Midcheshire Independent Issue 176

FEBRUARY2025 4 THE Wistaston Singers, a vibrant four-partmixedcom- munity choir, are on the hunt for new newmembersas they begin an exciting new term. With a strong repu- tation for their eclectic repertoire and warm camaraderie, the choir is particularly keen to recruitmoremen tobal- anceouttheir60-member ensemble,which ranges in age from the 20s to the80s. The choir’s reper- toire is as varied as its members, featuring everything frommusical theatreclassicsand time- lesshits byTheBeatles andQueen to theworks ofMozart. Despite singing from sheet music, all pieces are also taught by rote, ensuring inclusivity for singerswithvarying lev- elsofexperience. This termpromises to beespeciallydynamicas the group prepares for their upcoming events, including amuch-antici- pated charity concert. Choir spokesperson Clare Shackleton said: “Weareawelcomingand friendlycommunitychoir singing awide range of music. We are always looking to recruit men, especially if they have sung ina choirbefore.” Ifyou’veeverdreamed of singing ina choir, the WistastonSingers invite you to try a free session on Wednesdays from 7.30pmuntil 9.30pm, at GainsboroughPrimary SchoolonBelgraveRoad inCrewe. CHESHIRE East Councilhaspublished its latest financial forecasting–showing outstanding funding gaps of £18.3million for thecurrent finan- cial year and £25.3m for2025-26. The local authority says that the figures for both years “show some improvement” over the previous forecasts. However, they still represent a “significant financial challenge”, which may require use of exceptional financial support (EFS) from cen- tralgovernment. By law, councils must approve a bal- anced budget each year and they cannot spend more than theyhave in theirbudgets. The third financial reviewreport,whichsets out the position for the CASH-STRAPPED CheshireEastCoun- cil has written to the government seeking permission to raise council tax byup to9.9percent – without holding a referendum. As a local authority receiving exceptional financial support, Cheshire East can apply to the Ministry ofHousing,Communi- tiesandLocalGovern- ment to raise the tax above the currentmax- imum of4.99per cent. CheshireEastCoun- cil has written to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government requesting permis- sion to propose the option of increasing council tax above the referendum limit set by government. In a statement the council revealed it had requested per- mission to propose the increase. It said: “This request does not commit the council to raising coun- cil tax.Anyproposal to increase council tax would be subject to a decision of full coun- cil in February, as part of thebudget-set- tingprocess.” An increase of five per cent would be equivalent to £1.72 per week for a band Dproperty. The statement added: “It is important A RECENTLY retired Nantwich firefighter has been recognised for his dedicated service to the localcommunity. Phil Wilkinson, 70, was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in theNewYears’Hon- oursList tomarknearly 40 years’ service as an on-call firefighter. In addition tohis full- time role atReaseheath College, he regularly providedmore than 100 hours aweek of on-call availability, being ready atallhours torespond to awiderangeofemergen- cieswhen calledupon. Onmany occasionshe wouldbeavailable for140 hoursaweek–meaning six out of seven days a weekhewouldbeon-call readytohelpthepeopleof Nantwichwhen inneed. Throughouthis career Phil,pictured,wasbased atNantwichFireStation, where he was a valued NEWcarparkingchargeswerecomingintoeffectin NorthwichattheendofJanuary. Cheshire West and Chester implemented the first phase of a tariff increase in parking in the town in January2024.Thesecondphasewillseea riseof 20p.A council spokesperson said:“Prior to the increase in January 2024, parking charges in the borough had not been increased in linewith inflation formanyyears,and insomecasesforover 10years. “Thecurrentphaseof increasedtariffs isrequired to continue to support the significant investment inparking facilities in recent years, newpayment machinesandpaymentoptions.” Blue badge holderswill continue to be able to park for free forup to fourhours inallpayanddis- play carparksandborough residents can register foraspecialmicro-chip foruse insome largeANPR controlledcarparks. Tax hike permission bid that we explore every option to improve finan- cial sustainability and address underfunding andgrowth indemand. “As setout ina recent report to the council’s finance sub-commit- tee, Cheshire East’s council tax isnearly two per cent lower, onaver- age, than our nearest neighbour authorities and our core spending power is nearly six per cent lower. “Historical decisions not to raise council tax to the referendum limit over anumber of years have had a cumulative impactonour spending power today. “Whilst previous decisions have deliv- ered savings for resi- dents, had council tax been increased to the referendum limit each year, the councilwould have had £35million more thisyear to spend on essential services, support more families and fixmorepotholes.” Council funding: Some improvement – but significant challenges remain Positivedirection: Council leaderNick Mannion current financial year, shows an improvement of £1.8m over the previ- ous review inNovember. Cheshire East says that is the result of effi- ciency savings already achieved in-year and increasedcertaintyabout in-year fundingand fore- cast servicedemands. The council is set to approve its budget for 2025/26anda four-year medium-term financial strategyat themeeting of full councilonFebru- ary26. The forecast finan- cialgap for2025/26has reduced from£31.4m to £25.3m. Nick Mannion, leader of the council, said: “When the cur- rent year’s budgetwas agreed in February 2024,wewere forecast- ing a gap of £41.9m for next financialyear.The latest forecasts show a reduced gap of £25.3m next year and a reduc- tion in the totalgapover thenext fouryears. “This is a positive direction of travel and reflects the hard work anddedicationofofficers and councillors indeal- ing with the financial challenge. However, we must address the remaining pressures and uncertainties to eradicate the outstand- ing gaps for both the current year and the yearahead. “Theprovisional local government financial settlement received from central govern- ment on 18 December, has providedmore cer- tainty and increased funding of £4.5m for 2025/26. This, with other changes to fore- cast income and spend, has theresultof improv- ing the2025/26gapbya totalof£6.1m. “However, the increase in funding for CheshireEast,outlined in the provisional set- tlement, is overall less than the average pro- vided to other councils inEngland. “While the pressures being experienced by this council are not unique, our circum- stances aredifferent to many other areas and weneed funding tosup- port localneed.” He added: “Ourmost significant pressures are in social care ser- vices foradultsandchil- dren, including those withspecialeducational need and disabilities (Send). Cost and com- plexityofneed for these services continues to exceed available fund- ing fromgovernment.” Deputy leaderMichael Gormanwarned “hard decisions” would have to be made. He said: “Thecouncil’sambitious transformation plan is set to deliver signifi- cant savings in future years. However, there remains a significant financial challenge.” Firefighter’s public service recognised and much respected memberof the crew. Commenting onPhil’s recognition, Cheshire’s chief fire officer Alex Waller said: “We are delighted thatPhil has been recognised with a BEM in theNewYear’s Honours List. Prior to retiring from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Ser- vice inDecember 2023, hewas a loyal and com- mitted servant to the people of Nantwich as an on-call firefighter for over37 years; incredible dedication. He was a fantastic role model andmentor to those he worked alongside and a real champion for the local community. Ihope heenjoysawell-deserved celebrationwithhis fam- ilyand friends.” Parking charge rises NEWcarparkingchargeswillcome intoe!ect in Northwichat theendofJanuary. Recruiting:TheWistastonSingers (Photocredit: JonathanWhite) Shouting out for new voices