News in Sandbach

The leader of Cheshire East Council has joined his counterparts across the county in calling on the government to clear up the "ambiguity" that surrounds the Coronavirus restrictions.

In an open letter to the secretary of state for health, Matt Hancock and the secretary of state for local government, Robert Jenrick, the council leaders said the "liberal interpretation" of the lockdown meant more people are out of their homes compared to last spring.

Sandbach residents have been urged to hold onto their charity shop donations until the end of lockdown after items were left outside of a closed Oxfam.

A suitcase surrounded by bags and other items were pictured on Monday evening on the shop's doorstep on Bold Street.

A new shared vision 'for children and young people in Cheshire East' has been formally endorsed by the borough's cabinet.

The vision includes aims such as making 'families and communities strong, welcoming and supportive, where differences are celebrated' and supporting young people to build on their strengths, develop resilience, and achieve their full potential'.

The Waitrose supermarket in Sandbach is going to be posting marshals on its front doors to make sure that everyone shopping there is wearing a mask.

Waitrose will insist that all customers must wear a face covering, unless medically exempt or under the required age. This new approach will be rolled-out across all stores, including Sandbach, over the next few days.

The number of new daily Covid-19 cases "seem to have stopped rising" but Cheshire East hospital admissions "have probably not yet peaked", according to Cheshire East council leader Sam Corcoran.

Infections are slowing because the impacts of Tier 3 and Tier 4 regulations are starting to take hold, he added.

School staff should be moved up the Covid-19 vaccine priority list, it has been suggested by Cheshire East Council leadership.

It was revealed at Tuesday's (January 12) CEC cabinet meeting that senior councillors had asked the authority's Director of Public Health — Dr Matt Tyrer — to speak with NHS officials over the move.

Cheshire Police have issued 58 fines over the weekend for "blatant" breaches of Coronavirus restrictions.

The number of Fixed Penalty Notice's (FPN) issued at the weekend is more than double than the entire month of December, marking a toughening stance against rule-breakers.

More than 20 complaints were levelled against Cheshire East councillors last year — but none were investigated by officials.

Data from a freedom of information request by the LDRS shows that 23 complaints were made against CEC members in 2019/20, with none being formally looked into.

Community groups in Sandbach are being encouraged to apply for an emergency fund set up by police and crime commissioner (PCC) to support communities through the latest national lockdown.

Grants of up to £1,000 are available for projects which are working alongside Cheshire police and local authorities to support vulnerable people in the community.

Cheshire East Council is launching a new order and collect service today to encourage people to continue using library services in Sandbach and other towns during lockdown.

With lockdown measures meaning that avid readers are unable to access many services in the usual manner, the council's libraries new service will enable residents to continue enjoying the array of books at 15 of Cheshire East's libraries, including Congleton's on Market Street.