Cllr Craig Browne

One week to go! We are so excited about our Christmas Fair which is taking place next Saturday between 10am and 4pm. There will be lots to do and see (and taste!) inside and outside the church, a Santa's Grotto, face painting and crafts and you can even bring your Teddy to go down the Zipwire! Please join us, it promises to be an amazing day!

Alderley Edge Parish Council will be considering this application for affordable housing in the green belt at our Plans Committee meeting this evening. Members of the public are welcome to attend and share their views to help inform our consultation response. The meeting will be held at the Festival Hall Alderley Edge, at 7pm.

To enable essential repairs to the Bowling Hut at Playing Fields, the footway will be closed from Thursday 16th November to Friday 22nd December. There will be no access from the Playing Fields to the Lakes Estate during this period.

https://cllrcraigbrowne.blogspot.com/2023/11/footway-to-close-for-bowling-hut-repairs.html?m=1

Here's a look at what we've got going on in November. Rhymetime on the morning of the 15th November will be a special event, joined by the Bookstart Bear himself!

We’ve got a fabulous selection of new non-fiction books for children in our libraries including Minecraft, Pokemon, and Harry Potter Lego amongst others!

These are also free to reserve on a child’s library card on the online catalogue Cheshire Libraries Catalogue https://cheslive.koha-ptfs.co.uk/cgi-bin/koha/opac-main.pl

🎉 Join us for CommuniTEA and COFFEE at The Festival Hall! ☕🍰

Introducing "A Free, Fresh Social Club to Savour Conversations and Brew Connections!"

Starting from October 30th, every Monday from 1:30pm to 3:30pm, we're brewing up a warm and welcoming atmosphere for you. Let's banish the blues and come together for some delightful conversation, coffee, and cake! 💬☕🍰

I would like to remind all residents that I will be holding my community surgery at Alderley Edge Library this Saturday morning between 11am - 12noon. Do come and join me for a cuppa and a chat about any local issues that may be causing you concern 🫖☕️🍪😊

Repairs and lining works have been carried out today in South Street Car Park. Big thanks to the team from Cheshire East Parking Services 😊👏

The planters are being replanted today - with thanks to Alderley Edge Parish Council & Oak Nurseries 🪴 🌺 🌸🌹😊

I have been advised that South Street Car Park will be closed on Tuesday 24th October to allow surface repairs and lining works to take place. Please avoid parking at this location between 09.00 - 17.00 on that day 🚧 🛑 🚙

Big thanks to officers from Cheshire East Highways for re-lining the approaches to Whitehall Bridge roundabout
I have been advised that this location will be added to the 2024/25 capital programme for skid-resistant road resurfacing.

On Saturday 30th September, I will be holding my monthly Community Surgery at Library. Do come and join me from 11am for a cuppa and a chat about any local issues that may be causing you concern.

Yesterday I was delighted to present Summer Reading Challenge Awards to children at Alderley Edge Library. Congratulations to everyone who took part and thank you to Alderley Edge Parish Council for agreeing to sponsor this year’s event. 👏🥇😊

Delighted to be presenting the medals once again this year. See you all on Saturday🥇

I have been advised of a temporary closure of London Road on Friday 29th September, from 09.30 to enable the felling of a dead tree outside Victor’s. The diversion route will be via George Street, South Street & West Street. 🌳 🚧 🛑 Alderley Edge Parish Council is making arrangements to fund a replacement tree at this location.

The rising demand for (and costs of delivering) adult social care and children’s services is putting many local councils under severe financial pressure, to the point where we are seeing more s.114 notices declared. Fortunately, Cheshire East Council isn’t in this position yet as we have worked hard and made painful decisions, (eg charging for green waste collections) to achieve a four-year balanced budget; however, the situation remains incredibly challenging.

Two Cheshire councils warn of budget overspends The authorities say the rising cost of children's social care is heaping pressure on their finances.

STARTING this week! We're starting with Rhymetime on Wednesday 6th, Story&Song and Baby Bounce on Thursday 7th. Happy back to school week 😆

AN UPDATE ON RAAC SCHOOLS:
Cheshire East Council was approached some months ago and asked to identify whether we had any schools that had Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). Our Estates Dept did not identify any schools within the borough. We are assuming that the DfE is using this data which was sought from all councils earlier in the year. As of this moment, we have received no contact from the DfE to suggest that there are any schools within Cheshire East that are believed to be affected. Hope this helps provide reassurance.

🌼🏆 Congratulations to Our Front Garden Competition Winner! 🌱🌸


A resounding applause for Mr. and Mrs. Smallwood of Windermere Drive – the triumphant winners of our Front Garden Competition

This garden tells a story of nature's resilience and showcases the harmony between the environment and their commitment.

We're thrilled to announce that their achievement will be celebrated at the Alderley Edge Village Show, and the Shell Trophy will be awarded to Mr. and Mrs. Smallwood by Cllr Rachael Grantham on Saturday at 4:00 PM.

Join us in congratulating Mr. and Mrs. Smallwood for their outstanding achievement, and well done to all this year’s entrants, they really do make a difference to the village.

At my surgery on Saturday morning, I will be joined by our PCSO Jess Thornley. Do come and join us for a cuppa and a chat at Alderley Edge Library from 11am if there are any local issues causing you concern.

