Climate Emergency

Children from Woodfall Primary and Nursery School in Little Neston have launched a School Parking Charter as part of a campaign to boost the number of children walking to and from school.

Junior Safety Officers and the school’s Eco Squad helped to develop the Parking Charter to address the barriers parents and carers face when choosing to walk with their children at the beginning and end of the school day.

A survey was carried out at the beginning of the school year which showed that the main reason for driving to school was “dangerously parked cars.” These vehicles blocked a clear view for children to see the cars coming towards them and for drivers to see children waiting to cross.

The Junior Safety Officers wanted to create a School Parking Charter to address the road safety element and the Woodfall Eco Squad wanted to focus on the air quality element. They teamed up together with teacher, Mrs Howard, and parent representative, Helen Roberts, to meet with the Council’s Road Safety Team and find out how they could create their own.

The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, Councillor Karen Shore said: “A big thank you to everyone who was involved in putting this Charter together for Woodfall Primary School.

“The Charter asks parents and carers to pledge to a number of things during the school run, including keeping below the 20mph speed limit, not to stop, drop off or park on the yellow “zig-zag” markings, not to park on pavements or grass verges and not to block driveways, even for a moment.

“They are also asked to consider using the Royal Oak pub as a ‘Park and Stride’ site and walking the remainder of the way to school. This will reduce the traffic around school and keep the air quality cleaner around school.”

At the pre-launch assembly, the School Parking Charter was explained to the children. All children were happy with the charter and agreed to let parents, carers, grandparents, or whoever brings them to school and picks them up, to sign up to create a safer environment around school.

At the official launch of the School Parking Charter, the Road Safety Team also presented the Junior Safety Officers with the Woodfall Primary and Nursery School Modeshift STARS Green Award, for their commitment to Active Travel.

For more information on how your school can sign up to have a School Parking Charter or take part in Modeshift STARS please contact the Road Safety Team at Cheshire West and Chester Council on roadsafety@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.

A local family attraction has benefitted from funding through Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Climate Emergency Fund, helping them to install a solar PV (photovoltaic) system that will benefit the business and its tenants for years to come.

Blakemere Village, near Northwich, was supported by the Council’s Business Development team to apply for the Council’s Climate Emergency Fund (CEF), which provides funding for low carbon projects that support the borough’s ambition of becoming carbon neutral by 2045.

The family business, which has shops, craft workshops, a play barn and several attractions, has invested £165,000 in energy saving measures across their site, with £50,000 contributed through the CEF. Following a green audit of the business by Groundwork Cheshire, a local charity who support Cheshire businesses to become more sustainable, a plan to install 113 solar panels across 3 buildings was developed.

The new solar PV system will save the business around 19 tonnes of CO2 per year, the equivalent of taking 4 cars off the road, as well as ensuring to maintain reduced energy costs for businesses on site.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “It’s great to see local businesses reviewing their operations to find ways that they can reduce their carbon emissions as well as their running costs. The funding provided through the Climate Emergency Fund has helped many community groups and organisations across the borough over the last few years, from tree planting projects to introducing energy saving measures. Every one of these projects is playing its part to help the borough to meet its target of being carbon neutral by 2045.”

Ginny White, Partner at Blakemere Village, said: “We were delighted to work with Cheshire West and Chester Council on this project. Their assistance and the support they provided was invaluable and allowed us to choose the right system for our business with confidence. The green audit has ensured we have planned well into the future to keep our energy costs down as well as improving our energy efficiency. We aim to continue to make progress within our business to achieve the carbon neutral deadlines set for 2045.”

Since the Council launched the Climate Emergency Fund, 44 projects have been supported across the borough.

Businesses interested in receiving support to lower their energy costs, improve their energy efficiency and make progress to achieve net zero can apply for support through the Cheshire West and Chester Council UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Small and Medium Enterprises in the area interested in having solar PV systems installed can register with the group-buying scheme Solar Together Cheshire and Warrington to receive a competitive quote from a pre-vetted installer. Businesses and residents have until Friday, 27 October, to register at: https://solartogether.co.uk/cheshire-west-and-chester

Solar panels on buildings are sometimes subject to planning permission, businesses should ensure that any requirement has been met prior to investing.

The Council has also recently launched Business Tapas, a digital knowledge hub that has been developed to accelerate business growth and bring together a wealth of resources, tutorials, and advice on core business topics, including decarbonising your business. Find out more Business Tapas Homepage

Plans for a new pedestrian and cycle link are being shared in Ellesmere Port this week.

As a part of the Ellesmere Port Town Centre Levelling Up Fund, there will be improved links for walking, wheeling, and cycling, plus new cycle parking.

There is funding secured to construct an improved cycling, walking and wheeling route from the rail station to Ellesmere Port Market. In addition, funding from Active Travel England has allowed for design extensions to the route, as far as the M53 underpass and Stanney Lane Junction.

