Acton Bridge Parish Council

Date: 09 March 2023

Reference Number: 6063

Cheshire West and Chester Council has started working with a social enterprise company created to ensure play areas are inclusive.

The Council has been working with Plan Inclusive Play Areas (PiPA PLAY) to review the Council’s website to provide updated information on inclusive play currently offered at outdoor play areas managed by the Council.  The second part of the work will then look at a selection of outdoor play parks across the borough in terms of opportunities to improve their inclusive play potential.

The following factors will be looked at as part of the play area assessment work: improving entry and exit points at play areas, pathway improvements, surfacing and also feasibility for additional equipment to encourage inclusive play.

Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Councillor Louise Gittins said: “All children deserve a safe play area that works well for them and their families within a reasonable distance from their home.  Working with PiPA PLAY means our play areas will be independently assessed to help make them even more inclusive.

“The Council’s work with PiPA PLAY is unique, in that we are the first local authority to engage on this level, from delivering play area audits to involvement in website content.”

Becky Maddern from PiPA PLAY said: “We are delighted Cheshire West and Chester Council asked PiPA PLAY to support them in ensuring the play parks they manage are accessible and inclusive for all.

“Here at PiPA PLAY our aim is to empower the true meaning of inclusion, equality and diversity in play area design.  As a mum to a child with profound disability, I have first-hand experience of what it feels like to see your child excluded from play parks. My son loves to be swung high on a swing and to go fast down a slide, however very few parks cater for his needs.  Play is fundamental to a child’s development and by creating inclusive and accessible parks we can create an environment where children can play and grow together, because all children and families deserve and have a right to access their local play park.”

This work will also feed into the review of the current Play Strategy (2020-2024), which is to be updated in 2024 and also any future plans for play area investment, including funding applications.

Date: 09 March 2023

Reference Number: 6071

Cashless parking will be available across Cheshire West and Chester Council’s car parks from Thursday 16 March 2023 making it more convenient for residents and visitors to park and help support town centres and local businesses.

A number of user-friendly apps will be available including RingGo, JustPark, PaybyPhone and APCOA connect. This offers an alternative means of payment to the existing pay and display machines enabling payment via your mobile phone.

With these apps, there is no need to have the right change, display a ticket in your vehicle or look for the nearest Pay and Display machine. You simply register your details on an app and enter a location code, displayed when you park.

In addition, you can extend your parking session, where permitted, if you need more time from your phone, without having to rush back to the car.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, Councillor Karen Shore said: “Moving to cashless parking will not only make it easier for residents and visitors but also support ongoing local economic recovery by encouraging people to shop local.  

The new apps will make it convenient for residents to pop into town without the need to find change for parking.  The ability to extend your parking session also means visitors can take their time and enjoy everything the borough has to offer.”

There is a small transaction charge for cashless payments but ticket machines across Council-owned car parks will continue to offer different payment options. More information on parking is available on the council website.

Date: 13 March 2023

Reference Number: 6079

Cheshire West and Chester Council has reported the theft of highway grid covers across Winsford and Northwich. 

Over 30 gully/grid covers were taken on Thursday night (9 March), leaving a dangerous hole in the road at each site. A white van has been spotted in areas of Winsford, Weaverham, Banton and Hartford. 

The Council has made the areas safe with cones and are arranging for permanent repairs. 

Councillor Karen Shore, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member – Environment, Highways & Strategic Transport said: “These recent thefts of highway grids are a challenge for our highways team. The thieves are creating a hazard for road users, and the grids are costly to replace. We are working with the Police to catch the culprits but would appreciate any assistance from residents to report any suspicious activity they may have seen”. 

Gully grids, prevent large debris as well as animals from entering the drainage system. 

Please call the Police on 101 and quote incident number: IML1496847 or call the Council on 0300 123 7036 if you notice any suspicious activities.

Date: 02 March 2023

Reference Number: 6062

A fraudulent Cheshire plumber who preyed on pensioners to fund his cocaine habit has been given an eight-month custodial sentence.

Christopher Hankey, 43, of Oak Lane, Cuddington, previously pleaded guilty to fraudulent trading at Chester Magistrates Court in February.

Hankey was a self-employed plumber who would take up-front payments but fail to undertake the jobs required.

He also cold called residents, falsely stating that plumbing parts had been recalled, seeking money for the replacement parts in advance and claiming that the supplier would reimburse the cost.

In this case, many of the complainants were retired, with an age range of between 68 and 85.

When interviewed, Hankey admitted the offences, saying he was using the money for his cocaine habit which was costing him between £120 and £160 a day.

