Hale Independent Issue 182

AUGUST 2025 6 Crugan owners have access to facilities at The Warren Resort & Spa. 90%o� site fees for 2026 *T&C’s Apply* CRUGAN HOLIDAY PARK Llanberog LL53 7NL Pre-loved Carnaby Oakdale 3 Bedrooms Move in within 7 days Price £59,995 For more information or to book into an open day please contact Sarah Jopling by: Email: sarah.jopling@haulfryn.co.uk Phone: 07887 341382 HOLIDAY HOME FOR SALE TATTON MP Esther McVey has questioned plans to relo- cate the Information Com- missioner’s Office (ICO) from Wilmslow to Manchester. She claimed it would cost the taxpayer significantly more each year and demanded answers over government claims the reloca- tion is based on cost, skill, age and diversity. Speaking in a debate she secured in Parliament, Ms McVey said: “What was the problemwith the skills, diversity and age of the people and staff in Wilmslow? What is the Minister and the ICO saying about Wilmslow and Cheshire? “Let us remember that it was Wilmslow where the organisa- tion grew from ten employees to 1,000 employees, hundreds of them from in and around the Wilmslow area.” The MP said if the ICO wanted a smaller office many were avail- able in Wilmslow and added that figures showed a “huge cost” to the taxpayer as a result of the move. She added: “For the people who work there, the decision to relocate is not a minor disrup- tion – it affects their livelihoods, housing, commuting patterns and personal finances. “And Wilmslow, the town that helped build up the ICO and helped it flourish – will sud- denly and inexplicably have it removed – reducing jobs in the area and trade for local busi- nesses. And yet despite the scale of the impact of this relocation, there has been no explanation as to why this move is happening.” Ms McVey criticised the fact no impact assessment had been done on how relocating would affect Wilmslow and its economy. She said she would continue to push for answers from the ICO and the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology – the government department that has oversight of the organisation. The ICO’s head office has been in Wilmslow since its creation forty years ago but will relocate to Manchester in Autumn 2026. Ms McVey said: “Whilst the Commissioner and Minister might not care about the waste of taxpayers’ money, I do, my constituents do and the taxpayer picking up this bill does. These questions matter to staff and the local area, and getting answers has been nothing short of an uphill battle.” Sharing our heritage ICONICbuildingsacrossMacclesfieldarepreparing to open their doors to the public next month as part of HeritageOpenDay. Organisations taking part on September 13 include the Silk Museum, St Michael’s and All Angels Church, Macclesfield MADS Theatre, King Edward Street Chapel and St Paul’s Church. The Old Town Hall will play host to Made in Macclesfield showcasing their makers in a market upstairs in the Assembly Room. Downstairs a ‘freshers fair’ type event will intro- ducepeople to clubs, societies and charities that they might not knowabout. Macclesfield Town Council says there will also be historical information on display around the TownHall. Manchester move: The ICO o!ce inWilmslow (Photo credit: Esther McVey MP) MP queries ICO relocation plan Critic: Esther McVey TO ADVERTISE IN THE INDEPENDENT, CONTACT JAYNE ON 07703 045189 MUSIC and arts took over Congleton town centre for a special summer play day. Families were invited to try their hand at drumming workshops, enjoy inter- active games provided by Everybody Leisure, and listen to live storytelling sessions from Congleton Library. Creative stations were available for children to explore and express their artistic talents. Visitors were also encour- aged to bring a book to swap and take home something new to read. The town council is also hosting its final ‘Big Play Day’ of the holidays on Tuesday August 19 with games, dance workshops, circus skills fun, creative arts and crafts stalls and more storytelling. AN anti-social behaviour hotspot property in Congleton has been closed down by police. Officers from the Cheshire’ force’s Sandbach Neighbourhood Team secured a closure order following reports of drug and alcohol abuse, and persistent anti-social behaviour at the address and a nearby park. The court order on the property, which came into effect on July 3, will run for three months. A police spokesperson said: “The occu- pant has since been ordered to leave the property and find alternative accommo- dation, with all windows and doors being secured for a period of three months. “Anyone who enters the address during that time will be committing a criminal offence and could be arrested.” PC Adam Archer from the neighbour- hood team added: “We are dedicated to keeping this neighbourhood and its resi- dents safe, so securing this closure with the help of the local housing association and the community is fantastic news and I hope it encourages others to work with us to make their communities safer for everyone. “I want to urge anyone with concerns about ASB or other criminality in their community to please contact local officers and we will do everything we can to address these issues and achieve justice.” ANTI-SOCIAL PROPERTY IS CLOSED DOWN Play days deliver fun