Chatbox

Hi can anyone recommend a builder / carpenter to build a media wall in my lounge .

Has anyone heard anything more about what's happening with Bus routes 72 & 73?

Apparently Cheshire East were trying to get another bus company to take over the routes for start September (which is 4 days away at the time of writing). School starts next Wednesday and no word yet.

I just wasted 30 mins calling both Cheshire East & D & G who either palmed me off elsewhere or said the services are not running. Have any more avid council watchers than me heard anything more official from the bottomless money pit yet still apparently broke organisation that is Cheshire East?

Given that only a third of the Parich Council are remaining, can they really be considered as quorate? And, why does a small village like Audlem actually need 12 councillors? Isn't it now a clear case of "Too many cooks spoil the broth."?!

Hi, Just to let you know that Elvis definately sang Sweet Caroline. Go onto U.Tube and you see him. That is why it is sung at most Elvis concerts. I was at the Marina on Sat. and WOW what a great time we all had listening to and watching Paul. He was fantastic as usual. Maureen Morgan.

Hi,
I have just been to Crewe recycling centre and found out that on bank holidays and weekends if you want to use the centre you need to go online and book a "visit slot ". This process is to stop queues building up at busy time, but only is you are aware. CE at its best

Does anyone know of a charity that would like a 32" Panasonic colour television
Good working order with working remote
Not smart but able to work with Fire stick

Herewith the latest information I have with regard to utility/highway works which may impact on accessibility in and around the village; please not some may already be in place, due to rescheduling or extension.

Closure School Lane, off Stafford Street 26/8 – 28/8.
Closure Monks Lane 27/8 – 29/8.
Two Way Traffic Lights 29/8 – 30/8 A529 Audlem Road, south of Hankelow; to allow tree works.
Closure 3/9, A529 Audlem Road between Birchall Moss Lane and Bridgemere Lane.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me.
Cllr Rachel Bailey
email rachel.bailey@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Whan to get fit for FREE?
Canal WOD with me!
All that's needed is a backpack with some household items that weight upto 10kg! ( I recommend no Lett that 5kg.)
Work out takes between 35 – 50 minutes.
Contact me on 07525638532
Or meet at the canal bridge lock 12, Audlem @ 08:20 Sunday 25th August.

Hope to see you there. Steve

I thought I'd use the Go To bus today to get to Nantwich for a train, how hard could it be? I pre booked it days ago (having had issues previously trying to get one on the day) and everything was confirmed.
Then at 7.15 this morning I received a text to say it had been cancelled. So I had to urgently make alternative arrangements.
If this is best Cheshire East can provide as reliable public transport, then on the evidence of today it's simply not good enough, especially for those who rely on buses for work, essential appointments or college.

Can anyone please recommend someone local that they have used themselves, that will pull and remove ragwort? Spaying has not been successful. Thank you.

I was on a the D and G bus service this morning and was shocked to hear it is being withdrawn (I would just like to say the bus was almost full.)
I have used this bus daily while working and now less frequently but for people who can't drive like me it is vital as the " Go too" bus is not always available and has it's limitations on when you can use it.
I had no idea any of this was happening till today but I would have supported any meetings about this and will watch with interest for any further information.

Hi Chris,

I contacted the Clerk of APC this morning along with a number of other concerned residents.

Carol has been trying to get this sorted for the last few days and now has a commitment from ANSA that they will be emptied possibly today.

Nigel.

Who is responsible for emptying the bins by Turnpike Field? They have been overflowing with green bags for sometime. Have they been forgotten on the bin collection route

I know its short notice, but in view of the understandable concern regarding the withdrawal announcement from the D&G Bus Service Company last Friday, Aphra Brandreth MP has kindly agreed to stay in the village a little longer this afternoon and join me in hosting a meeting to allow you to share your concerns and views in person.

Venue : Audlem Public Hall
Time : 4.15 pm
Date : Monday 19 August 2024

I am fortunate to have been able to speak directly with CE Officers this morning, who have promised to provide a written statement as soon as they can.

I do hope you can attend.

Rachel Bailey
CE Audlem Ward Councillor
rachel.bailey@cheshireeast.gov.uk
07825 436587

For information herewith link posted by on Audlem Life as to the legal registration required for these bus routes.

https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/search/find-registered-local-bus-services/details/615425/?acceptedAllCookiesConfirmation=true

Thank you to Stephen for his research and allowing me to share.
Rachel Bailey
CE Audlem Councillor

Hi Bob Fousert

I was interested in yours and other comments re the running of Parish Councils

Having recently spent 6 months researching my own Parish Council, going back well over a decade, could you give me a call please, as I might have some useful information that could be of interest to you

