Dear fellow residents,

I hope you are well!  It’s been a few months since I was elected to represent our area back in in May and I wanted to give you an update on just some of the work I have been doing across St Barnabas ward to make our area better.

I’ve started work on tackling issues with our roads and potholes, litter & fly tipping, speeding vehicles, anti social behaviour and many more that residents have raised to me.

If there is an issue you’d like me to look in to please do get in touch.

LEIGHTON BROOK PARK PLAYGROUND UPGRADES

There's excitement in the air as work continues on the playground upgrades at Leighton Brook Park off Frank Webb Avenue. 

I have been working with Crewe Town Council on this project which they have kindly funded.  It should be completed by the end of October.

The new facilities will include a dual cableway zip wire, which we are the first in the area to have!  To see more detail of the plans visit my web site CreweStBarnabas.org.uk or bring the kids and pop down to take a look!

I have also worked to get the footpath lighting repaired in the park, as well as the flood lighting in the games area fixed which means the sports area can now be used by all residents in the evenings for sports & leisure activities.

Find out more about the park upgrades on my web site

GARDEN BIN CHARGES

I wanted to give an update on the new Garden Bin Charges by Cheshire East Council as several residents have asked me about this recently.

Over 60% of respondents to the recent Budget Consultation did not support this proposal and there has been ongoing public opposition to the charge by many Council Tax payers.

Cheshire East Council is run by a Labour/Independent Group coalition who put forward a proposal to bring in a £56 annual charge for collecting garden waste bins which was narrowly approved by councillors.

As a Conservative group member, in February we opposed this new charge proposed by Labour and the Independents councillor as we see it as a form of 'garden tax', and the income from the new charges would likely exceed the costs to run the service.

Seven Labour and Independant committee members voted for the subscription charge to go ahead from January and the five Conservatives voted against.

Although other Councils charge for green waste collection, Cheshire East Council is unusual in that it invested in its own purpose-built green waste hub at Leighton Grange, Crewe, to be operated with a business partner.

The business case was based on free home collections for maximum tonnage and the production of high quality compost for sale

Our Conservative Group formally challenged the proposals in August by submitting a 'Referral Request' (or 'Call-In') of the decision.

The 'Referral request' was unfortunately rejected, meaning that the previous proposals from the Labour/Independent Group councillors went ahead leading to the new green bin charges coming in to effect.

It is so frustrating as we tried our hardest to reject this proposal.  

Further details are available here

COMMUNITY LITTER PICK SUNDAY 5TH NOVEMBER

Please come and help with our community litter pick!

Our next date is Sunday 5th November at 10am.  Anyone is welcome, equipment will be provided if you don’t have any.  Meet by the playground in Leighton Brook Park off Frank Webb Avenue. It would be great to see you there!

ARE YOU HAPPY WITH TWO GRASS CUTS A YEAR?

Cheshire East Council have proposed reducing their maintenance of green spaces.

This affects certain areas of our council ward in St Barnabas.  Learn more here

If you’re unhappy with these reductions in maintaining OUR green spaces, PLEASE EMAIL randc@cheshireeast.gov.uk and make your thoughts known!

Remember to refer to the relevant green space areas on the web link above in your feedback.

STAY SAFE THIS HALLOWEEN AND BONFIRE NIGHT

Cheshire Police have provided advice on how everyone can stay safe over the halloween and bonfire night period.

Whether you are staying in or heading out, there's some great advice for keeping safe.
Click here to read more online

WORKING TO TACKLE CRIME & ASB IN OUR COMMUNITY

I've recently met with John Dwyer Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, Chief Inspector Fez Khan of Crewe Police and Dr Kieran Mullan MP to discuss issues of crime and antisocial behaviour in our area. You have been telling me and I have been seeing for myself the problems in our community. They have now agreed more patrols to try and stamp out ASB problems in our area.  The 'Street a week' visits continue, to discuss any concerns with residents. But it's really important for people to complete the Residents Voice Survey so we can keep on top of any problems being caused.

www.cheshire.police.uk/residentsvoicecrewe

CREWE ARMED FORCES & VETERAN BREAKFAST CLUB

I met up with the Crewe Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Clubs at Armed Forces Day and also joined our local Veterans Breakfast Club which meets each week.  The social event is free to attend just turn up, get breakfast and chat with others who are serving or have served. Every Saturday at 10AM at The Four Eagles pub, Dunwoody Way (opposite Morrisons)

GETTING THINGS SORTED OUT IN ST BARNABAS!

