PENDLETON WAY - ROUTE SAFETY REVIEW PLANNED

I am pleased to report that Cheshire East Highways are currently carrying out a route safety review on the A34, from the junction with Wilmslow Road (Pendleton Way) to Handforth Dean (Ainslie Way). As part of the review, officers will be taking into account a range of information, including:

(i) Recorded Personal Injury Collision Data (provided by Cheshire Constabulary)

(ii) Speed Data and Traffic Flow data from Tracsis surveys (carried out in 2022by CE Highways)

(iii) Carriageway condition data provided by Cheshire East Assets Team

The aim of the review is to highlight any particular sections of road safety concern along the route and to suggest potential mitigation measures that could be implemented to resolve those issues. A report will then be used to justify mitigation measures, subject to obtaining the required funding. 

A number of other routes and locations are currently being reviewed within Cheshire East.

20 MPH ZONE FINAL DESIGNS PUBLISHED

Following the recent installation of acoustic cameras on Pendleton Way, a number of residents have contacted me to seek an update on the implementation of the 20mph zone in the village centre.

I am pleased to report that I have now received the detailed designs for the scheme, which includes the installation of six speed tables at the following locations: at the pelican crossing outside Alderley Edge School for Girls, at the pelican crossing near “Running Bear” on London Road, at the pelican crossing between Stevens Street & Brown Street on London Road, adjacent to the de Trafford Arms on Congleton Road, at the pelican crossing near Alderley Edge Community Primary School on Ryleys Lane and near the entrance to The Ryleys School.

In addition, red textured road surfacing will be added with 20mph roundels painted on the road surface at the railway bridge on Wilmslow Road/London Road, as well as on Congleton Road on the approach to the junction with Beechfield Road. Cheshire East Highways will shortly be applying to Cheshire East Council for a road closure permit, which must be advertised for 12 weeks prior to the scheme's implementation. 

The scheme itself is estimated to take four weeks to implement, with the installation estimated for early February 2023. The scheme is being funded through s.106 contributions raised on historic developments in Alderley Edge, rather than through Council Tax; As a reminder, s.106 funds may only be spent on new or upgraded infrastructure and cannot be used to fund routine maintenance.

CHELFORD ROAD CLOSURE IN PLACE FOR SIX WEEKS

As residents may have noticed, Chelford Road is currently closed from the junction with Chorley Hall Lane (Alderley Edge) to the junction with Foden Lane (Chorley). The closure is expected to be in place for up to six weeks and will enable essential works to be carried out to the culvert outside Tanyard Farm.

Tanyard (Smokers Brook) is a mortared masonry arch culvert. An inspection carried out in November 2020 showed that the structure had deteriorated since the last inspection in 2018 with the north elevation, where the arch ring had separated to greater than 25mm, also a large longitudinal fracture was identified. The inspection also highlighted a lack of mortar in the joints throughout the arch barrel.

The works involve taking down the northern headwall (including 1m of the arch) and rebuilding, repointing the southern headwall and entire arch barrel. Whilst the road closure is in place, Cheshire East Highways' maintenance team will be removing the build-up of debris that has accumulated on the footway, to ensure the full width can be used. The works are estimated to be complete within six weeks.

SATURDAY OPENING RETURNS AT ALDERLEY EDGE LIBRARY

I am pleased to share with residents the welcome news that from Saturday 1st October, Alderley Edge Library will once again be open between the hours of 09.30 and 13.00.

The Library Service has been beset by staffing issues since Alderley Edge Library was initially forced to close due to the pandemic, losing three members of staff in quick succession (one to retirement, one to ill health and another to alternative employment). It has taken some time to recruit and train new members of staff, but I am delighted to confirm that we are now up to a full complement once more.

In addition to opening between the hours of 09.30 and 17.00 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays, the return of Saturday mornings means that Alderley Edge Library is now back up to the pre-pandemic opening of 25 hours per week. The Library continues to be staffed with the help of local volunteers on Tuesday afternoons, when a range of alternative activities are also available.

To celebrate the return of Saturday mornings, I have changed my regular Community Surgery from the last Saturday in September to the first Saturday in October. I would therefore like to welcome residents who would like to discuss any community issue, to join me for a cuppa on Saturday 1st October anytime between 11am and 12noon.