07766201027

Thanks Bob

Sue

Firstly and most importantly as your local Ward Cllr I apologise for the upset the D&G announcement regarding Audlem Bus Routes 70, 71, 72 & 73 has caused you over the weekend.
It is unfortunate that a AOL Chatbox post, was promoted/endorsed as a news item, without research or full consideration of all its content; I thank the editor for his apology and trust that AOL will now address this publicly.
Background:
D&G are a commercial bus company who are currently contracted to deliver the afore mentioned routes by CEC. More often than not rural routes are not viable and hence the contract includes a council subsidy; government provide grant assistance and councils set an annual budgetting in this regard.
What we know:
I, like you, have unusually received no direct notice or consultation regarding this matter either from D&G or CEC.
A consultation on bus services surrounding Audlem took place earlier this year and clearly supported continuation of services between the village and Nantwich, as well as better links to Leighton Hospital – this is/was due to go live on 1 October.
CEC currently rely on the commercial bus service for capacity to deliver its statutory home to school transport service.
Information available:
A resident has helpfully shared a litigious view via Audlem Life Facebook Account, the headline of which wisely states:
'D&G may have decided that they no longer wish to have that contract but he'd be extremely surprised if the contract simply allows them to walk away'.
What I am doing:
Whilst AOL have now contacted CE Comms Department, I have messaged relevant CE Officers to seek clarity on this matter and will update you as soon as I can; you will understand Sunday reporting of this rendered if impossible to seek a formal response until today.
I am in the village this afternoon so if anyone wishes to speak to me directly, I will be outside the Annexe on the playing fields between a flexible 5 and 5.30 pm.
Alternatively please continue to contact me directly via fb, email: rachel.bailey@cheshireeast.gov.uk or telephone 07825 436587/0790 998 2609.
Rachel Bailey
CE Audlem Ward Councillor

Who on the APC is responsible for emptying the two ugly skips recently placed at the entrance to the Turnpike Field ? Not only are they an intrusive eye sore on what is a wonderful landscape – but now they are both overflowing with plastic rubbish bags (and have been for days now), they are also constituting a health hazard too. When the village purchased this field did anyone vote for it to be used as a waste disposal site ? Have the necessary environmental permits and planning permissions been obtained by the APC to use the field in this manner ?

Can anyone recommend a plumber who is probably physically flexible who can disconnect shower pump installed in cylinder cupboard to allow checks to be made on the water side – suspect filters blocked up and possible scale around flow switches? House is on Heywoods Ridge off whitchurch road. Thanks

I'm not sure anybody has noticed, but Cheshire East has officially now withdrawn ALL of our scheduled bus services.

The announcement is as follows:

From 1st September 2024 services 70, 71, 72 and 73 will no longer operate.

An alternative facility will by provided by Cheshire East Council's Go Too demand responsive transport service.

Given these "demand responsive" buses are virtually impossible to actually book (when the app actually works!) and/or they are not available at the time you actually need them, I suspect they're being deliberately ran down as well.

If we had a functioning parish council to actually represent us – or indeed, had anyone actually interested in representing the village at all – perhaps they wouldn't be getting away with complete withdrawal of services.

And finally we get another account of what's been going on with APC and Turnpike field. It's good that AOL has published Jean Stainthorpe's account from someone who was actually involved in trying to get Turnpike Field into FIT. Let's not lose sight of the fact that the majority of Audlem voted for Turnpike to go into FIT. Our Parish councillors at the time did their best to make this happen. There have been a few things that with hindsight could have been done better as Steve Elliot said on his post.

The fact is that we had a statement from APC at the meeting that was very well attended by concerned residents, including the police, where accusations about lying to the council etc were made. We have the APC statement that went on record in the minutes and now two different statements that seem to support each other from people who were actually involved. Will the APC at the next meeting clearly with OPENNESS AND TRANSPARENCY explain why we have two very different accounts. Accusations about lying were made, surely we need an explanation as to how this can be, not too much to ask for.

Having previously been an Independent member of Cheshire East's Audit and Governance I had to deal with quite a number of issues relating to complaints about the way that Parish councils were run. The recurring theme of many of the problems stemmed around co-option and the lack of means by which to make councillors accountable and to removed the bullies and poor performers.

Yes, as suggested by numerous people, the answer in Audlem would be to have a complete clear out but, as is so often the case, who is going to replace them? It is clear by the fact that most, if not all, Audlem PC members have been co-opted at some time or other that there would not be enough people who would put their names forward. The answer should be to hold proper elections rather than councillors being appointed on a nod and a wink, in that way they would be truely accountable to the people who voted for them.

The Doomsday scenario is to have no Coucil and for Cheshire East to take over in the interim – god forbid!!

Well said J.Jones on your comment on Audlem Parish Council. As Steph has intimated in her post today things will only get better if all the existing Parish Councillors relinquish their membership and a new Parish Council is elected. A Council that would adhere to the Nolan principles of governance which include openness , honesty and integrity.
Have the Parish Council responded to the proposal made by the Audlemonline web team for regular 2 week updates of progress in resolving issues relating to Turnpike field?

There is a lot of useful information on the Fields in Trust website explaining what type of use or change in the area requires special permission . This small quote may be of interest as it means that things like our village fete seem to be unaffected.

"Consent for an event or festival is required where more than 25% of the protected space will be closed for more than 21 consecutive days "

After recommendation on AOL I contacted WHS LTD. 07526563723 a young man named William.
I sent photos of our damaged guttering on the Friday, he sent quotes for the replacement and removal of the existing guttering on the Sunday and came to do the work on the Tuesday. He was very knowledgeable and an excellent work ethic.
Would definitely recommend him. Thank you AOL and William.