Latest news with #WiganCouncil
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Greater Manchester's rumoured winners and losers in £69bn deal
Greater Manchester's rumoured winners and losers in the government's next financial deal have been named. Manchester council could be a big winner under the government's new rules for how local authority funding is calculated, a report seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service says. However, the SIGOMA study says Wigan, Rochdale, and Trafford councils are all set to receive a smaller increase in 'core spending power' than the England average. READ MORE: 'We think we're allowed to park on the pavement' READ MORE: Children 'having meltdowns' after families turned away from summer breaks at Haven holiday park To see planning applications; traffic and road diversions and layout changes; and more, visit the Public Notices Portal HERE Core spending power measures the amount of cash town halls can spend on day-to-day services like road maintenance, adult social care, and bin collections through government grants, business rates, and council tax. The research suggests Manchester's core spending power will rise by 25.64pc, double the projected England average of 12.8pc. But Rochdale could see a lower-than-average increase of 10.62pc, Wigan is set to receive a 9.98pc rise, and Trafford is in line for 7.94pc. Report author SIGOMA is a pressure group comprising urban area councils in the north, midlands, and south coast. It calculated the figures based on information released by the government under its 'Fair Funding 2.0 proposals', which are set to shake-up how local authorities are funded The government says no final decisions have been made on the proposals and councils' cash settlements this year, with official funding packages usually confirmed in December. However, a Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said reform of the system is due: 'No final decisions have been made and these figures should be treated with caution. 'We will consult again through the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement later this year. 'We have already made over £69bn available this year to boost council finances, including over £3.5bn for Greater Manchester, and we will go further to reform the funding system to make it fit for the future.' Wigan, Trafford, and Rochdale councils told the LDRS they would 'make representations' to the government's 'fair funding 2.0' consultation, which closed last Friday (August 15). Trafford council leader Tom Ross said: 'We have made no secret about the significant ongoing financial challenges Trafford has faced after suffering cuts to our funding of almost £300m over the last 15 years. 'These historic funding cuts, rising cost pressures and an increase in the need for services especially among children's and adult social care, compounded by several years of council tax freezes, have meant it is becoming harder to deliver what our residents and businesses need while balancing the books. 'We will be providing a detailed response to the consultation and will continue to work closely with the government and our local MPs to secure a fair deal for Trafford and our residents.' A Wigan council spokesperson said: 'We welcome the review of funding for local authorities and will be making representations as part of the ongoing consultation process, which we hope will result in fair distribution of funds based on the needs of communities – ensuring local authorities can continue to deliver vital services and support to those who need us most. 'Wigan borough faces many ongoing challenges – including high levels of deprivation and health inequalities within our neighbourhoods – which, together with our partners, we are committed to addressing in line with our Progress with Unity missions.' And a Rochdale council spokesperson added: 'No final decisions around our settlement for the next financial year have been made and, as always, we will make any representations through the appropriate channels. We will be responding to the Fair Funding Consultation this week, and providing feedback on the proposed funding allocation methodology.' Manchester council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority declined to comment. SIGOMA's calculations: Area Increase in core spending power Manchester 25.64% Bolton 19.25% Bury 18.88% Oldham 18.88% Salford 14.99% Stockport 13.48% Tameside 13.31% England average 12.80% Rochdale 10.62% Wigan 9.98% Trafford 7.94%
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Mum fined after failing to argue term-time resort holiday was ‘educational'
Michelle and Andrew Partington, from Wigan, have been fined by the council for taking their son Oliver on an 'educational' holiday to Sharm El Sheikh during the term-time A mum failed to convince her local council that a term-time trip to Sharm El Sheikh was 'educational'. Michelle Partington branded the council 'despicable' for slapping her with fines over her son's term-time holiday. Along with her husband Andrew Partington, the couple decided to take their son Oliver, 12, out of school for 10 days so they could travel to Egypt on 1 June. The 46-year-old said she wanted to cheer up her son after he switched schools in April due to bullying but 'couldn't afford' to the £3,270 trip during the school holidays, as it would have set her back an extra £2,000. This comes after a British tourist caused outrage by riding a cow in Tenerife. Have you been fined for taking your child on a term-time holiday? We'd love to hear from you. Email webtravel@ Despite arguing the trip - which included snorkelling and quad biking - which was an 'education' one because of Egypt's rich history, the school rejected her request to take Oliver out of school. Michelle says she was 'devastated' when she and her husband both received an £80 fine from Wigan Council on 2 July. Local councils can issue a fine of £80 per parent for a child's unauthorised absence from school, including holidays during term time. If parents fail to pay the fine within a 21-day timeframe the amount doubles and if it remains unpaid they may face prosecution. Many teachers and headteachers have publically urged parents to stop taking their children out of school during term-time, as doing so can be so disruptive to a child's education and to the classroom. Michelle has not heeded the calls, instead reacting furiously to the fines. She wrote on social media: "This is just despicable behaviour. Something needs to be done and soon". The mum has now launched a petition calling for council's to be stripped of their fine issuing powers in such instances. A spokesperson for Wigan Council has noted that "parents have a legal duty to ensure their child receives full-time education, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise". Michelle, a driving school company director who lives in Wigan, Greater Manchester, said: "It was really upsetting. I was shocked when I found out it wasn't just £80 and it was £160 even though we're one family unit. I was absolutely devastated that we had to cancel the plans we had made. "The