Climate Emergency

26 May 2021

Cheshire West and Chester Council is promoting Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean campaign and its Love Your Streets initiative is supporting clean-up events across the borough.

Keep Britain Tidy’s campaign, which runs from 28 May to 13 June, encourages residents and community groups to get involved by pledging to give their neighbourhoods a thorough clean-up.

The Council’s ASIST officers (Area Streets Information and Solutions Team) has prepared a toolkit for individuals and groups of no more than 30 to arrange clean-up events in their communities.

The toolkit, which is available throughout the year not just during the Keep Britain Tidy campaign, includes litter-picking grabbers, bags and full instructions for the collection of filled bags, etc. A jet washing machine is also available. To boost recycling, groups are asked to sort rubbish into different bags depending on whether it is plastic or general waste.

If you would like to make use of the toolkit to make a difference in your area, please email the ASIST officers on yourstreets@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.

You can pledge your support of the Keep Britain Tidy campaign on their website.

The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, Councillor Karen Shore said: “It’s wonderful that so many groups and individuals have already organised litter-picking events and clean-ups in their communities to join this campaign.

“I’ll be helping to start off this year’s Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean by litter-picking in Ellesmere Port town centre later this week. Littering just isn’t acceptable, we all need to play our part by putting our rubbish in a bin or taking it home if one isn’t available.

“I’m pleased we are able to promote the use of the toolkit through our Love Your Streets initiative to help individuals and groups make a difference in their area. I’m looking forward to hearing about the results achieved across the borough.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the large number of volunteers who regularly litter-pick across west Cheshire – people of all ages are getting involved to help keep their communities looking clean and tidy.”

The Council’s social media channels will be showcasing some of the events taking place across the borough over the next two weeks. Find out more about Love Your Streets on the Council’s website.

May 18 2021

Farmers and landowners are invited to join others from across west Cheshire who have been providing new homes for great crested newts and other wildlife.

A total of 43 ponds were created in the borough over the last year as part of a new strategic licensing scheme, District Level Licensing (DLL).

Under District Level Licensing, developers make a conservation payment which is used to create or restore new ponds in locations that will benefit the species. It is helping to provide more homes for people and more habitat for great crested newts.

Ponds are created or restored in areas known to be most suitable for this yellow-bellied amphibian to thrive. The ponds will be monitored and looked after for at least 25 years – all funded by developers.

Natural England and Cheshire West and Chester are now seeking further landowners interested in creating or restoring ponds and habitats on their land.

Councillor Karen Shore, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, said: “Ponds represent a rich wildlife habitat which support many important freshwater plant and animal species.

“The Council’s Total Environment Team have been working with local farmers and landowners to identify potential sites to increase the number of ponds within the borough.

“We are delighted with the positive response from farmers and landowners willing to create or restore ponds all of whom are helping to ensure the long term protection of this iconic species.

“In Cheshire West and Chester, landowners can fully engage in creating or restoring ponds under expert guidance, which has really incentivised people to get involved. We are looking forward to continuing this exciting work.”

Barnston Estate, at Sibbersfield Lane Field Farm in Chester, is one farm involved, having restored five ponds.

Owner Edward Barnston said: “Our 10-year environmental strategy at Barnston Estate includes restoring all 59 ponds, planting another 10km of new hedgerows and planting 7.5km of river bank. By restoring our ponds, we are promoting aquatic life, boosting biodiversity and enhancing the environment.

“We would encourage other landowners to take this funding opportunity. Creating more thriving habitats for species across our borough is good for our natural environment.”

Mark Jones, Habitat Delivery Manager at Natural England, said: “Operating at a landscape-scale, the district level licensing scheme is an example of how the environment and development can work together.

“The scheme in Cheshire West and Chester is providing enormous benefits for people and wildlife as the one-off conservation payment made by developers ensures ponds are created, restored, maintained and monitored for 25 years in the areas that need them the most.

“This benefits great crested newt and other wildlife including dragonflies, insects and birds whilst enabling developers and local authorities to deliver on their investment and home-building ambitions.”

The next round of applications is now open for landowners interested in making space on their land for pond creation. Applications must come from within the Natural England target areas. Ponds also must conform to Natural England’s design specifications for size, depth and profile.

Successful applications will receive funding of up to £2,700 per pond to cover the full costs of pond creation/restoration and include support and advice from the Council’s Total Environment Team.

