Stapeley Parish Council is to plough thousands of taxpayers’ pounds into the battle with Muller Property.

Muller’s planning application for the first phase of a 1,100-home “Nantwich South” village on land off Peter De Stapleigh Way was rejected by Cheshire East Council.

But the developers are appealing against that decision which is currently being investigated by the Planning Inspectorate.

And it could involve a public inquiry being held later this year.

Members of the public attended an extraordinary meeting of Stapeley Parish Council on June 13 and agreed to engage the services of Hindhaugh Associates Ltd.

The council will be represented by a barrister at the inquiry which will cost around £12,000.

“It is hoped that residents will consider this to be a good use of public money,” said a council spokeswoman.

Cllr Andrew Martin, Cheshire East councillor for Nantwich South & Stapeley, said: “This development has caused a significant amount of local upset.

“It shows that the Parish Council is taking matters very seriously in their attempt to stop this proposal.”

Muller Property’s other application to build an access road into the proposed site is set to be heard by Cheshire East’s Strategic Planning Board this week.

A decision on the access road was deferred from April 3 after it emerged several mature trees which were key to the access route were mysteriously chopped down.

It goes before the board this Wednesday June 19. Members of the public are able to attend.

Latest figures show the Community First Neighbourhood Matched Fund has £39,592 of non-allocated funds for Cheshire East alone.

The fund has helped allocate £126,898 to social action projects in Cheshire in the last two years, and almost £218,000 is still available for the county.

Nearly 21,000 volunteering hours have also been contributed to date in Cheshire as projects “match” their Government money.

Now community groups are being invited to apply for a share of the £16 million funding still available from the Community First Neighbourhood Matched Fund by visiting www.cdf.org.uk/neighbourhoodmatchedfund and finding details of their local community panel.

Minister for Civil Society Nick Hurd said: “We want to support people who are passionate and have the drive to make their communities better places to live.

“That’s why we are making small amounts of money available across the country through the Community First Neighbourhood Matched Fund so that many more people have the means to make their ideas come to life and improve where they live.”

The Government launched the Community First Neighbourhood Matched Fund in 2011.

There are 600 ward panels across the country who decide on local priorities and how to best allocate funding in their area.

Residents apply to their local panel with a community focused proposal. If approved, funds are awarded directly to the project by the Community Development Foundation.

Alison Seabrooke, chief executive of the Community Development Foundation, said: “Across the country we see people coming together to decide local priorities, they’re volunteering in their communities and they are being supported in this with much needed funding.

“This shows small sums of money can have a huge impact and act as a catalyst for change.”

Stapeley Broad Lane’s 54-strong KS2 choir won the Cheshire East Primary Choirs contest at Clonter Opera Theatre, near Homes Chapel.

And the school’s instrumental ensemble were also runners up in The Primary Ensembles category.

Stapeley won through several earlier rounds to compete in the final against St Mary’s Catholic Primary from Crewe and Bollington Cross Primary.

Broad Lane was the first to perform and sang “All for the Best” by Stephen Schwartz from Godspell, “Many Shades of Blue” by Christopher Williams, and “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace” from St Francis of Assisi/JS Temple.

And all three performances wowed the judges with proud coach Mrs Catherine Acklam looking on.

The Instrumental Ensemble played “The Flintstones” by Will H. Schaeffer, arr Terry Catherine; “Papageno’s Song” by Mozart arr Terry Catherine, and “Star Wars” by John Williams arr Carson Turner.

The Ensemble was accompanied by Victoria Palethorpe on the electric organ.

The winners in Ensemble category were Upton Priory Wind Band.

After all the performances the judges announced the result which produced great excitement among the pupils – they were then presented with the winners trophy to cap a fantastic night for the school.

The judging panel was internationally acclaimed saxophonist Rob Buckland, vocal and choral leader Nicola Howbrigg, and band manager of Foden’s Band Mark Wilkinson, one of the leading cornet players of his generation.

