Midcheshire Independent Issue 171

OCTOBER 2024 2 No part of this publicationmay be used or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure that the articles and advertisements that are carried are authentic, however the publisher accepts no responsibility for claims made. © Investors in Publishing Ltd 2024. This newspaper is publishedmonthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate,Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD. Telephone: 01204 478812 EDITOR : Ged Henderson ged@hendersonnewsandmedia.com CONTACT: JayneMeadowcroft 01204 478812 • 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk ADVERTISING: Robin Atkins 07767 840274 robin@cheshireindependent.co.uk CONTACT US CHESHIRE East Council is adopting a revised strat- egy that will inform how it assesses any need for new crossings in the borough, fol- lowing a public consultation. The council receives many requests for new crossings but the demand outstrips the coun- cil’s available budget and it must prioritise requests. The new strategy updates the existing policy, last updated in 2019 and sets out the methodol- ogy for considering requests for new pedestrian, cycle, and horse crossing facilities. The council says the strategy supports its local transport plan, promoting more active travel and healthier lives. And a number of factors will continue to be taken into consid- eration when provision of a cross- ing is considered. These include reducing casu- alties and avoiding further seri- ous road accidents, encouraging sustainable travel, supporting growth, improving amenities and responding to local support. All forms of transport, not just vehicles, will be assessed within the new strategy, which will also COUNCIL leaders in Cheshire and War- rington are looking to accelerate sealing a power transferring devolution deal with the government. They issued a joint statement following a positive meeting with Jim McMahon, the gov- ernment minister for local government and English devolution. The meeting was attended by represent- atives from Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester and Warring- ton councils, alongside Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington. Its aim was to open discussions about a devolution agreement for the Cheshire and Warrington region. In their statement the councils said: “A successful devolution agreement would allow us to make more deci- sions in Cheshire and Warrington, rather than decisions about our region and its almost one million residents being made in London. “Cheshire and War- rington has a strong track record of partner- ship working over many years with shared ambi- tions across a number of priority areas.” The statement added: “Our three councils have been working success- fully together for many years with a shared vision to be the health- iest, most sustainable, inclusive and growing economy in the UK. The right devolution agree- ment could allow us to build on this great work. “Devolution is about CHESHIRE West’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund- ing (UKSPF) is being used to extend the Better Start programme in Winsford. Delivered by Youth Fed, the programme is designed to support young people, aged 16-25 who are not in educa- tion, employment, and training (NEET). The aim is to improve their life skills, build their confidence and develop employability tools. The programme looks to boost their chances, with many progressing onto other youth provision such as the Princes’ Trust, apprenticeships or even employment. The number of NEET young people nationally has increased following the Covid pandemic and this figure is predicted to grow further following the recent exam results. A spokesperson for Chesire West and Chester Council said: “Currently there is less provi- sion and support available for people in Winsford to re-engage. This additional resource should help to resolve this. “The successful Better Start programme has been funded through Winsford Town Coun- cil, Cheshire Community Foun- dation and “Awards for All” (National Lottery Community Fund) Lottery Funding. “And this UKSPF contribu- tion will mean that a further 60 young people will benefit from the additional support provided between August 2024 and March 2025.” The additional four 12-week courses will ensure the Winsford programme continues and will increase the number of young people who are able to secure places with further education providers or work – safeguard- ing their future and increasing their life chances. Kevin Bradburne, director of operations for Youth Fed, said: “The introduction of four new 12-week courses ensures that we can maintain consistent support in the Winsford area, empower- ing more young people to secure opportunities in further educa- tion or employment. “This collaboration is essen- tial in protecting their futures and enhancing their prospects for a brighter life.” NEWS IN BRIEF CHESHIRE West and Chester Council has been recognised in the 2024 RSPCA PawPrint Awards, picking up a new platinum accolade. The council scooped the award for exceeding legal requirements in the way it handles stray dogs. The awards celebrate local authorities that go above and beyond to ensure high animal welfare standards in their communities. Giving young people a better start Devo deal discussions – it’s down to the detail national government transferring powers and resources to local government. It is not