Hale Independent Issue 189

MARCH 2026 2 No part of this publicationmay be used or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure that the articles and advertisements that are carried are authentic, however the publisher accepts no responsibility for claims made. © Investors in Publishing Ltd 2026. This newspaper is publishedmonthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate,Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD. Tel. 01204 478812 EDITOR : Ged Henderson ged@hendersonnewsandmedia.com CONTACT: JayneMeadowcroft 01204 478812 / 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk ADVERTISING: Robin Atkins 07767 840274 robin@cheshireindependent.co.uk CONTACT US SHOWROOM: 410 Flixton Road, Flixton M41 6QY DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL ROLLERS - ROMANS - WOOD VENETIANS - VERTICALS bd BLINDS DIRECT Flixton For a FREE no obligation quote call: 0161 749 8525 OLDER and disabled people in Greater Manchester can now get free round-the- clock travel on Bee Network buses. From March 1, con- cessionary passholders have no longer had to wait until 9.30am to get on board a bus for free after the time restriction was permanently lifted. It follows two suc- cessful trials, in August and November, during which around 400,000 older and disabled peo- ple were able to use their free bus pass at any time of the day. Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “This is another signif icant change we’re bringing in under the Bee Network that will make a real differ- ence to people across Greater Manchester. “It will be a huge lift for disabled people strug- gling with the cost of travelling to work and it will give older people the freedom to travel when- ever they want. “Taking control of our public transport network means we can make Greater Manchester an even better place to live and work, and this change does exactly that. “We will continue doing everything we can to reduce cost-of-living pressures on our resi- dents, including by freez- ing bus and tram fares across the Bee Network.” TRAFFORD mayor Jane Brophy hosted a multi-faith civic event at Altrincham Baptist Church. It was designed to promote love, joy, peace and hope across the bor- ough’s communities. The event featured music, reflections, dance and blessings from represent- atives of local faith groups, bringing together religious leaders from across the borough. There was a special reading by the mayor’s cadet, Royal Marine Cadet William Homan and Ann Angel, the chairperson of Altrincham Interfaith Group, also joined the event. Speaking before the event Councillor Brophy said: “This is an opportunity for people of all faiths, and those with no faith, to come together and celebrate as one to promote love, joy and peace in our Trafford communities. “I am really looking forward to bringing together our multi faith rep- resentatives to celebrate both diversity and togetherness.” It was being supported by Minister Ashley Hardingham, the mayor’s chap- lain for her term of office. He said: “It is a great honour to be the Mayor’s Chaplain and to host her Civic Faith Event. Altrincham Bap- tist Church is proud to serve everyone, regardless of faith, and we look forward to welcoming the different communities of Trafford to our church.” Store shut down after illegal cigarettes found Bus boost is welcomed Mayor hosts multi faith civic event A SHOP in Sale was caught selling illegal tobacco and vapes when a sniffer dog found a hidden com- partment in the ceil- ing of a back room. Trafford Council officers crowbarred for identical behaviour. Officers from Trafford’s Community Safety and Trading Standards teams attended court with council lawyer James Parry. The court was satisfied that the order, to last for three months, was necessary and proportionate. No-one will be allowed to enter the premises in that time while the council works with the owner of the building on next steps. Speaking after the hearing, Rose Thomp- son, Trafford’s executive member for commu- nity safety, said: “This enforcement action shows that we will not hesitate to take steps to protect our commu- nities from people who sell illegal products that can damage health and undermine the liveli- hoods of reputable trad- ers who follow the rules. “It sends a strong mes- sage that any premises ignoring warnings will face prosecution. Traf- ford operates a zero-tol- erance approach to the sale of illicit tobacco and cigarettes, and to the wider criminality that this activity funds.” Council battles to close funding gap TRAFFORD Council has been given government per- mission to increase coun- cil tax by 7.5 per cent next year as it works to balance the books. The local authority has also received a capitalisation loan of £12.64million, which it has to pay back. Finance chiefs in Trafford were forced to ask for extra financial support after the gov- ernment’s recent Fair Funding Review left the borough with a budget deficit of £24m. The budget report confirms the council will not be going bankrupt and there are no plans for compulsory redun- dancies among staff. Council leader Tom Ross acknowledged the concerns of residents and the impact coun- cil tax rises have on them but pledged to offer support to those most in need. He added that roads, towns, businesses and parks, together with vulnerable adults and children with spe- cial needs would all to benefit from spending plans designed to improve the lives of people in the borough. He said: “These have been difficult but necessary deci- sions for the financial long-term health of Trafford. “Over the years we have addressed budget gaps of around £330m and we have been recognised by independ- ent experts as being a well-run council financially. “I have spoken out previ- ously about the lack of money for local government and while the Fairer Funding Review has provided a significant boost in support for many other metro- politan districts, Trafford is a significant outlier facing real term reduction in support over the next three years. We con- tinue to maintain a dialogue with ministers and govern- ment officials. “In the meantime, though, we need to provide services to some of the most vulnerable in our society as these services make a difference to so many lives. “We will continue to support children with special educa- tional needs and their families. We know older people want to continue living in their homes and their communities and we will provide the services to help them do this. Not only is this our statutory duty it is also our moral duty to support them. “We will also know the importance of delivering the ‘bread and butter’ services for residents and businesses, emp- tying bins, repairing pot holes and keeping drains clear. “And we will still be invest- ing millions of pounds on our green spaces, schools, town centres, neighbourhoods and leisure facilities as part of our ongoing efforts, along with our partners, to make Trafford a better place to live, work and visit. “We also have one of the most generous council tax support schemes in the country and we will look to support those most in need. “We will also continue to look for smarter ways of working and embracing new technology where we can to help us save money in the future.” The annual council tax for a Band D property in Trafford this year was £2,120.84. The plans were being dis- cussed at a budget meeting of the council being held in early March. Difficult decisions: Trafford Council is grappling to balance the books the adapted safe open, revealing the illicit stash, at 7 Day Stop in Washway Road after staff refused to open it. When officers revisited a few days later, they found that the damaged compartment, concealed behind a light fitting, was in the process of being rebuilt. Manches- ter magistrates granted a full closure order for the convenience store after court action by Trafford Council, following the investigation involving North West Trading Standards, Community Safety, Greater Man- chester Police and Wag- tail UK. The specially trained sniffer spaniel, Dora, provided by Wagtail UK, led to stock being sized by Trading Standards officers – including 1,226 cigarettes, five pouches of hand-rolling tobacco and 38 single-use vapes. Additionally, opened packets of cigarettes was discovered beneath the shop counter. This is commonly associated with the illegal sale of single cigarettes, a practice often linked to underage sales. Evidence was pre- sented to the court show- ing that attempts had been made to obscure who was in control of the business through hasty changes to reg- istered company direc- tors, immediately after enforcement action. The stated new direc- tor of the premises is also the director of several other premises, includ- ing one in Hyde which was closed in November by Tameside Council