Dear fellow residents,

Hope you're doing well!  Thankfully we seem to have moved out of the the rainy weather as it's been feeling much more Spring like as I've been out and about around our area in the past few weeks, working for our community.

I wanted to share some updates with you, especially if you're not following my regular facebook or instagram posts, just so that you don't miss out on anything!

Here's my latest newsletter update with news on some of the work I've been doing across our community, including why I voted against the council tax increase, getting things fixed in our area, potholes, cctv for flytipping, my next drop in surgery, plus our next community litter pick - as well as some of upcoming events including football and other activities for our young people.  

If you want to see my previous newsletters you can read them all online.

You can always see my latest updates on my facebook page.  Remember to click like and follow to stay updated.  I'm also on Instagram and now Tiktok too.

Please forward or share this newsletter with your St Barnabas area friends and neighbours so I can keep other residents up to date on what I am up to in our area.

Anyone can sign up to receive my newsletter by visiting

www.crewestbarnabas.org.uk/newsletter

If you've missed a previous newsletter, you can view them all online here.

COUNCIL TAX AND COMMON SENSE

Last week we had our Full Council 'budget meeting' and, as you can imagine, it's always a long one. There was a lot to get through and plenty that will affect residents across Cheshire East.

One issue that affects every single household is council tax.

You may have seen that the council’s original request to increase council tax by almost 10% was refused before the meeting. What was then put forward was a rise of 4.99% – the maximum allowed without a referendum. Again.

I voted against it.

I fully understand that costs have gone up. Inflation, increasing demand for services and the need to invest sensibly are all real pressures. I am not against investment where it delivers results.

But week after week I hear from residents whose bins have not been collected. I see road repairs done badly, only for the same stretch of road to be patched up again months or sometimes just weeks later at further cost.

Black bin collections are about to move from every two weeks to every three. We already pay extra for garden waste, we have to mess around booking a slot at the tip. And many of the issues raised with me could be resolved quickly if we simply did things properly first time, instead of going round in circles and wasting time and money.

I cannot justify asking residents to pay more while so many basic services are falling short.  The council is not getting the basic services right.

Despite voting against it, the 4.99% increase was approved after being outvoted by Labour and Independent councillors.

The council cannot afford to waste money. And, I wonder - can you?

I will continue to push for better value for money and better services for our community.

We will all have our own thoughts on this, and I welcome hearing your feedback.

🎉 FREE WEEKLY SPORTS SESSIONS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE! 🎉

I've been out talking to residents and delivering flyers to promote the new FREE football sessions starting Wednesday in our local park.

I’m thrilled to be working with Crewe Alexandra in the Community, supported by Guinness Housing, to bring more free activities for our young people in Leighton Brook Park, right in the heart of our Crewe St Barnabas community.

⚽ WHEN & WHERE

🗓 Starting Wednesday 25 February, then every Wednesday

⏰ 6pm – 7.15pm

📍 Floodlit Sports MUGA, Leighton Brook Park, Frank Webb Avenue, CW1 3NE

🚶‍♂️ Walk down on foot, or parking available on Frank Webb Avenue

👧🧑 WHO CAN JOIN

Ages 8–16 | Completely free | No booking – just turn up!

💪 WHY GET INVOLVED

✅ Stay active and healthy

✅ Build confidence & teamwork skills

✅ Make new friends

✅ Have fun in a safe, welcoming environment

Don’t miss out – come along, get active, and be part of something special in our community!

COMMUNITY LITTER PICK SATURDAY 14TH MARCH

You are invited to join our next community litter pick on 14th March, it's a weekend one this time - on the Saturday.

We will meet at 10am by the playground in Leighton Brook Park, off Frank Webb Avenue. From there, we will spread out across the park and surrounding area to help keep our local environment clean and welcoming for everyone.

This is a fantastic opportunity to come together as a community, spend some time outdoors and make a real difference to our neighbourhood. Whether you can spare half an hour or stay for the full session, your support will be greatly appreciated.

Everyone is welcome, young or old. All equipment and bags will be provided. If you have your own litter picker and would prefer to bring it along, please feel free to do so. Comfortable clothes and old trainers are recommended.

It would be wonderful to see as many residents as possible taking part. Thank you in advance for your continued support.

📍 TIMBRELL AVENUE COMMUNITY DROP IN SURGERY ON WEDNESDAY

Join us this Wednesday 4th Match from 5pm to 6pm at the Family Ties and Creative Action Hub, 58 to 60 Timbrell Avenue.

This is your chance to meet your local community team in St Barnabas, raise any concerns, share ideas, or simply have a chat about what matters to you and our area.

We’ll also be joined by Guinness Housing and the Crewe Police Community Team, so support and advice will be available on the night.

No appointment needed, just drop in. We’d love to see you there 👋

GOULDEN STREET – STILL WORK TO DO! 🛠️

I’ve been out and about across our area again, boots on, and stopped by Goulden Street as well as many others.