CONGLETON ROAD REPAIR WORKS UNDERWAY

Earlier today, acting in my capacity as Chair of Cheshire East Council's Highways & Transport Committee, I took the opportunity to inspect repairs that are currently being carried out on Congleton Road, Nether Alderley. The Level 2 patching works, which began yesterday and are due to be completed tomorrow, were due to be carried out during the fourth quarter of 2022/23, but have been brought forward.

The additional £7m investment we are making as a Council this year has enabled these much overdue works to be carried out earlier than was originally programmed. A section of Congleton Road, from the junction with Whitebarn Road in Alderley Edge, to the junction with Church Lane in Nether Alderley, is benefitting from carriageway patching works at a cost of approximately £100,000.

The Site Manager explained to me that the contractor, Eurovia, are planing off, removing and relaying approximately 100 tonnes of tarmac during each of the three days over which the works are being completed. The intention is to carry out Level 2 carriageway patching during the current financial year and then to follow this up with Level 3 surface dressing, next year.

Level 3 surface dressing was recently applied to Macclesfield Road in Alderley Edge and the intention is for the same treatment to be applied to Congleton Road (from the de Trafford Arms in Alderley Edge, to the junction with Melrose Way in Nether Alderley) during the 2023/24 financial year. Unfortunately, due to cost pressures, it is not possible to carry out both jobs in the same financial year.

 

ADDED INVESTMENT IN LOCAL ROAD REPAIRS IN CONTEXT

As I'm sure many of you will already be aware, this week Cheshire East Highways have been carrying out surface dressing on Macclesfield Road (from the junction with Congleton Road in the village, to the junction with Birtles Lane in Over Alderley). I'm also sure you will agree that the result is a much improved road surface and driving experience.

Earlier this year, I reported that in addition to the £15m it receives as a grant from central government towards road repairs, Cheshire East Council had taken the decision to borrow and invest a further £7m this year to try and tackle the problem of our crumbling road infrastructure. £22m certainly sounds like a lot of money and so you might wonder why it is that all our roads aren't suddenly perfect.

Whilst the team were on site this week, I took the opportunity to ask the site manager two questions: (i) the extent of the works in square metres covered; and (ii) how much the project had cost the Council. His response was a staggering £328,386 and I thought residents would be interested to know what this entails: 

- traffic management, including road closures

- surface dressing (25,623 square metres, including materials)

- lining (replacing like for like)

- gully emptying (sweeping and emptying approximately 100 gullies)

This certainly helps to put that £22m in context. Clearly the work carried out on Macclesfield Road will vary from other projects across the borough, both in terms of length, traffic management and volume of materials used; however, if we assume that Macclesfield Road is an average sized project, the £22m will only fund 67 similar types of road repair project across the borough. Given that Cheshire East Highways manages 2,700km of road network, it's a sobering thought!

 

CADENT GAS RETURN TO COMPLETE LONDON ROAD REPAIRS

As many of you will have seen on social media, over recent days I have been chasing Cadent Gas to sort out the mess they abandoned on London Road (outside the Bubble Room) more than two months ago. I am delighted to see that Cadent Gas have responded and engineers are once more on site today.

Whilst I was in the village earlier, I took the opportunity to speak to the site foreman, who explained that the issue had been caused when the gas pipes were relaid back in 2003. At the time, the adjacent water pipe was compromised as a result of the works, leading to an unseen egress of water underground. Over the intervening 19 years, the water has washed away the earth and this led to a sink hole appearing.

Cadent Gas will be carrying out a general tidying up of the site during the course of today and I have their assurance that they will return on Monday/Tuesday next week, to carry out the necessary repairs to the water pipe (the severed pipe can be seen in the photograph below). A further team will then come to backfill and resurface the road, with all works due for completion by Friday 5th August.

SOUTH STREET THREE DAY CLOSURE FOR SURFACE REPAIRS

I would like to take this opportunity to remind residents and visitors to Alderley Edge, that South Street will be closed from Wednesday 27th July (between 08.00 and 16.00) until Friday 29th July for surface repairs. Please note that South Street will be closed to all traffic between these times and that "No Parking" restrictions will also be in operation in order to allow the works to be completed.

Over the next three years, Cheshire East Council is investing £19m (including £7m this year and then £6m in 2023/24, followed by a further £6m in 2024/25) in its highways repair programme. Unfortunately, following a 23% reduction in government funding for road repairs last year, this additional investment is having to be funded through borrowing; however, it is necessary to prevent the further decline of our road network, with the council now facing a £180m backlog of repairs.

