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5 Day weather report |
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Middlewich High School |
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CW12residents Group |
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Middlewich Community Church |
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St Michael & All Angels Church |
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Help The Aged |
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CW10residents Community Action Group
'helping to create a sustainable community for Middlewich' |
| SWIMMING POOL |
Swimming Pool Pledge
In one of our local news papers this week it would appear that our hopes of a swimming pool for Middlewich could become reality if our Town Mayor Jim Basford and Borough Councillor Alison Roylance-White have their way. And with the town expanding and the lack of facilities for the ever growing number of residents within Middlewich, we urge all Middlewich residents to throw their support behind them.
Middlewich has wanted its own swimming pool for more years than many residents can remember. And just recently our hopes were shot away when we read about the company (Mid Point Sports) looking to put a sports complex inclusive of a swimming pool on the edge of our town and then announced they had gone into liquidation. We have had many false hopes raised and our neighbouring towns all have swimming pools, but we always seem to be kicked in the teeth.
Both Alison & Jim are members of the Middlewich and District Sports and Leisure Trust (MADSALT) and will be instrumental in bringing a swimming pool to Middlewich. This would be a major success for the town, its councillors and CW10residents group wish them well.
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| Jan Town Council Meeting |
One of our spokespersons Andy Bailey went to the Middlewich Town Council meeting on Monday night and says he was surprised that he was the only member of the public who attended. But did express his concerns that he waited for the front doors to open, but told that access was only available via a coded locked back door. He was also concerned that residents who wished to attend this public meeting would struggle to gain access due to the front doors being locked, with the only access point available via a security door at the rear.
With 31 items on the agenda, Andy thought he would be there for some time whilst the councillors went through what seemed like a long agenda. But once the meeting started the councillors moved quickly through the agenda items and Andy made notes as quick as he could.
Agenda points worth noting:
Agenda point 9
Ratify the budget for 2005/06 (CW10residents have requested a copy of this budget report, which has now arrived and will be looking over it in the next few days)
Agenda point 12
Siting of Youth Shelters, Councillor Paul Edwards (Leader of Middlewich First) stated that the two proposed sites of Booth Lane & Warmingham Lane/Chadwick road will go a head. But the proposed site along Warmingham Lane /Chadwick road will have to have works carried out on drainage in order to place the shelter.
Other Councillors and representatives highlighted the fact that proper consultation will be required with the affected residents in those areas. The councillors also pointed out that proper consultation process was not carried out effectively as it should have been, but will ensure this time it will be carried out properly. Councillor Fred Smith expressed his concerns about the Warmingham Lane site and has had many residents telling him they do not want it there.
Agenda point 13
All councillors were requested to look at the Freedom of Information Act 2000 Link Here Freedom of Information (Word File)
Agenda point 14
To receive a letter from CW10residents, asking for information about Town Council Finances & Personnel issues. (This was a letter CW10 sent to the Town Council & in additional to the letter sent to Cllr Paul Edwards about the Events and Events Organiser’s position) The answers to these questions will be completed by the Town Clerk and Alison Roylance-White and hopefully will include the questions you asked and have posed to Cllr Paul Edwards (Leader of Middlewich First) about the appointment process.
Click here for information on CW10 Residents Views
Or click here to have your say Events Organiser
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| PROPOSED WHEELIE BIN COLLECTION EVERY TWO WEEKS |
WHEELIE BIN COLLECTION PROPOSAL TO BE ONCE EVERY TWO WEEKS
Congleton Borough Council proposes to reduce the number of collections per house on wheelie bins throughout the borough of Congleton.
CW10residents group understand that filling holes in the ground with landfill waste is just not acceptable, you can only dig so many holes, you can only pollute so much land and then where does the waste go?
Campaign groups have sprung up all over the country and Middlewich is no exception, because of the proposed landfill site on the edge of our town the size of 60 Wembley Stadiums. CW10residents believe that recycling is the only way forward to combat the use of holes in the ground.
It is the duty of Congleton Borough Council to replace one collection with a fully tried and tested curb side collection scheme inclusive of plastics and cardboard which works. Only then can you reduce wheelie bin collections and CW10residents will be lobbying the council to carry out a full feasibility study and an environmental risk assessment. We will also be looking to work with CBC on this in the hope we can establish a proper consultaion process and understanding for the residents of Middlewich.
IF YOU feel as strong as CW10residents feel on this issue then click here Wheelie Bins
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| RECYCLING |
In a report published by the environment agency it points out that the UK has some of the worst rubbish recycling rates in the Western world.
The UK is in danger of reaching waste crisis point. We produce more than 30 million tonnes of household waste each year, and disposing of it is a huge problem. In theory, three quarters of household waste could be recycled or composted - but almost 80 per cent is sent to landfill.
'Central government, local councils and residents need to work together to reduce the amount of rubbish we produce and improve our recycling rates'
In the borough of Congleton it has been proposed to move our bin collections to fortnightly collections and CW10residents as a group would accept this if and this is a big IF we had the proper recycling system in place which is tried and tested and one that includes plastics and cardboard.
The two alternatives to recycling are both harmful to the environment. Incineration creates polluting emissions and toxic ash, which then has to be buried in landfills. But landfill space is fast running out, and there are concerns about the effects of these sites on human health and the environment.
