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Dear fellow residents,
Wow, hasn't the summer just flown by! I hope you all had a great summer and enjoyed the school holidays. Hopefully we'll get a little more sunshine before the autumn really comes.
Just a quick update for September. I need your help on one big issue in this newsletter - Proposed cuts to our bin collections.
Also, details of the new multi million pound Youth Club coming to Crewe, and how you can get support if you're affected by the winter fuel allowance cut, plus details of just some of the other work I've been tackling in Crewe St Barnabas in the last month or so.
You can always see my latest updates on my facebook page.
Please forward or share this newsletter with your St Barnabas area friends and neighbours so I can keep other residents up to date on what I am up to in our area.
Anyone can sign up to receive my newsletter by visiting
www.crewestbarnabas.org.uk/newsletter
If you've missed a previous newsletter, you can view them all online here. |
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PROPOSED CUTS TO BLACK BIN COLLECTIONS! HAVE YOUR SAY
Not content with first charging £56 for our garden green bin collections and having already increased that charge to £59, our Labour led Cheshire East council are now proposing to REDUCE the frequency of collection of black household waste bins!
The proposal is to change from our current collections every 2 weeks to only collect our black bins every 3 weeks!
BLACK BINS TO BE COLLECTED ONLY EVERY 3 WEEKS?
Do you want to see more overflowing rubbish on our streets in Crewe St Barnabas?
Crewe is already the worst area for fly tipping in the whole of Cheshire East.
3,242 fly tipping incidents were reported in 2023-2024 in Crewe out of a total of 4,238 across Cheshire East.
That’s OVER THREE QUARTERS of all fly tipping in Cheshire East happening just in Crewe! |
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CUTS TO PENSIONERS WINTER FUEL ALLOWANCE PAYMENTS
I was concerned about the decision this week from our new government to remove the Winter Fuel Allowance from pensioners.
Here in Crewe St Barnabas this will affect 466 residents (which is 84% of pensioners in our ward).
It is disappointing that our newly elected Crewe & Nantwich Labour MP voted to remove the payments. I believe that our new MP should first and foremost serve those that he represents by looking after the most vulnerable among us.
I am worried about the impact it will have on residents in Crewe St Barnabas, especially those who are already finding it hard to make ends meet and where prices and Council Tax are still rising.
WILL YOU NEED HELP THIS WINTER?
Whilst some pensioners will cope without the Winter Fuel Payment, it’s clear that this policy will have a far wider impact than currently acknowledged.
You may be entitled to Pension Credit – something that could make a real difference this winter.
If you need help please Call Age UK for assistance on 0800 731 0160.
Please make sure you receive the support you could be eligible for.
Find out more here:
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/pension-credit |
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CREWE YOUTH ZONE - STAND ON THE GROUND AND BRAND REVEAL EVENT
It was fantastic to be invited by OnSide to the 'Stand On The Ground' event this week to mark the start of the building project for the new multi million pound youth centre on Oak Street in Crewe, at the site of the former car park.
The ground was a little bit wet and windy, so thank you to the Crewe Lyceum for hosting the event.
'The Dome' was revealed as the name and branding for the new facility, This name was a result of a branding task which the Young People's Development Group (YPDG) went on guided by a design agency.
At the end of the process, the YPDG finalised on two possible names, The Dome and Pod, which the young people of Crewe voted on. The Dome was revealed as the winning brand!
Brilliant work from a fantastically talented team of young people who really impressed with their enthusiasm and confidence during the presentation. |
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Crewe Youth Zone will be a safe and aspirational place for young people providing a destination for the young people of Crewe. It will be a state-of-the-art space with over 20 activities to try each session, staffed by skilled youth workers who believe in young people and help them see what they could achieve.
I am really excited by this project as the young people of Crewe have waited a long time for this and really deserve to have purpose built facilities not just to enjoy for leisure, but to help support, develop our young people helping them see what they could achieve - giving them the skills, confidence and ambition they need for life.
Learn more about this exciting new project on their website. |
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MINSHULL NEW ROAD FLOODING
I've reported the recent flooding at the top of Minshull New Road to Cheshire East Highways.
It was much worse than these photos earlier in the day last weekend, and traffic was struggling to get through with deep water right across the road - so clearly there's a drainage problem here that needs fixing.
Being local to the area really helps being your councillor, I see day to day the issues that affect all of us.
If you spot a highways problem you can report it by calling 0300 123 5020
Or let me know https://www.crewestbarnabas.org.uk/contact/ |
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TACKLING WASTE ISSUES - MCNEILL AVENUE
I had a recent 'on site' meeting with Guinness Housing and Cheshire East waste officers to tackle issues with fly tipping and waste management around McNeill Avenue, West Street and Darlington Avenue,
Repeat visits by waste officers have now been made to address issues with abandoned bins and fly tipping.
If you spot fly tipping please call 0300 123 5011 so it can be logged to be cleared.
