Title

ENVIRONMENT

Air quality probe launched

An investigation into allegations Cheshire East Council manipulated air quality data has been launched by police.

An investigation into allegations Cheshire East Council manipulated air quality data has been launched by police.

The council confirmed the allegations had been referred to Cheshire Constabulary to ‘address these concerns thoroughly and transparently'.

Cheshire East has also referred to the police concerns about allocation of public funds in making a grant to Berkeley Academy and worries about land purchases.

Council leader Rachel Bailey said: ‘It is vital that these serious matters are dealt with fully and that if there has been any wrongdoing it is exposed.

‘While a police investigation is a serious matter I would like to reassure residents that the council itself has brought these matters forward in order to put things right.

‘As these matters are now subject to criminal investigation, we are unable to give more information at this time.'

The council apologised last month after admitting its air quality figures had been deliberately tampered with for two years.

In a previous statement, the local authority said ‘deliberate and systematic manipulation' of the data from its air quality monitoring stations around the country took place between 2012 and 2014.

ENVIRONMENT

Reorganisation repercussions

By Paul Marinko | 23 July 2026

Following the latest round of local government reorganisation last week, ministers claim the new unitaries will boost growth and strengthen our cities but no...

ENVIRONMENT

Is public service delivery really dead?

By Ben Page | 22 July 2026

Performance alone does not win public trust. While better outcomes matter, public opinion is shaped much more by how services are experienced, communicated a...

ENVIRONMENT

A generational chance to rethink digital government

By Martin Ford | 22 July 2026

As local government undergoes widespread reorganisation, Oracle and The MJ held a timely round table looking at the impact on digital transformation. Martin ...

ENVIRONMENT

The problem with housing: Viability

By Heather Jameson | 17 July 2026

Uncertainty, viability and devolution: local authorities face a collection of hurdles and opportunities when it comes to delivering much-needed housing. The ...

Popular articles by William Eichler