Crewe Town

Tuesday, 9 February 2010

Cheshire East schoolboy scoops prize in national competition

Cheshire East schoolboy, nine-year-old Gavin Port, has scooped second prize in a national competition held during British Sausage Week.

Gavin, a pupil at Weston Primary School, in Crewe, was among 30,000 youngsters who entered the wordsearch competition for Key Stage 2 pupils (seven to 11-year-olds).

As part of last November’s British Sausage Week, two competitions were held: a colouring competition for Key Stage 1 children (five to seven-year-olds) and the wordsearch for the older youngsters. In total, 70,000 pupils entered both competitions.

As well as completing the wordsearch, Gavin also had to say why he liked sausages. His entry was: “I think sausages are magic because they are full of protein, they give you big muscles, they are healthy and good for you - mouth-watering sausages.”

Head of Cheshire East School Meals Service, Sharon Alldread, presented Gavin with his certificate, his Sausage Week medal and a £50 prize. He also won a £100 microscope for his school.

Cabinet member with responsibility for children and family services, Councillor Paul Findlow said: “We are all very proud of Gavin and indeed all of the children who took part. It’s great that one of our children took second prize.

“At Cheshire East, we take nutrition very seriously and all of our meats, including sausages, which are among the many foods served daily to our schoolchildren, meet the national Quality Standard.”

Public Invited to the Launch of Empower Card

“Giving People Power to Lead Independent Lives”

Broadcaster, Stuart Hall, one of Cheshire East’s most well-known residents - who recently turned 80 years old – will officially open the Unlocking the Future Exhibition next week. He will be showing his support for the revolutionary Empower Card – the first of its kind in the country that enables older people and those with disabilities the chance to lead more independent lives.

Unlocking the Future is a public exhibition that will take place at the Wychwood Park Hotel, Weston, near Crewe, CW2 5GP at 1pm on Monday, February 15th. This exhibition provides a one-stop shop for anyone involved in sourcing or delivering adult services in the public sector. Over 100 company representatives will be under the same roof to demonstrate their services and products – the Empower Card being one of the highlights.

Members of the public are being invited along to support the event and tap in to the many services on offer that cater for the needs of older people and those with disabilities. The public can also find out how the Empower Card can help adults who rely on social adult care within Cheshire East.

Thank You For Reporting Local Potholes

A recent request to report the locations of potholes, following the adverse period of winter weather, has proven a success, says Cheshire East Council.

The Authority has now received thousands of reports of potholes across the area.

Due to the large number of potholes, additional resources have been brought in to help with the repairs.

From January there has been a 100% increase in pothole reports for the same period last year, with a large amount of calls still being recorded daily.

The majority of the potholes have formed following the severe weather conditions experienced across Cheshire East in December and January. This has left roads exposed to ‘freeze-thaw’ damage. This is when water seeps into cracks in the road and is frozen. It then expands, causing the surface of the road to break up and in some cases cause potholes to form.

As a result of this, there are many potholes which have yet to be repaired. Resources are being diverted to deal with the most serious defects.

Cheshire East Council Head of Environmental Services, Phil Sherratt, said

“I would like to thank all those local residents who have taken the time to report potholes. There is no doubt the weather over the past two months has caused significant damage which will take many months and considerable resources to rectify.”

“I would urge local residents to remain vigilant and continue to report potholes.”
“Such are the number now logged in our system; we have to continually re-prioritise our works. Safety of our highway network is paramount and we will continue to do our utmost to react to resident’s requests.”

Local residents can report potholes to Cheshire East Council on 0845 002 0666 or online by going to cheshireeast.gov.uk

Monday, 8 February 2010

Queens Park Treasure

A nice little item for the past turned up at Queens Park thanks to Mrs Marjorie Taylor from Bedford Street.

Marjorie obtained this little treasure from Sam and Francis Buckingham’s clearance shop, once situated on Nantwich Road, some 35 years ago.

It’s a small handbag mirror depicting a picture of Queens Park Lodges and the Clock Tower. We don’t know what is was produced for or when and wonder if anyone else out there may have any information or anything similar? It’s likely there will be a memorabilia room in the Lodge once the refurbishment is completed; so dig out those small items of treasure for anything you may wish to donate.

Its believed that there were also medal given out at the park

If you have any objects contact

Elaine Dodd

Queens Park Manager

West Lodge, Queens Park,

Victoria Ave, Crewe CW2 7SE

Tel: 01270 537896

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First Time Buyers Cash-in on Re-launched Scheme

Childhood sweethearts, Bethany and Simon Matthews from Congleton, had been desperate to get on to the property ladder, when they came across a scheme that changed their lives.

Cheshire East Council’s Assisted Purchase Scheme – now re-launched - helps individuals and couples on low incomes buy an affordable property on the open market, with an interest free loan worth 25 per cent of the property value.

Already more than 400 people across Cheshire East have jumped at the chance to apply and get a leg on the housing ladder in these difficult times.

Self employed jewellery designer, Bethany, 23, and her husband, Simon, 25, a web and graphic designer, took advantage of the scheme last year and were able to buy a two-bedroom Victorian cottage close to Congleton Train Station for £110,000.

“We just couldn’t believe our luck,” said Bethany. “One minute we were considering renting and the next, we were moving into our new dream home.”

The scheme works by first assessing income to make sure applicants are eligible to buy a home worth a maximum of £180,000 and then they’re placed on a waiting list.

Together the couple qualified for the scheme as they were bringing in a total annual income of just under £30,000, were unable to afford their own home on the open market, and were working in Cheshire East.

Bethany and Simon had to prove they could afford to pay 75 per cent of the mortgage between them, with the remaining 25 per cent paid as an interest free loan through the scheme.

The couple, who married last July, were able to put down £10,000 of their own money, gleaned from savings and parents, and had no outstanding arrears on any previously rented properties, which is another stipulation of the scheme.

Their dream house had been on the market for some time for £165,000, but due to the dire housing market it had dropped to £119,000. The vendor accepted the couple’s reduced offer of £110,000 - and keys were exchanged just three months later.

“We were over the moon, absolutely delighted and we really couldn’t believe we were finally home owners, “said Bethany.

“The scheme was brilliant and really helped us all the way through the process, and staff were so kind and pleasant to us.”

In Bethany and Simon’s case the interest free loan through the scheme was £27,500 - representing 25 per cent of their property value - and their mortgage was £72,500, having already invested a £10,000 deposit.

The couple, who have been together for nine years now, say the scheme was easy to understand. They have never been happier, and are slowly improving the house as they go along.

With a fixed rate mortgage of 4.18 per cent over three years, they are confident their re-payments will remain affordable.

When it comes to paying back the scheme’s 25 per cent loan, the couple will pay back 25 per cent of the sale value, which means both parties will make a profit if the housing market picks up. The loan must be repaid within 10 years time.

So if Bethany and Simon’s home increases in value to £150,000 over the next two years and they chose to sell, the amount payable to the scheme would be £37,500, and the couple will have made in the region of around £30,000, plus any mortgage paid off.

“We just felt we would have been throwing money down the drain renting, and we were being messed about with our accommodation at the time. It all felt terribly insecure.

“Now we can settle down and start making the house our dream home and hopefully start a family, which the house is ideal for.”

Cheshire East Councillor, Jamie Macrae, Cabinet member for prosperity, said: “This is a unique scheme to the area and is all about giving residents in Cheshire East the chance to own a property.

“Cheshire East has invested £600,000 in to the scheme funded by our Regional Housing Allocation, and we are hoping to secure additional funding to enable more residents to take advantage of this wonderful offer.

“In these very difficult economic times, it is vital that this authority does everything in its power to assist first time buyers or those whose housing has become unsuitable.

“Hundreds of people have already applied to the Assisted Purchase Scheme, proof alone that many local residents are keen to get onto the property ladder or make a fresh start.”

• Application forms to join the scheme are available at the Cheshire East Council Housing Department.

Friday, 5 February 2010

MP's News Bulletin

Welcome ...

Welcome to this my thirty-ninth electronic news bulletin.

Remember, you can always contact me directly if you have any questions for me.

You can forward the bulletin on to your friends and family, who can sign up themselves by clicking here for my website.

Best wishes,

Edward Timpson
Member of Parliament for Crewe & Nantwich

I have recently ...