The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, Councillor Karen Shore said: “Another successful outcome for our Public Protection Service and Legal team.

“This case shows that we will pursue those who take money from residents for poor or unfinished work, protecting both residents and the reputation of the vast majority of Cheshire West and Chester traders who do the best for their customers.”

When sentencing HHJ Thompson said: “It seems to me that you chose some of these victims because you had previously gained their trust and there has been an element of targeting, it can’t be a coincidence that they are elderly. “You are a deeply dishonest individual and these are particularly nasty offences.”

Date: 21 February 2023

Reference Number: 6045

Cheshire West and Chester Council is encouraging parents and carers with children who attend local authority maintained schools in the borough to take part in a consultation on proposals to vary the current Standardised School Year. 

The Standardised School Year is a set of principles used to set out school term and holiday dates for schools in an area.

Term dates and holidays in England are set by the Council for community and voluntary controlled schools, by the governing body for foundation and voluntary aided schools and by the academy trust for free schools and academies.

The proposal is to vary the current Standardised School Year for Cheshire West and Chester’s community and voluntary controlled schools based on feedback from schools and parents.  

Councillor Robert Cernik, Cabinet Member for Children and Families said: “In 2012 the Council consulted on and adopted the current Standardised School Year, which aligned our school term dates with other neighbouring authorities. In recent years, more councils have moved away from this model.

“We are aware that differing term dates for schools may be causing inconvenience for some of our families and school staff across the borough. At the moment some primary and secondary schools don’t always have the same holiday dates, and we are out of sync with our neighbouring areas, which can make it difficult for parents.

“The Council is now consulting on a proposal that will bring our term dates more in line with neighbouring authorities and will help parents with children at more than one school to know that their holidays will fall at the same time.

“We would like to hear from as many parents and carers of children attending west Cheshire schools as possible, to make sure we get it right.

“To take part in the consultation and view the consultation documents, please visit our consultation webpage where you can have your say in a number of different ways.”

visit: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/standardschoolyear

Date: 22 February 2023

Reference Number: 6044

Applications are now open for communities in Cheshire West and Chester to receive up to £500 to fund celebrations and activities to mark the Coronation of King Charles III.

The Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort will take place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6 May 2023 and many communities may wish to celebrate the historic occasion with events over the Coronation Weekend between Saturday 6 and Monday 8 May 2023 and throughout the Coronation year.

An additional bank holiday has been granted on 8 May and, as with other significant royal occasions, this is an opportunity to spend time and celebrate with friends, family and communities.

To help communities celebrate the occasion, each existing ward councillor has a budget of £500 to support the celebrations and activities in their own ward and/or the wider borough. Applicants can apply for a maximum of £500 and minimum of £100 per project, per ward councillor.

Councillor Carol Gahan, Cabinet Member for Finance and Legal, said: “The Council considers the Coronation to be an important and monumental occasion for the residents of the Borough, and we are delighted to be able to offer funding for our communities to come together in celebration of the event. An additional budget allocation has been made available to each existing ward councillor to support community-based activity in recognition of the year of the Coronation. We look forward to the celebrations and seeing community spirit in action.”

Applications will be considered from groups who show they are providing a community-based activity in recognition of the year of the Coronation. Funding applications open on 22 February, and close on 22 March 2023. Payments for successful applications will start to be released on 3 April 2023.

For guidance on how to plan an event and to apply for funding, visit the Council website: https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/leisure-parks-and-events/arts-and-festivals/organising-a-street-party/coronation-events

If organisers want to discuss a potential funding application, they can contact their local Communities team:

Chester – ChesterLocality@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk;
Ellesmere Port – EllesmerePortLocality@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk;
Northwich and Winsford – NorthwichWinsfordLocality@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk;
Rural areas – RuralLocality@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk)

Please find attached a temporary road closure notice for Warrington Road, Acton Bridge which commences on 14th February 2023. This is necessary for safety reasons to enable emergency utility works, works to be carried out by United Utilities. 

Date: 06 February 2023

Reference Number: 6026

Develop ‘skills for life’ this National Apprenticeship Week

Cheshire West and Chester Council is encouraging people and businesses to take advantage of apprenticeship opportunities and develop ‘skills for life’ this National Apprenticeship Week (6-12 February 2023).

National Apprenticeship Week brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy. This year’s theme is ‘Skills for Life’; reflecting on how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career, and businesses to develop a talented workforce that is equipped with future-ready skills.