(Pic courtesy of David Spibey)

The funding boost comes as Alzheimer’s Society in Cheshire East celebrates the first year of its befriending service, Forget me Knot.

The service, set up following a generous donation, matches trained local volunteers and people with dementia.

Now the Nantwich Rotary Club funds will help volunteers receive ongoing training so they can visit regularly and provide support, companionship and help for the 6,000 dementia sufferers in Cheshire East.

Helen Ambrey, befriending manager, said: “We have benefited greatly from the support of the Nantwich Rotary Club.

“The programme incorporates sessions that can be delivered on an individual basis as well as in groups, which is essential as our volunteers tend to be busy people.

“More sessions are planned on the subjects the volunteers have suggested as well as the opportunity for them to get together and share their experiences every few months.”

Tony Coxhill, of Nantwich Rotary Club, added: “We are very pleased to be involved in the befriending service. Alzheimer’s Society provides a great scheme that benefits so many people living with dementia.”

Jo Hawkins, support services manager at Alzheimer’s Society Cheshire East, said: “We were very lucky to receive funding that allowed us to set up a service, which we knew would be very popular.

“We were aware of other local befriending schemes but recognised the need for a service that was specifically designed by and for people with any type of dementia.”

For information on volunteering contact Helen or Jo on 01625 503302 or email east-cheshire@alzheimers.org.uk

(Pic  l to r: Jo Hawkins, volunteers Maureen Evanson and Betty Jones, Helen Ambrey and Tony Coxhill, at the Nantwich Dementia Café, The Alms Houses, Beam Street)

The group is increasing in numbers, but needs more people to tackle the growing litter problem.

They say rubbish from takeaways, crisps, sweet wrappers, cans and bottles are having a major impact on the environment.

The litter group, which has been in operation for about two years, has made a significant contribution to tidying up the town, parks and open spaces.

Growing volunteer numbers has enabled the group to tackle many more “grot spots” on an ad-hoc basis, said a spokeswoman.

“Predictably the main litter problem encountered is from food and drink packaging such as takeaways, crisps, sweets, cans and bottles.

“Litter bins are provided and emptied by Streetscape, Cheshire East Council’s street cleansing department and should be used wherever possible.

“Where no convenient bin is available then rubbish should be taken home for disposal. Litter is an unsightly, unhygienic and anti-social problem that affects everyone and is the responsibility of all.

“An appeal is made to all residents to play their part by picking up the odd item of rubbish that they may see in the street or outside their property and putting it in a nearby litter bin – every little helps.”

The next “Group Pick” is on Wednesday April 24 at 10am outside the Civic Hall.

New volunteers are always welcome and litter picking kit can be provided.

The session should last for approximately an hour followed by coffee and a chat.

Contact Team Leader Joyce Webb on 01270 626435 or email joycewebb47@hotmail.com

The funds secured by Cheshire East Council will pay for widening and traffic signals on the northbound slip road and A500 approaches.

The Highways Agency says this will reduce queuing and delays on the approaches, which can tailback to the A5020 and A500 roundabout at Weston.

It is one of 58 schemes where they want to reduce congestion and improve safety as part of a “strategic pinch point” programme.

It comes just two weeks after Cheshire East secured £2.7 million of “local pinch point” funding for a Basford West spine road linking the A500 at Shavington with Gresty Road, Crewe.

Cllr Michael Jones, Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “I am delighted to see the Government takes Cheshire East seriously as a place for investment and understands the need to improve the nation’s highway network.

“One of our key aims is for Cheshire East to have a strong and resilient economy and improving the roads in and around the borough ensures we will gain an even greater reputation as an excellent place to do business.”

The scheme will also improve access to planned employment and other key development sites in South Cheshire.

Work on the M6 junction improvements are due to take place in 2014 and be completed by the end of that year.

Cheshire East has also applied for a further £2.8 million of local pinch point funding for a 600 metre-long widening of the A500 on the approach to junction 16.

