Nigel Yates Councillor for Biddulph West Staffs Moorlands District Council

12/09/2026

Another fabulous event in Biddulph High Street.

Good to see the extra space at the front of the Town Hall being used to put on these community events

11/09/2026

Backing British manufacturing

Labour is backing British businesses as part of our plan to deliver faster rail journeys across the North of England.

11/09/2026

Something new is coming to Biddulph!🔨

Biddulph Men Who Make is a new weekly creative making and wellbeing space where men of all ages can come together to make, create and connect.

Join experienced makers Rich and Dan for carpentry, metalwork, prop-making and much more. You can get stuck into a group project, bring something of your own to work on, or simply come along and see what it’s all about.

The first challenge? Designing and building an illuminated archway for Biddulph’s Ride the Lights!💡🛠️

📅 Tuesdays, 15th September to 20th October
⏰ 6pm–8pm
📍 Biddulph Youth and Community Zone
🎟️ Free, no booking needed

No experience needed, just turn up and get making!

👉 Find out more: https://outsidearts.org/events/biddulph-men-who-make-2026/

08/09/2026

Full statement from Council Leader Mike Gledhill on the pause to the LGR process:


The Government has announced today that moves to reorganise Local Government by 30 March 2028 in 19 areas of England are being paused to allow the new Prime Minister and his team to complete a review of decisions made by the previous government team in the light of their new priorities. This decision follows legal advice at the highest level.

Elections to the proposed new ‘shadow’ Unitary authorities scheduled for May 2027 are postponed.
Instead, elections to existing District and Borough Councils will take place in May 2027.

Mike Gledhill, Leader of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and Labour Councillor comments:

My reaction to the Government decision is twofold:

1. I welcome the opportunity to revisit the options for Local Government Reorganisation in Staffordshire and Stoke On Trent as I firmly believe that the best solution for residents and businesses in North Staffordshire was NOT the one announced by the Government in July. I will continue to champion our version of North Staffordshire which placed Trentham, Wedgwood, Blythe Bridge, Uttoxeter, Stone and the A50/500 growth corridor firmly in the North. This would create fairer financial equity with Southern and Mid Staffordshire and a robust future for the North. This pause provides a great opportunity to convince Government of the merits of this solution.

2. However, a great deal of hard work has already gone into preparing for the new system and that effort must not be wasted. Excellent, able council chief executives and officers throughout Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent have been doing the heavy lifting to implement change for nearly two years now and much of that work can be applied to any option now under consideration. So, it is important for any review to be completed quickly and for any delay to LGR to be minimised. I am glad that the new minister has recognised this.

On a wider point, I am encouraged that the minister has given a commitment to completing Devolution in our area as soon as possible. Leaders of all councils in our area have agreed for some time that this is a common priority for us. I believe we can work together cross party to get this done. Devolution with one strategic authority under an elected Mayor will enable us to tackle the deep issues of public transport, high skilled jobs and building houses in the right places. This will deliver prosperity, higher living standards and a great future for the years and generations to come.

The pause gives the opportunity for us to get both LGR and Devolution right and put place before politics. Local Government was last reorganised in 1974 over 50 years ago. The new system is likely to last for 50 years or more. A short delay to find the best solution is well worth it.

05/09/2026

Come on down!

Join us at the Town Hall today for our Homegrown and Handmade 2026 event

A glorious autumn day to enjoy the best of Biddulph

04/09/2026

🔴 Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he will find a way to save the UK's largest telescope at the Jodrell Bank Observatory after its future was put at risk.

The former Greater Manchester mayor made the promise when he spoke in Parliament today.

It follows a Manchester Evening News campaign and petition to save space science at the site in Cheshire, which has now passed 10,000 signatures.

The Lovell telescope, which has stood in Cheshire since 1957, is the world's third largest steerable radio telescope.

In July this year, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) said the site will not be prioritised for further funding after its current agreement ends in March 2028.

It said this decision was "the result of a comprehensive, evidence-based prioritisation process".

04/09/2026

A pleasure to help out with Cllrs Wayne Rogers and Carl Kisiki to cut back the overgrown shrubs along Meadows Way in preparation for the darker nights.