Using the additional investment, Level 2 patching works were carried out on Macclesfield Road earlier in the Spring and I am pleased to report that these will be reinforced with top level surface dressing. These works are also due to be carried out over a three day period later this week. Further patching works to Congleton Road (from the de Trafford Arms to Melrose Way) are planned later this year.

I would like to thank residents for their patience whilst these works are undertaken.

BARCLAYS ANNOUNCE CLOSURE OF ALDERLEY EDGE BRANCH

Today, I have received the following correspondence from the Director of Customer Care at Barclays, which I am publishing as an open letter as I'm aware that there has been a lot a speculation about this locally for some time. The decision is disappointing, as Barclays was the last remaining branch in Alderley Edge and (in addition to Post Office Counter Services) this leaves the village with just one remaining ATM facility, at TESCO.

Over the last few years, we have seen the closure of face-to-face facilities firstly at HSBC (at the Parade), then Natwest and most recently, RBS. Whilst the change to online banking by many customers is undeniable (probably further accelerated by the pandemic), these decisions fail to take account of the fact that there are still a number of people locally, especially elderly people, who are not online and who are unfamiliar with online banking.

It is a shame that the banks are unable to share resources and provide a single "banking hub" in Alderley Edge that would be accessible by all customers, but when I asked about this as a possibility following the closure of RBS, I was told that each bank has its own secure system which is incapable of being accessed or being made available for access by other providers.

"Dear Councillor, I would like to give you notice of a change Barclays is making in your area. On Wednesday 5^th October, we are closing our Alderley Edge branch.

The decision to close a branch is never an easy one, however, the way people bank today is unrecognisable from 50 years ago when almost every banking transaction took place in a branch. Now, that number is less than 10%, and we need to make sure that we are providing our services in ways that best reflect customers’ needs, including outside of traditional branch formats.

This ongoing change in behaviour means we are seeing a sustained fall in customer transactions across our network and this is reflected at the Alderley Edge branch where there has been a 30% reduction in counter transactions in the last twelve months, compared to the twelve months to March 2020. In addition, we can identify that 90% of our customers at the branch are using alternative ways in which to undertake their banking, including via the telephone, online and mobile app.

Despite the branch closure, we are confident that access to banking remains sufficient in the local community; everyday transactions can be completed at any Post Office, with the closest located at 12 West Street, Alderley Edge SK9 7EG (75 yards away). There is 1 free-to-use ATM within one mile, which is Tesco at 17-23 London Road, Alderley Edge SK9 7JT (100 yards away); while the closest Barclays branches are in Wilmslow (59 Grove Street, Wilmslow SK9 1ER) and Macclesfield (10 Market Place, Macclesfield SK10 1HA).

Although the branch is closing, we will still have an active presence in the community via new and alternative physical touchpoints. We plan to provide additional face-to-face access for banking services via one of our community locations – from the point of closure. Further details, including the timings and the location, will be communicated to our regular customers in the coming days. 

We appreciate that not all of our customers will adopt change at the same pace, and we would like to underline our commitment to supporting our vulnerable customers through this change. We have also identified that in total, just 9 regular customers use this branch exclusively for their banking and do not interact with us in other ways.  We will be making personal contact with all regular branch users to discuss their options and guide them through alternative ways to bank.

As part of this closure announcement we will follow the Access to Banking Standard. This means all of our local customers will be informed of our decision at least 12 weeks before the closure via letter. We will also make available our Reasons for Closure document.

We appreciate you may receive queries from your constituents on this matter, and want to make sure you are prepared with the relevant information in this event. Despite the closure of the branch, I hope you can agree that we remain committed to meeting customer needs in Alderley Edge.

OPENING TIMES EXTENDED AT ALDERLEY EDGE LIBRARY

I am delighted to report that, from Tuesday 14th June, opening times at Alderley Edge Library will be extended to 20 hours a week. The library was forced to close during the pandemic, before re-opening one day per week in the spring of last year. During that time, the library service has lost three members of staff: one to long term sickness, one to retirement and another to alternative employment with another local authority.