Councillor Karen Shore – Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Highways said: “The design team is now looking forward to hearing the views of everyone who walks, cycles and wheels around Ellesmere Port plus residents along the routes and local businesses.

“There is a short survey available online or you can meet the team at Ellesmere Port railway station and the market to learn more. We want to know your views on which route you prefer for walking, wheeling and cycling.

“The survey will run until the beginning of November, but the wider project plans will be available to see online and in pop up exhibitions.

“We are committed to improving areas across the borough, Ellesmere Port joins projects already underway in Winsford and plans for Northwich and Chester.”

The design team is proposing two route choices, one along Cromwell Road and one along Whitby Road. They have considered all transport methods, including bus stops and loading requirements for businesses. The two choices have looked at the requirements for the market, as well as opportunities for signage and wayfinding. The new proposals will tie into existing cycling and walking routes such as those on Stanney Lane.

To find out more, the project team will be at Ellesmere Port train station between 8.30am and 9.30am on Thursday 19 October, Thursday 26 October, Thursday 2 November and Ellesmere Port Market between 10am and 4pm.

Transformation plans are progressing well for Ellesmere Port. The £13 million project uses funding from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ Levelling Up Fund to prepare for low carbon town centre housing around Coronation Road to help bring new footfall to the town centre and exciting plans for Ellesmere Port Market.

The Ellesmere Port project will include enhancements to the public areas around the market in addition to York Road and Wellington Road. Improvements will be made to the pedestrian entrances to the market plus a new multi-functional spill-out space for businesses and events.

Traders and residents have been involved in conversations over the past few months as the plans for Ellesmere Port Market are developed and these will be shared more widely when they have been completed.

This part of the project will include transforming the flea market into a flexible space for specialist markets and events, creating an entrepreneurial start up space and importantly changing the fabric of the building so that it will be much more energy efficient and fit for the future. The Market will also have new ‘changing place’ facilities for disabled customers and their carers.

The survey and details about the route options is available online:

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/EllesmerePortSurvey/

A group-buying scheme to help local households and businesses to purchase solar PV (photovoltaic) systems at a competitive price has seen over 5,000 people register since it launched last month.

Solar Together Cheshire and Warrington offers residents in the area the opportunity to have solar panels with optional battery storage and electric vehicle charge points installed at their property by pre-vetted installers, helping them to generate their own electricity and cut their energy bills.

The scheme is also beneficial for those residents who have already invested in solar panels but do not have battery storage with their system and are looking to get more from the renewable energy they generate, as well as increase their independence from the grid.

Cheshire and Warrington residents have until 10pm on Friday, 27 October, to register for the scheme. It is free to apply and there is no obligation to go ahead with an installation once a quote has been received.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “It’s fantastic that so many people in the area are interested in switching to a renewable source of energy to power their homes and businesses.

“The scheme is a first for the area and will help people to generate their own electricity, save money on their energy bills, and cut carbon emissions, helping the borough to reach its ambitious net zero targets.”

As part of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s work to help the borough to become carbon neutral by 2045, the Council is working in partnership with Cheshire East Council, Warrington Borough Council, and independent experts iChoosr, to help make the transition to clean energy as cost effective and hassle-free as possible.

This innovative scheme builds on six years of a successful Solar Together programme, run across the UK. To date, Solar Together has delivered over 22,000 installations and over 460,000 tonnes of avoided lifetime carbon emissions.

To find out more and to register, visit: www.solartogether.co.uk/cheshire-west-and-chester.

Alternatively, call: 0800 014 8851 (Monday - Friday: 8am – 5pm).

How does it work?

• Householders can register online to become part of the group for free and without obligation.
• Pre-approved UK solar PV suppliers participate in a reverse auction, where installers bid to provide the service to you and others registered households. They can offer competitive pricing, as the volume and geographic concentration makes it possible for them to realise greater efficiencies, which they pass on with lower prices for installations.
• After the auction, registered households will be emailed a personal recommendation which is specific to the details they submitted in their registration.
• If they choose to accept their recommendation, the specifics of their installation will be confirmed with a technical survey, after which a date can be set for the installation of their solar PV system.
• Telephone and email helpdesks are on-hand throughout the whole process which, together with information sessions, will allow households to make an informed decision in a safe and hassle-free environment.

Advice on other home energy schemes and support for those who are worried about the rising cost of energy bills, food and transport can be found on the Council’s website. Visit:

• www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/homeenergyhelp
• www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/costofliving

Libraries Week (2 - 8 October) is an annual celebration where we showcase all the innovative and sometimes, surprising, ways in which we support our communities. This year Libraries Week is 'going green', focusing on sustainability and climate change.

Check our Events page to see what your local library is planning to mark the week – there's plenty going on from Seed Swaps and Big Draws to Bin to Brilliant crafts!

