News in Macclesfield

In her latest column, Cllr Sarah Bennett-Wake urges us all to think about those who are less fortunate this Christmas, particularly those sleeping rough following the death of John Whyte earlier this month.

Two years ago, I wrote the following article about meeting rough sleepers. The homeless people on the streets of Macclesfield that night inspired me to stand as a councillor.

Twenty miles per hour could soon be the default speed limit in Cheshire East's residential and urban roads.

Independent Cllr Suzie Akers Smith, the council's walking and cycling champion, has proposed a motion to adopt the policy at this week's (December 16) full council meeting.

A new 'Virtual Ward' model has been established at East Cheshire NHS Trust to provide added assurance to patients who have tested positive for COVID-19.

The aim of the service is to provide at-home oxygen monitoring for eligible patients who are recovering from the illness at home, or outside of hospital.

An initiative to scrap car park charges in Cheshire East's towns over Christmas has been brought forward by the council's Conservative group.

Conservative leader Cllr Janet Clowes has proposed a motion for this week's (December 16) full CEC council meeting, which has been seconded by deputy leader Cllr Stewart Gardiner.

Today Macclesfield Rugby Union Football Club and Cllr James Barber (Broken Cross and Upton ward) hosted a Christmas Foodbank Collection to support local families have a good Christmas.

The collection saw two hundreds of items being donated, and all involved were blown away by the generosity of local residents.

Police are urging Christmas shoppers to be vigilant following purse thefts in Macclesfield and other Cheshire towns.

A total of six women have had their purses stolen, including in Nantwich, Sandbach, Crewe and Northwich over the past week. All of the victims are over 60 and one is 90.

Cheshire East Council is set to distribute £880,000 worth of to help vulnerable families over the Christmas holidays and into the spring.

The vouchers came about following the government's compromise during the free school meals row.

A born-and-bred Macclesfield woman has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Along with many helpings of cake and bubbly, Nellie Beech (née Eardley), resident at care village Belong Macclesfield, has marked the milestone occasion with a special reading from her local church.

The coronavirus pandemic has escalated incidents of domestic abuse, with lockdown making it a difficult and worrying time for adults and children who live with it.

In 2020 from 1 April to 31 October there were 10,103 domestic abuse crimes recorded by Cheshire Police, compared with 9,533 over the same period in 2018.

Cheshire East Council has been given new enforcement powers against businesses flouting Coronavirus regulations.

Among the new measures will be the council's ability to issue fines of up to £4,000 and even close premises if they fail to adhere to the restrictions.