Date: 02 May 2023

Reference Number: 6133

Cheshire West and Chester Council is reminding voters in Thursday’s elections that they will need photo ID if they are voting in a polling station.

Thursday, 4 May, is the first date electors in England will need to show an acceptable form of photo identification before they are issued with a ballot paper at a polling station.

This change has been made by the UK Government as part of the Elections Act 2022.

Andrew Lewis, Returning Officer said: “Election staff are committed to ensuring that everyone entitled to vote is able to do so.  But the new ID requirements mean that, regrettably, people who do not show a valid ID cannot vote.  Presiding Officers at our polling stations have no discretion to wave this requirement.  So please do remember to bring photo ID from the approved list, and make sure you exercise your right to vote.”   

Only original documents are acceptable – scanned images, pictures on mobile phones or copies will not be accepted.  Electors can still use a photo ID if it’s out of date, as long as it’s still a good likeness.  The name on the photo ID shown at the polling station should be the same name the elector has used to register to vote. If the names are different, polling staff may ask to see additional documentation such as a marriage certificate, divorce papers, deed poll paperwork, a birth certificate, or a bill.

720 electors from Cheshire West and Chester applied and been issued with Voter Authentication Certificates, with the deadline for applications now passed. 

A Presiding Officer can refuse to issue a ballot paper if they have reasonable doubt about the authenticity of any photo ID. They will advise the elector to return with an alternative form of accepted photographic ID. The Returning Officer will be made aware of any cases of suspected forged ID and can refer these to the police.

Any elector who is turned away from a polling station because they don’t have an accepted form of photo ID with them can return later on polling day. If they are then able to show an accepted form of photo ID, they will be issued with a ballot paper.

Any elector can ask to show their photo ID in a private area of the polling station. This will include electors who are wearing any kind of face covering. A mirror will be available for these electors to be able to fix their face covering before returning to the main part of the polling station where they will be issued with a ballot paper.

Where electors request that a female carries out an ID check, a female member of polling station staff will be asked to do this. Polling station teams will include female members of staff where possible, or will be able to contact other election staff such as Polling Station Inspectors. These team members will be authorised to check photographic ID and on call to attend polling stations at short notice.

Proxy voters, who are authorised by another elector to vote on their behalf, will have to show their own accepted form of photo ID before they are allowed to make a proxy vote. They do not need to show ID for the person they are a proxy for.

You can find out more about acceptable versions of Photo ID on the Council’s website.   Photo ID at polling stations from May 2023 | Cheshire West and Chester Council 

Date: 26 April 2023

Reference Number: 6128

Cheshire West and Chester Council has confirmed that work is beginning on the regeneration of Winsford town centre. The development includes the demolition of some existing buildings and the construction of new units for businesses and open public spaces.

In the coming weeks, Kier construction workers will be on site erecting hoardings prior to commencing work on the project.

The public is being advised that there may be disruption to pedestrian access and routes around the town centre while work is taking place. Signage is being installed to advise of alternative routes.

The small Dene Drive car park in the middle of the site will be closed, and residents are advised to please use alternative car parks around the town centre while work is going on.

All businesses in the town centre remain open as usual for people to visit.

Construction is due to be complete by the end of 2024.

Whilst acknowledging that the works will create some inconvenience, the Council will provide regular updates regarding progress for the duration of the works so that people are aware of what is happening at the various stages of the project.

Further information can be found on the Council website:

Town centre | Cheshire West and Chester Council

Date: 27 April 2023

Reference Number: 6126

Cheshire West and Chester libraries will be celebrating the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and The Queen Consort with some wildflower themed activities.

Some libraries will sow wildflower seeds, so they will bloom red, white and blue this summer, seed bookmarks will be given away and there will be themed children’s craft sessions.

The Coronation’s themes are “youth, community, diversity and sustainability” which led the Library Service, which is already involved in the Council’s plans to tackle the Climate Emergency, to think more about sustainability.

The outside space at five libraries – Barnton, Hope Farm, Lache, Sandiway and Tattenhall – will be wildflower seeded.  Flowers will include the patriotic colours of red, white and blue.  The wildflower areas are being created by the Council’s Your Streets team as they work their way around the borough creating this year’s native wildflower meadows.

This follows on from the wildflower seeding of Upton Library last year and it is hoped that more libraries will have wildflower areas in the future.

One thousand plantable seed paper bookmarks, specially printed with the Coronation logo, will be distributed by the borough’s libraries.  After being used in books, watering them will allow the wildflower seed to germinate and grow. Simple instructions on how to do this will be given out with the bookmarks.

In addition, libraries will be doing children’s crafts and other activities in the weeks before the Coronation.  Please ask at your local library for details, or see the library events webpage: Library events | Cheshire West and Chester Council

Arts Council England have provided library services in England with £1,000 to mark the occasion in whatever way they think will be most relevant and enjoyable for their users and local community.  In Cheshire West and Chester this funding has been used for the wildflower seed and bookmarks.

It’s free to join and use a library.  In addition to printed books, there is free access to  computers, wi-fi and study space. Membership allows access to the popular BorrowBox app which provides thousands of eBooks and eAudiobooks for free. As well as this, the Libby app provides free access to hundreds of magazines online.

The library events are part of the Council’s programme to celebrate the Coronation. For more details see Coronation events in west Cheshire | Cheshire West and Chester Council