holiday was worth it despite the fine. It was a once in a lifetime trip and it was magical. We certainly couldn't afford to go to Egypt [during the school holidays], maybe Pontins or Haven or something. "We work hard so getting to spend time together as a family was nice and we don't get to do that very often. As much as education is really important, I think spending time with family and relaxing with family and enjoying family time on holiday is equally as important for a child's mental health. "I did let the school know we'd be taking him out. I told the school this would be considered an educational trip because we were going to Egypt, which is where lots of civilisation began, and there's lots of history there. We arranged it to make sure there were no exams taking place so we were sensible in that much. "They said the authorisation was denied and we would be taking him out of school without their consent. They advised me that we may receive a fine. I was expecting to get a fine and I'd heard that it was £80. Myself and my husband received separate letters. I just thought they were doing their due diligence by sending it to them both, but it was £160. You'd think there was a better way to deal with this. While on the 'educational' holiday they went snorkling, quad biking and had a meal in the desert. Michelle said: "We had to swap his high school because he was bullied. He was still very upset about what had happened. This holiday was to cheer him up about that as well. I feel like the school and the council didn't really take that into consideration. You'd have thought there'd be some sort of lenience there." Like many other parents in state school, Michelle feels it is unfair that she has to fork out so much more for school holiday breaks, when private school families enjoy huge discounts as their terms are much shorter. "What is unfair is the holiday companies charging through the nose so much more money when people need to go during the school holidays. It just makes it impossible for normal people to book nice holidays during the school holidays because it's too expensive," she continued. A Wigan Council spokesperson said: "Parents have a legal duty to ensure their child receives full-time education, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise. Headteachers may only grant a leave of absence during term time if they consider that there are exceptional circumstances, and the Department for Education's statutory guidance, updated in August 2024, reinforces that a holiday is not considered exceptional."
BBC News
10-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Wigan 'toxic' waste fire forces children to miss school
A "toxic" waste fire which had been burning for more than a week has forced nearby businesses to close and children to miss several days of school, an MP has said. A major incident has been declared after the blaze broke out on Bolton House Road in Bickershaw, Wigan, which firefighters finally put out earlier after 10 days. Labour MP for Makerfield Josh Simons said the fire, thought to have started with illegally-dumped waste, "never should have happened" and that he had been asking for assistance from the Environment Agency to clear the waste site for months. The Environment Agency has been contacted for comment. In a letter written to Environment Secretary Steve Reed, Simons said children at the nearby Bickershaw CofE Primary had missed "multiple days at school" because of the fire and that United Utilites was dealing with "toxic water run off". "In this fire, the people I represent are suffering again because their voices have not been heard and their warnings have fallen through the cracks between agencies," Simons Council said the school had since re-opened. The authority said it had declared a major incident on Tuesday because of how long the fire had been burning and the resources it required. The authority said it was working with the Environment Agency to look into alleged illegal dumping at the site. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Yahoo
"I'm p***ed off": MP rages after 'illegal' waste dump erupts into huge blaze
An MP has said he is 'p***ed off' in a ranting social media video after an 'illegal' pile of waste erupted into a huge blaze in Wigan on Tuesday evening (July 1). Residents were told to keep their windows and doors closed due to the amount of smoke covering the area, after the fire broke out involving a 'large amount of waste' on Bolton House Road in the Bickershaw area. Fire crews raced to the scene to tackle the blaze throughout the evening, with a clean up operation and investigation now underway. READ MORE: "Sometimes I want to shout move!": Life next to yellow box junction raking in thousands in fines READ MORE: 'My son made one silly mistake and paid with his life - this is my plea' Never miss a story with the MEN's daily Catch Up newsletter - get it in your inbox by signing up here MP for Makerfield, Josh Simons, said he chaired an emergency meeting with police, the fire service and local council following the fire on Wednesday (July 2) as he issued an update on his social media platform. After the fire broke out, he also issued a 'furious' statement about the fire, which he said involved an 'illegal waste dump', which he has been claiming was a 'risk' to the public for some time. "I want to update you about a few things, because I'm as p***ed off as you are," he said in a video on Facebook. "I've been flagging it for months and I've been asking for timelines and not always got them. Here's what's going to happen next. "First, I have asked Wigan Council and the Environment Agency for a specific timeline and a detailed plan about how and when they are going to remove the waste from the site. They have assured me that's possible, there is no legal barrier, all they need to do is develop a plan and make sure they can find the money. "Second, I've been assured by the Environment Agency and the police that there is an ongoing, live, criminal investigation. I have asked for what details of that investigation I can share with you to show the progress they have been making." He continued: "I am p***ed off that this has happened. You are too. And we are going to get answers." Greater Manchester Police said the cause of the fire is unknown and that officers are awaiting further information. --- Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it. That's why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable, highlighting the best of what we do - bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don't miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News. And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North. You can also sign up for that here. You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street. If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our news desk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you'll be the first to hear about it. And finally, if there is a story you think our journalists should be looking into, we want to hear from you. Email us on newsdesk@ or give us a ring on 0161 211 2920.
