All of us (well, most of us) were absorbed last week by the England football team story. We have so admired Gareth Southgate and his young team, not only for their footballing skills but also for their dignity and community spirit and stand against racism. So we will all have been appalled at the racist abuse of Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka. This photo of the hundreds of positive messages covering up the racist graffiti on the Marcus Rashford mural in Manchester hopefully says more about who we are.
From 19 July a lot of Covid restrictions will be lifted, though there is still "guidance" about continuing caution. But look at the figures below, and really you should not change your behaviour. In particular, keep masks on when indoors (shops and the like), try to maintain social distancing, and make sure you are vaccinated. And probably avoid nightclubs!
With thanks to Alsager Chronicle
Lidl has revealed a list of places where it would be interested in opening a new store – including Alsager. But would it include a petrol station?
With thanks to Alsager Chronicle
At the end of June an Alsager Pride Group was formed during a meeting at the Radway Club. The aim is to meet the needs of the local lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex community. The group passed a constitution and formed a committee. It has now released a mission statement to raise awareness and campaign for equal LGBTQI+ rights. The town council flew the Pride flag on the green outside the Civic for Pride month during June. For more information look here (though in all honesty there is not currently a lot there).
With thanks to Alsager Chronicle
Following the adoption of the new committee system for Cheshire East Council, the council's budget has now been aligned with the committees, as follows:
Adults and Health – £120.4m
Children and Families – £90.8m
Highways and Transport – £102.2m
Economy and Growth – £53.2m
Environment and Communities – £53.1m
Corporate Policy – £43.6m
Finance – £19.0m
The aim is to make the council become more open and transparent, with committees responsible for assuring that budgets are spent on delivering the objectives set out in the council's Corporate Plan.
With thanks to Alsager Chronicle
The government is wanting to introduce "a more consistent approach" to the way waste is collected and recycled across England, and has published consultation on new waste management and funding changes for 2023, as part of the Environment Bill.
The proposals include a requirement to collect food waste separately and weekly, and to separate items such as glass, paper and cardboard, plastic bottles and cans.
Cheshire East Council is concerned at the implications and cost of such a scheme, particularly since it believes the current system of 3 bins collected fortnightly works well.
A brief synopsis of the principal statistical outcomes of the town centre public realm consultation can be found on the town council website here.
The Public Realm Working Group are currently looking in more detail at both the statistics and the many many comments which people have contributed in order to consider the way forward.
A further significant increase in Cheshire East and England this week, so please still be vigilant.
In the 7 days to 10 July there have been 22 cases in Alsager West, up 10 (rolling rate 387 – last week 211), and 16 cases in Alsager East, up 14 (rolling rate 245 – last week suppressed).
Cheshire East rolling rate is 305 (248 last week), England is 350 (264 last week).
See map here.
Sarah Anderson