There are many issues that need addressing every week in our area, from litter, bins and fly tipping, to roads and pot holes, graffiti, blocked drains, broken street lights and many other problems which need looking at. 

Being a councillor isn't just about sitting in offices and going to meetings, it's about being present in the community and making a difference. I've been out and about talking to residents about issues and working to get things done to make our area better. Not everything can immediately be fixed, but I can certainly try!  Already I’ve had hundreds of issues resolved.

If there is a problem that you’d like me to help with, please do let me know. My contact details are on the bottom of this newsletter.

I’ve also put some details about reporting issues on my web site

CreweStBarnabas.org.uk/report-an-issue

CREWE TOWN CENTRE REGEN - SUPPORTING NEW BUSINESS

This week I met up with James Rowley, Business Engagement Manager at Cheshire East Council and Cllr Mortimer to discuss business support and grants for those who may be looking to start a new business in vacant units in our town centre.  There's loads of help and support available from the Business Support Hub. Got a great idea but need help to get going? Then visit: https://www.cebusinesshub.org.uk

FRANK WEBB WORLD CUP WITH CREWE ALEXANDRA FC

In August we had a great success with the ‘Frank Webb World Cup’ in Leighton Brook Park.  I worked with Guinness Housing and Crewe Alexandra in the community to put together this free event for local residents.  It was a brilliant afternoon, we had a great turn out with 3 matches being played simultaneously! Huge thanks to Crewe Alexandra in the Community for hosting the event, to The Guinness Partnership for helping me organise it and to Crewe St Barnabas Police for their support!

GUINNESS HOUSING MEETINGS

I’ve been meeting up with our local Customer Liaison Officers including Sean, Kenny, Louise, Sophia and Katie to discuss issues that affect residents and tenants.  We are working together where we can.  If you’re having problems please call 0303 123 1890 or get in touch with me if you are having problems getting a resolution to an issue.

WORKING TO KEEP YOU SAFE ON OUR ROADS

I’ve heard from residents who have raised issues with speeding vehicles in our area.  I regularly meet with Crewe St Barnabas police to discuss problems & hotspots including speeding on roads such as Frank Webb Avenue and Badger Avenue.  I joined PSCO Jolley for the TruCam speed watch sessions on Frank Webb Avenue.  I am also looking in to other ideas in terms of road safety.  Please watch your speed on our local roads to keep everyone safe in our area.

If you’d like to tell us about any hotspots please contact me directly or complete the Residents Voice Survey so we know where to tackle next.

www.cheshire.police.uk/residentsvoicecrewe

WORKING TO IMPROVE OUR ROADS

I continue to report highways issues such as potholes in our area but we do need further works to be carried out in some areas.  I had a meeting with a senior highways officer to discuss the repairs needed on our roads and to plan what we can do in the long and short term after looking at every road in St Barnabas. Many of you will have seen me out and about taking photos!

Honestly there's not a massive budget and I can't fix everything instantly - but I am working as best I can to get potholes fixed, get damaged areas repaired and requesting longer term plans for roads to be resurfaced. Many potholes have been repaired already and some smaller areas have been resurfaced. My work on this continues!  Please let me know of any issues you see.

POP UP IN THE PARKS  - FREE FAMILY ACTIVITIES IN ST BARNABAS

Throughout the summer we ran a series of free Family Bootcamp events for residents to enjoy at Leighton Brook Park.  Working with Crewe Town council who funded the events, instructors from Everybody Leisure put on the sessions every Sunday morning from July to September.  We hope to run more free events for families to take part in next summer.  Keep an eye out for details on my Facebook page.

That's it for this newsletter but keep following my Facebook and Instagram for many more updates than I can fit on this email!

If you have something you'd like me to look in to please do get in contact.

I look forward to seeing you at Leighton Brook Park for the upcoming litter pick on Sunday 5th November, we'll meet by the playground at 10am.

Have a great weekend.

Councillor James Pratt

Crewe, St Barnabas Ward

Cheshire East & Crewe Town Council

Promoted by Allen Gage on behalf of James Pratt, both of Churchyardside, CW5 5AG.