To find out more information on the DLL scheme and to nominate a site within the borough of Cheshire West and Chester please contact Joe Gough via email joe.gough@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

The DLL scheme was set up as an alternative to traditional great crested newt licensing and is funded by developer contributions where planning applications fall within identified zones potentially impacting upon the species.

DLL schemes are now available across 155 districts. The approach was initially piloted by Natural England in partnership with Woking Borough Council and then working with local authorities across Cheshire and Kent.

13 May 2021

Journeys on Cheshire West and Chester Council’s e-scooters trial in Chester city centre have clocked up 64,191 miles – more than enough to travel two and a half times around the Earth.*

The Council, in partnership with e-scooter provider Ginger, launched a 12-month trial in December 2021, as part of a Department for Transport (DfT) initiative to encourage greener travel methods.

Now the scheme is being expanded with the 40 available e-scooters soon to become 100 across the city, with over 20 new additional dockless parking bays added to improve access at various locations including Sealand Road Park & Ride.

The new e-scooters will include the upgraded 2.3 model, which incorporates an internal tracking device rather than an external one. They have a dual kickstand rather than single stand to improve stability when stationary, and a tougher rear fender, among other vehicle improvements.

In supporting the successful expansion, Ginger working in partnership with local business Dandy’s Nationwide Landscape Supplies Ltd, now provides secure storage, the latest solar panels and Tesla battery charging facilities to power and recharge the escooter fleet. This means that every scoot across the City of Chester on a Ginger rental e-scooter is now 100 per cent powered by the sun.

The pay-as-you-go scooters are hired via a mobile app, that already has 5,810 registered local users who have taken an average of 15 rides each.

The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, Councillor Karen Shore said: “Our escooter trial offers cleaner, efficient and more affordable travel for local communities, complementing the Council’s wider transport initiatives. As lockdown restrictions are hopefully eased in the future the e-scooters will also help visitors explore our many attractions, supporting the city centre economy.

“The e-scooters have proved to be most popular with residents from Garden Lane who have made 2,287 journeys, followed by White Friars 1,473 journeys and then Chester Bus Interchange with 1,028 journeys followed closely by Chester Railway Station with 1,018 journeys.

Councillor Matt Bryan, Cabinet Member for the Climate Emergency explained: “E-scooters offer a healthier, more environmentally friendly alternative to using the car for shorter journeys and will also help tackle air pollution. Since the launch it has been calculated that all these escooter journeys across the city have saved around 18,836 Kg of CO₂ had those journeys been done in a petrol or diesel car.”

The scooters will not move unless unlocked by a valid driving licence holder, they will cut out if taken into a location that is not approved for their use and there is a speed limiter.

Ginger manages the e-scooters in Chester and full details, FAQs and location maps for the Chester scheme are available on their website. Users will need to download the Ginger Shared Transport App from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. The e-scooters cost £2 per 20 minutes of journey time and 50p per 10 minutes of pausing time.

A few of Ginger’s customer comments:

Scooters will continue to charge their user until they are parked properly in a designated e-scooter parking area and the user has ended the ride on the app.

Anyone hiring e-scooters with Ginger needs to be aged 18 or over, with a valid driving licence (full or provisional) or a motorcycle licence. It is a criminal offence to hire the e-scooter for someone else.

21 April 2021

Cheshire West and Chester Council has confirmed that new electric vehicle charging points will be available soon across the borough.

From mid-May, new facilities will open to allow residents and visitors to charge their electric vehicles in more locations, especially in areas where residents have no off-street parking.

An Electric Charging Hub has been created in Ellesmere Port. At the Council’s Canalside Operations Depot up to 28 Council electric vehicles will be able to fully charge overnight and a further pair of rapid chargers will be available at the Canal & River Trust’s National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port (Boat Museum). These will give a full charge in as little as half an hour. As well as servicing the Council’s electric fleet, the Waterways Museum chargers will also be available for use by local businesses.

From mid-May, drivers of electric vehicles will also be able to recharge their cars using two dual-socket fast GeniePoint chargers, installed and managed by ENGIE EV Solutions at each of the following car parks:

Bishop Street Car Park - Chester

Brook Street Car Park - Chester

Shrewsbury Road Car Park - Ellesmere Port

Moor Lane Car Park - Frodsham

Chester Road Car Park - Neston

Park Street Car Park - Northwich

These chargers are sited in car parks close to areas where residents lack off-street parking. The cost of charging an EV will be keenly priced to encourage people to make the switch.

