Climate Emergency

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/

Last month, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Energy and Green Spaces, Cllr Matt Bryan, took part in a live debate at the Sustainability Show in Manchester.


The discussion session was focused on delivering a renewable future – a vision for hope in the North West. On the discussion panel, alongside Cllr Bryan, were Andy Burnham (Greater Manchester Mayor), Steve Rotheram (Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor), representatives from the North West Net Zero Youth Network, Dale Vince (Founder of Ecotricity), Rose Marley (CEO Cooperatives UK) and Ameria Sawas (Chief Research and Engagement Officer at Climate Outreach).

The NW Net Zero (NWNZ) Youth Network discussed some of the actions highlighted in their report, which was developed following the NWNZ Youth Conference in October 2022. Sustainable transport options were a flagged as a priority, with improvements to public transport and cycling infrastructure highlighted as an important focus for local leaders.

Educational initiatives around energy use and simple steps we can all take to make a difference were also discussed, alongside support for businesses to use green energy in the region. And jobs and skills in the green sector, plus creating and protecting green spaces in their local areas, are issues where the group would like to see more work done.

The panel discussed the initial findings from the North West Green Task Force, a collaboration between the leaders of the North West and some of the other members of the panel. Their findings provided a valuable initial analysis of the potential for renewable energy generation in the region. The report suggestions that renewable energy presents us with an opportunity for a green industrial revolution, where improving our carbon footprint can also reduce people’s energy bills and create good, skilled jobs locally.

The panel also discussed the urgency of devolved powers to our region to help facilitate the rapid decarbonisation for other areas across the UK.

Cheshire West and Chester Council will continue to work closely with both the NWNZ Youth network and the North West Green Taskforce to ensure our borough is represented in future discussions and the voice of the younger generation in our area feeds in to our climate action plans.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s new mobile library vehicle has launched this week. The new vehicle, which replaces the existing mobile library is fully electric and therefore much cleaner and greener.

The new vehicle is fully accessible and includes a hearing loop. It also has other sustainable features including solar panels and LED lighting. Other improvements include an awning for summer activities and onboard Wi-Fi and digital access for customers.

Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Councillor Louise Gittins said: “We believe our new mobile library is the first electric mobile library in the country and will contribute to the Council’s aim to be carbon neutral by 2030. It looks wonderful with its new livery and I’m sure it will attract attention on its routes around the borough.

“Some mobile library stops will also be enhanced with events and activities delivered by the library service and with partners.”

The new vehicle offers a wide range of stock including adult and children’s’ books as well as audiobooks. It also provides access to the Library Management System, enabling customers to borrow books from across the library service and to make reservations, as well as update their library accounts.

Mobile Library staff can also provide online Council information and a Council enquiry service. Library members have free access to a wide range of online resources, including eBooks, via the libraries’ webpage.

Following a consultation in Autumn 2022 the Library Service has carefully considered all feedback and has used this to help redesign and shape the future of the mobile library service to meet resident’s needs. You can view the findings of the consultation at Mobile Library Service consultation | Cheshire West and Chester Council

You can view the all the stops and the timetable for the service at Mobile library service | Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Modifications to the vehicle were completed by a local company – Astra Vehicle Technologies - based in Ellesmere Port.

Cheshire West and Chester Council, working with local groups and other key stakeholders, will launch the Clean Dee Consultation on Thursday 20 July.

The River Dee is one of Chester’s greatest assets but concern about the pollution of our rivers and coastal waters has been growing over the last few years. While there are several sources of pollution, attention has focused on the issue of untreated sewage being discharged into our waters, particularly during and following periods of heavy rainfall.

Responding to increasing local concerns about river cleanliness, the Council set up a cross-party task group of councillors to investigate this issue and they recommended that the Council should look into the feasibility of applying to designate part of the river as a bathing water.

Designated bathing water status refers to the designation of a beach or inland water as a bathing water so that information on water quality is provided to bathers and their health can be protected.

Bathing water designation does not mean the water meets bathing water quality standards or that the water is safe for bathers, but it can be the first step to ensure action is taken to improve water quality by reducing contamination.

This six-week consultation will inform a decision on the feasibility of submitting an application to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for a part of the river to be designated as a bathing water.

In considering applications, DEFRA takes into account the facilities at the site, the number of bathers and the outcome of a local consultation.

On 3 July 2023, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) published new, stricter guidance on the criteria and the application process. Further clarification of some of the new criteria is still being sought.

The Council has been monitoring the use of the river since the end of May 2023, based on the previously published criteria, and it will continue to do so until the end of the bathing season (30 September), now based on the new criteria.

Although there are several sites where people bathe, it is only Sandy Lane, upstream from the river ferry, that potentially fits the published criteria.

The Council’s Cabinet Member for Homes, Planning and Safer Communities, Councillor Christine Warner said: “We would like as many people as possible to get involved in our Clean Dee Consultation, so we can decide the best course of action regarding a potential application to DEFRA.

“Improved water quality would, of course, benefit not only bathers but also a wide range of other leisure and sports users, including paddlers, paddleboarders, canoeists, rowers, leisure boat users and local businesses as well as the environment and wildlife.”