Met with Chief Superintendent of Cheshire Police regarding services in Crewe & Nantwich
Met with representatives from South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce, in Nantwich
Visited local business, Return On Investment Ltd. to meet staff, in Nantwich
Attended Royal British Legion 'Do Your Bit' campaign launch, in Parliament
Attended Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service parliamentary briefing
Met with National Federation of Roofing Contractors regarding members in Crewe & Nantwich
Attended Campaign for Real Ale reception, in Parliament
Attended North West Development Agency parliamentary briefing
Sat on Children, Schools & Families Bill Committee, in Parliament
Sat on Joint Committee on Human Rights, in Parliament
Asked Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs about the Single Payment Scheme of the Rural Payment Agency, in Parliament

This weekend I will be...holding a Community Street Stall in Crewe & attending Nantwich Town Council Service in Nantwich

Photos & Video ...

You can view all my photos and video at edwardtimpsonmp.com

I have recently...

Asked Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs about the Rural Payment Agency. view

Nantwich First Responder campaign wins two-year battle

Nantwichnews

Nantwich’s first responder service is to have its blue light reinstated.

It marks the end of a two-year battle by campaigners against North West Ambulance Service.

NWAS has confirmed Nantwich first responder Gavin Palin will be able to drive under a blue light again from next month.

He will also get extra training and there will be a new ambulance based in Nantwich to provide extra cover.

The decision to downgrade the first responder service two years ago sparked anger in the town.

Nantwich Town Cllr Bill McGinnis, MP Edward Timpson and residents who suffered from NWAS poor response times spearheaded the campaign.

Mr Timpson last week brought in a Bill to the House of Commons to force Ambulance Services to provide more accessible and localised reports of response times.

He said: “The Nantwich First Responders campaign has shown me how ambulance trusts need to be far more transparent.

“NWAS has admitted to me that local performance data can be provided at the touch of a button. We have already seen how that has helped us identify and resolve serious problems.”

Mr Palin thankedresidents for their support, especially Ann Ostridge for her 10,000 name petition.

NWAS chief executive Darren Hurrell said: “Nantwich people are passionate about the care they receive and in restoring Gavin’s ability to use blue lights, we recognise his unique and special skills.”

MP Timpson to run London Marathon for local charities

Nantwichnews

Nantwich MP Edward Timpson is to run the London Marathon again this year to help raise cash for local South Cheshire charities.

Mr Timpson raised more than £3,000 for projects in Crewe and Nantwich when he completed the event last year in a personal best of 3 hours 58 minutes 36 seconds.

“The feeling that you’ve achieved something is one that never tires with age,” he said.

This year he is raising money for two local charities – Home-Start Central Cheshire and Supported Community Business Special Needs.

Home-Start is a voluntary organisation that has been giving key support to families in Crewe and Nantwich for over a decade.

Supported Community Business Special Needs runs a workshop based on Crewe gates industrial estate which encourages people with special needs to explore the world of work and business.

To sponsor Mr Timpson’s marathon run visit www.edwardtimpsonmp.com/marathon

Campaigners win "battle of Nantwich" to restore first responders' emergency blue light

Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle

CAMPAIGNERS have won a two-year fight to reinstate the blue light first responder service in Nantwich – and have also secured extra ambulance cover.

North West Ambulance (NWAS) has confirmed Nantwich first responder Gavin Palin will be able to drive under a blue light again from next month and get extra training.

The decision to downgrade the first responder service two years ago sparked a massive outcry culminating in more than 1,000 Nantwich residents marching through the town in protest.

Among the campaigners were Cllr Bill McGinnis, MP Edward Timpson, resident Ann Ostridge and Rachael Broadhurst, whose husband Steve died in May 2008.

He lay critically injured in a road for 17 minutes awaiting an ambulance as NWAS did not call the first responders.

His family say that, while the outcome might not have been different, he deserved to be given the chance.

Edward Timpson said: “We’re delighted that, finally, NWAS has managed to see sense and take a pragmatic approach towards emergency responding in Nantwich. Our campaign has achieved real results for local people.”

Nantwich’s Cllr Bill McGinnis said: “We’re delighted and congratulate the new NWAS chief executive Darren Hurrell for the swift review and its speedy conclusion.”

First responder Gavin Palin thanked townsfolk for their support – especially Ann Ostridge for her 10,000 name petition. “The lobbying has been invaluable. It’s great the new chief exec has restored my blue light,” he said.

MP Stephen O’Brien said the move should improve the “terrible” response times in rural parts of his constituency, like Audlem.

NWAS chief Mr Hurrell said: “We’ve always taken this issue extremely seriously. Nantwich people are passionate about the care they receive and in restoring Gavin’s ability to use blue lights, we recognise his unique and special skills.”

As part of the deal, a new ambulance will be based in Nantwich and response times will be reviewed at quarterly meetings.

Royal Mail accused of lack of communication over Crewe jobs

Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle

ANGRY postal workers have blasted Royal Mail for the lack of communication over their jobs, even though the planned closure of Crewe sorting office is just months away.

Weston Road office staff are furious after the deadline for the decision on their futures was put off.

Steve Wright, branch secretary of the Communication Workers’ Union, said: “Royal Mail was supposed to have told us the decision at our one-to-one meetings on January 11, then it was January 18. We’re still waiting.

“It’s absolutely diabolical and an unethical way to treat people. They’ve had to suffer in limbo for over two years and they still don’t know any more than they knew at the beginning.”

Mail centre workers are still fighting to keep the Crewe site open.

Royal Mail plans to close the sorting office and transfer up to 600 jobs to Warrington.

Earlier this month Mr Wright and other union officials met Lord Young, the Minister for Postal Affairs, to discuss the situation.

Mr Wright said the switch would involve 490 cars commuting backwards and forwards – totting up millions of unnecessary miles in the process.

Last week Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson tabled an Early Day Motion in support of the Crewe workers. It has been signed by MPs from all the main parties.

It reads: “This House applauds the hard work and dedication of the 600 postal workers at the Crewe mail centre; deplores the inconsistent and disingenuous approach to changing their working conditions and location by Royal Mail; recognises the importance of the mail centre in Crewe as its second largest employer; and encourages Royal Mail to publish the results of its latest employee consultation exercise.”

Mr Timpson said: “This motion isn’t about postal politics, it’s about treating people and their families with the respect they deserve. Royal Mail has a lot to learn about fairness, and, ironically, communication.”

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “The transfer of work from Crewe to Warrington is integral to our £51m modernisation programme and vital if we’re to compete effectively in the months and years ahead.”

He added: “There’s a job for all those who want to remain working for Royal Mail and we continue to work with everyone affected to help them through the change.”

South Cheshire's politicians and a children's charity give their views on Sarah's Law

Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle (extract)

The Government is considering plans to extend Sarah’s Law across the country.

The scheme, which has been piloted in parts of England, allows parents to check whether child carers are convicted sex offenders.

Chronicle reporter Belinda Ryan spoke to local politicians, a children’s charity and a victim of child sex abuse about the scheme.

A children’s charity has welcomed the news Home Secretary Alan Johnson is considering rolling out Sarah’s Law sex offender checks across the country, saying the pilot scheme had already protected vulnerable youngsters.

Kidscape, set up 25 years ago to protect children and prevent bullying, says early indications from the scheme have been encouraging.

Under the new measures being considered for England and Wales, parents will be able to ask if a person with access to their child has sex convictions.

The move follows years of tireless campaigning by Sara Payne, whose eight-year-old daughter Sarah was kidnapped and murdered by a convicted sex offender in West Sussex in 2000.

Kidscape director Claude Knights said: “We do know upwards of 150 families used it during the pilot scheme and 10 to 15 children who might have been at risk have been saved. It is very, very encouraging.”

Mrs Knights said the scheme was considered very carefully to stop vigilantes taking the law into their own hands.

“A lot of good thinking has gone into it and that is why Kidscape supports it,” she said. “Any information -disclosed must be treated as confidential. Indeed, the police may take action against anyone who discloses this without their consent, which could include civil or criminal proceedings. This is not a nosey neighbour’s charter. It’s about protecting children.”

The pilot scheme formally ended in September and the final evaluation report is due back shortly. The Government will roll out the scheme nationally if it concludes the pilot has been a success.

Home Secretary Alan Johnson said: “Protecting children and families from sex offenders is one of my top priorities and the UK already has one of the most robust systems of managing sex offenders in the world. The development of this scheme is a major step forward in our ability to protect children from sex offenders.

“Early results are extremely encouraging and the pilot has provided crucial protection for children who might otherwise be at risk.

“We are still evaluating the results from the year-long pilot and are talking to the police and children’s charities before a final decision on rolling out the scheme is made shortly.”