There’s never been a better time to join one of our hundreds of groups and activities, new and old. Chat about books with us at one of our new Not a Reading Groups at Sandiway, Neston, Helsby or Wharton, test your puzzling skills with new Board Game clubs at Weaverham and Blacon, or bring your own project and pick up new crafting skills at Great Boughton’s new Craft and Chat session. Details of all of our events are available on our website.

Plus, all week we’re inviting you to share what you love about your library. Whether it’s the welcoming space, great range of books or access to information, let us know your favourite thing about your library for us to display.

A further ban on single-use plastic items came into effect on 1 October.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Public Protection officers are reminding businesses, such as takeaways, sandwich bars, care homes and retailers who supply certain single-use plastic items, that the ban came into force on Sunday.

It means that from 1 October, businesses across England will not be able to supply certain single-use plastic items to members of the public.

The ban relates to single use plastic plates, bowls and trays, unless:

• The business is a supplier, supplying them to another business.
• They are packaging which is prefilled or filled at the point of sale, for example, salad bowls, etc.

Plastic cutlery and balloon sticks are banned with no exemption.

Plastic polystyrene food and drink containers are banned, unless the contents need further preparation before consumption, for example, adding water, microwaving, etc.

From 1 October, subject to the exemptions, members of the public will not be supplied these products from any business – this includes retailers, takeaways, food vendors and the hospitality industry and the ban will apply to online and over-the-counter sales.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council said: “Certain plastic items, such as straws, stirrers and cotton buds, have already been banned.

“Businesses who continue to supply banned single-use plastic items after the legislation comes into effect could face a fine or prosecution. This will be enforced by the Council.”

Plastic pollution takes hundreds of years to break down and inflicts serious damage to our oceans, rivers, and land. It is also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, from the production and manufacture of the plastic itself to the way it is disposed.

It is expected that banning these items will have a significant impact on reducing plastic waste and littering in England.

Businesses could:

• Swap plastic for bamboo or wooden cutlery for takeaway food
• Swap plastic for metal cutlery for in-house guests
• Swap single use plastic plates or bowls to re-usable alternatives that can be washed
• Offer paper plates instead of plastic
• Offer to refill customers’ water bottles or travel cups
• Encourage customers to bring their own clean containers for takeaway food.

Further guidance can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Cheshire West and Chester Council, in collaboration with its new highway contractor, Colas, will use an innovative new process to repair a section of the A41 next month.

‘Recycol’ is a process for the in-situ recycling of road surfaces. Developed by Colas, it removes existing road materials, mills them and then mixes them with an emulsion-based binder before relaying them again using specialist equipment.

It breathes new life into roads that are damaged or at the end of their life cycle. It also not only minimises the amount of newly quarried stone materials needed but also reduces the number of HGV movements at the site.

The product is currently regularly used in France but this is only second time the treatment has been seen in Britain and the first time it will be used on a strategic road. It was previously used on an urban road in Coventry in 2022.

Calculations based on materials, transportation, the manufacture of the mixture, freight trips to and from the site and implementation, show Recycol is projected to save up to 65 per cent in energy and 61 per cent carbon on this project.

A section of the A41 from Handley to Bolesworth/Broxton will be the location of the works starting from Tuesday 3 October to Sunday 8 October. A full road closure will be needed with no through access to traffic. A diversion will be in place.

The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Highways, Councillor Karen Shore said: “I am delighted the Council will be using such an innovative product within the borough with our highways partner, Colas. This is a good example of collaborative working and innovation, which has great environmental benefits.

“The works will also be much quicker than with conventional methods. Traditional resurfacing techniques would take around 13 days to complete this section of road, compared to seven days using Recycol.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused to road users in this area due to the road closure but thank you for your support while we continue to develop and innovate our working practices. I look forward to seeing this product on our network.”

Compared to traditional resurfacing, there is also a cost saving of around 9.31 per cent for this particular project.

Following these works there will be night road closures to complete road marking along the route but the road will be re-opened to traffic during the daytime. Please note that much of works will be weather dependant and subject to change.

Over 4,000 Cheshire residents have registered to a local group-buying scheme for solar panels and battery storage.

Solar Together Cheshire and Warrington is a first for the area and will help Cheshire homeowners feel confident that they are paying the right price for a high-quality installation from pre-approved installers.

Residents have until Friday, 27 October to register for the free scheme and there is no obligation to go ahead with an installation. Find out more and register on the Solar Together Cheshire and Warrington webpage.

Watch a video explaining more about the scheme and hear from local residents who have had solar panels installed on their own home:

West Cheshire residents can join the group-buying scheme, which offers solar panels with optional battery storage and EV charge points. The scheme also offers retrofit battery storage for residents who have already invested in solar panels and are looking to get more from the renewable energy they generate, as well as increase their independence from the grid.

