Midcheshire Independent Issue 190

APRIL 2026 18 Sunday train talks on the right lines Meeting: Congleton town councillors held talks with Northern Train bosses (Photo credit: CTC) CONGLETON Town Coun- cil met with representa- tives of Northern Trains as part of ongoing efforts to get Sunday rail services back on track. Deputy town mayor Coun- cillor Suzy Firkin and Cllr Kay Wesley, together with representatives from the office of Congleton MP Sarah Russell and local rail campaigner Richard Eadie, received an update on the status of talks with the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT). The discussions between the rail operator and union are aimed at enabling the resumption of Sunday trains, replacing the current and often unreliable rail replace- ment bus service. In a statement following the meeting the town coun- cil said: “While Northern Trains has not yet received formal feedback from RMT, they remain optimistic that its proposal will be received favourably. If an agreement is reached, the restoration of formally scheduled Sunday services at Congleton will be among the priorities. “The meeting also dis- cussed other factors affecting the provision of a comprehen- sive seven-day rail service for the town. “These included the poten- tial for CrossCountry trains to resume stopping at Con- gleton, as they have done previously, and the limited availability of late evening Saturday services due to Network Rail maintenance access requirements.” Sarah Russell has also met with the transport sec- retary Heidi Alexander to raise many of these issues. A representative from her par- liamentary office attended the meeting with Northern NEWLY published results from the 2025 NHS Staff Survey have confirmed that East Cheshire NHS Trust (ECT) remains the kindest place to work in the North West. Health chiefs say the 2025 data highlights a workplace defined by mutual respect and supportive leadership. This year, the trust has fur- ther strengthened its standing as a ‘compassionate organisa- tion’ with 75 per cent of staff reporting that the people they work with are kind and respect one another. And 75 per cent also stated that their line manager takes a positive interest in their health and wellbeing. The trust recorded strong levels of professional trust and clarity as colleagues indicated that they feel empowered and trusted to do their jobs, with a clear understanding of their spe- cific responsibilities. A spokesperson said: “As an organisation we will share the information and data across teams so they can understand the results, celebrate their suc- cesses and continue to work together to make our hospi- tal a great place to work and receive care.” VERNONBuilding Society has reported another year of positive progress in its 2025 annual results. The Stockport headquar- tered society, with branches across Cheshire, has revealed its total assets rose by 5.4 per cent to £534million – while its profit before tax hit £2.8m. Highlights include contin- ued mortgage book growth, strong inflows of new savings, exceptional member satisfac- tion, and meaningful contri- butions to local communities. Darren Ditchburn, the society’s chief executive, said: “In a year when many households were still feeling the squeeze, we’ve continued to grow carefully, support more borrowers and offer competitive and good value savings products. “Our lending growth shows there is real demand for a human, flexible approach that many larger lenders aren’t providing. “In 2026, we’ll continue to invest in the future of the society, from specialist mort- gages and competitive savings accounts to enhanced digi- tal services and community branches, all while staying true to our mutual values.” The Vernon also celebrated two milestones during the year: 40 years on Bramhall high street and the launch of its first regional TV adver- tising campaign across the North West. Looking ahead, it has plans to open its first community branch outside Stockport and continue its investment in technology to enhance the experience for members, bro- kers and colleagues. THREE men have now been sentenced for steal- ing thousands of pounds worth of designer items from stores in Handforth and Wilmslow. And two of them are now also subject to Criminal Behaviour Orders banning them from numerous stores in the area. Benjamin Gittings, 33, of no fixed abode, appeared at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Fri- day March 13 where he was sentenced to 22 months in prison. He had admitted stealing clothing worth £2,320 from JD Sports Handforth on 14 December 2025, £1,580 worth of clothing from Ralph Lau- ren in the Hoopers store in Wilmslow on 15 December 2025, and £2,500 of beauty items from Boots in Hand- forth on 19 December 2025. The sentence also includes offences dealt with sepa- rately by Greater Manches- ter Police (GMP), including possession of cocaine, theft from a motor vehicle, dan- gerous driving, and driving while disqualified. Karl Braisdell, 40, of no fixed abode, was previously sentenced to 30 weeks in prison in January for the same theft offences at JD Sports, Hoopers, and Boots. His sentence also included separate offences committed in the GMP force area, includ- ing a theft from an Aldi store and Mai’s Pharmacy. Meanwhile, Michael Hig- ginbotham, 46, of Brook Street, Hazel Grove, Stock- port, was handed a 26-week sentence suspended for 12 months in January for the JD Sports and Hoopers offences. His sentence also included a theft from a Tesco Express store in the GMP area. Gittings and Higginbotham are now banned from enter- ing any retail premises in the Wilmslow area under the terms of a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO). They must not enter any JD Sports, Marks and Spencer, Hoopers, Tesco or Waitrose store within Cheshire East, including petrol stations which have these stores. They cannot wear any form of headgear or face coverings when entering or while in any retail premises. In addition to this, Hig- ginbotham cannot enter any retail premises without the means to pay for goods, or enter or remain in any store that he has been banned from, or requested to leave. Speaking after the court case, a Cheshire Police spokesperson said: “It’s a fan- tastic result that two of these individuals have been issued with CBOs which should fur- ther safeguard businesses in the area from their disrup- tive behaviour. “We take retail crime incredibly seriously and know the impact it can have on retailers and busi- ness partners.” Store bans follow shoplifting spree Trains to help ensure a coor- dinated approach. Deputy town mayor Suzy Firkin said: “We recognise that there is no single solution to resolve all of these issues. “However, by maintaining an open channel of communi- cation with Northern Trains and CrossCountry, we can ensure that Congleton resi- dents have a voice and that we begin to understand how bar- riers to improved services can be removed, helping to influ- ence the future rail strategy for our town.” The ticket office at Congleton station is currently closed while maintenance work is carried out to repair a leaking roof. Northern Trains has confirmed that this clo- sure is temporary. Kindness continues at trust Progress: Vernon Building Society has reported lending growth Vernon assets hit £534m To advertise in the Independent, contact Robin Atkins on 07767 840274