The BBC's Shared Data Unit surveyed 190 upper-tier authorities in the UK to find out the extent of the financial difficulties facing town halls, which provide services from adult social care to bin collections and pothole repairs.
It revealed council chiefs expect to be £5.2bn short of balancing the books by April 2026 even after making £2.5bn of planned cuts.

Black hole in town hall budgets rises to £5bn Unison warns some councils will be unable to provide basic services.

We have teamed up with Everybody Health & Leisure for the Summer Reading Challenge this year to celebrate sports and games in our community. Every child who completes the challenge will receive a free swim voucher, and you could also win a one month family membership in our Design a Sports Kit competition.

Drop into the library to sign up for the challenge and find out more!

Explore your imagination with Fantasy books and Sophia and the Summer Reading Challenge at the library this summer. Try these and more, all available to borrow or reserve here at the library.

Earlier today I joined Parish Cllrs Kristina Hulme & Bev Chapman to judge this year's Front Garden Competition. The finalists are listed in the photographs below, whilst the runners up will be announced from Wednesday 23rd August. The Shell Trophy will be presented to the owners of the winning garden at the Alderley Edge Village Show, on Saturday 26th August at the Festival Hall.

Our Parish Council Lengthsman has been out and about refreshing some of our existing street nameplates. If you are aware of any nameplates that would benefit from a refresh, please let me know.*

* I am already aware of the missing nameplate on Oakfield Road and this has been reported to Cheshire East Highways for inclusion in a future programme.

New events added with kind thanks to Alderley Edge Parish Council.
New STEM activities coming up in the summer holidays... come and make and take home a pot of slime, a bouncy ball and a Minecraft inspired torch. All free and drop in (no need to book) Parent supervision is required. Put some dates in your diary!

It was a pleasure to welcome the Rail Minister, Huw Merriman MP, to the borough earlier today. We discussed a range of issues including HS2, Levelling Up & rail-led economic growth.

If anyone has a copy of yesterday’s hard copy edition, I would be very grateful for it. Not being a subscriber to The Daily Telegraph, I haven’t had the benefit of being able to read the full article (from the headline it appears they think is in Manchester!).

Just like to say thanks to the team from Cheshire East Highways who have been carrying out some minor repairs to the footpath on Eaton Drive earlier today. This is a particularly important area as during term time it is regularly used as a walking route to the nearby Alderley Edge Primary School. 😊👏

As a reminder, I will be holding my regular monthly surgery at Alderley Edge Library tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 11am. Do come along and join me for a cuppa and a chat about any local issues that may be causing you concern. Best wishes, Craig

Don't forget the next Parish Council Meeting is this evening Monday,10th July 2023 at 7:30.pm
This is an excellent opportunity to engage with council members, share your thoughts, and connect with fellow residents. Your input matters, and we encourage you to join us for this valuable interaction.
📍 Location: Festival Hall at 1930.

We have been busy preparing FREE activities ready for the school holidays.
Our last Rhymetime session will be Wednesday 19th July. We will be taking a break over the Summer holidays to give us time to put on some different events. Story & Song will continue every Thursday. Have a look at the poster below to see what we have planned. We look forward to seeing you soon!

To help someone who is in cardiac arrest survive, a defibrillator needs to be found as quickly as possible. For every minute it takes for the defibrillator to reach someone and deliver a shock, their chances of survival lower. They can be found at the following locations in Alderley Edge:
Defibrillator Locations

• The Bubble Room Bar & Restaurant – London Road
• Coggles – London Road
• Tesco – London Road
• Railway Station – Platform 1
• St Phillip and St James Church
• Medical Centre
• Alderley Edge Dental – West Street
• Bupa Dental Care – Trafford Road
• Alderley Cricket Club
• Alderley Edge Hockey Centre
• Alderley Edge Primary School
• The Ryleys School

Ansa has a business that may be of interest to you. We are looking for a business to provide a small refreshment vehicle for Alderley Edge Park. Find out more: https://ecs.page.link/Jsv2U

🤝 Supporting Small Charity Week 🌟

This week, we want to shine a spotlight on a remarkable small charity that is making a big difference in our community. Introducing the Time Out Group, based in Handforth and working across Wilmslow, Handforth, Macclesfield and of course Alderley Edge,

The Time Out Group is dedicated to supporting adults with learning disabilities/autism and their families. They provide a much-needed lifeline through their befriending services, comprehensive support programs, and engaging social activities which also includes some with the Alderley Edge Station Group.

The charity also provide valuable support and offer respite for family members, ensuring that everyone in the community feels cared for and supported.

As a local parish council, we believe in the power of unity and working together to create a stronger, more inclusive community. We admire the Time Out Group's commitment to enhancing the lives of local individuals and their families, making our community a more vibrant and welcoming place for all.

Join us in celebrating the incredible work of the Time Out Group during Small Charity Week and to find out more about them, please visit their page via https://bit.ly/433oqwh

I will be holding my first Community Surgery of the new electoral term on Saturday morning, starting at 11am at Alderley Edge Library.

Do come and join me for a cuppa and a chat about any local issues that may be giving you cause for concern, or where I may be able to help.

COMMUNITY SURGERY - SATURDAY 24TH JUNE, 11AM A blog set up by Alderley Edge Ward Councillor, Craig Browne.

We recently refurbished our Emerson Suite and wanted to share this lovely photo taken by Petite Chic Pamper Parties at their recent event. Anyone interested in booking the room should email [email protected]