This innovative scheme builds on six years of a successful Solar Together programme, run across the UK. To date Solar Together has delivered over 22,000 installations and over 460,000 tonnes of avoided lifetime carbon emissions.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is working in partnership with Cheshire East Council, Warrington Borough Council, and independent experts iChoosr, to help make the transition to clean energy as cost effective and hassle-free as possible.

To mark the 50^th anniversary of the Wirral Way Cheshire West and Chester Council has joined forces with the RSPB to run a competition to discover your favourite marshes bird.

The partnership is asking residents to vote for their favourite bird from a shortlist of five. The list has been chosen by the RSPB and is based on the frequency of sightings and the bird’s unique story.

The competition for your favourite bird to represent the marshes will close on Friday, 15 September.

The winning bird will be crafted into a majestic willow structure, which will be unveiled at an event at the former bath site, Parkgate on the afternoon of Sunday, 1 October 2023.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council said: “The marshes are an important part of our landscape and we are privileged to be able to see a host of beautiful birds make it their home throughout the seasons.

“I would love everyone to get involved in voting for their favourite marshes bird. Getting involved is a way to learn about our birds and celebrate them.

“The bird you choose as your favourite will be crafted into a majestic willow structure, which will be unveiled at the beginning of October to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our fantastic Wirral Way”.

To place your vote for your favourite marshes bird: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/Marshbirds/ – the vote will close on Friday, 15 September.

The winner will be announced on the Council’s social media channels on Monday, 18 September.

Businesses from across west Cheshire have been invited to learn more about the newly launched West Cheshire UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Business Support Programme. This Mid Cheshire focused event, hosted by FI Real Estate Management (FIREM) at its new Winnington Business Park site in Northwich, is an opportunity for businesses to speak to the delivery partners supporting the programme and check if their business would be eligible for support and a grant.

Visit the Let’s Talk Business website Events page to register for the 13 September event, 10.30am – 12noon, www.letstalkbizcw.co.uk.

The UKSPF Business Support Programme is a mix of support activities, one to one guidance and grants for eligible businesses.

• Start & Micro Project - 50 grants ranging from £500 - £2,500.
• Investor & High Growth Project - 15 match funded grants up to £20,000
• Workspace Project - Working with 10 workspace providers.
• Decarbonisation Project - 15 match funded grants ranging from £13,000 - £16,000.
• Innovation Project - 25 match funded grants ranging from £9,000 - £16,000.

FI Real Estate Management will also be offering tours of its £25 million 113,200 sq ft Winnington site, a mix of high-quality start-up, industrial and trade spaces. There will also be time for networking over a light lunch and refreshments.

Councillor Nathan Pardoe, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Regeneration and Digital Transformation said: “I’d like to thank FI Real Estate Management for hosting this Mid Cheshire event.

“The UKSPF business support programme is designed to support local business to increase productivity by creating the conditions for businesses to start-up, scale-up and innovate and to build a stronger business base which supports our sustainable and inclusive growth objectives. I’d encourage west Cheshire businesses to attend and learn how their business might be able to take advantage of the support and grants available through the programme.

“We will be offering new online resources soon including the Growth4Growth platform that will provide access to tools, support, training and guidance to help SMEs/VCSEs develop the practical skills needed to win work in the public sector. There will also be a Business Tapas platform which will provide easily digestible information, covering a range of topics, to help businesses make better informed decisions when starting and developing their business.

“The information will empower businesses to adopt what they’ve learnt easily into their business or enable them to have more informed conversations with other service providers. The website will also signpost users to additional third-party information that can help them progress ideas and grow their business.”

Tim Knowles, founder and Managing Director of FI Real Estate Management, added: “We’re passionate about advancing the business landscape in and around the North West. This is an excellent opportunity for businesses to connect with UKSPF delivery partners and I encourage local and regional businesses to attend the event to find out more. I look forward to welcoming attendees and showcasing our facilities at Winnington Business Park following our recent investment.”

Six months after its launch, Winnington Business Park is now 50 per cent committed, with 40 per cent let and a further 10 per cent under offer. Throughout August and September, FIREM is offering businesses one month’s free rent across its portfolio of office, industrial and retail spaces. This applies to a minimum lease term of three years and must reach legal completion before the offer expires.

The UKSPF Business Support Programme is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, supported by Cheshire West and Chester Council and delivery partners.

The UKSPF is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.

In addition to the UKSPF main programme, Cheshire West and Chester Council were allocated an additional £0.9m under the Rural England Prosperity Fund. The rural Plan was approved in April 2023 and is aligned to the main programme, with some small additional capital allocations for rural broadband and business growth.

Funding committed includes

• Revenue: 23/24 £1,001,709 and 24/25 revenue £927,465

• Capital £213,326

For more information on UK Shared Prosperity visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

For more information about FI Real Estate Management: https://fi-rem.com/