Tips under threat in council cutbacks
Talks under way on plans to close recycling centres
TIPS in Bollington and Poynton are under threat of closure as the council looks to make savings.
Cheshire East cabinet members have voted to launch a consultation on plans to close some of the borough’s recycling centres.
There are eight in total, including sites at Congleton Road in Macclesfield, Albert Road in Bollington, and Anson Road in Poynton.
A report says that while the Congleton Road site will remain open, the sites in Bollington and Poynton are at risk.
Outside of the borough, the tips in Middlewich, Congleton and Alsager could also close under the proposals.
EDUCATION bosses have revealed their plan to tackle the shortfall of around 400 secondary school places in Macclesfield predicted by 2024.
The Cheshire East Council proposal is that Tytherington School is expanded by 150 places in work that would start in September 2023.
This is in addition to a £900,000 scheme already underway at the school, on Manchester Road, to put up six emergency classrooms.
Discussions are also ‘ongoing’ with Macclesfield Academy about additional places.
The plan was outlined in an email to Macclesfield councillors ahead of it going out to public consultation with school and parents.
There are shortfalls in other areas of Cheshire East and similar plans have been drawn up for Holmes Chapel and Congleton, but the biggest deficit is in Macclesfield.
According to the briefing sent to councillors the shortfall this year was 29 places, growing to 137 next year and hitting a peak of 405 in 2024 - should no action be taken.
It is then predicted to fall slightly in 2025 to 379.
The briefing says: “All the feedback from these consultations will be collated and reported back to the board of directors at the schools.
“The academy trusts will decide on whether to go ahead with the expansions based upon the feedback and the pressure of places in the area.
“If a decision to expand is taken, the schools will submit either a fast track application or a full business case to the regional schools commissioner.”
It is expected that funding will come from the government’s basic need grant and section 106 agreements - money paid by developers for community use as part of planning permission.
There has been criticism of the council for failing to deal with the problem sooner.
And allowing housing developments that have, some would say predictably, added to the pressure on school places.
Councillor Kathryn Flavell, cabinet member for children and families, has said in response: “The council reassesses pupil place forecasts annually in line with information provided by the planning department in relation to new housing development.
“The council is constantly in discussions with schools across the borough to assess anticipated need and, while assessments and forecasts may fluctuate, we will ensure that sufficient places are provided to meet growing need.”
A four week period of consultation into the plans began on Monday, November 16.
Other schools earmarked for similar expansions in Cheshire East are Holmes Chapel Comprehensive, Congleton High School and Eaton Bank Academy, also in Congleton.