about merging coun- cils. Individual coun- cils would retain their current responsibilities and continue to deliver services for local people. “The meeting with the minister was very positive, and it is clear that the government wants to consider what a co-produced devolu- tion agreement could look like for Cheshire and Warrington. “We will now begin these discussions in more detail, with the aim of moving towards an accelerated agree- ment with government. “Any potential devo- lut i on ag r e ement would need to be right for our region and its residents and busi- nesses, and informed by the views of our residents, businesses and communities.” Councillors in War- r ing ton have now ‘endorsed the decision to open negotiations’ with central government to secure a devolution deal. Crossing criteria is updated take into account factors that cre- ate demands for trips, whether they are to schools, local shops, health centres, or other commu- nity facilities. Elected ward members, town and parish councillors will be able to have their say. Requests and proposals are reviewed on an annual basis. Mark Goldsmith, who chairs the council’s highways and trans- port committee, said: “We are often inundated with requests for the installation of a new crossing and we simply cannot mee the public demand. “Even when a request meets these revised criteria, the high cost of installation and ongoing maintenance costs severely limits our ability to install them. “Therefore, with the council facing unprecedented financial challenges, requests for new crossings will be very difficult to finance. However, this new policy will also now allow us to consider lower cost alternatives too, such as traffic islands that also make it easier and safer to cross busy roads.” ● Continued from page one The move came alongside confirma- tion that the existing market will now extend its opening hours to four days a week as the work to deliver its new home gathers pace. Traders asked Cheshire West Coun- cil to add Thursday openings ahead of the move to Barons Quay, extending opening hours to four days a week. This is in addition to the market’s current opening times on Tuesday, Fri- day and Saturday from 9am to 4pm. The council says plans for the mar- ket to move from Weaver Square to Barons Quay are taking shape, with the first architect visualisation published showing how the market could look in its new corner location, expected to open in winter 2025. A council statement accompanying the image said: “The new market will benefit from investment of around £1.8m with bespoke designed fixtures and facilities to provide a significantly improved experience for customers and traders whilst complementing the existing retailers, leisure and food and drink options already in Barons Quay. “The council is working with all the existing traders to offer space for them in the new market to provide continu- ity and bring in new traders to ensure the market can expand and thrive in its new location.” Andrea Leacy, owner of the Market Café, said: “We are really looking for- ward to moving to the new market in Barons Quay, this will enable our family business to move forward with longer trading hours and more footfall in a new location with improved mod- ern facilities.” Nathan Pardoe, council cabinet member for inclusive economy, regen- eration and digital transformation, said: “It is fantastic that existing mar- ket traders are supporting the plans to move Northwich Market to Barons Quay. “Ahead of the move, Northwich Market remains open for business, and I hope that people continue to support the traders in Weaver Square and make the most of the extended opening times. “It’s also a great opportunity for new traders to join the wonderful team in Northwich Market and establish their business.” The market is currently made up of 10 traders, including an award-win- ning lady’s boutique, wool and haber- dashery, pet foods, eggs, gifts, greeting cards, computer repairs, guitar tui- tion, school uniforms and workwear, a café plus an East Asian food stall opening this month. The council says that applications from new traders are welcomed, and full support and mentoring is on offer to help them get up and running. Con- tact markets@cheshirewestandches- ter.gov.uk for more information. New look market revealed Working to make young drivers safe POLICE in Cheshire have been reminding young drivers how to help themselves stay safe on the roads as part of a two-week national campaign. The force has been taking part in the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) ‘Operation Spotlight’ cam- paign focusing on the common causes of collisions involving young people. Overall, in 2023, almost 30 per cent of all collisions on the roads of Chesh- ire involved a young driver or rider, aged 16-29. In the first six months of 2024 there were 166 serious or fatal road collisions in Cheshire, with almost 24 per cent of these falling into the young driver category. Chief Inspector John Forshaw, from the force’s roads and crime unit, said: “Road traffic collisions in Cheshire are still a concern and something we are seeing and dealing with every day.  “With every serious and fatal col- lision, there is a family that is dev- astated by the loss or life changing injuries of a loved one. Keeping road users safe is a year-round priority of the constabulary.” Campaign: Police are engaging with young drivers (Photo credit: Cheshire Police)