Local politicians also appear supportive of the scheme – depending on the outcome of the evaluation.

Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson said: “I am very sympathetic to what the Home Office is trying to achieve and if the pilots have worked properly we would be happy to see the scheme extended.”

Words from Westminster

Edward Timpson, Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle

Last Friday I was out on the beat with the police in Crewe town centre, seeing first hand what officers have to cope with on a daily basis.

I want to put on record my thanks to the police officers who guided me through a busy and, at times, eye-opening evening. My experience prompted me to write this week a little about crime and policing.

Violent offences have risen sharply under this Government, with knife and gun crime higher than in 1997. Yet police officers spend 50 per cent more time on paperwork than they do out on patrol.

The Government’s obsession with bureaucratic targets and box-ticking has hindered the fight against crime. They have launched endless initiatives and top-down schemes which have made little difference.

The string of broken promises has undermined people’s trust. We can’t go on with the police filling in forms instead of fighting crime.

Our aim should be to restore responsibility and discretion to the police – getting them out of police stations and out onto the street fighting crime – while making them truly accountable to the people they serve.

I know the Conservatives will do that by giving people the power to elect an individual who will set the policing priorities for their community, and by providing detailed data about crime in their area.

By giving people robust information and real power, they will be able to force the police to focus on the crime that affects their communities.

Sunbed 'ban' backed

Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle

Local MP Edward Timpson is backing calls to protect children from sunbeds at a Cancer Research UK event in Parliament.

He’s given his support to a Private Member’s Bill to prevent under 18s from using sunbeds.

He was among dozens of MPs who heard how children raise their risk of skin cancer by using sunbeds – recently upgraded to a top class carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Using sunbeds on your skin can increase the risk of skin cancer by 75%

Mr Timpson said: “It’s shocking to see the statistics showing how damaging sunbeds are for children’s health – and how many under 18s are using them.”

Nantwich mail workers backed by MP's Early Day Motion

Nantwichnews

Workers at South Cheshire’s Royal Mail office have been backed by Nantwich MP Edward Timpson’s Early Day Motion.

Mr Timpson tabled the motion as the Mailcentre, on Weston Road, Crewe is threatened with closure by the Royal Mail.

More than 600 people, including many from Nantwich, work at the centre.

The Royal Mail recently carried out a 1-to-1 employee consultation exercise about relocating staff to Warrington.

Mr Timpson’s motion has been signed by MPs from all the main parties.

It reads: “This House applauds the hard work and dedication of the 600 postal workers at the Crewe Mailcentre; deplores the inconsistent and disingenuous approach to changing their working conditions and location by Royal Mail; recognises the importance of the Mailcentre in Crewe as its second largest employer; and encourages Royal Mail to publish the results of its latest employee consultation exercise.”

Mr Timpson added: “This motion isn’t about postal politics, much as the Government has utterly failed in that regard.

“It is about treating individual people and their families with the respect they deserve.

Crewe And Nantwich MP Edward Timpson Hits Out At Rising Council Tax Bills

Crewe and Nantwich Guardian

CREWE and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson expressed his concern this week at new figures which have revealed the soaring use of court orders and bailiffs to collect council tax.

He said that council tax bills have more than doubled across the country under Labour.

Liability orders allow councils to seize money from wage packets and benefits or commence bailiff proceedings.

The new statistics show that in Cheshire East bills have risen by 101% since 1997.

Some 1.4 million households had bailiffs knocking at their door for unpaid council tax last year – up nearly 70% since 1997.

The figures also reveal that that a record 3.1 million households are now in severe council tax difficulties and face liability orders for unpaidtax, including 34,811 in Cheshire.

Mr Timpson said: “Thanks to Gordon Brown doubling council tax bills, a record number of families in Crewe and Nantwich and across the country are struggling to make ends meet.

"More people now face the threat of menacing bailiffs knocking at their door.

“The fact that ministers have blocked a council tax freeze for England shows how out of touch Gordon Brown is with the plight of hard-working families and pensioners.

“Only a Conservative government will work with Cheshire East to help fund a council tax freeze and bring real help to low and middle income families.

Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson Introduces A New Bill In The House Of Commons

Crewe and Nantwich Guardian

SOUTH Cheshire MP Edward Timpson has brought in a Bill to the House of Commons to ensure people have better access to local ambulance response times.

This follows his successful joint campaign with Nantwich politicians and residents to achieve better ambulance services for the town and its surrounding villages.

Currently ambulance trusts are only required to give regional statistics for their performance, but Mr Timpson's Bill would require them to publish these statistics by postcode on the web.

This is as a result of very poor response times, uncovered by Mr Timpson through Freedom of Information requests, for places like Audlem, being masked by good response times in major urbean areas when an average is taken.

Identifying these gaps in service can help residents and ambulance trusts direct future ambulance services to better meet their needs, as with the new ambulance for the Nantwich area from March this year.

Mr Timpson said: “The Nantwich First Responders campaign has shown me how ambulance trusts need to be far more transparent, so that the public know how they are really performing in their area.

"NWAS has admitted to be that this local performance data can be provided at the touch of a button, and we have already seen how that has helped us identify and resolve serious problems.

"The rest of the country should now benefit from our experience in Nantwich."

Crewe and Nantwich MP introduces ambulance response Bill

Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle

CREWE and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson brought a Bill to the House of Commons “to introduce requirements for ambulance services to provide more accessible and localised reports of ambulance response times”.

This follows his successful joint campaign with Nantwich politicians and residents to achieve better ambulance services for Nantwich.

Currently ambulance trusts are only required to give regional statistics for their performance, but Mr Timpson’s Bill would require them to publish these statistics by postcode on the web.

The Conservative MP says this is as a result of very poor response times he uncovered through Freedom of Information requests, for places like Audlem, being masked by good response times in major urban areas when an average is taken.

Mr Timpson said: “The Nantwich First Responders campaign has shown me how ambulance trusts need to be far more transparent, so that the public know how they are really performing in their area.

“NWAS has admitted to me that this local performance data can be provided at the touch of a button, and we have already seen how that has helped us identify and resolve serious problems.

“The rest of the country should now benefit from our experience in Nantwich.”

Crewe And Nantwich MP Backs Local Mail Workers

Crewe and Nantwich Guardian

AN Early Day Motion in support of workers at Crewe mail centre has been tabled by Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson.

The sorting office on Weston Road, employs 600 local people, and is threatened with closure by the Royal Mail.

Mr Timpson said that the Government-owned company has refused to publish the results of a one-to-one employee consultation exercise about relocating staff to Warrington.

The Tory MP was keen to achieve cross party support for his motion, and it has been signed by MPs form all the main parties.

The motion reads: “This House applauds the hard work and dedication of the 600 postal workers at the Crewe Mail Centre.

“It deplores the inconsistent and disingenuous approach to changing their working conditions and location by Royal Mail; recognises the importance of the Mailcentre in Crewe as its second largest employer; and encourages Royal Mail to publish the results of its latest employee consultation exercise.”

Mr Timpson commented: “This motion isn't about postal politics, much as the Government has utterly failed in that regard.

“It is about treating individual people and their families with the respect they deserve.

"Royal Mail have a lot learn about fairness, and, ironically, communication."

5 ways to contact Edward Timpson

By email: timpsone@parliament.uk
On the web: edwardtimpsonmp.com
By phone: 01270 501 725
By post: 30 Victoria Street, Crewe CW1 2JE
In person: Click here to see surgery times

REPORT LOCAL POTHOLES SAY CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL

Cheshire East Council is urging local residents to report any potholes which may have appeared in the roads following the recent ice and snow.
The Authority say the recent severe weather conditions have left roads exposed to 'freeze-thaw' damage. This happens when water seeps into cracks in the road and is frozen. It then expands, causing the surface of the road to break up and in some cases cause potholes to form.
Residents are asked to report any defects on local roads, pavements or footways to the Authority so they can be repaired as soon as possible.
Cheshire East Council and its contractor BAM Nuttall, along with local award-winning partners 'Asphalt Re-lay', now use new technologies to repair potholes. An infra-red heat source, with additional materials is added to the pothole and compacted to provide a joint-free permanent patch.
The Authority deals with over 20,000 highway defects every year.
In anticipation of an increase in reports of potholes following the severe weather, five additional crews have been assigned to deal with repairs.
Cheshire East Council Leader, Wesley Fitzgerald, said:
"Wet weather conditions, combined with the freezing temperatures, destroys tarmac very quickly. The recent severe weather has resulted in the increased rate of deterioration of road surfaces.
"The Council is working hard to keep drivers safer by fixing the holes as quickly as possible. However, some ground is now waterlogged meaning repairs in these areas will not be possible at the current time. Temporary solutions will be used, where necessary, until the weather improves."
Cheshire East Council's Highway Asset Manager, Gary Mallin, said:
"This severe weather period which has lasted for almost four weeks, has inevitably had an effect on the road surface and we are already seeing an increase in the number and size of potholes from what we would expect over a normal winter period.
"We are encouraging residents to report potholes and other damage caused by the weather so that we can give our urgent attention to them. In the meantime, I would urge people to drive carefully on stretches of road where they know potholes have developed until we can get our resources out there to fix them."