The library service has recently recruited and trained three new members of staff and so from this coming Tuesday, we look forward to meeting Debbie, Laura & Stephanie who will be at Alderley Edge on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. In addition, from early July, the library will also be opening again on Saturday mornings, which will take us back up to our pre-pandemic opening hours.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our community volunteers, who have helped to keep the library open on Tuesday afternoons since the autumn of last year and will continue to run Tuesday afternoon sessions going forwards. I will be organising a special thank you event at the library later this month, when all of our volunteers will be presented with certificates and a small gift from the library service.

The new opening times from Tuesday 14th June are displayed below.

COMMUNITY SURGERY - SATURDAY 28TH MAY 2022

I would like to remind residents that I will be holding my regular monthly surgery on Saturday morning between the hours of 10am and 11am at Alderley Edge Library. Please do come along and join me for a cup of tea/coffee and a chat about any local issues that may be causing you concern or which you feel I might be able to help you with.

Following the news that Cheshire East Library Service have appointed three new Library Assistants to cover Alderley Edge Library, I am delighted to announce that the Library will be fully open once again on Saturday mornings from the beginning of July. Until then, the Library will be open on Saturday morning for visitors to my surgery only.

CHARITY WALK RAISES OVER £3,000 FOR VISYON & UKRAINE

Following my sponsored walk from Alderley Edge to Manchester on Friday 13th May, I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who sponsored me or supported me in any way with the event. Cllr Rob Moreton and his team set off from Congleton at around 7.15am and I joined them at the Alderley Edge Ward Boundary by the junction with Whitebarn Road and Congleton Road when they arrived at about 10.30am. After a brief pit stop for a coffee in Alderley Edge, we continued on towards Manchester carrying collection buckets, as well as blue and yellow balloons.

After arriving in Wilmslow, we walked along Grove Street where we were delighted to be stopped by two Ukrainian refugees who introduced themselves to us and thanked us for what we were doing; they also asked to have their photographs taken with us. At around 12.30pm we arrived in Handforth, where we had another brief pit stop to pick up another coffee and a bacon sandwich, before continuing our journey towards Cheadle Royal and then onwards into Manchester. We were supported along the way by a number of car drivers, who honked their horns as they drove past, with some pulling over to make donations.

The final three miles of our journey, from Parrswood to Manchester City Centre were hard going; our feet and muscles started to ache as we knew we were getting closer, but still feeling like we were a long way from the finishing line. We finally arrived in St Peter's Square, where we crossed the finishing line to the tune of the Town Crier's Bell and rapturous applause from locals as well as our support team. After the obligatory photographs to prove we had actually done it, we retired to a local hostelry for a well-earned rest and some equally well-earned liquid refreshment.

Now that the final tallying up has been done, we are delighted to report that our efforts raised £2,966 in advance sponsorship for the youth mental health charity, Visyon (www.visyon.org.uk) and a further £356 in donations received on the day towards the British Red Cross Ukraine Appeal. Once again, on behalf of Rob & myself can I say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who contributed and supported us.

MACCLESFIELD ROAD TO CLOSE FOR REPAIR WORKS

As I reported recently, a number of our local roads have been included in the carriageway repair programme for 2022/23. This follows a decision by Cheshire East Council to invest an additional £19m in the capital repairs programme over the next three years. Last week, level 2 patching repairs were carried out on Stevens Street and Eaton Drive.

I have now received notification that repairs will be carried out on Macclesfield Road, during the period from Wednesday 25th May to Tuesday 31st May (not including the weekend). This will involve Level 2 patching repairs from the junction with Woodbrook Road, to the junction with Birtles Lane (Over Alderley), followed by surface dressing.

Unfortunately, during this period there will be a full road closure in place, from the junction with Congleton Road, to the junction with Birtles Lane. Residential access will be retained wherever possible, although there will be some disruption whilst the works are carried out. The official diversion route will take drivers along Congleton Road to Monks Heath.

As a reminder to residents, Congleton Road, from the de Trafford Arms to the junction with Melrose Way in Nether Alderley, is also included in this year's capital programme and works will be carried out later in the year. On behalf of Cheshire East Highways, I would like to thank residents for their patience and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

PEAKS & PLAINS ANNOUNCE AFFORDABLE HOUSING SCHEME FOR HOLMFIELD SITE

STATEMENT FROM PEAKS & PLAINS:

The board of Peaks & Plains Housing Trust have taken the difficult decision to close Holmfield – a block of 32 apartments, built in 1974 for 55s and over in Alderley Edge. This decision was taken after two face to face consultation meetings with residents and the final decision was made at a board meeting on 26th April 2022.

