A message from John Dwyer, Police & Crime Commissioner for Cheshire:

It’s at this time of year that attention turns towards setting the police budget for the coming financial year, and I’m getting in touch today to let you know that I have set up a survey for Cheshire residents to tell me about their priorities and their views on the police precept.

The survey can be completed here: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/policebudget202324

I know that people will have questions about what the budget and any proposed precept increase would mean for them too, so I have set up an FAQs page on my website here as well: https://www.cheshire-pcc.gov.uk/what-the-commissioner-does/setting-the-police-budget/budget-2023-24/

Please do let me know if you require any paper copies of the survey or any assistance with accessibility requirements.

The backdrop this budget is being set against is undoubtedly more challenging than last year. I know that the cost of living is affecting families and businesses and it’s no different for the police too, with inflation adding nearly £14 million to our costs. The Constabulary has worked hard to identify savings through priority-based budgeting and has managed to close the funding gap by £6.7 million.

Despite these challenges, there is a real determination to protect the progress made over the past year and in recent months, including reductions in 101 and 999 call answer times, reductions in attendance times for both emergency and non-emergency incidents, and an increase in arrest and charge rates.

Date: 10 January 2023

Reference Number: 5995

Cheshire West and Chester Council has been awarded just over £128,000 to enable and encourage more people to walk, wheel and cycle by Active Travel England. The grant from the Active Travel Capability Fund is part of a national £32.9million investment to help accelerate walking and cycling schemes across the country, to tackle the climate emergency and make roads safer for everyone.

The Council was successful in applying for this funding which has been allocated to:

• Develop the Council’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan – further scheme planning, design and consultation
• Assess emergency active travel measures
• Investigate cycle and e-cycle hire opportunities
• Train Council staff and members on active travel guidance and standards to support highway schemes and developments

The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, Councillor Karen Shore said: “We’re delighted to receive this grant, it will help fund our long-term ambitions to encourage more journeys to be made in a more sustainable way.

“We want to expand our walking and cycling network across the borough, linking with public transport services.  This funding will help us to develop future plans and continue to promote active travel events and schemes.”

The grant supports the Council’s Climate Emergency response plan, and the delivery of its Health and Wellbeing Strategy, Low Emission Strategy, Local Transport Plan and accompanying Cycling Strategy.

Date: 09 January 2023

Reference Number: 5991

Residents and visitors in Cheshire West and Chester can now save money and “Get Around for £2”, following the launch of a Government scheme to cap fares for single bus journeys.

From 1 January to 31 March 2023, over 130 bus operators will charge no more than £2 for their single tickets across over 4,600 routes nationally, helping families, commuters and other passengers save money. 

The scheme hopes to give bus travel a boost in the borough, encouraging more people to discover how easy and stress-free travelling by bus is.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, Councillor Karen Shore said: “The initiative encourages people to get back on the bus to help the industry continue its recovery from the pandemic. It will also reduce CO₂ emissions and tackle congestion by taking an estimated two million cars off the road nationally.

“If you’ve never used buses before, why not give it a go and see if bus travel could work for you – this is ideal opportunity to hop on board.

“Buses are a key part of our vision for clean, efficient and modern transport network in the borough, that is affordable for everyone.  This is a great way to start the new year and we will continue to work with our bus operators, through our Enhanced Partnership, to ensure passengers can access reliable and affordable bus services once the scheme ends in March.”

The scheme is on the Government’s Help for Households website, as the new cap can deliver real savings for those most affected by the rising cost of living.

Bus operators not taking part in the scheme in Cheshire West and Chester include:  Aintree Coachline on routes 40, 41 and 272 and M&H Coaches on their route X1.

A full list of operators taking part is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/2-bus-fare-cap

Councillor Shore added: “Don’t forget, visitors to Chester city centre are able to use our excellent Park & Ride service, although it’s not part of this scheme, the fare is just £2 for a return journey, so you can save money to travel quick and easy into the City.”

Date: 09 January 2023

Reference Number: 5990

A new website launches today giving access to live air quality data from across the borough and from local authorities across the country.

A key element of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Low Emission Strategy (LES) included a commitment to improve the standard of air quality data provided to residents and to introduce a mobile-based platform to give residents easy and convenient access to the data.

From 9 January, the website can be accessed via a link on the Council’s website or viewed at: https://cheshirewest-air.info  

The website provides residents with improved access to near real-time data from the Council’s monitoring stations. The data also feeds through to the UK Air Quality website which hosts live air quality data from local authorities across the country:  https://ukairquality.net .

Gases being monitored vary by location and by monitor type. Borough wide, nitrogen dioxide is monitored using diffusion tubes. There are three traffic-related Air Quality Management Areas, in Frodsham, Ellesmere Port and Chester respectively, all with a focus on nitrogen dioxide.

There is also an industrial emissions Air Quality Management Area, located in Thornton le Moors with the focus on sulphur dioxide.  The Council also monitors particulate matter (PM10) emissions from both industrial and transport sources to ensure compliance with the national standards.

Councillor Karen Shore, Cabinet Member for Environment, Communities and Strategic Transport said: “The new website allows the air quality data to be easily checked at all times including historic data. The improved functionality allows different parameters to be selected based on location, timeframe and pollutants and the data can be exported if needed.  

“The new website is being launched at the same time we are planning to revoke the Air Quality Management Area in Ellesmere Port that was declared in May 2005 for transport related levels of nitrogen dioxide.

“Over the past five years, monitoring has demonstrated a trend of reducing levels. The levels now comply with the national standard and are likely to continue to improve which will allow us to revoke the order. This reduction in levels is the result of the Air Quality Action Plan vehicle queue reduction measures combined with improved vehicle emission standards.”