Inspiring change together

Bookings are now open for the Christmas Holiday Activities and Food Programme

Get ready for festive fun with 34 FREE activity clubs across the borough.

As Christmas approaches, so does the excitement for the return of the Christmas Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) funded by the Department for Education. Edsential have been working alongside Cheshire West and Chester Council to bring families together, with a whole host of festive activity clubs available that are designed to keep children and young people engaged and active this Christmas.

With a network of 34 clubs spread across the borough, the HAF programme is set to deliver an unforgettable experience for young people aged 5 to 16 years old in receipt of benefit related free school meals. This year, new clubs will be joining the programme, offering even more festive activities. From winter sports like ice skating and indoor football to holiday-themed arts and crafts, baking and cooking classes, nature bushcraft, campfires, and day trips all with a Christmas twist—this season promises something for every taste and interest. For older children, additional activities such as holiday wellness sessions, hair, and beauty workshops will be available. And the best part? Free, nutritious meals will be served throughout the programme, ensuring that children stay energised and nourished during the Christmas break.

The Summer HAF initiative saw over 4000 children and young people in Cheshire West and Chester benefitting from enriching activities and healthy meals provided. Those who took part were thrilled, with many parents praising the clubs’ ‘lovely staff’ and their ability to be ‘brilliant with kids.’ Parents were delighted that their children were entertained and well-fed during the holidays, and this Christmas is set to be even more special.

Cllr Adam Langan, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Cheshire West and Chester, said: “What a wonderful programme we have for this Christmas. So many children from all backgrounds, from all across the borough will get to enjoy a magical time. The activities for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) will have an amazing impact on children and families. I hope the children enjoy the pantos, food hampers and all of the activities the teams have planned.”

Heather Lewis, the Programme Manager for HAF, expressed her excitement, stating,

“We have an exciting lineup of holiday activities and food clubs this Christmas for children and young people across Cheshire West. Our mission is to create a safe, festive, and inclusive environment where they can have fun, learn new skills, and form lasting friendships. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of an initiative that helps young people thrive.”

Edsential urges all parents and carers to check if their child is eligible for free school meals, as it could unlock a host of benefits. Eligible children not only gain access to the diverse programme of Christmas activities but also delicious and nutritious free lunches throughout the school term.

Ready for your child to dive into a Christmas of excitement? Book your child's spot at one of the Christmas holiday activity clubs or check eligibility at: www.edsential.com/HAF.

A draft of the Council's Climate Emergency Response Plan for 2025 - 2030 is available to view following an initial co-production exercise earlier this year.

The Council is asking people in west Cheshire to review the plan and provide feedback on the outcomes and actions included, through an online consultation.

You can have your say on all sections of the plan or choose to answer questions and provide feedback on one of the six key theme areas:

• Business and industry
• Transport
• Housing
• Energy
• Land use and adaptation
• Waste and the circular economy

Paper copies of the consultation are available on request and the Council's Climate Change team are hosting a series of drop-in sessions, where you can talk to them about the proposed plan and provide feedback.

View the consultation and have your say

People living in Cheshire West and Chester are being urged to have a go at balancing the Council’s budget, by using an online budget simulator tool.

The simulator is part of the Council’s annual budget consultation, Join the Budget Conversation, which includes spending and budget proposals reflecting local people’s priorities and aligns with its recent Borough Plan.

The consultation gives an overview of the increasing need for Council services.

Cabinet Member for Legal and Finance, Councillor Carol Gahan, said:

“Local public services are under significant and immediate financial pressure. There are no easy solutions. Looking after children and adults who need to use care services and ensuring all children have the best start in life, is an investment in the borough’s future, as well as a moral and legal duty, and takes up around two thirds of the Council’s expenditure budget. Not only do we want to undertake these duties, but moreover, we are legally required to do so. Many more children with complex needs are requiring high-cost placements. There are currently 13 placements each costing over £500,000 a year, which accounts for 34% of the overall spend supporting children in care.