The purpose of the designation is to protect existing bathers, not to increase the number. More generally, as part of its ongoing commitment to promoting water safety throughout the borough, the Council is working with consultants and others in helping to ensure that a wide range of users can enjoy water safely.

Once a coastal water or river is designated as a bathing water the Environment Agency is required to test the water quality throughout the bathing season (from 15 May to 30 September) and then to categorise the bathing water annually at the end of the season as ‘Excellent’, ‘Good’, ‘Sufficient’ or ‘Poor’.

The Council is carrying out the public consultation to explore the views of all stakeholders - local residents, community and sports groups, visitors and businesses – who are asked to give their views on what the river means to them and how they use it.

From 20 July, you can take part in the survey here. (cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/CleanDee)

In addition to the online survey, respondents can give their views in an email, in writing and by requesting a paper version of the survey. Paper versions can be requested by contacting the Council’s Public Protection team (see below).

• By telephone on 01244 973708
• Email at: regulatoryservices@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
• Post: Public Protection Service, The Portal, Wellington Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 0BA)

The consultation will close on 31 August 2023.

Once all the required information, including consultation responses, has been collected, the Council will consider the results and then make a decision on the feasibility of an application. The results of the consultation will be published on the Council website.

Any application must be submitted by 31 October.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Total Environment team has previously worked with a number of Parish Councils to create new community orchards. Increasing orchard provision will help provide opportunities and access to locally grown fruit, support biodiversity as well as naturally enhancing Cheshire’s landscape.

Funding is being sourced to support the 2024 planting season for a number of new orchards within our borough. Expressions of interest are invited from Town or Parish Councils or voluntary agencies who manage publically accessible land who are interested in creating a community orchard. As an indicator the minimum area requirement is roughly the size of a tennis court. Funding is available which will cover the cost of purchasing fruit trees, stakes and ties, with planting delivered as part of a community engagement activity. We are looking for potential schemes for delivery during the forthcoming planting season i.e. winter 2024. Subject to funding we are also hoping to run a fruit tree workshop to support volunteers with ongoing maintenance and management tasks.

Promotional footage which provides an overview of the scheme can be viewed here https://vimeo.com/795546906?login=true#_=_

To enquire or register your interest please email HealthRanger@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk quoting community orchard interest. Potential locations will be subject to a site visit to assess for suitability and funding approvals.

Following meetings with Lee Waters MS, Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Climate Change and senior managers of Transport for Wales (TfW), Growth Track 360 welcomes commitments to improve services on the Borderlands Line from Transport for Wales and the Minister.

The TfW commitment to improvement follows the cessation of train services service on the Wrexham to Bidston Line and their replacement by rail replacement bus services earlier this year. The withdrawal of train services followed a steady deterioration in service reliability over the winter of 2022.

The removal of trains from the Borderlands Line arose from the redeployment of Class 150 diesel trains to other parts of the Wales and Borders network in response to the withdrawal of Class 175 trains from service for repairs following a number of engine fires.

Transport for Wales restored train services to the Borderlands Line in April 2023 by bringing new Class 230 trains into service. The new trains are refurbished London Underground stock and are yet to perform to their full potential, with services not yet running on time and experiencing a number of “teething” issues.

Growth Track 360 (GT360) Chair and Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Councillor Louise Gittins said: “Growth Track 360’s focus is to improve future rail services by seeking new investment in the rail infrastructure of North Wales, Cheshire and the Wirral. Local concerns about services on the Wrexham to Bidston Line required GT360 to make representations to the Welsh Government to improve the operation of existing services on the Borderlands Line. Poor service delivery and delays to the introduction of a long-promised half hourly service saw a steady erosion of passenger confidence in the service.

"The Minister, Lee Waters MS, Deputy Minister for Climate Change in the Welsh Government has responded. Along with the senior management of Transport for Wales, the Train Operator, he has apologised for poor services on the line and sponsored the development of an improvement plan.

"Credit is due to the Minister for his intervention and to the senior staff in Transport for Wales for entering into a constructive dialogue with local stakeholders to improve services. GT360 expects that the drivers, engineers and guards working the new Class230 trains are equally engaged in the process of improvement.

"The Borderlands Line has great potential to link three major employment zones and provide good access from Wrexham and Flintshire to Liverpool by public transport. The Minister, Transport for Wales and local stakeholders are all committed to work together to deliver reliable, improved services that will help drive passenger and economic growth.”

Growth Track 360 Vice Chair and Leader of Flintshire Council, Councillor Ian Roberts, said: “I welcome the commitment of Transport for Wales to restore train services which run to time by: -

• Resolving outstanding technical issues with the new Class 230 trains
• Dedicating the Class 230 fleet to the Borderlands Line
• Working with drivers, guards and maintenance staff to operate the new Class 230 stock to their full capability

"When Transport for Wales have restored hourly trains that run on time, they will introduce a new, hourly limited stop service which, with the existing hourly service, will offer half hourly services and accommodate freight services on the Line.