The Council’s Director of Environment and Communities, Maria Byrne said: “The charging points have been installed and will be connected to a power supply ready for use around mid-May.”

“The rapid chargers at the Boat Museum are in a prime position for use by businesses along the M53 and our facilities in car parks can benefit both residents with no private driveway to install their own charging facilities, as well as shoppers and visitors.”

The project has been delivered by Council company Qwest Services in partnership with leading Energy specialist, ENGIE, using funding from the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and a Government Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) grant, along with match funding from the Council.

31 March 2021

Spring has arrived, signs of warmer days to come are already here, and Chester West and Chester Council has seen an increase in requests from residents wanting to get involved and help give the borough a spring clean.

From this week, groups of six are now able to volunteer together and meet up to carry out socially-distanced litter-picking activities in the borough. Individuals, households, or childcare bubbles can also carry out litter-picking if they would like to make a difference in their community.

Litter-pickers, bags, high vis vests are available for hire, along with a supply of dog poo bags, via the Your Streets team in the Council’s StreetCare Service.

The Council’s Head of Environmental Services, Mark Brazil said: “The arrival of spring is a very welcome milestone this year, as we all look forward to better days to come. The Council is incredibly grateful to anyone who wants to give up some of their time to help give the borough a spring clean. We are all spending most of our time in our own communities and this has seen in increase in residents wanting to get involved to make a difference to their area. It is important that everyone follows the current guidance and ensures their volunteering is socially distanced.

“Looking ahead we are planning to relaunch our Love Your Streets campaign and would love to hear from anyone who would like to be a Your Streets Champion – someone who would like to co-ordinate regular clean ups or litter-picking events in their communities as lockdown is eased and larger groups are able to take part.

“If you would like to hire some litter-picking equipment or become a Your Streets Champion later this year, please contact us on the Your Streets team on yourstreets@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.”

23 March 2021

More than 14,500 Cheshire West and Chester residents have given their views on Cheshire West and Chester Council’s proposed waste strategy.

Their feedback will now shape how the Council delivers waste and recycling services over the next 10 years.

The ‘Don’t let your future go to waste’ consultation which launched in January, has now closed.

The consultation described the current waste service in the borough, shared the challenges and opportunities the Council faces over the next 10 years and asked for feedback on proposed key priorities for the new Waste Strategy.

The scope of the consultation included the household waste and recycling collection service, and the way in which the non-recycled waste is processed.

Future proposals seek to address how the borough can continue to reduce the amount of waste it produces and encourage greater recycling.

The Council’s Director of Environment and Communities, Maria Byrne said: “To receive more than 14,500 responses to our consultation is wonderful and I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to complete our survey and give their views.

“We are preparing a new strategy to ensure that our vision and priorities reflect the needs of our communities, are aligned to emerging national plans and policies, as well as helping to address the climate emergency.”

All feedback will now be carefully considered and results will be published on the Council’s website ahead of bringing a recommended Waste Strategy for final approval by the Council in July 2021.

17 March 2021

The Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council has today (Wednesday, 17 March) welcomed news of a £72m decarbonisation funding boost to create thousands of new jobs and place the borough at the centre of the country’s green industrial revolution.

The HyNet North West hydrogen and carbon capture storage project has secured funding from the government and from the project's consortium, to help transform the North West region into the world’s first low carbon industrial cluster.

The funding will also support Cheshire West and Chester’s aim to achieve ‘net zero’ greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.

West Cheshire forms a central element of the North West Industrial Cluster, which contains the largest concentration of advanced manufacturing and chemical production in the UK.

Under the plans, HyNet North West will begin to transform natural gas into low carbon hydrogen at the Essar Stanlow by 2025. This clean energy source will be piped across the region to power industry, provide fuel for public transport and commercial vehicles, generate electricity and heat homes.

The project is a collaboration between locally-based partners Progressive Energy, Cadent, CF Fertilisers, Eni UK, Essar, Hanson, INOVYN (part of the INEOS Group) and the University of Chester.

By 2030 HyNet North West will have cut carbon dioxide emissions by up to 10 million tonnes a year. The project should create more than 6,000 new jobs and protect many existing manufacturing jobs in the region. In total, HyNet North West will help to support 75,000 jobs across the country by 2035.

Cheshire West and Chester Council has shown a strong commitment to protecting the environment. In 2019 the council declared a Climate Emergency, recognising the need to act in line with world-wide agreement on climate change and agreeing to play a leading role on the issue. Since then the Council has been working with partners, climate experts, local groups and businesses to understand the challenges and opportunities presented by the Climate Change agenda.

