Parish Council News

Bogus Callers and Rogue Traders

The Parish Council has received information from the Crime Reduction Advisor for Cheshire Police about Bogus Callers and Rogue Traders and how to be vigilant

A Bogus Caller is someone who uses a cover story to gain access to the victim's property. Common excuses may include purporting to be from the utility companies, requests for assistance e.g. asking for directions, asking to use the toilet etc.

Rogue Traders call at your door and offer to do work on your home or garden that may be unnecessary or charge hugely inflated prices for inferior quality work.

To reduce your chances of becoming a victim consider the following steps:

• Stop - Think! Are you expecting a visitor? Is it someone you know? Have you locked your back door before you open your front?
• Chain - If you have a chain on your door put it on before you open the door. If you don't have a chain think about whether it is possible to talk to the caller through a window.
• Check - Ask the caller for their identity and check it is genuine. Use a number in the phone book or a recent utility bill to check the authenticity of the caller. A genuine caller will never mind waiting while you check them out.
• Password - Speak to your utility company and set up a password that anybody who calls at your property will have to quote before you let them into your property.

If you would like any further Crime Reduction Advice please contact your local Crime Reduction Advisor on 01244 614576 or by email to Alison.gabbot@cheshire.pnn.police.uk

Public Conveniences in Holmes Chapel

At their recent meeting Members of Holmes Chapel Parish Council Amenities Committee received a statement from Phil Sherratt, Head of Environmental Services at Cheshire East Council, in which he said:

As part of the budget process, we are reviewing our approach to all public conveniences; therefore, we are not at a point where we can say a decision has been taken. Instead, we are continuing to explore options for provision in each location. In Holmes Chapel we are seeking to establish if a facility can be made available through partnering which is better located etc. and would substantially reduce the costs of ongoing maintenance e.g. Fire Station and perhaps Parish Council. As there is no immediate requirement for the capital investment we have accordingly released the resource to help manage more general pressures.

The Committee members reviewed the recent history of this matter recalling that the old Congleton Borough Council condemned the Holmes Chapel toilets as being the worst in the old Congleton Borough and promised to replace them. After a study a site was chosen behind the library. An original proposal for a portaloo was abandoned because of the running costs and the effect on the revenue budget. Subsequently one of the Architects in the Borough Property Department prepared plans and, after consultation, these were approved. After the creation of Cheshire East in April 2009, there was some delay until the budget provision was located but then the Parish Council were informed that the budget figure had been located and the design work could proceed to completion. The impression was given that the only problem was the need to allocate officer time to proceed with the scheme. The total loss of the budget item came as a great shock.

Following representations, Mr Sherratt has agreed to meet representatives of the Parish Council to discuss this issue.

Car Parking Charges Updated on 16 March 2010

Whilst members of the Parish Council are delighted by the announcement that Cheshire East Council is not proceeding with the introduction of car parking charges in Holmes Chapel at the present time, this will not change the fact that there are a lot of problems associated with car parking in the village centre.

These include shortage of spaces for shoppers, issues about all day and long stay parking and the majority of parking spaces being in private ownership. The Parish Council had pressed the former Congleton Borough Council and, more recently, Cheshire East Council to carry out a study of the parking situation in the village to consider these problems.

The position will now be reviewed with a view to looking for longer term solutions. As a starter, Paul Burns, Parking Services Manager at Cheshire East has agreed to meet with representatives of the Parish Council.

As you may be aware from the local press, Cheshire East Council has given notice that they propose to change parking restrictions on car parks, waiting and street parking in the borough. Full details of the proposed changes can be viewed on their web site www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

Library Service

Following the recent staff changes announced at Holmes Chapel library, the Parish Council has heard of further proposals at a recent meeting called by Cheshire East Council and Parish and Town Councils of Holmes Chapel, Middlewich, Knutsford, Poynton, Alsager and Congleton.

The main purpose of the meeting was to discuss proposals for moving Information and Customer points into libraries. This does not affect Holmes Chapel in the same way, because the Information Centre has been based at the library for a number of years, following a joint initiative by the former Cheshire County and Congleton Borough Councils supported by the Parish Council. For other towns it will involve moving existing information points into their libraries and the impact will be much greater for them.

There is some gain for Holmes Chapel because it is likely to mean that the Customer Service point (which is presently open for 14 hours a week) will be open at all times the library is open - a total of 30 hours. In the future library staff will be operating the Customer Service point.

Another innovation is that the library service is also introducing new technology into five libraries in Macclesfield, Nantwich, Sandbach, Bollington and Holmes Chapel. This technology, due to be in place by April this year, will enable library users to issue and return books themselves; a better and more flexible service.

Holmes Chapel Parish Council is proud of the library service in the village and was a major supporter of the improvements which took place about 5 years ago. We will be monitoring these proposals as they emerge.