“The Council spends £977 million each year on services which benefit local people every day. For example, we undertake refuse, recycling, food and garden waste collection. We clean and maintain roads and public open spaces. We are proud that our museums, libraries, leisure centres and swimming pools have thrived during these difficult times, which has sadly, not been the case for many other local authority areas. The bulk of our budget funds services that many people may not be aware of, if they, their family or friends are not directly impacted. These are vital to many people in our communities who need extra help and support. Please have a go at balancing the budget for yourself and take part in the survey. Local people’s feedback on our approach and latest thinking is very important.”

There are several ways you can get involved and have your say.

• Visit our Join the Budget Consultation page to complete a survey and have a go at balancing the budget by taking part in the budget simulator. Join the budget conversation | Participate Now

• You can write to: Join the Budget Conversation, Insight and Intelligence, Cheshire West and Chester Council, The Portal, Wellington Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 0BA
  Email: councilbudget@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk to share your views
  Telephone 0300 123 8123, to speak to the Council’s Contact Centre, quoting ‘Join the Budget Conversation’.

• Paper copies of the consultation will be available in all public libraries and on request using the contact details above. Alternative formats are also available on request using the contact details above.

This consultation will close on Sunday, 1 December. The results will be published on the Council’s website in January 2025, so that people who took part can see how their views have influenced decisions.

Specific budget proposals will be voted on at a full Council meeting, scheduled for 20 February 2025.

If you’re still looking for something fun to do with the family this half term, there’s lots going on across Cheshire West and Chester.

To make it easier to access what you’re looking for there’s a page on the Council’s website packed full of activities, events and exhibitions for children and young people of all ages. From craft activities through to sports camps and a whole host of spooky events, including a Haunted House Workshop and Frankenstein’s Museum, there’s something to keep everyone entertained.

Most of the events listed are free or low-cost, too.

We hope you have a great half term.

School holiday activities

Following the government’s announcement to extend the Household Support Fund for the period 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025, the Council has consulted with local organisations about how best to help people in Cheshire West and Chester.

The Council’s plan, which has now been approved, sets out how the money will be spent, as detailed below.

• Pensioners on a low income who are claiming Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction but are not receiving Pension Credit and therefore no longer qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment support, will receive £200.
• Families with children who get free school meals will receive food vouchers worth £17.50 per week for each of the four weeks of school holidays.
• Payments of £50 will be made to Carers who provide 35 hours care per week and whose details are held within our Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction records.
• Payments of £100 will be made to Care Leavers under the age of 25 and still resident in our area.
• Financial support will be available to residents via local charitable organisations.
• Low income households can apply for help with energy and food costs.
  
  

Whilst the Council’s plan has been approved, the application processes are still being developed and therefore are currently unavailable. Our website will be updated once applications are available.
Household support fund | Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Pension Credit
If you’re of pension age on a low income of less than £218.15 per week for a single person, or £332.95 as a couple, you may be eligible to claim additional support through Pension Credit. This will provide you with an additional weekly income as well as access to additional benefits such as a free tv licence, help with NHS costs, cold weather payments and the Winter Fuel Payment worth up to £300.

If you feel you may qualify, please make further enquiries regarding this valuable support you could receive. The Pension Service have a helpline
T: 0800 99 1234 and can provide further advice to you.

Warm Home Discount scheme
Applications to the Warm Home Discount scheme for permanent residents living in a park home who pay for their electricity directly to the park site owner, is now open. Funding is limited and applications will be considered on a first come, first served basis.

For more information, visit:
Park Homes | Warm Home Discount Scheme | Charis (charisgrants.com)

Additional advice and support
If you’re currently struggling, please visit the Council’s website where there is lots of information and support available to help you.

Cost of living | Cheshire West and Chester Council -

Other benefits and grants

HELP scheme

It’s important to know that you can apply if you are working, or unemployed.

You can apply for council tax support if you:

• live at the property
• pay council tax
• have a low income, or are entitled to a benefit paid by the Department for Work and Pensions or the Pension Service
• have capital of less than £6000, if you are working age; or £16,000 for working age protected group applicants and pension age.
• if you are of Pension Credit age.

Further details on the maximum amount we can pay or how we calculate what you’re entitled to, can be found on our website.

How Council Tax is worked out

Have your say on proposed changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme

The consultation relates to the scheme for working age claimants which is set by the Council. Pension age claimants are not affected by the proposed changes as that scheme continues to be set by central government.

