Councillor Gary Bentley Archives - Times Echo and Life

August 4, 2022

“It will be worth the wait” states councillor regarding plans for Green Corridor in town

A councillor is calling for plans to make a green corridor along a former railway line to be moved along. Last summer we reported that Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC) Cabinet had given the go ahead for the authority to begin the process of an Asset Transfer of the Cheadle to Cresswell Disused Railway line from the Department for Transport to the ownership of SMDC.

Councillor urges vigilance after text scam near-miss

A community leader is urging people to stay alert after he was targeted by mobile text scammers. Cheadle Town councillor Gary Bentley told the Times & Echo how a fraudster attempted to persuade him to bank transfer over £2,382.95 after pretending to be his daughter over the messaging app service WhatsApp.

No update on transfer of railway asset

A council has confirmed that there are no further updates as yet regarding the transfer of a railway asset in the Moorlands. Earlier this year, we reported that Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC) had begun the process of an Asset Transfer of the Cheadle to Cresswell Disused Railway line from the Department for Transport to the ownership of SMDC.

Council vote to postpone park event

A community event set to take place on a town’s park this month has been postponed. A number of Cheadle Town councillors, with help from members of the community, had been working towards hosting a family fun event at Tean Road Recreation Grounds this coming weekend in conjunction with the last few days of this year’s Cheadle Wakes fun fair.

Creative murals on derelict pub

Locally themed murals have been placed on a currently derelict building in a Moorlands town. Cheadle Arts Festival organisers were approached by town and district councillor Gary Bentley to see if the local artist community could do something with the boards covering the front of the Royal Oak in Cheadle.

Three year delay in response to pothole concern

Community leaders are calling for more action and less automated emails when it comes to highways issues. Cheadle councillor Ray Wood has received such an automated email for an enquiry regarding a pothole in Charles Street, which he made over three years ago.

‘Green Travel Corridor’ project for railway line

The wheels are in motion for a disused railway line in a Moorlands town to possibly be turned into a ‘Green Travel Corridor.’ Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC) Cabinet, at their afternoon meeting on Tuesday, June 29, agreed proposals for the authority to begin the process of an Asset Transfer of the Cheadle to Cresswell Disused Railway line from the Department for Transport to the ownership of Staffordshire Moorland District Council.

Working together to resolve flooding issue

Community leaders and officials have stated they are currently working together to try and find a solution to a flooding issue in a Moorlands town. The floods, which have substantially increased during the recent downpours of rain, have been occurring at gardens of residential properties in The Birches in Cheadle.

Former bus shelter now a place to sit and relax

A former bus shelter in the Moorlands has been revamped and turned into a picturesque place for members of the community to sit and relax. The structure, which stands on the Green, opposite the Huntsman in Cheadle, has been given a facelift thanks to landowner Gary Bentley and his father-in-law Malcolm Elvidge, who lives near to the shelter.

“Parking permits would encourage people to shop local”

A proposal to introduce parking permits for residents is to be put before Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC). The permits would offer a period of free parking for one car per household and would be tailored to the needs of the three towns across the Moorlands. Parking charges across the district could be increased and charged for a longer period during the day.

Third year as town mayor for Ian

A town mayor in the Moorlands is continuing in his civic role for a third year running. Councillor Ian Plant will remain as Cheadle Town Mayor for what will be his third year in the civic position.