ITV News
20-06-2025
- Business
- ITV News
'Gutted': MP Josh Simons promises to help Wigan NEG plant workers after closure announcement
An MP says he is "gutted" hundreds of workers will lose their jobs after the largest fibre glass factory in the UK announced its closure - but has promised to help wherever possible. More than 250 jobs will be lost when the NEG Nippon Electric Glass Fibre Works (EGFU) closes its doors for the final time at the end of June. The future of the site, based at Hindley Green near Wigan, has been in doubt since April, when NEG announced they were looking for a buyer to take over their UK branch. Josh Simons, Labour's MP for Makerfield admitted it will be "a difficult few weeks" for those involved. "It is gutting for Hindley Greeners," he said. "Its going to be a difficult few days and few weeks, and I know that there are families right across my constituency who are struggling mentally and even financially with what's going to happen next. "And I just want them to know that I'm here, my office is here, the council's here, the college is here, and we will all be there tonight and several times over the next few days and weeks to support them." The closure was confirmed at a Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday 18 June, where the company's president Akira Kishimoto announced it would "cease operations" of their UK subsidiary. The President confirmed the site will "stop its production in late June". Mr Simons has been involved in ongoing negotiations over recent months to try and keep the factory alive, with his frustration with owners Nippon clear. "I can't tell you how many times over the last three months we thought we'd got a deal over the line," he said. "It looks like every condition's been met and I've been expecting a call from the UK CEO or from Japan saying the deals over the line, its going to be OK and then something changes, there's a new condition somewhere. "And what's happened over the last two weeks in particular is two deals have fallen through that were viable, commercial deals, that the government expressed its support for, the mayor of Greater Manchester expressed his support for, I've expressed support for, but then Nippon changed the terms. "And I just don't have confidence any longer that Nippon is serious about doing a deal." The MP held a special meeting for workers and their families at the site at which groups from across the local area and the city region came together to explore what opportunities there may be for staff in the future. He returned early from Parliament to join the group aimed at bringing the 'whole borough' together to help the workers and their families. The Grove Company, which recently helped redundant Thomas Cooks staff, was just one of the attendees, alongside Wigan Council support staff, and Wigan and Leigh College to discuss retraining and education opportunities. "The evening was full of mixed emotions," Mr Simons said. "I wanted to be there to show workers they're not alone and to let them know the support that's available from Wigan Council, Wigan and Leigh College, DWP, and the Growth Company, as well as Work Well. "I know things are going to be hard, but this is a community that will pull together, and we'll make sure that everyone gets what they need. "My support for the workers continues and in the coming weeks I will be hosting a jobs fair. The fight now begins for a new, positive future for this site and the Hindley community and I will work tireless to make this happen." He added it was not just about immediate actions, but also about relaunching former NEG staff in the future, and said a job fair will also be held in around a month so those who were made redundant get opportunities for retraining and potentially a new job if they want them. Mr Simons says that negotiators met all the conditions that were imposed by Nippon, but that "the goal posts were moved again and again and again". But his hope for the future remains undimmed, and together with the union and other partners across the town and the city region, he says he is determined to find a viable future for the site, and for the people who lost their jobs, and their families: "We're still at the early stages of planning what's going to come next," he said. "But I think the workers on the plant, the GMB who I've been working really closely with know this by now, I'm not going to let this slip, this is not going to just drift off into something that takes 5, 10, 15 years to resolve. "Nippon have decided to close the plant, we now need to make sure these workers get a good deal, and a good package from Nippon, and then we need to start work straight away on what the future of this plant looks like."