To find out more and to take part, visit: Council Tax Reduction Scheme Consultation | Cheshire West and Chester Council

The closing date for responses to the consultation is Thursday, 31 October.

As we head towards the cooler autumn months, take the time to see if you are eligible to apply for one of our energy efficiency schemes.

Improving the energy efficiency of your home not only helps to reduce energy bills but also has the added benefit of helping to improve your health and wellbeing. There are a number of schemes available, including the Home Upgrade Grant and The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) Scheme.

Home Upgrade Grant
This scheme is available to eligible residents living in a property that is not heated by mains gas and has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of Band D, E, F or G.

If you qualify for a Home Upgrade Grant then improvements that can be made to your home include, wall and loft insulation, heating upgrades, solar panels for electricity generation and much more.

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) Scheme
This is a national Government scheme aimed at improving the energy efficiency of eligible homes to help reduce fuel poverty levels and lower carbon emissions.

If you live you live in a property with an EPC rating of Band D, E, F or G and you meet certain eligibility criteria you may be able to benefit from a range of energy efficiency upgrades.

To find out more about these and other schemes or to apply, visit: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/homeenergyhelp .

A new, Alexa skill has been developed by the Council meaning that residents can get quick and easy access to information and updates about services, using simple voice commands.

This additional Alexa feature provides real-time information, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by responding to a series of questions or commands - such as:

• When is my next bin collection?
• What can I put in my recycling bin?
• Where’s my nearest library?
• When does the current school term start?
• I want to report a missed garden bin collection,
• and much more.

Councillor Nathan Pardoe, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Regeneration and Digital Transformation, said:

“Residents and businesses have to be able to access the information they need at the time that they need it, it’s why the Council is committed to developing new ways for people to access information about the things the Council does.

“The Alexa skill can be installed free of charge, and is accessible to anybody with an Alexa device or the free Alexa app. It’s easy to set up, inclusive for people with mobility or visual impairments and it also demonstrates the Council’s commitment to innovation and good customer service. As well as the new Alexa skill, the Council will continue to offer the more familiar ways to ask questions - including online telephone and in-person.”

The Council’s Alexa skill can be accessed from any mobile device, directly from Amazon.

Cheshire West and Chester - Alexa Skills

Alternatively, via the Alexa app from any smart device, by searching Cheshire West and Chester in the skills and games option and clicking the Launch button. The skill will ask for a location and name permissions to enable it to provide an all-round experience.

A full list of phrases that Alexa will respond to can be found on the Council’s website.

Alexa

Other ways to access Council services

The Council has launched a campaign to help people across the borough prepare for later life and access any support they might need.

There is an ageing population in west Cheshire, with a 24 per cent increase in people aged 65 and above according to the latest Census data, meaning more people are needing to access Adult Social Care services provided by the Council and organisations it commissions.

Depending on individual circumstances and finances, people might need to pay for all or some of the care they receive in the community.

The Council has created an easy to use, online financial assessment calculator, which will tell you how much you might be asked to contribute towards any care depending on your financial circumstances. Visit: cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/carecostcalculator.

For more information about the support available from the Council and a range of other partners, visit: cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/managingyourmoney.

Finance officers from the Council will also be attending the regular Let’s Talk sessions across west Cheshire, providing an opportunity for you to have an informal chat with them about care services and the help available to pay for them.

More about the Let’s Talk sessions

People across west Cheshire are being asked to share their thoughts on how the Council can continue to tackle the impacts of climate change.

The Council’s Climate Emergency Response Plan was launched in 2021 and now needs to be renewed for the 2025-2030 period. An early-stage engagement activity will seek the views of residents, and other partners across the borough, and the results will enable priorities and actions to be co-produced with communities. It will be followed by a formal consultation in the autumn on a draft plan.

You can help to shape how this plan will look going forward by sharing your views on a variety of topics, such as energy, transport and land use, amongst others. The engagement activity runs until Sunday, 1 September and is an important opportunity for residents to support and shape the development of the climate change strategy and how we can work together to help the borough and country reach net zero in a way that will benefit our communities for generations to come.

Provide your views to shape the new Climate Emergency Response Plan