Midcheshire Independent Issue 169

AUGUST 2024 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 2024. 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 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk ADVERTISING Robin Atkins 07767 840274 robin@cheshireindependent.co.uk CONTACT US CHESHIRE East coun- cil chiefs want to hear people ’s v iews on engine idling. A new online survey aims to review people’s general under- standing of the term, as well as highlighting any “idling issues” in the borough. The survey is part of its campaign to improve air quality as it works towards its target of achieving “wider borough carbon neutrality” by 2045. Idling is the term used to describe when motorists con- tinue to run an engine when a vehicle is not moving. Typically, this happens when drivers stop at a red light, level crossing or sim- ply park outside a residence or business. When the council first con- sulted people on this subject two years ago, 73 per cent of respondents stated that they ‘always’ or ‘usually’ switch off their engine when parked up or pulled over for a minute or more. They also put forward that they would like to see more signage – especially in the CASH strapped Cheshire East Council is shutting its waste and recycling company and taking collections back in house in a bid to make savings. Services undertaken by its wholly-owned companies Ansa Environmental Services and Orbitas Bereavement Services will now be delivered directly by the council. They include bin collections, street cleansing, maintenance of green spaces, fleet, social trans- port, bereavement services and its handyperson service. Nick Mannion, who chair’s the council’s finance sub-committee, said: “The decision to bring the services delivered by Ansa and Orbitas back in-house following recent reviews is considered the most efficient way to deliver these services to our residents. “It will deliver a one-off saving of £1million in 2024/25 to sup- port the council’s medium-term financial strategy, followed by a permanent minimum reduction in costs each year of £200k from 2025/26 onwards. “Over the next four-years, the council is forecasting a funding gap of £100m.” He added: “The council’s critical financial position means that we urgently need to transform the organisation to help us to move towards financial sustainability, and to be able to continue support- ing those residents who need our help the most. “The decision to bring the services delivered by Ansa and Orbitas back in-house forms part of this whole-organisation trans- formation programme and will allow us to look at how we can maximise service efficiency and provide the best value for money for council taxpayers.” In a statement the council said: “Subject to a formal consultation with trade unions and engagement with staff affected by the changes, the new working arrangements are expected to be introduced in a phased approach. “This will start this autumn and finish before the end of March 2025, with Ansa and Orbitas staff members transferred to join the council’s existing teams.” Councillor Mannion added: “Our key priorities while these services are brought back in-house are to ensure that high-quality frontline services continue to function efficiently and effec- tively, to support all staff affected by these changes, and to ensure value for money for the council and our residents. “I would like to reassure res- idents that services, including bin collections, will continue as normal throughout this process. “The council also recognises that both Ansa and Orbitas col- leagues bring with them a lot of knowledge, commitment and expe- rience, which will be of great value as the authority moves towards delivering exciting transforma- tional change.” Have your say on idling engines Waste company is dumped New leader calls for a united approach MACCLESFIELD coun- cillor Nick Mannion is the new leader of Chesh- ire East Council follow- ing the resignation of Sam Corcoran. Taking over the post he called for members of all parties to work together to tackle the problems facing the cash-strapped local authority. He said he would look to accelerate the work taking place to put Cheshire East on a more sustainable finan- cial footing. The Labour councillor was elected as leader at a meeting of the full council. It saw Councillor Corcoran stand down before he was due to face a vote of no confi- dence over the local authori- ty’s finances. Cllr Corcoran, who rep- resents Sandbach Heath and East, said he had to “take responsibility” after a report highlighted bank- ruptcy fears. He said he felt the “pain” of recent “setbacks” and described an inadequate Ofsted report into the council’s children’s services as a “particular blow”. Cllr Mannion, who represents Macclesfield West and Ivy ward, said: “I must place on record my deepest thanks and appreciation to Sam Corcoran. I have served with him in cabinet and then as a committee chair since May 2019. “During this time, Sam’s determination and com- mitment to the duties of leader of the council has been unstinting. “From leading the coun- cil through the Covid pan- demic, to our response to the current financial challenge, he has led us through some of the greatest challenges in the council’s history – as well as many signifi- cant achievements. “Looking to the future, I want to continue and accel- erate the work to place the council on a more-sustain- able financial footing and guide the council’s trans- formation programme to its completion. I cannot do that alone, nor can one polit- ical group. “We must work together across the counci l, Resignation: Former leader Sam Corcoran New leader: Nick Mannion vicinity of schools and for the council to run a campaign. The resulting campaign, called ‘Show the air you care’, has included informa- tion online. The local authority has also delivered no idling signs around the borough as well as produced a specific awareness leaflet and a ‘no idling toolkit’ that can be used in schools. Mary Brooks, the council’s environment and climate change champion, said: “It is the council’s ambition to help improve the quality of life for everyone, by reducing car dependency and promoting healthy lifestyles. “By realising this ambition, we will also be making impor- tant strides towards our tar- get of achieving wider borough carbon neutrality by 2045. “Air quality is important for the health of us all, no matter our age, so I would urge everyone to complete the online survey.” supporting officers to deliver for Cheshire East – we owe it to the residents and busi- nesses in our borough.” In its report, a corporate peer challenge of the local authority, conducted by senior councillors and officers from other councils, said it was “seriously concerned” about the “immediate financial stability and sustainability” of Cheshire East.