Part of the Council’s response includes the Carbon Management Plan, which sets out how it will reduce emissions across Council services overthe next 10 years to be carbon neutral by 2030.

Today’s funding announcement comes hot on the heels of news that the Council has secured £5.8m from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

The scheme provides grant funding for energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation measures across the public sector, targeting non-domestic buildings in England, as well as supporting green investment initiatives.

In welcoming the HyNet funding announcement, Council leader, Cllr Louise Gittins, said: “Cheshire West and Chester has an ambition to be at the heart of the UK’s leading decarbonisation cluster, and export skills and knowledge nationally and internationally to support global action on climate change. It has a unique collection of natural assets and technical expertise to make that a reality. The HyNet North West project is comprehensively supported by regional leaders as a means to address carbon emissions, which are among the highest in the country. This exciting and world-leading project is essential for retaining our economically vital industry which employs over 340,000 highly skilled people in our region, the most of any part of the UK. At the same time, it will create thousands of new green jobs here and across the country.”

David Parkin, Director of Progressive Energy and HyNetNW Project Director said: “We know we cannot reach net zero without decarbonising industry. HyNet North West is a game-changing project of strategic importance. It is uniquely developed to be low-cost and deliverable and will begin decarbonising the north west by 2025.

“Through the production of low carbon hydrogen and the capturing, and storing, of carbon dioxide, it offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create real change in how we produce and use our energy, establishing a cleaner world for future generations. It will unlock a low carbon future economy in North West England and North Wales, not only reducing emissions but also creating and safeguarding jobs. We are pleased to be working with Government on making the Green Industrial Revolution a reality.”

17 March 2021

A dedicated Climate Emergency Fund, launched by Cheshire West and Chester Council, will provide a financial boost for local organisations and Council projects that can reduce carbon emissions. This is the second call for investment under this fund, following the first in Autumn 2020, in which 11 projects were awarded funding to deliver low-carbon outcomes.

Applicants have until the 25 April 2021 to submit bids for a share of £100,000 available in the second funding round, which relates to this financial year (2021-22). Further rounds of Climate Emergency funding will be available from 2022 to 2024.

The fund has been set up as part of the Council’s work on tackling the Climate Emergency. Local organisations that meet the criteria will be able to bid for funding.

Successful applicants will need to provide evidence that their projects can be implemented swiftly and will make a strongly positive contribution to the borough’s ambition of becoming carbon neutral by 2045.

Eligible organisations include town and parish councils, voluntary organisations, community groups, small charities and other not-for-profit-organisations.

Examples of projects eligible for funding include (but are not limited to) the following.

• Renewable energy projects
• Energy efficiency projects
• Heat pump projects
• Zero or low carbon transport
• Waste reduction
• Natural capital/natural environment projects

Councillor Matt Bryan, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and the Climate Emergency, said: “We were pleased with the quality and number of responses we received last year, and so have increased the available funding from £60,000 to £100,000 to support community-led bids. We believe that we can only tackle this challenge by harnessing the enthusiasm, skill and knowledge in our communities. The Climate Emergency Fund is a way to support and deliver the innovative ideas people have to enhance their local areas, reduce carbon emissions, and make Cheshire West and Chester an even better place to call home."

One project that secured funding during the first round of the Climate Emergency Fund was Guilden Sutton Green Space in Chester. Project leader Sarah Jessop from Guilden Sutton Green Space, said “The Climate Emergency funding has been the making of our green space project here in Guilden Sutton. We had already acquired substantial funding through the Mersey Forest project, but we really needed this top-up from the Climate Emergency fund to be able to purchase a piece of land to plant the trees on.

“The response from the local community has been incredible. In just two weeks, around 70 volunteers have planted 4,600 trees. As well as capturing carbon as the trees grow, the new woodland will provide a place to exercise and enjoy nature in walking distance of people’s homes.”

To find out more and view the Climate Emergency Fund guidance, visit: cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/climateemergencyfund

1 March 2021

Cheshire West and Chester Council has secured over £500,000 in funding to install energy efficient measures to some of the borough’s most inefficient homes.

The funding, provided through the Government’s first phase of the national Green Homes Grant scheme for Local Authority Delivery, will be delivered through the Council’s partner Qwest Services.