The following day, the Trust’s CEO, Mark Howden, and Head of Customer Experience, David Squires met with the 21 existing residents to explain the decision and to outline the package of support and care that will be made available to them. They were joined by Cllr Mike Dudley-Jones, Chair of Alderley Edge Parish Council and have been in close contact with Councillor Craig Browne, Deputy Leader of Cheshire East Council and borough councillor for Alderley Edge ward, throughout the consultation process.

David Squires, Head of Customer Experience at Peaks & Plains Housing Trust commented:

"We are already working closely with residents to understand their housing needs and to help them find suitable new homes. It’s a priority for us. We’re confident, that with close support from our partners at Cheshire East, we can work with residents and their families to resettle the residents at Holmfield into alternative homes that are appropriate for their needs.”

A spokesperson from Peaks & Plains added: “The decision to close the scheme was based on the cost of necessary future compliance and repair work on these homes. This work would have made the scheme financially unviable. In addition, demand for these small and outdated flats at Holmfield is low, while the demand for modern efficient affordable homes in the areas is high.

Peaks & Plains Housing Trust plans to continue to work with interested local partners to redevelop this site in Alderley Edge to build these much-needed affordable homes. Peaks & Plains has no plans to close any of its other sheltered schemes.”

THREE LOCAL ROADS SET FOR IMMINENT REPAIR

I am pleased to advise residents that the following roads are scheduled for repair:

Eaton Drive (from Ryleys Lane to Wilton Crescent) - Mon 9th May to Weds 11th May

Stevens Street (from London Road to Trafford Road) - Mon 9th May to Weds 11th May

Macclesfield Road (from London Road to Birtles Lane) - Weds 25th May - Tues 31st May

Last year Cheshire East Council decided to abolish the Area Highways Groups (of which there were eight, with our Local Area Group covering Alderley Edge, Wilmslow & Handforth) and to reallocate the funding to each individual Ward Member, giving each Councillor a total of £4,200 per year to spend on local highways priorities. I decided to use my Ward Budget to part-fund repairs to Eaton Drive & Stevens Street (which are being carried out next week) and to fund the addition of white "No Entry" markings on the road surface at the junction of West Street and London Road (installed last year).

Works to Macclesfield Road are being funded through Cheshire East Council's Highways Capital Programme, which this year has seen an additional investment of £7.242m from the Council's own resources, funded through borrowing. Later in the year, this programme is also funding repairs to Congleton Road, Heyes Lane, Brook Lane & South Street and I will provide an update on when these repairs are going to be undertaken as soon as possible. Inevitably, there will be some disruption whilst the repairs are being carried out and I would like to thank residents in advance for their patience.

STATEMENT ON CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL BUDGET SETTLEMENT

 

EXTRA INVESTMENT HELPS ENSURE LOCAL ROAD REPAIRS

Many of you will be aware that Cheshire East Council recently approved an extra £19m investment in our Highways Capital Programme (this includes Level 2 carriageway patching and Level 3 resurfacing), including an extra £7m to be spent during 2022/23. This has had to be funded through borrowing, since the Council's funding from the Dept for Transport for road maintenance has been cut by 21%.

Nevertheless, I am pleased that the Council has made this decision. Whilst I have successfully fought for repairs to our local roads over recent years (including Heyes Lane, Macclesfield Road, Brook Lane, Wilmslow Road, Mottram Road & Trafford Road - to name just a few), the condition of our road network across the wider borough has continued to deteriorate due to continued underinvestment.

So, I am delighted to share the news that this extra investment will deliver results for several of our local roads and that during the first quarter of 2022/23, Level 2 carriageway patching works are to be implemented on South Street, Stevens Street, Eaton Drive and on Church Lane. As always, I would like to thanks Highways Officers for working with me and responding positively to my requests.

The additional investment the Council is making over the next three years is expected to prevent an additional 6,000 potholes from forming across the borough and this in turn will have a positive impact on the amount the Council has to spend from its day-to-day budget on reactive pothole repairs (which are the least efficient and least cost effective form of repair, but necessary to keep the roads open).

DROPPED KERB TO BE INSTALLED ON CHURCH LANE

In response to a request from the Parochial Church Council of St Philip & St James, I am pleased to confirm that Cheshire East Highways are to install a dropped kerb outside the main entrance on Church Lane. I was first approached by the PCC last year and before Christmas held an onsite meeting with our Local Area Highways Officer.