Middlewich has a company called Bank’s trying to gain planning permission on the outskirts of out town for a landfill site the size of 60 Wembley stadiums.
Chalky White (Town Councillor) has been heading up a campaign called Middlewich against dumping (MAD) in the hope to stop this proposed site. Chalky is working in conjunction with a number of residents and other councillors. And as Middlewich residents you can assist and express your objections by visiting MAD's website by clicking on the following link Middlewich Against Dumping MAD
CW10residents on the other hand have invited one of our borough councillors, Town Councillor, local residents and Officers from the borough council to work together to find a fully tried and tested recycling system which includes plastics and cardboard before the proposed fortnightly bin collection becomes reality. Part of this process CW10residents hope to include is a proper consultation and education on how important recycling is if we are to stop or reduce the chance of a landfill site.
We will also be looking to invite recently formed CW12residents group as part of the liaison committee in the hope to get them involved because this is an issue which affects the borough as a whole. If you wish to offer your support or your objections on a recycling system or fortnightly bin collections, then please click on the following link Recycling CW10residents group always welcomes views from our towns residents.
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| HIGH COUNCIL TAX RISE FOR MIDDLEWICH RESIDENTS |
Between the Christmas and New Year CW10 heard about the appointment for an Events Organiser for Middlewich. On the 14th January we wrote to the town council in the hope they could answer questions about the appointment.
We fully support events for the town of Middlewich such as the Folk & Boat festival and Roman Festival, because they do bring additional income for some of our local businesses. But we also understood that these events would come at a cost and it would be ultimately be the Middlewich residents who have to put their hands in their pockets to help to fund these events.
And as suspected a local newspaper headline on the front page stated 'COUNCIL TAX TO PAY FOR EVENTS' and this is exactly why CW10 sent a letter to Middlewich Town Council.
We will be getting more information on this appointment and how the budget for such events is actually broken down.
The Deputy Prime Ministers Office states in their introduction to Council Tax a guide to your bill states ‘The council tax is a local tax set by local councils to help pay for local services’
Do you as a Middlewich resident feel as though you are getting value for your local Council Tax?
IF YOU feel that you would benefit by these events and happy to pay more council tax or feel angry because of this rise then click here to have your say Council Tax
Click here for information on Council Tax A Guide to Your Bill (PDF File)
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| Middlewich First Attack CW10residents |
In one of the local papers this week (09th February 2005) we read an article written entitled ‘Battle lines drawn over town’ this article was a direct public attack on CW10residents group by Middlewich First.
We know that this attack on CW10residents group is in retaliation to the recent criticism and questions we submitted from CW10residents group members. We have every right to do this as residents of the town and Middlewich First seem to have lost sight of this very fact.
CW10residents group will not be drawn into a war of words with our town councillors or will be responding directly to Middlewich First or to the paper. What we will do is continue in the way we have for the past 14 months and will remain focused on our objectives. And no amount of public attacks or pressure from our councillors will stop us from working hard for our town, in fact will be quite the reverse.
In our opinion Middlewich First have over stepped the mark and have just done something as elected councillors they should never do; that is to criticise the very people they were actually elected to represent. This public criticism of a residents group is based on the backdrop of members and residents questions submitted to our Town Clerk and Councillor Paul Edwards (Leader Middlewich First) about some of the decisions they had made such as the Events Organiser which increased our council tax.
We cannot say if this public attack on CW10residents was a full representation of all Middlewich First councillors. But what ever the case, we must assume it would have had to be sanctioned by their party Chairman or leader. And if CW10residents have rattled them to the point of a public attack, then we must be hitting a raw nerve or they really think residents should not challenge them or ask questions.
Some months ago we did ask each councillor a series of unobtrusive questions (Questions which are published on our website) and not a single Middlewich First councillor returned the questionnaire to CW10residents group complete with answers. These questions we felt were an ideal opportunity for all councillors to tell residents of Middlewich and those residents who visited our website about themselves and maybe stop requests for their resignation.
We also raised your questions about the proposed youth shelter locations and have many more questions will follow which you have submitted. All of these questions we have every right to ask as residents, but instead of answering the questions they have made a public attack on a group of people looking out for our town. We will not let them shy away from answering your questions by publicly attacking the very people who are asking the questions.
CW10residents group have praised members of this group who have just attacked us. In fact in the past couple of weeks we submitted a letter sent to a local paper which was edited and failed to show the praise we gave for a Middlewich First Councillor. We also publicly praised another Middlewich councillor about their hard work on Middlewich Against Dumping (MAD). And when a large number of councillors were asked to resign by a resident of Middlewich in a letter, CW10residents again wrote a letter defending their decision not to resign.
This public attack by Middlewich First on CW10residents is inexcusable and to play dirty politics directly and personally against our two spokespersons is just unforgivable. Mike Hunter achieved a lot for Middlewich when he was Mayor, town and borough councillor and to attack his hard work is malicious in its intent. Mike & Andy put countless hours in CW10residents without being paid or getting any expenses and for Middlewich First to attack them & CW10residents group in such a way is just not acceptable.
We will continue to ask your questions and we will continue to praise or criticise our town and borough councillors. And if Middlewich First who has the majority voice and vote on our town council has nothing to hide, then they should answer all your submitted questions now and any we send in the future.
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