Energy efficient measures, such as cavity wall and loft insulation, will help to reduce carbon emissions produced from heating homes, whilst also tackling the poverty emergency by lowering fuel bills and improving the health and wellbeing of some of the borough’s most vulnerable residents.

Work has already started to insulate park homes across the borough, and over the forthcoming months the Council will be identifying more eligible homes and installing energy saving measures so more residents can benefit from home improvements and help towards the borough’s target of becoming carbon neutral by 2045.

All homes benefitting from the improvements will have a combined household income of less than £30,000 per year and will be within the lowest Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band ratings. The Council will contact eligible households directly to provide details of the energy efficient measures they can benefit from.

Councillor Matt Bryan, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Climate Emergency, said: “Housing makes up 14 per cent of the borough’s total carbon emissions, which all contribute to the global issue of climate change. It’s a key area for us to focus on and the success of our funding applications with our partner Qwest Services will help us to address the problem of cold homes for some of our most vulnerable residents and put us a step closer to our target of becoming a carbon neutral borough by 2045.”

Residents who would like to make energy efficiency improvements to their homes and don’t meet the eligibility criteria for the Local Authority Delivery scheme, can apply to the national Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme. This is separate to the Local Authority Delivery scheme and covers measures such as low-carbon heating and insulation.

The Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme, which is available until March 2022, will provide two-thirds of the costs of installing eligible measures, to a maximum of £5,000, with homeowners contributing the remainder.

In addition, residents in receipt of qualifying benefits looking to install eligible measures, can claim up to a maximum of £10,000 without having to contribute.

The Green Homes Voucher Scheme is not administered by the Council. For more information on the voucher scheme visit www.simpleenergyadvice.org.uk or call 0800 444 202.

15 March 2021

Cheshire West and Chester Council has secured a significant boost towards its ambitious target date of 2030 to achieve carbon neutrality for the Council’s own emissions, as well as a carbon neutral borough by 2045.

Council company Qwest Services, in partnership with the Council, has secured £5,836,172 from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), which was launched by The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy last year as part of a commitment to support the UK’s economic recovery from COVID-19 by supporting skilled jobs in the low carbon and energy efficiency sectors.

The scheme, managed by Salix Finance, provides grant funding for energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation measures across the public sector, targeting non-domestic buildings in England, as well as supporting green investment initiatives.

Qwest Services manages the Council’s Capital Works repair and maintenance schedule and submitted 14 buildings in the application for funding. These buildings were identified as being the most appropriate for the installation of Air Source Heat Pumps, Hybrid Heating Systems, Solar PV (Photovoltaic), also known as a solar electric system, and/or light-emitting diode (LED) lighting.

Councillor Matt Bryan, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Climate Emergency, said: “We have a responsibility to take concerted action at a local level to limit the impact of climate change. Last month, the Council published its plans showing how we will take collective action with our partners, industry and communities to make this borough carbon-neutral by 2045. Schemes such as this are critical to creating a cleaner, greener, fairer and more prosperous area.”

The buildings named in the application include four schools, Deebank Primary, Ellesmere Port Catholic High School, Greenbank Primary and Helsby High School, and four Council buildings, Chester Crematorium, Grosvenor Museum, Northern Lights and Wyvern House.

Six Brio Leisure sites are also part of the programme, including Ellesmere Port Sports Village, Christleton Sports Centre, Northgate Arena, Northwich Memorial Court, Neston Recreation Centre and Winsford Lifestyle Centre. Brio Leisure is another Council company, established to deliver community, sport, entertainment and leisure facilities in the borough.

Brio’s Managing Director, Elly McFahn, said: “This decarbonisation investment comes at a really opportune time for Brio sites, as we are already underway in refurbishment and upgrade at Northgate Arena, and during the COVID-19 crisis and cessation of leisure activity have been working hard to improve and invest in our facilities. Brio sites are a significant user of utilities so having cost effective as well as carbon reducing solutions will ensure their longer-term sustainability for many years.”

Now the funding has been secured, the next stage is for all buildings to have a technical design assessment. Installation works will be phased over the next six months with a target deadline for completion September 2021.

Ben Cummins, Managing Director of Qwest Services, the Council company responsible for delivering the works, said: “Reflecting our commitment to deliver a carbon zero Cheshire West and Chester, Qwest has worked tirelessly over the last six months to secure £5.8m of grant funding from the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. I am extremely proud of how Qwest teams have worked together to maximise the value of this funding for the Council to reduce annual energy bills by over £50k alongside a carbon reduction of 933 tCO₂.”