Villagers say vehicles being parked on grass verges on the new Meadow View development are leaving the verges “unsightly” and causing an “eyesore”.

Others complain that non residents are clogging up the road.

Meadow View resident Kerry Dennis said: “The non-permitted vehicles are causing severe problems.

“Sometimes the vehicles can be very awkwardly parked and can prevent residents from entering and exiting with ease onto Wistaston Road.”

Willaston and Rope ward Cllr Brian Silvester is calling on developer Thomas Jones & Sons to resolve the parking problems before it is adopted by Cheshire East Council.

He said: “The developers need to take action to prevent vehicles cutting up the grass verges when they park on them and to stop non residents taking up the parking places of residents.

“This relatively new development of good quality private housing is being made to look unsightly due to thoughtless parking by a few.

“Parking generally in the centre of Willaston is a major problem. Wistaston Road is the main narrow road through the village, with rows of terraced houses, many of which have no off road parking.

“This was an issue raised by Willaston Parish Council and others when the planning application for the Meadow View development was submitted, but unfortunately the planning department chose to ignore the substantial objections and approve the development.

“Some of the residents have suggested some of the grass verges could be removed to provide more parking space. Also a ‘residents only parking’ scheme could be considered.”

The Alex take on Southend United in what will be the club’s first-ever cup final appearance at Wembley Stadium.

It’s also a second visit to the home of English football in less than 12 months after winning the League Two Play-Off final last May.

The Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, which is contested between all 48 teams from the Football Leagues One and Two, will be on display in the club shop at the Alexandra Stadium between 3pm-6pm today.

Manager Steve Davis and some of the players will be there to meet fans, sign autographs and pose for picture opportunities.

Cheshire East Council Deputy Mayor Cllr Dorothy Flude will also be there.

Cllr Stewart Gardiner, Cabinet member for leisure, said: “We very much want to show our support for Crewe Alex in the cup final.

“On behalf of all at Cheshire East I wish them the very best of luck.

“I hope everyone gets behind the team at Wembley and I would encourage all those who can to make their way to the Alexandra Stadium tomorrow to meet the manager, players and our Deputy Mayor with the trophy.”

And more than a quarter of council management posts are to be cut to save £5 million.

These were among some of the pledges made by Cheshire East Council Leader Cllr Michael Jones (pictured) in a three-year budget plan passed by the council.

It means Band D property Council Tax bills will remain unchanged at £1,216.34 in 2013-14 and 2014-15.

Many services are being devolved and run by Nantwich Town Council, including venues like the Civic Hall, indoor market hall, public toilets, and allotment sites.

Cllr Jones said the £12.6m Council Tax freeze grant will be used to deliver frontline services with reduced grants from Government.

A shake-up of council management will save £5m a year by 2015 by reducing the number of management posts by a quarter.

The council is planning to invest £220m over the next three years in its capital programme, and aims to create 27,000 new homes.

Cllr Jones said: “This budget is more than numbers.

“It is about how a modern council delivers services to the people – not relying on spend and bust or resorting to reckless policies of increasing Council Tax and slashing public services.

“This budget says there is a ‘different’ way. We can work together as a council, officers and members, to deliver a vision of the highest quality public services ever.

“This is a three-year budget which lays down new structures, new jobs and most importantly, new delivery models with a new design and desire.

“We may have come a long way but the journey has only just begun. This budget is just another step on the road to delivering the very best for the people of Cheshire East. We must be aspirational in our goals and agile in our delivery.”

Key points of Three-Year Financial Strategy:

● Freezing Council Tax in 2013-14 and 2014-15
● Cutting out millions of pounds of unnecessary costs and waste
● Reducing management costs by at least 20 per cent
● Reducing the number of buildings and facilities operated and sharing others with partners
● Capital programme of over £220m, £25m spent on roads, planning for 27,000 new homes
● Improving contracts for range of goods and services
● Devolving more services and assets, new arrangements for running 14 leisure centres
● Reshaping provision of social care, reducing specialist placements outside the borough
● More early intervention and prevention for vulnerable children and adults
● Improved special school provision with ‘free school’ partners, development of new university technical college in Crewe

Ms Quinn (left in picture), director of finance and business services, left her job by mutual agreement on Friday,  a Cheshire East statement has revealed.

