9 hours ago
Middlewich Town Council regains control over its cemetery
A town council has reclaimed full control of its cemetery following a long-running legal has been run for many years by a committee that the local authority said "had managed to separate" from the Town Council said the board had "surrendered" its control of the representing the Middlewich Cemetery Board said their client did not wish to comment.
Legal proceedings between the council and the board have been ongoing for several this year, a town council investigation into the cemetery was looked into how the board had become separated from the town council, along with outlining the details of the legal report said the dispute had led to residents' council tax bills being also said the investigation had "uncovered numerous significant findings that have had financial, governance and potentially criminal repercussions for individuals, both past and present, who have held public office".Middlewich Town Council said it had submitted an urgent interim injunction application to take control of the cemetery's bank added it would "address any concerns relating to the issues and irregularities uncovered" by the also said the cemetery board had asked for a "drop hands agreement", which is where both parties agree to drop claims and pay their own council said it "simply cannot consider [this as it] is a matter of public interest".
'Historic irregularities'
Under an interim arrangement, Cheshire East Council will be responsible for the administration and daily operation of the town council will manage the grounds, maintenance and mayor Simon Whittaker said: "We've had to put in place an urgent interim management plan which has meant that we bring in professional officers to assist us during this challenging period as there are many historic irregularities including financial and compliance issues."In a statement, Cheshire Police said: "Middlewich Town Council referred themselves to Cheshire Constabulary following an internal investigation report. "The report's findings were that there were financial, governance, and potentially criminal repercussions for individuals, both past and present, who have held public office. "Civil litigation remains ongoing and therefore it is not appropriate for Cheshire Constabulary to comment further at this time."
Read more stories from Cheshire on the BBC and follow BBC North West on X. For more local politics coverage, BBC Politics North West is on BBC One on Sunday at 10:00am and on BBC iPlayer.