Local residents can report potholes to Cheshire East Council on 0300 123 5500 or online by going to cheshireeast.gov.uk

CHESHIRE EAST TRADING STANDARDS WARNING

CHESHIRE EAST TRADING STANDARDS WARNING

Cheshire East Council would like to issue an urgent warning to all local residents.

We have received reports that individuals are telephoning residents, usually elderly people, promising Council Tax refunds.

The caller explains, wrongly, that if a person pays £90 for an information pack and gives their bank details they will be entitled to a refund.

These claims are false and we would ask anyone with concerns to contact Cheshire East Council.

Under no circumstances should a person disclose their bank details.

These incidents have been reported nationwide and local people are urged to be on their guard.

CHESHIRE EAST TAKES 'LOVE FOOD HATE WASTE' CAMPAIGN ON THE ROAD

Picture: Nigel Brown, celebrity chef.

Cheshire East Council is taking its 'Love Food Hate Waste' campaign on a spring roadshow later this month (26 February to 27 March).

Fronted by celebrity chef Nigel Brown, who owns his own cookery academy and is a star of Ready Steady Cook, the campaign will encourage local residents to make the most of the food they buy.

Nigel will complete quick-fire cooking demonstrations on how to make more of food that would usually be thrown away.

The roadshows will take place in Crewe, Nantwich, Macclesfield, Knutsford, Wilmslow, Congleton, Middlewich and Sandbach (locations are to be confirmed).

Phil Sherratt, Head of Environmental Services, said:

"So many of us don't realise just how much food we throw away on a weekly basis. Our roadshows will show people just how easy it is to cut food waste, simply by planning meals better, storing food more efficiently and being a little more creative with leftovers."

We throw away 8.3 million tonnes of food and drink in the UK every year. The average UK family could make a saving of £50 a month by cutting down on food waste

"Reducing the amount of food that we waste and therefore send to landfill will also have an environmental impact."

Nigel Brown added:

"A great deal of effort goes into producing and delivering our food and it's sad to think so much of it ends up in the bin. If I can help people really use everything they buy, they can reduce their weekly spend on groceries and eat healthy imaginative meals. It's what our mum's and grannies have been telling us for years, "waste not, want not", it's time we started listening and acting on their excellent advice."

For further information or for tips on how to enjoy food but reduce food waste please visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/cheshire.

Handy tips for reducing food waste:
" Cook a large dish and then divide into portions to freeze for another day, great for days when you will be busy or home late.
" Check what's at the back of your fridge and cupboards before shopping and keep an eye on 'Use by' and 'Best before' dates
" Buy your fruit and vegetables loose so you can buy exactly how much you need. This will also reduce packaging.
" Invest in storage containers and bag clips for resealing bags. After opening packets of dried foods such as cereals, rice, flour and pasta, reseal them tightly or transfer them into storage boxes or jars.
" Take time to plan your meals for the week ahead. You'll find it much easier when you are food shopping if you have your meals in mind.
" Packs of meat and fish can be separated into smaller pieces for the freezer so you can take out the right amount you need.
" Some food waste in inevitable, but items like peelings, egg shells and tea bags can be composted to create valuable home compost for your garden.

COUNCIL SIGN UP TO CLIMATE CHANGE CAMPAIGN

Reducing CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) emissions by 10% in 2010 is now the aim of Cheshire East Council.

The Authority has signed up voluntarily to the 10:10 Campaign, which raises awareness about action to reduce CO2 emissions.

The scheme is focusing on carbon reduction within the Authority's corporate buildings and the immediate action needed to avoid raising the levels of CO2 in our atmosphere.

The campaign was created by the producers of the film 'The Age of Stupid' which calls for urgent action on the issue of climate change by individuals and businesses.

Cheshire East Council has committed its support to the campaign to reduce the UK's carbon footprint by 34% before 2020.

Work is already underway to reduce the Authority's CO2 emissions with the installation of energy saving technologies across its premises.

For example;

" The Authority has provided £75,000 of funding for an 'Invest to Save' scheme to support energy-efficiency projects across Cheshire East. In October 2009, leisure centres in Macclesfield, Wilmslow and Congleton were fitted with automatic lighting controls in squash courts, changing rooms, dance/aerobic studios and main sports hall areas. It is estimated that over the next three years these low-cost improvements will reduce CO2 emissions by 18 tonnes.

" Macclesfield Town Hall has recently been fitted with new boiler controls and there are plans to replace lighting system within the building.

" 36 Cheshire East Council staff or 'Eco representatives' as they will be known, have offered to support the campaign in-house. Their task will be to promote the campaign proactively to their colleagues.

" 'Display Energy Certificates' have been placed in every Cheshire East Council building over 1,000 square metres in size. These advise staff and visitors on the building's annual energy rating and are a legal requirement.

Plans to achieve further savings are currently being drawn up. It is hoped that once the £75,000 investment is complete, it could result in a saving of over £100,000 over the next three years.

Cheshire East Councillor, Rod Menlove, Cabinet member with responsibility for the Environment said:

"Cheshire East Council is hoping to set a good example in tackling energy efficiency. This is proof of our commitment towards tackling climate change. The 10:10 Campaign aims to raise awareness about how we can best reduce CO2 emissions both in the short and long term. This Authority will now look to do all it can to support this effort."

Thursday, 4 February 2010

CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL ENCOURAGES LOCAL RESIDENTS TO BECOME A SPECIAL CONSTABLE

Brian Woodward, Specials Chief Inspector for Cheshire Constabulary and Cheshire East Councillor, Brian Silvester, Cabinet member with responsibility for Safer and Stronger Communities.

Cheshire East Council is supporting the latest recruitment campaign by Cheshire Police to find new Special Constables.

Leaflets containing information about up and coming recruitment seminars are now available to local residents and are on display in all Council buildings

As a volunteer, you will be trained to police and patrol your local area.

The role of a Special Constable is:

• To patrol the area for which you are responsible and work in partnership with the community and other agencies to ensure community safety and crime reduction.

• Prevent crime and disorder, maintain safe road conditions and to respond to calls from the public.

• Provide a highly visible police presence in order to encourage public confidence and reassurance.

Cheshire East Councillor, Brian Silvester, Cabinet member with responsibility for Safer and Stronger Communities said:

“I am pleased that the Police have responded positively to my idea of displaying leaflets in Council property encouraging local residents to become a Special Police Officer.

“Special Constables have proved to be a vital part of the policing process across Cheshire East. Having a visual police presence makes us all feel safer and more supported. Encouraging more local people to become 'Specials' is a cost effective way to get more 'Bobbies on the Beat', which is what the public want.

“I would urge anyone who has thought about becoming a volunteer to find out more by attending a recruitment seminar. It’s all about developing your own skills and making a difference to your community.”

Brian Woodward, Specials Chief Inspector for Cheshire Constabulary added:

“The timing of Councillor Silvester’s request was perfect as Cheshire Police had just produced a new information leaflet to support a National recruitment and training programme.

“The leaflets were originally distributed through Police help desks and at many of the recruitment events that we attend throughout the County. We are delighted that Cheshire East Council are supporting us in this distribution.

“Recruitment seminars are advertised on the Cheshire Police web site.”

Wednesday, 3 February 2010

Crewe & Nantwich News – Jan 2010

Arrest Leads to Attempt Murder Charge A 32 years old man has been charged with the attempted murder of another man in Crewe more than two years ago. He was interviewed by officers from Cheshire Police Eastern Area CID after being stopped by Police on the M6 in Cumbria. He was then charged; made a brief appearance at South Cheshire Magistrates Court, and was committed to Chester Crown Court. James McNally was stabbed several times when a group of men confronted him in August 2007. Another man has already been convicted of attempted murder in connection with the attack and is serving an eight year prison sentence.

