Handforth Parish Council could be abolished under a new boundary review, it has been revealed.
The council experienced newfound fame this month when footage of a chaotic argument breaking out between members during a Zoom meeting went viral – with clips viewed and shared millions of times.
Thousands of people tuned in to watch the group’s most recent virtual get-together – which was yet again punctuated by squabbles.
Members of the public also interrupted the meeting at regular intervals – citing quotes from the original viral video such as “read the standing orders!”.
But the BBC has reported today (February 24) that the parish council could potentially be abolished over the coming months.
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A boundary review has suggested there is a case for Handforth to be merged with neighbouring Wilmslow.
The proposal states: “Handforth’s existing parish wards are small (each with less than 2,500 electors even by 2025) compared to Wilmslow’s (each more than 3,500).
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“However, as a whole Handforth Parish, with a projected 5,814 electors by 2025, is similar in size to the average Wilmslow ward.
“There is therefore a good case for making Handforth (including the area proposed to be transferred from Styal) a single parish ward within the merged parishes.”
One of the breakout stars from the original Handforth Parish Council video Jackie Weaver – who was widely lauded for her steadfast demeanour amid the screams and shouts in the meeting – said that the group will likely be “up in arms” over the notion.
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Handforth councillor and Cheshire East Council mayor Barry Burkhill – who is facing a vote of no confidence for “bringing the council into disrepute” – has so far failed to comment.
According to the BBC, a consultation on the proposed changes will run for 12 weeks.
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Rules around booking driving tests in UK change from today to make system ‘fairer’
Emily Sergeant
The rules around booking driving tests in the UK are officially set to change from today in a bid to make the system ‘fairer’.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has now introduced new rules for car driving test bookings, putting learners ‘firmly in control’ of their own booking, as it is now against the law for third parties – including unofficial test booking and cancellation finder services, as well as driving instructors – to make bookings for someone else.
It will also be a breach of DVSA’s terms and conditions for the booking service for third parties to change, swap, or cancel a driving test for someone else.
Learners should only ever pay the official DVSA fee – which is £62 on weekdays and £75 on evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
The Government says the new rules aim to make booking driving tests ‘fairer’ for learner drivers.
While driving instructors will no longer be able to book tests on behalf of of learners, they will still be able to advise learners on when they are ready to take a test, as well as set their available times to prevent learners from booking tests at times that do not work for them.
Following on from changes to test alterations which were introduced at the end of March, from 9 June 2026, further restrictions will come into force limiting learners to moving their test only to one of the three nearest driving test centres.
The DVSA has also pledged to continue increasing driving examiner capacity to help provide more tests for learners to book.
“Our priority is to stop learners being exploited by third parties, put them in control of their driving test, and make the process fairer by clamping down on businesses that resell tests at inflated prices,” commented Beverley Warmington, who is the DVSA Chief Executive.
“These new measures help bring a halt to a system where the use of bots and third parties increases the amount some learners pay for a test and blocks test availability for many others.
“These measures will help free up appointments for genuine learners who are ready to take their test.”
Featured Image – Pxfuel
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Canal Street cordoned off after ‘suspicious chemicals’ reported at hotel
Daisy Jackson
Canal Street and several other streets in the Gay Village in Manchester have been cordoned off this afternoon.
Greater Manchester Police are attending reported of a smell that’s believed to be chemicals coming from a hotel room in the area.
There’s a huge emergency services presence in the area, including vehicles from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue, and the North West Ambulance Service.
Police have confirmed that they have detained a man who is believed to have been the occupant of the hotel room.
The hotel itself has been evacuated while the material is examined.
Thankfully, no one has been injured in the incident that has shut down part of Canal Street today.
Emergency services vehicles at the scene on Canal StreetThe cordon in place on Canal Street
GMP said in a statement: “We are currently searching a hotel room at a premises on Canal Street, Manchester. This follows a report of a smell – currently believed to be chemicals – causing suspicion.
“A man, believed to be the occupant of the room, has been detained and is currently in custody.
“As a precautionary measure, the hotel has been evacuated while specialist resources examine the material and conduct further enquiries.
“No-one has been injured and we are working to establish the full circumstances. We thank people for their patience as we continue with our work.”
The Manc -
24th February 2021 
