Common sense has prevailed and we are able to go out collecting again with Macclesfield Round Table’s Santa’s Sleigh! Press releases are below.
We created a Facebook page on Saturday just gone (https://www.facebook.com/macclesfieldsantassleigh) after we learnt we have been refused a house to house collection licence in December, and by today we have reached over 36,000 people with the initial news via PR.
SANTA CLAUS IS NOT COMING TO TOWN
Cheshire East Council Refuse Licence for Macclesfield Round Table
13th December 2014:
Macclesfield Round Table have been refused a door to door collection licence by Cheshire East Council Licensing team.
Macclesfield Round Table have been helping Santa Claus deliver happiness to kids in Macclesfield since 1952. Many thousands have been raised over the years for worthy local causes; hospital equipment for children at Macclesfield Hospital across to DAB radios for visually impaired people in the local area. For 2015 we will see charitable funds decimated for local people as a result of an ill thought decision made by the licensing team at Cheshire East, who have proved to be unhelpful and unwilling.
Macclesfield Round Table’s Chairman Chris Leonard said “we are so disappointed not to be allowed to help Santa get out and about this year. We bring happiness to a lot of families over Christmas and use this opportunity to raise much needed fund for local charities.”
If you want to make a complaint against the licensing decision you can do by contacting Cheshire East Councils Customer Relations Team at letusknow@cheshireeast.gov.uk and jane.cornes@cheshireeast.gov.uk (Licensing Administration Officer.)
Notes:
In the last 10 years Macclesfield Round Table have raised over £150,000 for local charities.
For more information, please send a message.
But common sense prevailed with the following PR:
SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN!
Cheshire East Council To Grant Licence for Macclesfield Round Table, 14th December 2014
Great news! Macclesfield Round Table will be granted a house to house collection licence when towing Santa’s Sleigh through the town bringing happiness, fun, and season’s greetings to families in the borough, whilst collecting money for local worthy causes.
Macclesfield Round Table and its members would like to say a big thank you for the intervention of Councillors Michael Jones and Bill Livesley who escalated the matter over the weekend.
Mark Johnson, Secretary of Macclesfield and District Round Table, received a telephone call this morning from Michael Jones, Leader of Cheshire East Council, who personally apologised for the mistake and explained a licence would be organised on Monday 15th December, so allowing Santa’s Sleigh to resume in time for Christmas. Michael thanked Round Table for all its hard work, whilst appreciating the generosity of the people of Macclesfield. Furthermore, he pledged a donation of £3,000 from the Council to make up for the lost donations over the weekend, all of which benefits local causes in the Borough.
Macclesfield Round Table’s Chairman Chris Leonard said “We are so pleased Bill and Michael dealt with this over the weekend, and took the matter seriously, and showed genuine concern toward our efforts and the people of Macclesfield. Additionally Michael and Cheshire East Council cannot be thanked enough for making this donation, which will be used to help and benefit people within the Borough.”
If you wish to comment you can do so by contacting Cheshire East Councils Customer Relations Team at letusknow@cheshireeast.gov.uk and Macclesfield and District Round Table at macclesfieldroundtable@gmail.com
Notes:
In the last 10 years Macclesfield Round Table have raised over £150,000 for local charities.