide the tough deci- sions ahead.” Deputy leader Michael Gorman added: “We know that residents care deeply about the services we pro- vide – from roads and bins to parks and libraries. But when demand for care rises, people come first. “Social care isn’t optional – it’s a legal duty and a lifeline for many. Understanding local priorities helps us strike the right balance in our budgets.” The council says that a significant portion – nearly 70p in every £1 – of council tax goes towards adult and STEPPING OUT FOR ‘TEA AT THE TOWER’ THE much-loved monthly ‘Tea at the Tower’ guided walks from St Mary’s Church in Acton continue to offer fresh air, stunning countryside and a large dose of community spirit. October’s walk, starting in the village near Nantwich, offered people an autumn route taking in some of the area’s most scenic views. The walk is relaxed in pace, making it suitable for all ages and abilities. Sturdy footwear is recommended, and four-legged friends on leads are very welcome to join too. Afterwards, there’s the perfect reward – delicious homemade cakes and hot drinks served at the ‘Tea at the Tower’ community café, run by church volunteers, which is open every Sunday afternoon from 2.30–4.30pm. All proceeds from the walks and café help sup- port the upkeep of St Mary’s Church – a Grade I listed building and a much-loved part of local heritage. The next walks, which start at the church, are planned for Sunday November 2 and Sun- day December 7. For further details and updates, visit: https://stmarys acton.org Stroll: Walkers take the path alongside the Shropshire Canal (Photo credit: Jonathan White) PLANS have been unveiled to reduce the speed limits around 18 schools across Chesh- ire West. The proposed safety move follows extensive traffic mon- itoring and schools in North- wich and Winsford are on the list. The council is looking to cut the speed limit outside Hartford High School on Chester Road in Northwich from 30mph to 20mph next year, subject to consultation. It also wants the limit to be lowered from 30mph to 20mph outside Whitegate CofE Primary and Byley Primary. The proposed cuts would also happen next year and they are also subject to consultation. Under the plans, Crowton Christ Church Primary would also see the limit lowered to 20mph, along with Weaverham Primary Academy, where the recom- mendation is for the 20mph limit to be timed for when the lights outside the school are flashing. And the current 20mph zone outside Rudheath Sen- ior Academy on Shipbrook Road in Northwich is set to be extended, again subject to consultation. Winsford High Street Com- munity Primary School’s main entrance in on the dual carriageway A54. The council wants to cut the speed limit there from 40mph to 30mph. Karen Shore, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for transport and highways, said: “Ensuring our roads are as safe as they can be for all road users, whether they are pedestrians, cyclists or drivers is essential. “We have carried out fresh surveys to assess the roads with schools on that are above 20mph and where we feel additional safety measures can be put in place. This is what we are now proposing. “For some areas we are able to introduce new signage and speed reductions straight away as the legal process is complete. “A programme of consul- tation is being carried out across other areas with the intention to introduce the new measures as soon as possible. “In addition, our safe routes to school officer is also work- ing closely with schools. Regardless of speed limits, I’d remind all drivers to be even more vigilant around our schools, these areas are busier than normal in the morning and afternoon.” Plans to lower drivers’ speeds around schools THAT’S YOUR LIMIT Council’s £33million funding gap warning Leaders: Nick Mannion and Michael Gorman children’s social care. In a statement it said: “These services often go unseen by many people but are vital to the wellbeing of our communities. “They include carers help- ing older residents start their day, social workers ensuring children are safe and sup- ported and specialist staff teaching life skills to adults with learning disabilities. “Council tax also helps fund transport for young peo- ple, who need support getting to school, whether it’s unsafe to walk or they have special educational needs. Additional funding from other sources is used to support statutory and post-16 education. “These services prevent cri- ses, keep people safe at home and protect the most vulner- able. Without them, families would struggle, hospitals would be overwhelmed and lives could be at risk. “The council continues to invest in essential infra- structure and does receive some funding grants for maintenance works, such as road resurfacing, which res- idents may have seen being done across the borough. But visible fixes – like pothole repairs – may take longer, as resources are prioritised for care.” Cheshire East says it will be carrying out a more-de- tailed budget consultation exercise with residents and communities, to give them the opportunity to give views on specific spending proposals to be included in the budget for 2026-27 and medium-term financial strat- egy for the next four years. A spokesperson said: “This will include opportunities through a new community assembly, which will meet in person as part of our com- mitment to improving our commitment to improving our approach to engagement with residents.” To advertise contact Robin Atkins on 07767 840274