Apprenticeships are a mixture of work-based training and education for anyone aged 16 and over. Since April 2021, people have started apprenticeships with Cheshire West and Chester Council in areas such as Finance, Pensions, Legal, Human Resources, Transport, Construction, and more. We will be sharing some of their stories and what they enjoy most about their apprenticeships on social media during National Apprenticeship Week.

If you are just starting out on your career path, considering making a change, or wanting to develop your skills further, you can find out more about the opportunities available with Cheshire West and Chester Council on our website:

Apprenticeships: information for residents | Cheshire West and Chester Council

Apprenticeship vacancies at a wide range of businesses and organisations can be found on the Cheshire and Warrington Opportunities website:

Apprenticeships in Cheshire and Warrington (candwopportunities.co.uk)

An apprentice can be an asset for any business. Taking on an apprentice could allow you to fill a skills gap, improve the company image, improve productivity, reduce staff turnover, increase diversity, and upskill existing staff. If you are interested in recruiting an apprentice to your business, you can find everything you need to know on the Council’s Let’s Talk Business website:

Apprenticeships (letstalkbizcw.co.uk)

Councillor Richard Beacham, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, Economy and Regeneration, said:

“Apprenticeships can help you to develop skills and gain experience, so that you earn while you learn. For employers, hiring an apprentice can be a great way of investing in the talent of the future, and we encourage businesses to consider taking on apprentices. At Cheshire West and Chester Council, we really value the work that our apprentices do and it is important that as a Council we invest in people’s talent and potential.”

Councillor Paul Donovan, Cabinet Member for Workforce, Equality & Democracy, said:

“Among the Council’s many priorities is to help the people in our communities to thrive and improve their personal circumstances by supporting them to find training, build skills and gain employment. Having served an apprenticeship myself I can say they are a great way for people to develop and get onto their chosen career path.”

Creating and promoting apprenticeship opportunities is part of the Council’s commitment to bringing together business and education providers to develop skills and career pathways into jobs in key sectors. This is one of the 12 action points identified as part of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s vision for an Inclusive Economy, which aims to make the borough a greener, fairer and stronger place to live, work and play.

You can find out more about the Inclusive Economy here:

Inclusive Economy | Cheshire West and Chester Council

You can get involved with National Apprenticeship Week by visiting www.naw.appawards.co.uk and by using the hashtag #NAW2023 on social media.

Date: 01 February 2023

Reference Number: 6023

With less than two months to go until community projects on the Cheshire West Crowd need to reach their crowdfunding targets, this is an ideal time for you to help their ideas become a reality.

The Cheshire West Crowd provides the opportunity for everyone to put forward community-led projects and attract funding to make the borough more vibrant, resilient and connected.

The Cheshire West Crowd autumn 2022 round is the biggest yet, with 44 community projects currently running crowdfunding campaigns and more than £425,000 in funding pledged by Cheshire West and Chester Council.

That means nearly £1.4 million has been raised for local projects from almost 4,800 backers since the initiative was first launched.

Ellesmere Port Local and Family History Society (EPLFHS) is fundraising to create an animation video that will showcase the town’s history.

Celia Webber, Chair of EPLFHS, said: “We’ve had wonderful support so far and every penny of it will help with promoting Ellesmere Port.

“The funding we’ve received from the Council is a real incentive for others to get involved in a project that could make a real difference to the town.”

Incredible Edible Handbridge is another project on a crowdfunding journey, with plans to launch a new Arches Wildlife and Wellbeing Garden.

Lisa Rossetti, Secretary of Incredible Edible Handbridge, added: “We’re absolutely delighted to have our community project supported and funded by the Council.

“We can’t wait to get started with transforming the patch into a lovely, thriving green space for our Handbridge community to enjoy.”

Down Syndrome Cheshire is generating funds through the Cheshire West Crowd for a new sensory room.

Lawrence Caygill, CEO of Down Syndrome Cheshire, commented: “We’re over the moon that we’ll be able to provide a sensory room for babies and children with Down syndrome in Cheshire, supporting their physical, communication and social development.

“The pledge from the Council has been instrumental in getting our crowdfunding campaign over the line and providing funding for this-much needed resource, which will make a massive difference to the lives of children living with Down syndrome and their parents and carers.”

While some projects have successfully reached their crowdfunding targets, others are calling on some extra support so they can become a reality.

Whether you’re a business, donor, resident or anyone else, you can get involved with the Cheshire West Crowd and donate to local projects close to your heart.

Check out all the projects crowdfunding on the Cheshire West Crowd

All projects will need to reach their crowdfunding targets on the Cheshire West Crowd by Wednesday 22 March 2023.