Six Years for Drug Dealer A man arrested in a Police operation against drug dealing in Crewe was sentenced to six years in prison. He was in a car containing two hundred bags of heroin and cocaine when it was stopped by Police Officers. Sergeant John Ruggiero said, “The drugs, with a street value of about £2,000, were about to be distributed in the Crewe area. The sentence reflects the fact that courts, like Cheshire Police, regard drug dealing as a very serious offence.” Another man in the car was sent to prison for two years.

Cannabis Hauls Destroyed Cannabis plants which would have produced £180,000 worth of illegal drugs were destroyed in Police operations which closed two cannabis farms in East Cheshire. During the first operation, in Newfield Drive, Crewe, a man was arrested after jumping from an upstairs window and sustaining serious ankle injuries. More than 600 plants were found. In the second raid more than 500 plants were discovered in a commercial property in the centre of Congleton. A 15 years old Vietnamese boy was arrested in another part of the town centre.

Landlords Warned Police Officers repeated their warning to landlords following sentences on two Vietnamese men who ran a cannabis farm in Alsager. Detective Chief Inspector Darren Hebden said “These cannabis operations are driven by international organized criminal gangs. They rent a house or commercial property and do enormous damage converting the premises for cannabis production. Landlords need to know who is renting their property and what they are using it for.” The two men arrested in Alsager were each sentenced to 12 months in prison, followed by deportation.

Jail for Hoaxer A prison sentence for a Crewe man who made hoax emergency calls carried a clear message for people who misuse the 999 system. The man, aged 21, was sent to prison for 20 weeks after admitting five offences of wasting police team. Constable Paul Myatt, from Crewe Neighbourhood Policing Unit said, “Responding to these calls tied up the time of officers who would otherwise have been dealing with real emergencies elsewhere.” The man will serve an additional six weeks of a suspended prison sentence imposed last March for arson and making a hoax call.

Arrest Follows Collision A man was arrested a week after a road traffic collision near Nantwich on Christmas Eve which left a pedestrian with serious injuries. A 45 years old man from Shavington, was walking home along Newcastle Road, Willaston when he was struck by a car. Police Officers launched an appeal for information about the vehicle involved. The man who was later arrested is 24 and also lives in the Shavington area. He was released on bail while investigations proceed.

Medal Missing Police Officers have asked for help to trace burglars who stole a cup final medal from the family of the men who received it in 1948. The medal was presented to the Blackpool goalkeeper Joe Robinson after his team lost 4-2 to Manchester United in one of the greatest Wembley Finals. It was stolen in a burglary at his son’s home in Lower Withington, near Macclesfield. Constable Gary Turner said, “Joe was playing alongside Sir Stanley Matthews and Stan Mortenson in front of 100,000 fans. The medal commemorates one of the most significant events in his life. It is very important to his family. If anyone is offered this medal we would like to hear from them.” The medal has two footballers and a football on one side and, on the other, the words “The Football Association. Challenge Cup. Runners-Up. J Robinson. Blackpool FC 1947-48 .”

Friday, 29 January 2010

600 cannabis plants found in Crewe

More than 600 cannabis plants have been destroyed after being recovered from a house in Crewe.
Police Officers smashed their way into the three-bedroom semi detached house in Newfield Drive on Jan 26th.
Sergeant Andy Collier from Crewe neighbourhood Policing Unit said, “The plants were in the upstairs rooms which had been converted for cultivating cannabis with the usual irrigation systems and heaters. Rooms downstairs were in the process of being converted for the same type of use.
“As we went into the house a man jumped from an upstairs window and landed on concrete. He sustained quite serious injuries to his ankle and was taken to hospital. We will interview him later.
“We have identified and shut down a number of cannabis farms in Crewe in the past few months. Many of them, like this one, have been a substantial size. These closures prevent drugs going on to the streets and cut into the income of the organized criminal gangs who are often behind this type of operation.
“The cannabis farms we have found have been in various types of houses and in commercial buildings. Anyone who suspects that a property in their neighbourhood is being used for growing cannabis should contact us. We will follow up the information and take action wherever possible.”
Anyone with information or suspicions about cannabis farms should contact the Cheshire Police Information Line 0845 458 0000 or you can leave information anonymously on the Crimestoppers line 0800 555 111.

Signs to identify a building being used as a cannabis farm.
· A pungent and sweet smell on the street with no obvious source.
· Unusual levels of heat coming from a property.
· Unusual noises at odd times such as fans going constantly, or large items like sacks or drums being dragged around.
· Windows that are blacked out by heavy curtains or bin bags from the inside.
· Occupants who are rarely seen or seen at odd times
· The property seems unlived in or the residents are active at odd times of the day.
· Bulky items being taken into the property such as barrels and drums.
· The creation of new air vents or the use of industrial air vents in a domestic property

MP's News Bulletin

Welcome ...

Welcome to this my thirty-eighth electronic news bulletin.

Remember, you can always contact me directly if you have any questions for me.

You can forward the bulletin on to your friends and family, who can sign up themselves by clicking here for my website.

Best wishes,

Edward Timpson
Member of Parliament for Crewe & Nantwich

I have recently ...

Launched British Heart Foundation 'Love Notes' Campaign, in Crewe
Met with local business, Energy Communications, in Crewe
Held constituency surgery, in Crewe
Patrolled with Cheshire Police in Crewe town centre
Visited Hungerford Primary School, in Crewe
Spoken at South Cheshire Harriers annual awards dinner, in Crewe
Met with North West Ambulance Service regarding emergency first-responders, in Nantwich
Met with 4Children regarding children & families in United Kingdom, in Parliament
Met with InsightPA regarding social care provision, in Parliament
Hosted North West Rail Campaign Parliamentary dinner, in Parliament
Introduced Private Member's Ten Minute Rule Bill, 'Ambulance Response Times, Local Reporting', in Parliament
Sat on Children, Schools & Families Bill Committee, in Parliament
Sat on Children, Schools & Families Select Committee, in Parliament
Asked Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government about the Government's proposed council tax revaluation, in Parliament
Spoken in debate on Royal Mail Industrial Relations regarding mail staff in Crewe & Nantwich, in Parliament

Photos & Video ...

You can view all my photos and video at edwardtimpsonmp.com

I have recently...

Introduced Private Member's Ten Minute Rule Bill, 'Ambulance Response Times, Local Reporting'. view
Asked Secretary of State for Communites & Local Government about the Government's proposed council tax revaluation. view
Spoken in debate on Royal Mail Industrial Relations regarding mail staff in Crewe & Nantwich. view

Anger at Crewe tax office closure

Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle

UNION bosses have accused the Government of ‘betraying’ workers following the announcement Crewe tax office is to close in March next year with a loss of 22 jobs.

Treasury Secretary Stephen Timms has just confirmed in a letter to Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson that only 30 of the 52 staff working in the Oak Street office have been redeployed – leaving 22 facing life on the dole.

Colette Smith, the West Cheshire branch secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union, said this week: “Management said they’d help our members in find jobs in other government departments – but in reality there are no jobs available locally.

“Many of the staff in Crewe have given 20 to 30 years of committed service to the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and that commitment has been betrayed.”

The 22 staff affected are unwilling or unable to be redeployed as they live outside what is considered a reasonable daily commute. Ms Smith said: “There are people who cycle to work who don’t have cars. We have a woman whose husband drops her off but he can’t drop her off in Stoke before going to his own job in Manchester.”

She added many of the workers were carers or mothers with young children who needed to work near their homes.

Workers at Crewe have fought a lengthy campaign backed by Mr Timpson to stop the closure of the Crewe office.

Mr Timpson accused the Government of showing a complete disregard for the Crewe workers and said they were also removing a valuable local service.

“We’ve become quite famous in the Treasury for our campaign against closure, staving off the decision for 20 months and resulting in them sending not one but two very senior officials to bear the bad news,” said Mr Timpson.

“My sympathy goes to those who have enjoyed long careers at Crewe tax office, only to have them spoiled by unnecessary relocation to Hanley or voluntary redundancy.”

Joan Patrick, of Gainsborough Road, who had just received help with her tax at the Crewe office, told the Chronicle as she left: “I think it’s a terrible shame it’s going.

“The staff in there have been wonderful and helped me.”

James Duddridge backing Parliamentary bill on ambulance times

SouthEnd Echo

AN MP is supporting a Bill calling for more localised reporting of ambulance response times.

James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East, is backing the Bill put forward yesterday by Edward Timpson MP to introduce requirements for ambulance services to provide more accessible and localised reports of their response times.

Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson is loud and clear over bowel cancer screening

Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle

CREWE and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson is helping to raise awareness about bowel cancer.

Mr Timpson met representatives of Beating Bowel Cancer at its annual Be Loud Be Clear reception.

Bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer. Of the 100 people diagnosed every day, almost half will die from the condition. But more than 90% of cases can be treated successfully if diagnosed early enough.

All people aged 60-69 in England are invited for screening every two years through the NHS bowel cancer screening programme. Yet in Crewe and Nantwich only 57% of people have taken part in screening.

Mr Timpson said: ‘I was pleased to learn today that 767,034 people in the Midlands and North West screening hub have taken part in bowel cancer screening to date.

“However, too many people are still dying from this curable disease. If 77% of people in the Midlands and North West screening hub took part in bowel cancer screening in the next two years 1,796 cancers could be detected. That is why I am being loud about the importance of screening to ensure that people in Crewe and Nantwich stay clear of bowel cancer.”

Hilary Whittaker, chief executive of Beating Bowel Cancer, said: “We are delighted that Edward Timpson is supporting Beating Bowel Cancer’s call to action on screening.

“While significant improvements have been made since the start of the programme, we know more lives could be saved if participation in screening increased.

“That is why Beating Bowel Cancer is calling for policymakers and the NHS to commit to ensuring one million additional people are screened by 2012 and urges the Government to extend the age range for screening in England to those in their 50s so that more people at risk of bowel cancer have the opportunity to be screened for, and beat the disease.”

Letter from Nantwich MP Edward Timpson

Edward Timpson, The Holly Holy Day Society

When I became MP for Crewe and Nantwich one part of the job that I was looking forward to most was the chance to represent people that I know to be rightly proud of their area and its traditions. One of the most memorable and impressive displays of this came when my wife and I had a great time at last year's Holly Holy Day and the re-enactment of the 1644 Battle of Nantwich. And since then I was kindly invited to become a patron of the event, which of course, I was delighted to accept.

Since the revival of Holly Holy Day in 1972, it has become much more than just a recreation of that famous battle. It is now a day not just for local people to enjoy, but also for people from across Cheshire and the UK to come to Nantwich, and see what all the fuss is about.

From what I can tell 2010's Holly Holy Day promises to be even bigger and better than last year, with a market, various performances and street entertainers spread across the town, as well as a safe area dedicated to children. It should be another fantastic day.

And not only is it an excuse to have a day out and celebrate a bit of our shared history, it will also hopefully provide a welcome boost to businesses in the area, who might otherwise be suffering from the post-Christmas slump.

The organisers have told me that this year they are particularly keen to expand the event, in an effort to attract as many visitors as possible, and really put Nantwich and Holly Holy Day on the map. And finally- just a word to say a big 'Thank You' to the Holly Holy Day Society, the Sealed Knot and to all the other volunteers whose hard work makes all the festivities possible, and to all the people of Nantwich and the local councils and businesses for supporting them.

Kevin wins progress award

Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle

EX-WORLD champion boxer John Conteh and local MP Edward Timpson were among the the VIPs at a celebratory charity dinner at Haslington Cricket Club.

The boxer and the MP are both patrons of Supported Community Business, a therapeutic workshop based on Crewe Gates Industrial Estate for people with learning difficulties who wish to explore the world of work in a safe and controlled environment.

The trainees carry out real work tasks for local businesses, ranging from mail shots to packing components for flat packs, enabling them to experience work first-hand while gaining confidence and life skills.

The highlight of the evening, attended by most trainees, was the presentation of this year’s David Hough Trophy.

It was awarded to Kevin Schofield, the trainee judged to have made the most significant progress over the past 12 months.

Christine Hough and Paul Edwards received certificates of merit in recognition of personal goals they had achieved during the past year.

All three winners were delighted their progress has been recognised in an official way.

MP in talks on adoption

Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle

Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson was on a panel discussing fostering and care at the Royal Society of Arts in London last week.

The talks were part of Barnardo’s ‘Counting the Cost of Care’ conference, addressing obstacles to fostering and adoption in the UK.

The charity says that80% of people have never even considered fostering – contributing to a national shortage of 10,000 foster carers.

Before becoming an MP in 2008, Mr Timpson was a barrister specialising in family law and his family has fostered more than 80 children.

Crewe-based Fujitsu workers strike in row over jobs and pay

Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle

WORKERS at Crewe- based Fujitsu are to strike again this week in a row over jobs, pay and pensions.

Staff at the Crewe site of the technology giant, who took part in strike action on Friday, are expected to walk out again this Friday.

Further strike action is also earmarked for next month.

Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson visited staff at the Crewe Business Park site last week after being contacted by the unions.

He has also signed a motion in Parliament calling for a dialogue to be established between Fujitsu's management and the Unite union.

Speaking after his visit Mr Timpson said: “The staff here are all highly trained and work very hard, as seen by the fact that Fujitsu Services’ profits more than doubled last year. The workers here have told me their concerns and Fujitsu needs to sit down with them and negotiate to resolve this dispute and avoid further strike action.”

Last year Fujitsu announced it was to lay off 1,200 employees.

This number has now reduced.

Unite says about 70 UK workers are now at risk of compulsory redundancy.

Union bosses say a pay freeze imposed earlier this year and plans by the company to close the main final salary pension scheme to future accrual, reduce the total pay package of each affected employee by around 20%.

Fujitsu employs 260 workers at Crewe.

Peter Skyte, Unite national officer for IT and communications, said: “We still believe this dispute can only be resolved by Fujitsu sitting down with us to address the issues of jobs, pay and pensions.”

NHS data hides real picture, says MP

Civil Service Network

The NHS should publish detailed data to show the wide variation in ambulance response times, an MP has said.

Conservative backbencher Edward Timpson, MP for Crewe and Nantwich, said the data nationally published gave patients no real indication of how long they might wait for the emergency service.

Department of Health (DH) targets dictate that ambulance trusts must reach 75 per cent of serious call-outs within eight minutes.

Timpson told the Commons on Tuesday that the NHS in his own area, the North West, had managed 74.3 per cent of scores, but that hid the fact that ambulances were only meet the target time for 14.3 per cent of calls in some postcode areas.

The MP, who was introducing a bill demanding local reporting of response times, said such a low figure was "unacceptable", even in rural areas.

He also said more detailed data was available "at the push of a button", but was currently only published in response to freedom of information requests.

"What I hope my Bill will do is to begin to address the absence of proper local accountability that exists across the ambulance service, and in doing so help to improve the outcomes for patients wherever they may happen to live," he said.

Although Timpson's bill will not make into law due to lack of parliamentary time, it does have cross-party support.

A DH spokesman said the department has no plans to change the level at which ambulance data is collected. "The department regularly reviews the level of data that it collects to ensure that it is able to adequately monitor NHS performance without placing an unreasonable burden of reporting on the NHS," he said.

""It is a matter for the local NHS to ensure there is appropriate provision of emergency services that are responsive to people's needs.

"Many local NHS services already look at localised performance data, but whether and how they do this is up to each trust to decide.

"The Department of Health only collects national data at ambulance trust level. SHAs and PCTs have the responsibility for ensuring that national response time standards are delivered and maintained by trusts."

MP highlights worrying bowel screening figures for Nantwich

Nantwichnews

Only 57% of people aged 60-69 in Nantwich and Crewe have had bowel cancer screening since it became available on the NHS, figures show.

Everyone aged 60-69 is entitled to take part in the NHS bowel cancer screening programme every two years.

Nantwich MP Edward Timpson recently met with the charity Beating Bowel Cancer at their annual ‘BE LOUD BE CLEAR’ reception at the House of Commons.

The charity aims to highlight the importance of screening and hopes to screen one million additional people in the UK over the next two years, which could save more than 2,000 lives through early diagnosis.

Bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer. Of the 100 people diagnosed with bowel cancer every day, almost half will die from the condition. Yet over 90% of cases can be treated successfully if diagnosed early enough.

Mr Timpson said: “I was pleased to learn today that 767,034 people in the Midlands and North West screening hub have taken part in bowel cancer screening to date. However, too many people are still dying from this curable disease.”

And Hilary Whittaker, Chief Executive of Beating Bowel Cancer, said: “Whilst significant improvements have been made since the start of the programme, we know more lives could be saved if participation in screening increased.”

Ambulance response times 'should be published'

ePolitix

Data on local ambulance response times should be published, according to a Tory MP.

