Date: 08 December 2022

Reference Number: 5972

‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ for a greener Christmas

The Council is urging all Cheshire West and Chester residents to help the environment by choosing to reduce, reuse and recycle their food this Christmas.

Global food waste produces more emissions than all commercial flights put together. In the UK, food waste contributes to 5% of our emissions, the same as one third of all our cars.  

With lots of food being wasted at Christmas time especially, we encourage all residents to help tackle climate change and save themselves money by only cooking what is needed, reusing uneaten food to reduce waste, and then recycling it.

The borough’s kerbside recycling service enables almost every household in Cheshire West and Chester to conveniently recycle their food waste separate from their other recycled waste, and tens of thousands of Cheshire households make use of this weekly service.

At Christmas, the Council collects and recycles more food waste than at any other time of the year, and this season we are ready to collect food waste which has been separated from other recyclables and general waste.

Councillor Karen Shore, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, said: “Trying to waste less food in the first place has the biggest benefit to the environment. Try to only cook what you need but, if you have leftovers, reuse in another meal to reduce waste. Please take the time to separate out food waste from general waste and put it in your food waste bin. It’s better for the environment.

“Last year, we recycled 667 tonnes of food waste over the three-week Christmas period. We would like to thank the many households already recycling food waste every week. You are already making such a big difference.

“We can provide you with the containers and information to start recycling your food over Christmas. Almost every home has been given a food waste bin. Use this Christmas as an opportunity to use the brown food waste bin again. None of us can afford to give up on tackling climate change – and the extra space it saves in the black bin will come in useful this time of year.”

Residents’ black domestic bins are emptied fortnightly so please make use of your weekly food waste collection service.

The Council sends your food waste to an anaerobic digestion treatment facility, which can recycle all different types of food waste: Turkey giblets and carcasses, vegetable peelings, chestnut shells, fish skins, bones, pet food, plate scrapings and cooked food. 

Food waste is turned into green electricity to power peoples’ homes and a fertilizer that puts vital, natural nutrients back into our farmers’ fields.

Residents who no longer have a food waste bin, can order one for free. Cheshire West Recycling has made available 1,000 extra delivery slots this month to help more homes recycle.

Visit Order new or replacement bin | Cheshire West and Chester Council to order a food waste bin if you need one.

Visit Love Food Hate Waste for useful hacks, tips and guidance on how to avoid creating food waste and saving money on your food bills especially over the Christmas period.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is launching a new e-newsletter to support residents through the cost-of-living crisis.

The rising cost of living means that more people will need help to buy essential goods and heat their homes this winter. This is why we are launching a dedicated e-newsletter, called ‘Cost of Living Support,’ to inform you about the support available. The newsletter will come out monthly and can be sent directly to your inbox.

In the newsletter, you will find lots of helpful information about the schemes available to help with essential costs, like food and fuel, and other support that you might be eligible for. The newsletter will have a ‘Partner Stories’ section where people from other organisations in the community can share what they are doing to lend their support. We will also include helpful advice, from how to heat your home efficiently to money-saving tips.

The first edition is due to launch in January 2023. If you would like to receive regular updates and hear about the support available, you can sign up to the Cost of Living Support Newsletter here.

Date: 06 December 2022

Reference Number: 5964

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s new highways contractor appointed

Cheshire West and Chester Council has appointed a new partner for its highways services following a procurement process.

Colas Limited will become the new highways term maintenance contractor from 1 April 2023.

The new contractor will be responsible for the maintenance of 2,300km of public highways as well as structures including Chester’s historic City Walls, plus traffic signals, street lighting, gulley cleansing, drainage, street furniture, road studs and markings.

The comprehensive tender process to engage a term maintenance contractor included them responding to requirements around quality of materials and repairs, ensuring appropriate data and intelligence is gathered to deliver real innovation in the way the Council delivers services in the future, and a strong customer focus to ensure fault reports and enquiries are responded to in an appropriate and timely manner.

In the tender, bidders were also required to set out how they would respond to the climate emergency and demonstrate commitments to Social Value

Each year the Council spends up to £20 million on these services, making the highways contract one of its largest.

The initial contract term will be seven years with options to extend to a total of 15 years.

Councillor Karen Shore, The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, said: “We are pleased to award our highways term maintenance contract to Colas Limited following a lengthy and detailed procurement process.

“Teams in our Transport and Highways directorate have been working hard to ensure the procurement process and the development of the overall contract for these key services was carried out thoroughly and effectively, taking into account factors that are influencing the market for these services at the current time.

“We would very much like to thank our current contractor, Ringway, for their hard work in Cheshire West and Chester since 2012, working alongside us to look after our highways assets and keep our residents and visitors safe.

“We are however looking forward to working with our new contractor Colas to deliver the best possible highways maintenance services for the borough.”

CEO at Colas, Faical Lahmamsi said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this seven-year contract by Cheshire West and Chester Council and are excited to be bringing our experience in delivering sustainable road solutions for them, and their communities.”

Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer is encouraging local community groups, businesses and members of the police family across Cheshire to apply to the Community Cashback Fund over the Christmas period. Taken from money seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), each of Cheshire’s nine Local Policing Units (LPUs) has been allocated £10,000 from the fund. The aim is for local residents and businesses to work with their neighbourhood policing teams on projects to improve their community.   ‘Not for profit’ organisations such as charities, ‘friends of’ groups, neighbourhood groups, social enterprises and community groups are encouraged to apply. Local businesses and Parish Councils can also apply to the fund, as well as local policing teams themselves.   The fund is open now and will close at 9am on Friday 27 January 2023.   Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer, said: “I’m delighted to be able to support Cheshire’s communities with funding that has been seized from the ill-gotten gains of criminals. This money should be used to fund community improvements, not criminal lifestyles. “Through the Community Cashback Fund, local people will be able to work hand-in-hand with their policing team to improve their area. This is all about working together to make Cheshire even safer so if you’ve got an idea for a project that will make a real difference, I want to hear from you.” Applications will be considered by a panel including representatives from the local community, which will decide which projects to fund. All applications must meet the criteria and support one of the six aims of the Police and Crime Plan. These are:   ·  Prevent and tackle crime ·  Make Cheshire’s roads safer ·  Deliver justice for victims of crime ·  Protect vulnerable and at-risk people ·  Improve public confidence in policing ·  Modernise our police service   For information about the criteria, frequently asked questions and how to apply, visit Cashback fund open county-wide for Christmas (cheshire-pcc.gov.uk)

Date: 01 December 2022

Reference Number: 5959

Support available to residents this winter

On Fuel Poverty Awareness Day (2 December), Cheshire West and Chester Council is reminding residents of the support available to them this winter.

National Energy Action, a national charity aiming to end fuel poverty, estimates 6.7 million households are currently in the grip of fuel poverty following a 130 per cent increase to gas prices over the last 18 months.

The Council is working alongside a number of partners across the borough to provide support to residents this winter.

Home Upgrade Grant
Funding has been secured from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to provide Home Upgrade Grants to households in properties that do not use gas as their main source of heating. These could include homes that use electric, Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG), oil or solid fuel to heat their homes. The grants will provide eligible households with funding to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, helping them to reduce their energy bills.

Some of the measures the grant can be used for include funding for external and internal wall insulation, loft insulation, under-floor insulation, air source heat pumps, single glazed windows and door upgrades, high heat retention electric storage heater and solar panels.

Full details of the grant, including eligibility criteria and how to apply can be found on the Council’s website:  www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/homeenergyhelp or by calling 0300 123 8 123 to request an application form.

For more information on various energy efficiency schemes which you may be eligible to apply for, visit: Home energy | Cheshire West and Chester Council

Warm, Welcoming SpacesA network of Warm, Welcoming Spaces have been set up in various venues across the borough, providing people with a place where they can go, for free, to stay warm, feel safe and connect with others in their community.

Libraries, some Brio Leisure Centres, Chester Grosvenor Museum and the Lion Salt Works in Northwich are part of the scheme. Many churches and community venues have also opened their doors as part of the initiative and more venues are joining regularly.

For a full list, details of opening times and activities on offer visit: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/warmspaces

Cllr Matt Bryan, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Climate Emergency, said: “As we head into winter, many residents are understandably concerned about the rising cost of living and how they will heat their homes.

“We know that making homes more energy efficient so that they remain warmer is one of the best long-term solutions to the cost-of-living crisis and I would urge anyone eligible for the Home Upgrade Grant to make an application today.

“We’re extremely grateful to the range of local organisations working together with us to support residents during these worrying times. Anyone needing support can find details of a range of organisations that can provide help on the Council website: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/costofliving or by calling: 0300 123 8123.” 

Date: 24 November 2022

Reference Number: 5953

Join a bank workforce for the Council’s Reablement team

Cheshire West and Chester Council is calling on people to join a bank workforce for its Reablement team to support others in the local community.

Are you a kind and caring person who would like to make a real difference to others?

As the winter months approach, it is important people receive the care and support they need and this bank workforce will be called on to help with any pressures in both the Reablement team and other services it supports outside the Council.  

By joining the Reablement team, you won’t just be joining the Council, but also a community team that supports people to enjoy full and independent lives.

Reablement workers come from all walks of life, but what they all have in common is the right values as they’re adaptable, friendly, respectful and caring.

No matter where you live in west Cheshire or surrounding areas, there are plenty of opportunities across the borough and you’ll be allocated work as near to you as possible.

There are a number of different positions available that are flexible with what you can offer, whether you’re looking for part-time work to support people around your other commitments or longer hours as a more permanent position.

With the recent pay award for Council staff, you’re able to earn £11.39 per hour as part of this bank workforce, plus holiday pay, and you’ll have access to the paid training you need for your role, an excellent pension scheme with significant employer contributions and much more.

• Apply to join the Reablement team

For more information about the Reablement team and joining this bank workforce, you can email: accesswest@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.

Date: 24 November 2022

Reference Number: 5953

Join a bank workforce for the Council’s Reablement team

Cheshire West and Chester Council is calling on people to join a bank workforce for its Reablement team to support others in the local community.

Are you a kind and caring person who would like to make a real difference to others?