The PCC have asked for a dropped kerb to help visitors using the two disabled parking bays on Church Lane, as well as to assist funeral directors who are attending services at the church. Following my discussion with the Local Area Highways Officer, I am delighted that the dropped kerb will be installed next week (between Monday & Wednesday).

As well as the PCC, I have also emailed Mrs Lindsey Walsh, Head Teacher at Alderley Edge Community Primary School, to advise that the footway on Church Lane will be closed (along with a number of the existing parking bays) next Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday and to ask parents not to use Church Lane for pick-up and drop-off on these days.

Traffic management will be in place whilst the works are being undertaken. As always, I would like to thank officers from Cheshire East Highways for responding positively to my request.

LIBRARY OPENING HOURS TO BE EXTENDED

A number of residents have recently contacted me to ask about the current restricted opening hours at Alderley Edge Library. Firstly, I would like to reassure everyone that the future of the library is not under threat; however, the Library Service has lost three members of staff over the course of the last few months, including one to retirement, one to long-term sickness and one to alternative employment.

I have spoken to the Library Manager to ask for an update on recruitment and am pleased to report that so far there has been a healthy number of applications both for the 18-hour post and the two 16.5-hour posts (the deadline is this Friday, 4th March). Once the interview process has been completed and offers of employment both made and accepted, the proposed new opening hours will be as follows:

Monday        Closed

Tuesday        09:30 - 17:00 (13:00 - 17:00 volunteer-led)

Wednesday   09:30 - 13:00 & 14:00 - 17:00

Thursday      09:30 - 13:00 & 14:00 - 17:00

Friday           Closed

Saturday       09:30 - 13:00 

I have also asked what can be done to extend the opening hours at Alderley Edge, pending the recruitment of new staff, since our local volunteers are currently covering more hours than the paid Cheshire East Library Officers and am pleased to report that as a result, from w/c 14th March, the library will also be open on Wednesday mornings between 09:30 - 12:00.

This will mean that library staff will be on hand on both Tuesday and Wednesday mornings for the foreseeable future and that visitors will have access to the full range of library services (including blue badge applications and people's network) during these times. I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank our group of local volunteers for their support on Tuesday afternoons.

CONVERSATION WITH THE LEADER & DEPUTY LEADER AT CHESHIRE EAST

As part of our ongoing commitment to improving openness and transparency at Cheshire East Council, the Leader and I recently recorded an online question and answer session. We received more than eighty questions in total from members of the public and whilst there wasn't time for us to answer all of them individually, we addressed as many as possible within the time available.

Some of the common themes that residents contacted us about included:

• Investment across the borough
• Gritting routes
• Potholes and road maintenance
• Climate change, biodiversity and managing the environment
• Car parking
• House building and infrastructure
• Planning applications
• Middlewich Eastern Bypass
• Cost of councillors
• Role of councillors

Following the success of this question and answer session, we will be looking to hold similar events in future and questions that we were not able fit in this time may be rolled forward to a future session. In the meantime, if you would like to watch a recording of the session, please do click on the link below - https://youtu.be/Mnv3Gaf_Snw

FRIDAY 18TH FEBRUARY - AMBER WEATHER WARNING FOR CHESHIRE EAST

On Friday 18 February, we are expecting widespread disruption due to Storm Eunice, with high winds of at least 50-60mph expected from tomorrow morning from 6am with the potential for speeds up to 70mph, until around 3pm, when we expect the weather to slightly improve.

Amber warning for Cheshire East and the region.

An amber warning has been issued by the Met Office. This means that there is an increased likelihood of impacts from severe weather, the possibility of travel delays, road and rail closures, power cuts and the potential risk to life and property.

People should consider changing their plans and taking action to protect themselves and their properties. This includes making sure that wheelie bins are stored away securely, and that any outdoor furniture is fastened or stored safely, too.

You can keep up-to-date with weather warnings by visiting the Met Office website.

What to expect

We must prepare for disruption and damage caused by Storm Eunice. This could include:

·       It is highly likely that there will be falling branches and some uprooted trees

·       Some roads, bridges and railway lines may close, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights

·       There is a chance that flying debris could cause serious injury

·       Damage to some buildings and homes is likely

·       There is a good chance that power cuts could occur

·       Large waves could occur in coastal/ tidal areas

Preparations

The council has set up an adverse weather desk to help coordinate our response to the storm tomorrow and emergency teams have been set up.

