Labour Leader of Cheshire East Council Nick Mannion's abiding memory of 2020 is people standing on the doorsteps to applaud the NHS and clap for carers. There was a recognition that we rely on shop workers, refuse collectors and many others for our society to function.
In recent winters the NHS has been under pressure and this year with the added pressure of covid-19, it will struggle to cope. Going into the pandemic the NHS was already short of nurses and doctors due to a creeping underfunding and privatisation. We already have the highest death toll in Europe. Now we are entering a third wave with a £20bn Test-Trace system that is still not working properly and infection rates that are higher than ever. This winter will be difficult.
However, the roll out of the new AstraZeneca/Oxford University vaccine brings hope that by the Spring things will begin to improve and by the Summer most restrictions will, hopefully, have been lifted. The economic fallout from covid-19 will continue to be felt for many years; there will be tax rises and funding cuts, and hopefully investigations into the way billions have been mis-spent and diverted to Tory 'friends'. Those who have benefited from covid-19 should help to pay for the costs incurred.
The Brexit deal allows for trade in goods without tariffs, but as we are outside the Customs Union there will be inspections and paperwork on all goods going between UK & EU. There is a massive shortage of customs officers in UK and we have no control over the checks on the other side of the border, so there could be delays in transport. What is worse is that there is no deal yet on the service sector; the UK is a net importer of goods and a net exporter of services, so it is easy to see who has gained most out of the deal.
The changes to border restrictions have already seen Gibraltar join the Schengen area, so now EU citizens won’t need a passport to visit Gibraltar, but UK residents will! Northern Ireland's links with the Republic of Ireland will strengthen, and its links with UK will weaken. The 'Conservative and Unionist Party' should change its name as it will be responsible for the break-up of the Union of the United Kingdom.
The greatest challenge facing our generation remains Climate Change. The impacts of climate change are unpredictable, but we will see more extreme weather events. We need to take action now to reduce our carbon footprints.
Cheshire East Council has adopted a Carbon Action Plan to make the council carbon neutral by 2025 and commits to assisting others to reduce their carbon emissions. We should insulate our homes, use less energy, use our cars less, walk and cycle more and change our diets to eat less red meat. If we do these things we can be happier and healthier as well as helping to save the planet. In 2021 I hope to see more community energy projects like the Dane River micro hydro-electric scheme in Congleton and community wind turbines. I also hope to see more local produce, with lower ‘food miles’ and a buy local approach.
The Council’s new draft Corporate Plan, that is currently under consultation, aims to make the council more open, fairer and greener over the next 4 years. The council remains under acute financial pressure due to the impact of the pandemic. In Cheshire East most of our funding goes on social care and with an ageing population the amount spent on adult social care is increasing year on year, whilst government funding for councils is cut.
We remain dedicated to minimising the impact on the most vulnerable. The latest budget consultation can be found at the consultations page at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk
Cheshire Constabulary's Rural Crime Team have been supplied with five brand new mobile defibrillators from the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) in an effort to help those in need of medical attention in Cheshire's green spaces.
Macclesfield MP, David Rutley met Mr Nick Bianchi at Arighi Bianchi to discuss how small and medium sized enterprises in the Macclesfield area can benefit from working with Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington.
Have you thought about being a wholetime firefighter with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service? Come and find out about the role at one of our May practical taster sessions.
A community café and support centre serving the most disadvantaged area of Knutsford has secured support from Knutsford Town Council for its core operating costs.
Cheshire East Council has secured agreement with a popular football club, as its nominated delivery partner, to drive forward an ambitious redevelopment scheme.
This week Cheshire Constabulary will be supporting a national campaign aimed at keeping knives off the streets by directly targeting knife carriers as well as educating young people about the dangers and impact of choosing to carry a blade.
Public toilets are valued facilities in our towns and communities but the thoughtless actions of a small number of people can result in temporary closures following deliberate damage and mis-use.
Puddle Ducks Mid Cheshire, a local baby and child swim school, is delighted to have recently had a defibrillator installed to the side of their building at Barons Quay, Northwich.
Cheshire East Council has secured agreement with a popular football club as its nominated delivery partner to drive forward an ambitious redevelopment scheme.
Local disc jockey, Chris Marshall Booth, is hosting an ‘Old School Disco’ night in support of a former patient who is raising funds for the breast screening unit at Macclesfield Hospital.
A garden dedicated to Doddie Weir and his charity for research into Motor Neurone Disease will be showcased at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2024 this summer as the show celebrates its 25th anniversary.
The Care Quality Commission has rated maternity services at Macclesfield District General Hospital run by East Cheshire NHS Trust good, following an inspection in December.
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