Introducing a ten-minute rule motion in the Commons this afternoon, Edward Timpson (Con, Crewe and Nantwich) said his Ambulance Response Times (Local Reporting) Bill would require ambulance services to provide more "accessible and localised" reports of ambulance response times.

He told MPs that regional ratings were "distorting and disguising enormous variations within a region" as smaller localities within larger areas could be neglected.

The MP, who took the traditionally Labour seat in a by-election in April 2008, said because of this the public has no meaningful way of establishing how their local service is performing.

Timpson said he had managed to acquire figures only through submitting a freedom of information request.

But the data was available on ambulance service computers at the "push of a button" so should be published as a matter of course.

And he hoped his Bill would begin to address the absence of "proper local accountabilities" in the ambulance service.

Fujitsu strikes to escalate

Socialist Worker

Fujitsu workers are escalating their fight for jobs, pay and pensions with five more days of strike action set to take place.

More than 1,450 Unite union members at the IT company struck solidly for the seventh day on Friday of last week.

They are angry at plans to make workers redundant, the imposition of a pay freeze and management’s desire to close the final salary pension scheme.

The compulsory redundancies are to take effect from Sunday, so there is an urgent need for other groups of workers to back this fight.

The attacks are coming from a profitable company.

Action

Fujitsu staff in Northern Ireland struck on Tuesday of this week, while those in England, Scotland and Wales were to take action on Wednesday.

They were to lobby their MPs in parliament on the day.

The union has four more days of strikes – on Friday of this week, Monday and Friday of next week, and Monday 8 February.

Pressure is being stepped up on the company in other ways.

Twenty two MPs have signed an early day motion supporting the workers. Unite sponsors over 160 Labour MPs.

Strikers received their first visit from an MP last week.

Incredibly, the MP in question was Edward Timpson, the Tory MP for Crewe & Nantwich.

Many are wondering why Labour MPs haven’t visited picket lines.

The union last week fought off an attempt by Fujitsu to force it to withdraw the notice of action on a legal technicality.

Workers are demanding that Fujitsu negotiates properly with Unite.

They are determined to keep up their fight until a deal, acceptable to members, is reached.

Alan Jenney, a Unite rep in Crewe, said, “The strike is gathering pace. We had the largest number of people picketing yet on Friday of last week, with 24 members outside the building.

“People feel that the company has not really responded to us.

“We could do with a bit more publicity from the national side of things.

“Edward Timpson MP attended our picket line on Friday to get the views of members on the dispute.

“In some ways that’s surprising, but it’s a shame that that the local Labour candidate hasn’t been down to talk to us.”

Profitable

John Garvani, a Unite rep in Wakefield, said, “The strike has opened a lot of people’s eyes. They see a profitable company that is not negotiating with the union about the issues behind the dispute.

“The next few days have an extra importance as the remaining compulsory redundancies take effect on 31 January.

“There are less than 100 people at risk from this now, and you would think that a company with 11,500 staff could absorb that number of people.

“It’s not as if we’re short of work for people to do.

“The strike is having an effect on the company. In Wakefield some of the desks for customers are being staffed by a small amount of people on strike days.

“This will be having an effect on the major high street retailers we do work for.”

Unite needs to make this dispute, which is about issues that matter to millions of workers, a key priority for the union.

It should also be putting pressure on its sponsored MPs to support the early day motion and the workers’ fight.

Fujitsu workers are planning campaign and solidarity meetings around the country on 8 February, which should be a key date in trade unionists’ diaries.

James supports bill calling for more localised reporting of ambulance response times

Politics.co.uk

James Duddridge, Member of Parliament for Rochford and Southend East, is today supporting a Bill put forward by Edward Timpson MP to introduce requirements for Ambulance Services to provide more accessible and localised reports of ambulance response times.

Regional Ambulance Authorities currently publish Ambulance Response times for the entire region but not on a local level.

James said:

“I am very pleased to be supporting this bill today. Regional ambulance authorities currently collect response times at a local level, but it is not published. The East of England Ambulance Trust may have met their targets for response times in most months, but these figures do not tell the full story.”

“It is clear to me that rural areas, like Foulness, are likely to have a longer response time than for an emergency call out in central Southend. I have written to the East of England Ambulance Trust asking for a breakdown of ambulance response times in Rochford and Southend by postcode, in order to fully assess the response times of ambulances in our local area.”

Crewe MP Meets Fujitsu Workers

Crewe and Nantwich Guardian

WORKER'S at Crewe's technology giant Fujitsu had the opportunity to air their grievances to local MP Edward Timpson last week.

On Friday Mr Timpson paid staff a visit at their site at Crewe Business Park, which employs around 300 people, after he was contacted by union bosses.

Last year Fujitsu announced that it was to lay off 1,200 employees, although this number has since been reduced.

Despite this staff have since taken industrial action over grievances involving redundancies, pay cuts and changes to their pension plans.

Mr Timpson has also signed a motion in Parliament calling for a dialogue to be established between Fujitsu's management and the Unite union.

Speaking after his visit Mr Timpson said: "The staff here are all highly trained and work very hard, as seen by the fact that Fujitsu Services' profits more than doubled last year.

"The workers here have told me their concerns, and Fujitsu needs to sit down with them and negotiate to resolve this dispute and avoid further strike action."

Radical Plans To Fight Crime

Crewe and Nantwich Guardian

CREWE and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson has strongly endorsed radical new plans to tackle crime and restore confidence in Britain’s ‘broken’ criminal justice system.

He said the importance of the new Conservative plans is underlined by analysis revealing that there were 1,693 violent attacks on people across Crewe and Nantwich in the last year.

This represents a rise of 148% per cent in the last decade.

But Mr Timpson said the new plans will give Crewe and Nantwich citizens greater protection if they have to defend themselves against intruders in their homes, or if they stop a crime being committed in the street.

He said: “We will give new powers to Cheshire East Council to fight booze-fuelled antisocial behaviour and stop supermarkets selling alcohol at below cost-price which is destroying law-abiding local pubs and fuelling low-level crime."

He also says his party will publish detailed street-by-street crime statistics online every month, in an open and standardised format, so people know the real level of crime in their neighbourhood.

Mr Timpson added: “Over the last decade the Government has launched endless initiatives and top-down schemes which have made little difference.

"Their broken promises have undermined people’s trust.

"We can’t go on with the police filling in forms instead of fighting crime.

“Our hard-working police officers deserve the highest praise.

"But many people across South Cheshire are hugely frustrated with our criminal justice system.

"They feel that it’s just not on their side anymore.

“These major proposals will help put the law back on the side of local people in Crewe and Nantwich and give our police the full support they so richly deserve.”

MP Backs Cancer Screening Event

Crewe and Nantwich Guardian

CREWE and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson last week met with representatives from the charity Beating Bowel Cancer, at their annual Be Loud Be Clear reception.

The event, at the House of Commons, aimed to raise awareness of early screening for bowel cancer, the UK’s second biggest cancer killer.

Mr Timpson said: “I was pleased to learn today that 767,034 people in the Midlands and North West screening hub have taken part in bowel cancer screening to date.

"However, too many people are still dying from this curable disease.”

Hilary Whittaker, chief executive of Beating Bowel Cancer, added: “We are delighted that Edward Timpson is supporting Beating Bowel Cancer’s call to action on screening.

"Whilst significant improvements have been made since the start of the programme, we know more lives could be saved if participation in screening increased.”

Haslington Charity Evening

Crewe and Nantwich Guardian

PATRONS of a South Cheshire charity John Conteh and Edward Timpson MP have joined trainees, staff and guests for a four course celebratory meal at Haslington Cricket Club. Supported Community Business is a therapeutic workshop, based on Crewe Gates Industrial Estate.

It was created to help people with learning difficulties who wish to explore the world of work in a safe and controlled environment. The trainees carry out real work tasks for local businesses, ranging from mail shots to packing components for flat packs, enabling them to experience work first hand whilst gaining confidence and life skills.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of this year’s David Hough Trophy, which was awarded to Kevin Schofield, the trainee judged to have made the most significant progress over the past 12 months. Christine Hough and Paul Edwards received certificates of merit in recognition of personal goals they had achieved during the past year.

Crewe and Nantwich MP says Tories 'will fix broken criminal justice system'

Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle

CREWE and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson has strongly endorsed radical new plans set out in the Conservatives’ draft election manifesto to tackle crime and to restore confidence in Britain’s ‘broken’ criminal justice system.

He says their importance is underlined by new analysis which reveals there were 1,693 violent attacks on people across the constituency last year, a rise of 148% per cent in the last decade.