The following parks will be closed to the public tomorrow:

• Tatton Park, Knutsford
• Queens Park, Crewe
• Westminster Street, Crewe
• Fountain Fields, Middlewich
• Lacey Green, Wilmslow
• The Moor, Knutsford

Report any issues

If you see a fallen tree, faulty streetlight or blocked gully within the borough, you can help us by reporting it online if it is not urgent. If it presents an immediate danger, please call 0300 123 5020 during working hours or 0300 123 5025 outside of working hours.

Fallen trees will be prioritised for clearance based on where they are and will at all times consider the safety of our staff. During the peak of the storm, the focus will be on maintaining the primary route network, such as roads to hospitals.

If residents in your ward experience a power cut, they are advised to call 105.

Further advice on how to prepare and stay safe in a storm can be found on the Met Office website.

For the latest updates on the storm locally, including road closures, please follow @CECHighways and  @CheshireEast

COMMUNITY SURGERY - COME AND MEET OUR NEW PCSO

I would like to extend a warm welcome to all residents to my next Community Surgery, which will take place on Saturday 26th February between 10.00 - 11.00am at Alderley Edge Library. On this occasion, I will be joined by our new Police Community Support Officer, PCSO Lisa Gamble, who will be on hand to listen to any concerns residents may wish to bring to her attention.

Please do come along and join us for a cuppa and a chat about any local issues that may be causing you concern. Parish Councillor Bev Chapman will also be joining us for this surgery, so whether you would like to discuss something that relates to the Parish Council, to the Police or to Cheshire East Council, there will be someone available to listen to and act on your concerns.

We look forward to meeting you on Saturday 26th and can I also take this opportunity to congratulate Lisa on her appointment and welcome her to our village.

ALDERLEY EDGE CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL REVIEW

Historic England recommend that Local Authorities carry out periodic appraisals of local Conservation Areas, allowing a full assessment of their characteristics. Appraisals are also intended to highlight the implications for future preservation and enhancement of Conservation Areas.

The last review of the Alderley Edge Conservation Area was carried out in 2005, following which it was placed on the Historic England Heritage at Risk Register. This means that there has been no re-appraisal of the Alderley Edge Conservation Area since Cheshire East Council was formed.

A management plan has been produced as part of this appraisal (Section 7) which provides guidance to owners and their agents about how the special interest of the Conservation Area should be managed in the future. A summary of the key changes set out in the management plan, includes:

- to remove permitted development rights for certain classes of operational development, which will control the treatment to all dwellings in the Conservation Area marked Townscape Map (Appendix 1);

- all the buildings noted on the Townscape Analysis map as “making a positive contribution to the character of the Conservation Area”, will have an Article 4 Direction;

- new development must respect historic plot ratios (usually one detached dwelling within a large garden);

- plot sizes for each individual dwelling must be no smaller than 0.3 hectare or 0.7 acre (this means that terraced or semi-detached buildings will not acceptable);

- new development should not impinge on the setting or mature landscaping of adjacent properties

There are a number of ways in which residents or residents' groups can provide feedback:

- by completing an online survey (Alderley Edge Conservation Area Review (cheshireeast.gov.uk))

- downloading, completing and returning a survey form (https://files.smartsurvey.io/2/0/I6F3672R/Alderley_Edge_Conservation_Area_Review_Paper_Survey.pdf); or

- speaking to a conservation officer by telephone

Residents can make an appointment to to speak to a Conservation Officer on Tuesday 1st March 2pm-4pm, Thursday 3rd March 5-7pm, or Friday 4th March 10-12am. To make an appointment, please contact built.heritage@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Paper copies of the appraisal have been deposited in Alderley Edge Library, along with the survey form which can be filled in and sent via post to: Development Management; Heritage (Macclesfield), C/O Municipal Buildings, Earle Street, Crewe CW1 2BJ. The deadline for returning the form is 14th March.

I am pleased that Cheshire East Council is now bringing forward these proposals to review and protect the character of one of our most prominent Conservation Areas. The Alderley Edge Conservation Area, in particular, helps to define the character and visual impression of our village.

