BY EMAIL
18th December 2025
Dear Parish Council,
I am writing to inform you of an important decision regarding the future of neighbourhood policing in Cheshire.
Following conclusion of consultation and careful consideration of a counter-proposal as well as our current understanding of the difficult financial
forecast, the proposal to reduce the number of PCSO posts from 87 to 27 will now be progressed.
This decision has not been taken lightly and all those affected by the changes are being supported throughout the process.
We fully recognise the valuable contribution that PCSOs make to our communities, and we are grateful for the support and partnership of parish
councils in helping to keep Cheshire safe. However, the ongoing financial pressures facing the force, combined with the changing nature of crime and public expectations, mean that we must
adapt our workforce model to ensure we remain fit for the future.
We have had a cumulative reduction in our budget of £115m since 2008/09 and currently need to make a further £13m in savings by 2029.
Reducing the number of PCSOs is essential to future-proofing the force, enabling us to balance our budget while maintaining our commitment to
neighbourhood policing. These changes will also allow us to redeploy warranted police officers into local policing teams, ensuring we have the right resources and powers in place to tackle
the issues that matter most to our communities. The sentencing review for example, will increase our demand to manage offenders in the community which requires more warranted police
officers.
We understand that this news will be of significant interest to you and your residents. To ensure you are fully informed and have the opportunity to
discuss the new neighbourhood policing model, your Local Policing Unit Chief Inspector Zoe Bowden will be in contact with you in the new year to provide further details and answer any questions
you may have.
In the meantime, should you have any specific questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Yours sincerely
Alison Ross
Assistant Chief Constable
Neighbourhood Policing
Cheshire Constabulary
Cheshire Constabulary Headquarters, Clemonds Hey, Oakmere Road, Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 2UA
Email: alison.ross@cheshire.police.uk
Mobile: 07769 369047 | Office: 01606 362094
Stabilisation nearing completion, Principal Consultant appointed, design works underway.
The Bridgewater Canal Company has confirmed that the repair programme following the New Year’s Day breach at Little Bollington has now moved into its next phase,
with stabilisation works nearing completion and the formal design process for reinstating the embankment now underway.
As part of this progression, SLR Consulting (formerly Wardell Armstrong) has been appointed as principal consultant to lead on the design and project management
of the reinstatement, following a competitive tender process.
Since January, extensive work has been undertaken to protect and secure the canal. Temporary dams, stoplogs and embankment support have stabilised the site, and
the unnavigable stretch has been reduced to under half a mile.
In September, the adjoining landowner, the National Trust released its Geo-environmental Site Investigation, undertaken with guidance from Cheshire East Council
and the Environment Agency. The report confirmed: “Testing showed that the flood-affected soils at the site do not pose a risk to human health from chemical or microbiological sources.”
This enabled full access for specialist surveys, which have now been completed. The results are informing the design process which is underway.
Further targeted ecological and environmental surveys will take place in the coming weeks. Once finalised, these will allow the contractor procurement process to
begin. Subject to the outcomes of ecological surveys and engineering design, we envisage construction works to begin in summer 2026 with a completion by the end of 2026.
SLR Consulting said: “We’re pleased to support the Bridgewater Canal Company as this project moves into the design and planning phase. With our experience in
civil engineering and canal infrastructure, we look forward to helping restore this historic stretch of the Bridgewater Canal.”
Peter Parkinson, Managing Director of the Bridgewater Canal Company, said: “We recognise how important the canal is to boaters, local residents and the wider
Cheshire Ring. We’re pleased to have appointed SLR Consulting as principal consultant; their extensive experience in civil infrastructure and canal projects will be invaluable as we move into the
next phase of these complex repairs. We remain committed to restoring navigation and will continue to keep everyone updated as plans develop.”
For more details visit: bridgewatercanal.co.uk
For media enquiries, please contact: bridgewatercanal@peel.co.uk
Illustrations of the repaired breach below
Members of the Council are summoned to attend to consider and resolve upon the business to be transacted at the meeting as set out in the agenda.
There will be an opportunity for members of the public to raise questions about and comment on items on the agenda.
? Meeting Plan: Public Transport in Lymm and Surrounding Areas
? Date: Tuesday, 30th September
? Time: 7:00 PM – 8:45 PM
? Venue: Lymm Village Hall, Pepper Street
Accessible via the 5, 5X, and 280 bus services
? Part 1: 7:00 – 7:45 PM
Topic: Lymm – Altrincham/Sale Connectivity
Focus: Introduction and feedback on the new 5X and 280 services, and updates on the ongoing 5 service
Attendees: Residents, Local Parish Councils, Warrington Borough Council Officers, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) Representatives?
Chair: Cllr Graham Gowland
Agenda:
- 7:00 – 7:05 PM: Welcome and introductions
- 7:05 – 7:15 PM: Presentation on the 5X, 280, and 5 services – routes, frequency, and inter-area cooperation
- 7:15 – 7:35 PM: Open floor for resident feedback – suggested tweaks, service gaps, accessibility
- 7:35 – 7:45 PM: Summary of feedback and next steps
Little Bollington CE Primary School is inviting applications for a co-opted governor vacancy on their governing board. Meetings are held
once every half term and governors would welcome an application from anyone who would like to support the school to be the best it can be.
For further information please contact Judith Castledine judith.castledine@cdat.co.uk
The Community Orchard has been freshly mowed ready to welcome everyone to gather there tomorrow (Sunday 29 August). There will be a great
Hog Roast at the Swan with Two nicks from 1.00pm.
All Little Bollington and local area residents, and their family members and friends, are welcome to pop in to the Community Orchard.
This is situated in front of the pub with access from the track leading to Bollington Hall Farm.
This will be an opportunity at last for people from the village and nearby area to get together and socialise after such a long time
without community events.
Hope to see you there!
PS Many thanks to Brian Hurd for mowing the orchard.
Do you have any photos of Little Bollington, Stamford Arms and surrounding area? If so, please contact clerk@littlebollington.org
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