News in Macclesfield

Police and fire officers in Cheshire have issued a tough message as they launch their Christmas drink/drive campaign.

They are urging the public to stop and think before travelling on the roads after having a drink this Christmas.

Cheshire Police Chief Constable Darren Martland is to retire in the spring of next year.

The force's most senior officer has spent 30 years policing, including senior roles with Merseyside and Cumbria Police.

Cheshire East Council is to support a badger vaccination programme in the borough.

The council has announced it will be partnering with Cheshire Badger Vaccination Programme (CBVP), which will carry out the vaccinations.

Every December on a Sunday before Christmas the cobbled streets of central Macclesfield buzz with festive music, brass bands, sociable chatter, the smell of roast chestnuts, spiced cider and freshly cooked street food for the much awaited Festive Treacle.

It's no ordinary Christmas Market though, and you might well find 'Belsnickel' rather than Father Christmas wandering among the stalls, and visitors from many miles away who visit specially as they love this unique event each year.

AN ATTEMPT to secure more free parking in Cheshire East towns by the Conservative group has been rebuked by the ruling Labour-Independent coalition, after figures show footfall in Macclesfield has taken a nose-dive in the pandemic.

At yesterday's CEC cabinet meeting, December 1, Conservative group leader Cllr Janet Clowes called on borough chiefs to relax some charges in council car parks in key market towns from December 3 until January 2021.

NURSING chiefs stress they won't turn anyone away from Macclesfield District General Hospital's emergency department under a new initiative aimed at screening patients with "urgent" health concerns.

Under NHS 111 First - which was launched at hospitals across Cheshire today - people are being urged to go online and make contact with the service before deciding to take a trip to A&E.

Cheshire East Council and its partner agencies hosted its annual White Ribbon event this year virtually.

The event, which took place on 26 November, is part of an international day of awareness to take a stand against violence to women and girls, and highlight the support available for victims, their families and those whose behaviour causes harm.

Cheshire East councillors are about to launch a public consultation on their draft budget for next year as the authority is faced with making tough financial decisions because of Covid-19.

Councillors at the authority's Cabinet meeting this afternoon (Tuesday) will also seek residents' views on the council's draft financial strategy until 2025.

Cheshire East Council leader Sam Corcoran has questioned the wisdom of only allowing the borough's pubs to re-open if they serve food.

Under Tier Two restrictions which come into force on Thursday the borough's pubs and bars will only be able to sell alcohol if they serve substantial meals with customers' drinks.

Police have made three arrests after finding a cannabis farm at a property in Macclesfield.

Enquiries are ongoing after Macclesfield Police, supported by the Cheshire Police Rural Crime Team and a police dog unit, conducted a warrant at a large rural premises in Macclesfield.