The loss and erosion of significant elements of the conservation area over the last two decades have served to undermine its significance as a designated heritage asset and I would encourage all residents and community groups who share my wish to see it better protected in future, to complete the survey.

SADPD - INSPECTOR PUBLISHES INTERIM FINDINGS

Following a process of public hearings which took place over a ten-day period in October and November last year, the independent Planning Inspector has now published his findings. This "interim report" into the policies within Cheshire East Council's revised SADPD (Local Plan Part 2) has concluded that the document is "likely to be found to be sound and legally compliant". 

The inspector's key interim finding include:
- the approach towards meeting residual housing development needs at Local Service Centres (LSCs) through a windfall rather than allocations-led approach is sound;
- the approach towards defining settlement and infill boundaries is justified and soundly based;
- the proposed designation of ‘safeguarded land’ around the Local Service Centres in the north of the Borough is sound;
- the Council’s evidence of Gypsy and Traveller accommodation needs is robust and up to date, and the proposed supply of pitches through allocations and permissions would meet the identified need;
-the SADPD makes adequate provision for specialist housing accommodation for older people.

In late 2020, the Council made significant amendments to the previously published version of the SADPD, removing in particular a number of green belt sites that had previously been earmarked for development. Locally within Alderley Edge, this meant that the following sites were removed: (ALD1) land adjacent to Jenny Heyes; (ALD2) Ryleys Farm, north of Chelford Road; and (ALD4) land north of Beech Road. Site (ALD3) Ryleys Farm, remains safeguarded for potential development after 2030.

The inspector's interim finding that the approach to meeting residual housing needs at Local Service Centres (such as Alderley Edge) can be found through windfall rather than through green belt release is sound, is very good news for the village. Whilst this is not a final conclusion, it is a vindication of the current administration's policy at Cheshire East Council of protecting precious green belt land.

Following publication of the inspector's final conclusions, the amended version of the SADPD will need to be formally approved at a meeting of Cheshire East Council later this year.

PARISH COUNCIL FREEZES PRECEPT FOR FOURTH YEAR IN A ROW

Parish Councillors in Alderley Edge have voted to freeze the Parish Precept (that part of our Council Tax which is collected by Cheshire East Council, but paid to Alderley Edge Parish Council) for the fourth successive year. As a result, the Parish Precept for Alderley Edge for the coming financial year 2022/23 will remain at £185,400 which is equivalent to £68.50 per Band D property.

Speaking about the decision to freeze the Parish Precept once more, Chair of Finance, Cllr Myles Garbett explained "the Parish Council are very conscious of the difficulties caused by the pandemic and the financial pressure this has put upon many residents and families. Many people have seen a reduction in their income over the last two years and the decision to freeze the Parish Precept for what will now be the fourth year in a row, seeks to recognise the difficulties many are facing."

Cllr Garbett added, "We initially raised the precept in the 2016/17 financial year in order to help fund the construction of Alderley Edge Medical Centre and to support the restoration of the Festival Hall. At the start of that project, the Festival Hall had been losing up to £100,000 a year, but by the start of the pandemic we had reduced that loss to just £40,000. Had it not been for the pandemic, the Festival Hall was on target to be cost neutral to the Parish Council and residents of Alderley Edge."

Chair of Alderley Edge Parish Council, Cllr Mike Dudley-Jones explained: "Initially, we had hoped to reduce the precept this year; however, we were mindful of a number of community projects that the Parish Council has planned, including some enhancements to the park, improved signage in the centre of the village, creation of some further on-street parking spaces, additional Christmas lights, better facilities for cyclists and access improvements at St Philip & St James' Church."

"We also wanted to arrange a fitting tribute to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of HM the Queen and to bring the village together to celebrate the occasion. We will be announcing the details of our plans to mark the Platinum Jubilee over the course of the next few weeks".

COMMUNITY SURGERY - SATURDAY 29TH JANUARY

Following the recent re-opening of Alderley Edge Library (due to an issue with the heating system and water ingress from the apartments above), I am pleased to confirm that I will be holding my monthly community surgery at the library between 10am and 11am on Saturday 29th January. Please do call in and join me for a chat about any local issues that may be causing you concern or which you feel I might be able to help with. I look forward to seeing you then.

I would also like to give advance notice of my next Community Surgery on Saturday 26th February, when I will be pleased to welcome our new PCSO for the village, Emily Mackintosh, who will be joining me.