Councilllor Edith Longden reports back.

Whitehough Weight Limits

The County Council are proposing that there should be a 7.5 tonne weight restriction on the road from Whitehough down to Whitehall, and also from Whitehough down to Lower Lane, Chinley. Access to property and land will be exempt.

Chapel Milton Speed Limits

Following a consultation the speed limit through Chapel Milton will be reduced from 40mph to 30mph. The new limit would begin where Hayfield Road goes under the bypass and continue right through to New Smithy and Chinley. This conforms to the latest government guidance where there are properties on 'A' roads. The signs will need to be illuminated, which is likely to cause some delay.

Council Budgets

Residents can expect a zero increase in both the Borough and County Council Tax this year. However government funding has been sharply reduced. There is always room for efficiency improvements, but Liberal Democrat Group Leader Councillor David Lomax has joined other Liberal Democrat leaders to protest to the Minister that the cuts should not have been concentrated in the first year. This makes compulsory redundancies inevitable, which costs even more in redundancy payments.

'Shop Local'

Edith says "I am a firm supporter of this campaign. You don't need a long memory to recall how many shops we have lost in local villages and towns. Use them or Lose them is as true as ever."