Her departure, along with two senior managers in December, is part of an overhaul of the management structure at the council.

The authority’s senior team was heavily criticised over the Lyme Green recycling plant fiasco, which cost the taxpayer more than £800,000.

Leader of Cheshire East Council Cllr Michael Jones (pictured, right) said today: “Lisa Quinn, Director of Finance and Business Services, left the council’s employment on Friday February 15, by mutual agreement.

“This follows the departure of two senior managers during December.

“Arrangements are already in place to cover her role, while the council continues with the planned introduction of a new management framework, which will be less opaque, more accountable and effective and less costly.

“I would like to thank Lisa for her hard work and commitment to the job during her time at Cheshire East and I wish her well for the future.”

Cllr Arthur Moran (left) spoke out against the Gladman Developments proposals at a Cheshire East Council strategic planning board.

Many objectors say the plans go against Cheshire East’s draft Local Plan of developing on brownfield sites first, but this plan is still under consultation and not in place.

However, the number of objections over the Gladman proposal convinced councillors on the strategic board to defer their decision.

They want to embark on a site visit and called for highways and the developers to provide a more detailed plan on how surrounding roads will cope with the extra traffic.

Cllr Moran said: “It was as good a result as we could have expected and it buys us some time.

“There have been a lot of objections over the fact it is on a greenfield site, as well as the traffic problems it will create.

“They are proposing to make Welsh Row one way and make traffic turn left out of Queen’s Drive and past Malbank.

“Residents on Taylor Drive will also be unhappy if this is opened up to take traffic down to the Malbank junction.

“There have been a lot of objections about developments in the south of Nantwich and Edward Timpson has stepped in, but my ward in the North is also being hit by lots of applications.

“Developers are trying to get their plans in quickly before the Local Plan is adopted.”

Cheshire East Leader Cllr Michael Jones (right) declared this week that “protecting the Greenfields of Cheshire East is a number one priority for me, and I will stand by that commitment”.

He added: “People want to see redevelopment of Brownfield sites. I agree and wholly support this view, which is why I am calling for a renewal of this policy and for all Brownfield sites that can be developed on, be brought forward as quickly as possible.”

The Gladman proposals could come before the next Strategic Planning Board in March.

The latest round of Cheshire East community grants has been announced, with 34 local groups benefiting from more than £20,000.

Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Nantwich has been awarded £1,300, which will help it create an elevated pond and wild flower area to improve interactive learning for schools and community groups (opened by Mayor Graham Fenton, pictured).

This large project is expected to cost £15,600 with other funding coming from sponsorship and contributions from the centre.

Nantwich Choral Society has received £250 and Crewe & Nantwich Carer Support Group receives £300.

Local sports organisations to benefit include Nantwich & Border Counties Sailing Club (£500), Nantwich Barony Park Bowling Club (£300), and Nantwich Pumas Junior Football Club (£400).

The latest round of community grants are the last for 2012/2013. Organisations have received £96,133 in grant funding, helping to deliver projects with a value over £700,000.

Grants are available to support community, environmental, sports, arts, heritage and play projects. Only one grant can be awarded to each organisation per financial year.

Cllr Lesley Smetham, Cabinet support member for strategic communities, said: “We are delighted our grant scheme has helped 119 community and voluntary organisations over the last year.

“We are also pleased that despite the tough financial climate, we are not planning a reduction in funding for next year’s community grant scheme – this is in recognition of the important community activity these grants support.

“I would advise anyone interested in applying for the next round of grants to get in touch and find out more.”

For more details on community grants, visit www.cheshireeast.gov.uk and look in the Community and Living section.

The next deadline for applications is March 29.