Even after my last visit where I flagged issues to highways, there are still more potholes – including this absolute whopper!

I’ve reported them again and asked for a more permanent fix. I’ll keep everyone updated on progress.

Huge thanks to all of you who’ve been supporting me in getting our roads sorted – it really helps when we all speak up!

While I was there, I also spotted some fly tipping and reported that too. If you see any fly tipping, please don’t ignore it – reporting it is the quickest way to get it cleared.

You can find out how to report most local issues here:

https://www.crewestbarnabas.org.uk/report-an-issue/

Our streets should be safe and well cared for, and I’m out on foot regularly doing my best to make sure they are

BROOKLANDS GROVE - FENCE FIXED!

A big thank you to residents of Brooklands Grove who got in touch with me about the state of the fence between their road and the green space at the end of the grove.

When I went out to have a look, it was clear it had seen better days. Parts were rotten, sections were missing and some of it was barely standing. Not only did it look untidy, it was not helping from a safety point of view either.

I am really pleased to say the fence has now been properly repaired. It looks far better and, just as importantly, it helps slow down anyone flying through on two wheels as they come off the entrance. A simple fix, but one that makes a real difference.

While I was there, I was shown an old council sign hidden away in the bushes. It reads NO GOLF. I have to say it made me laugh. I am struggling to picture teeing off on Brooklands Grove these days. Does anyone remember this?

The new fencing also works well alongside the lockable bollards at the Frank Webb Avenue entrance that were installed last summer, stopping unauthorised vehicle access onto the green space and helping keep it for residents to enjoy.

If there is something in your area that needs sorting, please keep letting me know. It is always better when we work on these things together.

WE DON’T WANT THIS MESS IN OUR COMMUNITY

More flytipping reported again over the last couple of weeks.

This time the rubbish has been dumped at:

📍 Frank Webb Avenue near the alley gate

📍 Bowen Cooke Avenue near the bin collection point and alley gates

📍 Frank Webb Avenue near the rear alleyway to Underwood West Academy

It is frustrating, it is unfair on residents, and it is not what our community deserves. We take pride in where we live. We do not want this mess in our neighbourhood.

Clean-up has been requested and action is being taken.

The good news - mobile CCTV is nearly ready to be deployed in our area. About time. Those responsible should know that we are not turning a blind eye.

If you see anything suspicious or need to report fly-tipping, littering or missed bin collections:

📞 Call 0300 123 5011

🌐 https://www.crewestbarnabas.org.uk/report-an-issue/

Together we can keep our community clean, safe and something we are proud of.

POTHOLE PATROL UPDATE – MINSHULL NEW ROAD AND WEST STREET

I've been back out carrying out another pothole patrol on Minshull New Road, and also checking on issues along West Street and other roads in our area.

Some of the potholes were repaired last week, which is welcome progress. However, a number appear to have been conveniently missed, and I have reported those again to ensure they are properly addressed. Some potholes on West Street have also been patched, but more permanent repairs are still needed. I’m hoping to be able to announce something on this soon.

In addition, I came across further potholes around Windsor Avenue, Smith Grove and Underwood Lane, which have now also been reported.

I will continue pressing for action until all the necessary repairs are completed. I have also requested that the loose debris left behind by the potholes is cleared away, as this is creating an additional safety concern for road users.

Thank you to residents who continue to raise these issues and keep me updated.

LEIGHTON BROOK PARK TIDY UP DONE

Thanks to the Parks team who responded to my recent request to tidy up the brambles around the railings in Leighton Brook Park.  It's a lot tidier, and less spiky now!

As they say on Vernon Way - Every little helps!  And I aim to give you Extra!!

If there's something you've spotted that needs attention please let me know

https://www.crewestbarnabas.org.uk/contact/

HELP GET LOST TROLLEYS OFF OUR STREETS

Out and about last week I came across a runaway trolley from Morrisons  abandoned on Badger Avenue. Not quite the scenic feature we are aiming for here in St Barnabas!

Aside from making the street look scruffy, dumped trolleys can cause an obstruction on our pavements. This one has now been reported for collection.

As ever, you are the eyes and ears of our community. If you spot a stray trolley, please take a moment to report it so we can get it removed and keep our streets looking tidy.

You can report it by calling 0300 123 5011 or online at:

https://www.crewestbarnabas.org.uk/report-an-issue/

It only takes a couple of minutes, and it really does make a difference. Thank you for helping keep our area looking its best.

That's it for now as I can't fit everything on this monthly newsletter - but there are many more updates on local issues and upcoming events on my Facebook, Instagram and now tiktok so please do follow them to stay updated.

Want to know what's happening first?

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If you have something you'd like me to look in to please do get in contact.

Councillor James Pratt

Crewe, St Barnabas Ward

Cheshire East & Crewe Town Council

Promoted by James Pratt of CNCA, 13 Churchyardside, CW5 5DE