Mr Timpson says the new plans will give people greater protection if they have to defend themselves against intruders in their homes, or if they stop a crime being committed in the street.

“We’ll give new powers to Cheshire East Council to fight booze-fuelled anti-social behaviour and stop supermarkets selling alcohol at below cost-price which is destroying local pubs and fuelling low-level crime,” he said.

He says his party will also publish detailed street-by-street crime statistics online every month so people know the real level of crime in their neighbourhood.

He says: “Over the last decade, this Government has launched endless initiatives which have made little difference. Their broken promises have undermined people’s trust. We can’t go on with the police filling in forms instead of fighting crime.

But the MP reserved praise for the area’s police officers, saying: “Our hard-working police officers deserve the highest praise. But many people across South Cheshire are hugely frustrated with our criminal justice system. They feel that it’s just not on their side anymore.

“These major proposals will help put the law back on the side of local people in Crewe and Nantwich and give our police the full support they so richly deserve.”

Nantwich MP meets Cheshire Fujitsu staff over job fears

Nantwichnews

South Cheshire workers of technology giant Fujitsu aired their grievances to Crewe & Nantwich MP Edward Timpson.

The MP visited staff at their Crewe Business Park office, which employs around 300 people, after he was contacted by unions.

Last year Fujitsu announced it was to lay off 1,200 staff, although this number has since been reduced.

Despite this, staff have taken industrial action over grievances involving redundancies, pay cuts and changes to their pension plans.

Mr Timpson has also signed a motion in Parliament calling for a dialogue to be established between Fujitsu’s management and the Unite union.

Mr Timpson said: “The staff here are all highly trained and work very hard, as seen by the fact that Fujitsu Services’ profits more than doubled last year.

“The workers here have told me their concerns, and Fujitsu needs to sit down with them and negotiate to resolve this dispute and avoid further strike action.”

38th "Battle of Nantwich" wows thousands of visitors

Nantwichnews

Thousands of people watched on as the 38th Battle of Nantwich Holly Holy Day took over the town.

The annual event, which this year was free to spectators, saw members of The Sealed Knot re-enact the great Civil War battle.

Mayor of Nantwich Cllr Edith Williams and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson and his family were also present.

Spectator Jonathan White, who took these photos, said: “It was a little muddy in parts, but a very well organised and well attended event.”

5 ways to contact Edward Timpson

By email: timpsone@parliament.uk
On the web: edwardtimpsonmp.com
By phone: 01270 501 725
By post: 30 Victoria Street, Crewe CW1 2JE
In person: Click here to see surgery times

Thursday, 28 January 2010

Message from Cllr. Brian Silvester

Now that the snow has melted and it seems like the worst of the cold spell is over I would like to record my thanks to the Cheshire East Council staff and the local emergency services for the excellent way they reacted to the worst cold spell for almost 30 years. Staff worked literally around the clock to keep the main roads open, to keep the vulnerable members of our community safe and to maintain the waste collection service . Many Council employees went well beyond the call of duty and I would like to say 'thank you' to them. I am sure their wonderful efforts have been appreciated by all local residents. We have many unsung heroes in our community and these workers were certainly heroes during the recent freezing weather.

Yours faithfully,

Cllr. Brian Silvester

Rope Ward

We are very pleased that an extensive refurbishment and fencing of the Parish Council's children`s play area on the Wybunbury Road playing field in Willaston has now been completed. New items of equipment installed include an All Ability roundabout, a Pendulum Swing suitable for use by disabled children, and an exciting SMP climbing unit, together with new safety surfacing. The play area is now of a standard fit for a new generation of children in the village and is safer to use because of the new fencing.

The Parish Council has been working on this project for over 12 months and it has finally been made possible thanks to a generous £30,000 grant contributions from Cheshire East Council and a grant from the Waste Recycling Group (WRG) administered by the Environmental Body WREN. We would like to thank the Parish Council for bringing this worthwhile project to fruition and the Cheshire East Council and WREN for helping to fund it.

Yours faithfully,

Cllr. Margaret Simon

Cllr Brian Silvester

Cllr.Ray Westwood

Rope Ward Cheshire East Councillors.

Cheshire East Pauses To Commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day

Commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day are (left to right) Tania Nelson, daughter of a holocaust survivor, Helen Oakes of Wilmslow High School, John Weeks, Strategic Director of People for Cheshire East Council, Cheshire East Mayor Margaret Simon, Catherine Howard of Wilmslow High School and Jack Aizenberg, camp survivor.

A Holocaust survivor joined people from across Cheshire East to remember and reflect upon some of the most terrible events in recorded history.

Cheshire East Council invited Jack Aizenberg to be a guest speaker at the event to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day on the 65th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Pupils and teachers from local schools joined members of community groups from across the area for the event at Macclesfield Town Hall.

Mr Aizenberg described his harrowing experiences at Buchenwald and Theresienstadt camps and how he was among only 60 inmates from 600 to survive a death march.

He was liberated in May 1945 but lost his mother, father and brother in the atrocities.

Guests heard next from Tania Nelson, daughter of camp survivor Mendel Beale, who recounted her father’s imprisonment at Gerlitz and Auschwitz.

Catherine Howard, Religious Studies Teacher at Wilmslow High School, recalled her visit to Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, the world centre for research, education and commemoration of the Holocaust.

Wilmslow High School pupil Helen Oakes gave her experiences of a recent visit to Auschwitz.

The event featured choir performances from pupils from North Cheshire Jewish Primary School and Ash Grove Primary School and music from All Hallows Catholic College.

Cheshire East Mayor Margaret Simon said: “Very sadly, the evils that created the Holocaust have not entirely passed away with history.

“The tragedies of Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda and Darfur show that the international community – and each of us as citizens – have still to understand and apply the lessons of the atrocities of 65 years ago.

“The experiences of the survivors were terrible to listen to but it is vitally important for people to understand what happened in the Holocaust, so that they can prevent the same terrible things ever happening again.

“We must all share the difficult responsibility for getting that message across.”

The commemoration was based around the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust’s 2010 theme of ‘A Legacy of Hope’.

Karen Pollock, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: “This year’s theme ‘The Legacy of Hope’ highlights the importance of bearing witness to Holocaust Survivors.

“At the Holocaust Educational Trust, we endeavour to impart the history of the Holocaust to young people, across all communities, to ensure that we honour the memory of those whose lives were lost and take forward the lessons taught by those who survived.”

First Bridge back at Queens park

The first bridge is back at the Park. It was on site at 10 am and after adjustments to the crane. it was lifted in place by 1:30. It was a lot bigger than we first thought

For a full report read the news on the Queens Park Site

Tuesday, 9 February 2010

Monday, 8 February 2010

Friday, 5 February 2010

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Nantwich First Responder campaign wins two-year battle

MP Timpson to run London Marathon for local charities

Campaigners win "battle of Nantwich" to restore first responders' emergency blue light

Royal Mail accused of lack of communication over Crewe jobs

South Cheshire's politicians and a children's charity give their views on Sarah's Law

Words from Westminster

Sunbed 'ban' backed

Nantwich mail workers backed by MP's Early Day Motion

Crewe And Nantwich MP Edward Timpson Hits Out At Rising Council Tax Bills

Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson Introduces A New Bill In The House Of Commons

Crewe and Nantwich MP introduces ambulance response Bill

Crewe And Nantwich MP Backs Local Mail Workers

5 ways to contact Edward Timpson

Thursday, 4 February 2010

Wednesday, 3 February 2010

Friday, 29 January 2010

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Anger at Crewe tax office closure

James Duddridge backing Parliamentary bill on ambulance times

Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson is loud and clear over bowel cancer screening

Letter from Nantwich MP Edward Timpson

Kevin wins progress award

MP in talks on adoption

Crewe-based Fujitsu workers strike in row over jobs and pay

NHS data hides real picture, says MP

MP highlights worrying bowel screening figures for Nantwich

Ambulance response times 'should be published'

Fujitsu strikes to escalate

James supports bill calling for more localised reporting of ambulance response times

Crewe MP Meets Fujitsu Workers

Radical Plans To Fight Crime

MP Backs Cancer Screening Event

Haslington Charity Evening

Crewe and Nantwich MP says Tories 'will fix broken criminal justice system'

Nantwich MP meets Cheshire Fujitsu staff over job fears

38th "Battle of Nantwich" wows thousands of visitors

5 ways to contact Edward Timpson

Thursday, 28 January 2010

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