After many years of searching we at last have secured the land for a cemetery for the Parish.  Land for a cemetery has to meet certain regulations, the Borough Council looked at several areas, and finally decided the one that would best suit and meet the regulations is the land adjacent to Audley Cricket Club on Nantwich Road.  Once the decisions was made they were followed by long negotiations to obtain the land from the County Council.

 So at long last the land is in the ownership of the Borough Council, the necessary highways work has been completed.  There has been consultation with the residents living round the area, and as soon as the preperation work is completed we will once again have a cemetery for Audley Parish residents to lay their loved ones to rest.

County Councillor Dylis Cornes

You may have been wondering what the strange new building is that has been under construction for most of this year.  Well, it is the Apedale Energy Station.

 This new Visitor Centre/Energy Station has been built to the highest standards of insulation to achieve the lowest possible running costs.  Two small wind turbines (that are now up and running as you will have seen) will provide all of the electricity needed by the building, including the power to heat it, using a ground source heat pump.  A ground source heat pump is rather like a refrigerator running backwards, it extracts heat from the surrounding ground and delivers it to the building.  The hot water requirement will be met by roof-mounted solar panels.

The distinctive kite-shaped roof is a reminder of the annual kite festival.  This is made of recycled aluminium, while sustainable-grown timber makes up the frame of the building.  Everything about it reflects the County Council’s wish to provide the best possible visitor centre of the the local community, reflecting the contribution that local people made in the past to keeping Staffordshire supplied with energy.

 As well as being a visitor centre for the park the building will be the home to the Ranger Service and the Newcastle Countryside Project.  The building is due to open in the spring when you will be very welcome to call and look round, and I am sure any questions you may have can be answered.

County Councillor Dylis Cornes

At the last meeting of Audley Rural Parish Council (18/11/10), Parish Councillor Trevor Sproston asked if the PC would now ensure that the grass cutting of this area be added to the PC’s grass cutting programme. This was agreed. The trees will also be looked after.

A concerned Halmer End resident contacted Andrew Wemyss to see if he could get something done to tidy this site. Andrew got the grass cut (within 1 day!),and Trevor ensured this will continue. Your Councillors working together-getting results.

Cllr Andrew Wemyss/Parish Cllr Trevor Sproston

After contacting BT several times asking for the traditional red telephone box in Scot Hay (one of the few remaining in the borough) to be repainted, BT has finally written back stating that this will be done. Hooray!

A lovely item of British history is finally getting looked after by it’s owner. We campaigned,and won, to keep the box in situ, now it’s nice to see it back in all it’s glory.

Thank you BT.

Andrew Wemyss

The Royal Mail management at Warrington have not responded to my letter of 31st October.

Whilst the situation has improved we are not there yet. The residents of Betley, Balterley and Wrinehill deserve an apology and an explanation.

I have therefore escalated the issue to Mark Higson, Managing Director of Royal Mail Letters in London. 

David, Newcastle’s representative on North Staffs Warm Zone, is pleased to announce that: 

 FOR A LIMITED PERIOD North Staffordshire Warm Zone are offering free cavity wall and loft insulation for all households.

For details follow the Free Insulation link under Environment.

THIS IS A LIMITED OFFER  – FIRST COME FIRST SERVED

The partnership between the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives is continuing for a further year. Liberal Democrat Cabinet Members are in the driving seat for many of this councils improved services including:

           Street Cleaning and Recycling  

           Potfolio Holder Cllr David Becket

           New Cemetery, New Leisure Centre           

           Portfolio Holder Cllr Wenslie Naylon

           Improved Planning and Housing Services         

           Portfolio Holder and Deputy Leader of the Council Cllr Dr Robin Studd

We have already improved efficiency and cut costs whilst enhancing services. We will continue to provide the most effective front line services possible in the current climate.

The Borough Council has approved (on 27th October 2010) the appointment of John Sellgren to the post of Chief Executive of the Borough of Newcastle under Lyme.

John is currently the Director of Strategy and Partnerships at Hertfordshire County Council.

John will commence work in Newcastle on January 4th 2011.