As the winter months approach, it is important people receive the care and support they need and this bank workforce will be called on to help with any pressures in both the Reablement team and other services it supports outside the Council.  

By joining the Reablement team, you won’t just be joining the Council, but also a community team that supports people to enjoy full and independent lives.

Reablement workers come from all walks of life, but what they all have in common is the right values as they’re adaptable, friendly, respectful and caring.

No matter where you live in west Cheshire or surrounding areas, there are plenty of opportunities across the borough and you’ll be allocated work as near to you as possible.

There are a number of different positions available that are flexible with what you can offer, whether you’re looking for part-time work to support people around your other commitments or longer hours as a more permanent position.

With the recent pay award for Council staff, you’re able to earn £11.39 per hour as part of this bank workforce, plus holiday pay, and you’ll have access to the paid training you need for your role, an excellent pension scheme with significant employer contributions and much more.

• Apply to join the Reablement team

For more information about the Reablement team and joining this bank workforce, you can email: accesswest@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.

Date: 14 November 2022

Reference Number: 5942

Top tips to shop wisely during Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Shop wisely this sale season and avoid getting less than you bargained for with top tips from Cheshire West and Chester Council Trading Standards and Citizens Advice Cheshire West.

With Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the holiday season fast approaching, the Council and Citizens Advice have released top tips to remind bargain-hunters how to shop safely online.

Their top tips for shopping wisely are:

1. Do your research: Before buying from a website you have not used before, spend a few minutes checking it out. See what people have said about the person or company you are buying from by looking at reviews on different websites – do not rely on reviews the company has put on its own website. If you are worried that something you have seen online might be a scam, you can get help from the Citizens Advice consumer helpline.
2. Be wise to scams in disguise: If a bargain seems too good to be true, it probably is. If it is branded but a lot cheaper than it appears on the brand’s website, it could be fake. If it isn’t branded, it could be a ‘look-a-like’ product but either way, it might not be the quality you were hoping for.
3. Ways to pay: Beware of a seller who asks you to pay by direct bank transfer. Bank transfers have limited protection if things go wrong, so avoid using them. You should only send and receive money through the online marketplace app or website using a debit or credit card, or via trusted methods of payment such as PayPal.
4. Know your rights: If you have purchased from a retailer you should be entitled to a replacement product or a repair or even a full refund if the goods are faulty. If you have bought from an individual, perhaps via an online marketplace, you have far fewer rights. In fact, you have no right to return, as long as the goods are ‘as described’. Always be sure to take a screenshot of the description and be sure to check and double check before you buy.
5. When things go wrong: Sometimes things just don’t go to plan. If you have bought something that is broken, damaged, unsafe or not what you expected then contact the seller and give them a chance to put it right. If that does not work – reach out to the Citizens Advice consumer helpline.

These top tips mark the start of National Consumer Week (Monday 14 November – Sunday 20 November).  The annual campaign is run by Citizens Advice in collaboration with the Consumer Protection Partnership (CPP), which includes Trading Standards and the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

Citizens Advice Cheshire West and the Council are aware that across the borough purse strings are tightening and financial pressures are increasing every day.  With sales season fast approaching, it is vital to recognise the red flags when trying to bag a bargain in the run up to the holidays.

Anyone can be a victim of a scam, and even the savviest of shoppers can be left getting less than they bargained for. You should not feel embarrassed if you are caught out. By knowing how to shop wisely, and what to do if something goes wrong, we can better protect ourselves and each other.

For information and advice, contact Citizens Advice Cheshire West by calling Adviceline: 0808 2787 806 or using the email enquiry service Monday to Friday 9am – 4pm.  Click on this link for up-to-date information on services and opening hours. Online advice is available via webchat accessed through the Citizens Advice website. 

Date: 14 November 2022

Reference Number: 5944

Help us make Cheshire West and Chester more age-friendly

Residents of all ages and backgrounds are invited to lead the way in making Cheshire West and Chester somewhere everyone can live life to the full for longer.

Age-friendly Cheshire West is appealing for anyone who lives in the borough to get involved.

Dr Louise Taylor, chair of Age-friendly Cheshire West, said: “Cheshire West and Chester residents are living for longer, which is a fabulous issue to have, but later life can bring its own challenges.

“Getting older happens to everyone, so the issues older adults face are relevant to all of us, every day.

“Joining Age-friendly Cheshire West is a brilliant opportunity for residents of all ages, backgrounds and life experiences to make a difference now for all our futures.”

The aspiration of the Cheshire West and Chester Age-friendly network is to ensure people of all ages are treated with respect and the borough is a place where older adults feel included and valued.

Following an interruption to its work during the COVID-19 pandemic, the network relaunched in the summer with a determination to develop and work through an action plan for the next three years.

Being involved would include reviewing policies and overall direction of the network and bringing together groups of residents and local organisations.

Joining a group would require attending meetings, being out and about in your community talking with people and helping your neighbourhoods to be more welcoming to older adults.

For more information, or to get involved, contact the Council before 25 November by calling: 0300 123 8 123 and stating ‘Age-friendly’, between 8am and 7pm from Monday to Friday, or emailing: publichealth@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.