You can also report fly tipping online by downloading the FixMyStreet app or using this link
Remember to keep your alley gates locked shut to help prevent fly tipping in them.
To purchase a key, contact Crewe Library on 01270 375295 or email crewe.library@cheshireeast.gov.uk
If your bin collection is missed, please call 0300 123 5011 within 2 days.
Or you can report missed bin collections online. |
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NEW SWING SEATS INSTALLED AT LEIGHTON BROOK PARK
I was contacted by a resident who was concerned about the deterioration of the swing seats in Leighton Brook Park playground. This is something I raised, and asked if they could be replaced.
At Crewe Town Council we have recently employed a Parks Ranger to work alongside the Rangers Team across Crewe.
Along with keeping our park in great shape with recent work including strimming weeds and jet washing the play surface this summer, the Park Ranger has also replaced the swing seats with brand new ones. Great job! 👍
If you spot an issue in our area that you think needs attention, please let me know. |
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MINSHULL NEW ROAD - FOOTPATH HEDGEROW CUT BACK
Following concerns from parents, I've been asking for improvements for the footpath on Minshull New Road to Leighton Academy school for some time.
Now that we are out of the 'nesting season' restrictions, the hedgerow along the footpath has had a hard cut back, making it much more accessible for those walking to and from the school. I am pleased this has been completed ahead of the new term starting.
I have also raised my concerns about the overgrown hedgerow on the opposite side and I'm expecting an update on this from Highways.
I am also in discussions with Cheshire East about road safety improvements outside Leighton Academy as part of the NWCP scheme.
If there's something you've noticed that you think I could help with, please get in touch. |
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£30K BUSINESS GRANTS - WHAT WOULD YOU OPEN IN CREWE?
I met with Business Engagement Manager at Cheshire East Council to discuss how you can help get Crewe town centre thriving again with a capital grant of up to £30,000 to set up your own business on the high streets on Crewe.
As part of Crewe’s regeneration programme, it aims to increase occupancy of commercial premises with a broader mix of tenants, increase town centre activity and create employment opportunities.
Grants are available to sole traders, existing businesses, community enterprises and charities.
Got a great idea but need help to get going? Find out more at https://openincrewe.co.uk/ |
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MINSHULL NEW ROAD BRIDGE DAMAGE
In July a road traffic accident damaged the bridge on Minshull New Road opposite Meadowbrook Cemetery. I contacted Highways and temporary barriers were put in place. These have since fallen over, so I have again raised this to Highways.
Given that this is a safety issue I have written to the Bridge Manager at Cheshire East Highways to ask for an update on the work needed to repair this, and have requested that a full repair is expedited.
If you spot a highways issue, you can report it by calling 0300 123 5020 |
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ROLLS AVENUE FOOTPATH CLEAN UP
A resident recently raised to me the state of the footpath on Rolls Avenue near to Royce Close which was strewn with loose stones and debris.
I put in a request to have this swept which has now been completed. Thanks to Ansa Environmental Services Ltd for their help!
If there's something you've spotted that needs attention please let me know. |
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SPOT THE SIGNS!
I've reported a sign post on Flowers Lane which is still directing traffic to Leighton Hospital via the now permanently closed Smithy Lane, and another newly installed sign on the Flowers Lane/Bob Brown Way roundabout that has somehow already been damaged.
For obvious reasons it's important that the signage to the hospital is correct!
If you spot an issue that you think needs attention, please let me know. |
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LEIGHTON BROOK - FLYTIPPING REMOVED
Somehow a childrens ride on car had ended up in Leighton Brook near Redwood Drive.
Thanks to Ansa Environmental Services Ltd this has now been pulled out.
Let's keep our natural spaces clean for wildlife and for all to enjoy.
If you spot fly tipping please call 0300 123 5011 to get it cleared, or report online |
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REDWOOD DRIVE - FOOTPATH CLOSURE
Several residents have asked me about the closure of a section of footpath adjacent to Redwood Drive.
I had not received any prior notification of works prior to the fencing being installed
I wrote to both Cheshire East and landowners Taylor Wimpey on Monday to ask for further details but I am still waiting a response from both.
It is likely to be related to the subsidence of the footpath alongside the brook.
Once I receive further details I will share on my facebook and instagram pages.
You can still get past this area by crossing to the other side of the brook, albeit a slightly longer route. |
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PLANNING APPLICATION 333B WEST STREET
A planning application has been received for change of use of 333B West Street on the corner of Frank Webb Avenue.
The application is a proposal for change of use from Residential (Class C3) to Commercial (Class E) retail space.
You can view further details and submit any feedback you may have online:
View further details
Submit your comments to planning |
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That's it for now but there are many more updates on local issues and upcoming events on my Facebook and Instagram so please do follow them as I can't fit everything on the email newsletter.
If you have something you'd like me to look in to please do get in contact. |
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Councillor James Pratt
Crewe, St Barnabas Ward
Cheshire East & Crewe Town Council |
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Promoted by James Pratt of CNCA, 13 Churchyardside, CW5 5DE |
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