Transport for Wales has also committed to improve: -

• Information services for passengers
• The availability of ticket purchase options
• The management of Rail Replacement Bus Services, which they pledge to keep to a minimum, as they do not suit the line and the local road network

These commitments are a platform for restoring confidence in the ability of Transport for Wales to improve services in the future."

Ashley Rogers, Chief Executive of the North Wales Mersey Dee Business Council said: “Performance on the Borderlands Line, measured by punctuality and cancellations, significantly underperforms average performance for both Transport for Wales and UK. The recognition that services have not been good enough enables close collaborative working between the Welsh Government, Transport for Wales and local stakeholders to improve services.

"It is really encouraging to see that the Minister wishes to involve local stakeholders in monitoring progress on the line. Growth Track 360 has proposed performance measures and timescales for improvement and looks forward to working with the Minister to help deliver an improved Borderlands service for all passengers and our communities.”

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Cabinet endorsed the borough’s local Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy at today’s (11 July) meeting.

The Council has developed a draft Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy (EVCI) in response to the Climate Emergency declaration and Air Quality Management Plan.

The EVCI Strategy covers the Council’s approach to supporting the delivery of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, including for public use, for Council fleet and at Council workplaces.

The Strategy sets out several ambitious targets for the roll-out of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, including a target to be a regional leader in terms of charge points per 100,000 population by 2025, and a national leader by 2030. The Council is on track to achieving the 2025 target, maintaining this position will require a significant increase in charge point provision.

The strategy also supports the Council’s application to the Office of Zero Emission Vehicle’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund. The LEVI fund aims to deliver a step-change in the deployment of local on-street charging infrastructure. The Council has been assigned a provisional allocation of £2,049,000 from this fund, and an expression of interest was submitted in May 2023. If successful, a full business case will be submitted by November 2023. The funding would be awarded 2023/24. The funding will allow the council to leverage significant private sector investment to facilitate rapid expansion of the borough’s public charging infrastructure network.

A six-week public consultation on the draft version took place between 1 February and 15 March 2023. Responses showed a high degree of support for the policies set out in the strategy, both from those who already drive electric vehicles and those who do not.

Councillor Karen Shore, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Transport said: “There were over 200 responses to the consultation earlier this year. 70 per cent of respondents said they agreed with the aims of this strategy. Most respondents (53.9 per cent) considered that the Electric

Vehicle Charging Infrastructure will have a positive impact upon them.

“Our consultation showed that the ability to charge at home or away from home were the two most important factors to those considering whether to buy an electric vehicle and at present most respondents did not consider our existing charging infrastructure to be sufficient to meet existing demand.

“The Strategy has 14 main policies including only supporting installations which do not cause an obstruction or disruption to other users, particularly pedestrians and cyclists.”

Transport is the second highest contributing sector to carbon emissions within the borough, making decarbonisation of transport critical to addressing the climate emergency.

The Council’s Climate Change Response Plan (CERP) sets out several requirements to address this, including reducing the need to travel, increasing use of sustainable modes, and transitioning to zero emission vehicles. Decarbonising transport also brings co-benefits for local air quality, public health and economic growth.

This month is Plastic Free July, an annual campaign organised by the charity Plastic Free Foundation Ltd to encourage people to be part of the plastic pollution solution and help reduce plastic waste. Whether it’s making small steps to reduce plastic use or going entirely plastic free, we can all make a difference.

If you haven’t already started Plastic Free July, that’s okay. We have a some tips to help you get underway and move towards being plastic-free.:

Use reusable bottles and cups – take your own reusable water bottle or coffee cup when you’re out and about. You could also join the new Cheshire Cup scheme, a local reusable coffee cup project set up by Eco Communities with the support of the Council.

Reusable shopping bags – remember to take along your reusable bag when you are out shopping to avoid having to purchase an additional plastic bag.

Avoid buying plastic packaging – instead of buying food with excessive plastic packaging, you could go to the greengrocers or a butcher with your own containers, or select loose fruit and vegetables at the supermarket.

Buy reusable decorations – if you’re hosting a party, choose decorations that can be reused, such as bunting, pom poms, lanterns, and banners.

Reusable plastic tubs – use covered dishes and reusable plastic tubs for leftovers rather than using clingfilm.

Switch from bin bags to newspaper – lining your food caddy with newspaper can be a great plastic-free alternative to bin bags and plastic bags. Top tip: add coffee grounds to help with the smell and flies. Friends of the Earth have some useful tips on keeping your food caddy clean and smelling its best in this online article.

Use plastic-free cleaning alternatives – assess your current cleaning products and see if you can find plastic-free alternatives. You could also make your own using vinegar and bicarbonate of soda. This article provides some advice on how best to use these household items for cleaning.

Swap liquid soap for bars of soap – liquid soap typically has much more plastic packaging than bars of soap. Cut down on excessive plastic by purchasing solid soap with minimal packaging.

Find out more about how you can get involved with Plastic Free July.

If you have any of your own tips or a story you’d like to share about cutting down your use of plastics please upload it to the ‘Your Stories’ section of the Climate Emergency Inspire hub.