Participate Panel Feedback

Making a difference to local issues and helping to shape local services

The Participate Panel is Cheshire West and Chester Council’s online citizens’ panel. The Panel is a cross-section of approximately 1,300 local people, reflective of the local adult population, who volunteer to take part in regular research and engagement activities with the Council.

Feedback from the Panel helps us understand residents’ views about a range of important local issues such as health and well-being, the environment and the economy. What the Panel tells us directly informs policy and decision-making processes, to help the Council do the right things to meet local needs.

The Panel have been invited to take part in a number of activities to date. Details of these activities and the findings from them can be found below, under ‘Participate Panel Feedback’. There are also a number of activities planned with the Panel over the coming months and further details will be provided on this page.

Anyone aged 18 or over who lives in the borough can join the Participate Panel at any time. If you are interested in joining, please click Join Now.

Making a difference to local issues and helping to shape local services

Anyone aged 18 or over who lives in the borough can join the Participate Panel at any time. If you are interested in joining, please click Join Now.

Participate Panel Feedback

Participate Panel Feedback

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Below you can find out about all the research and engagement activities the Participate Panel have been involved in, including the findings from them once available and how the feedback is being used by the Council to support key areas of work.
Below you can find out about all the research and engagement activities the Participate Panel have been involved in, including the findings from them once available and how the feedback is being used by the Council to support key areas of work.
Contaminated land strategy consultation – Winter 2025/26

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The Council developed a draft Contaminated Land Strategy which sets out the Council’s approach to inspecting and managing land affected by contamination in Cheshire West and Chester.
The Panel was invited to share their views on the draft strategy by completing a survey or by phoning, emailing or posting in feedback.
The consultation findings report, details of meetings where the findings were discussed and any updates on the strategy can be found here.
The Council developed a draft Contaminated Land Strategy which sets out the Council’s approach to inspecting and managing land affected by contamination in Cheshire West and Chester.
The Panel was invited to share their views on the draft strategy by completing a survey or by phoning, emailing or posting in feedback.
The consultation findings report, details of meetings where the findings were discussed and any updates on the strategy can be found here.
Health and Wellbeing Strategy Consultation – Autumn 2025

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The Council, along with its partners and residents developed a new draft Health and Wellbeing Strategy which sets out the vision and priorities for health services across the borough for the next five years (April 2026 until March 2031).
The Panel was invited to share their views on the draft strategy by completing a survey or attending a drop-in session.
The consultation findings report, and details of meetings where the findings were discussed and the new strategy can be found here.
The Council, along with its partners and residents developed a new draft Health and Wellbeing Strategy which sets out the vision and priorities for health services across the borough for the next five years (April 2026 until March 2031).
The Panel was invited to share their views on the draft strategy by completing a survey or attending a drop-in session.
The consultation findings report, and details of meetings where the findings were discussed and the new strategy can be found here.
'Let's Talk about Transport' - Local Transport Plan consultation - Summer 2025

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The Council developed a draft Core Strategy for a new Local Transport Plan, building on earlier engagement with over a thousand people about the biggest challenges and priorities for transport across the borough. The draft strategy set out a long-term approach to transport, focusing on making transport fairer, greener, safer and more joined up.
The Panel was invited to share their views on whether the draft Core Strategy reflected local priorities by completing a survey, submitting ideas online, attending drop-in sessions or online events, or taking part through a group or organisation workshop.
The consultation findings report, details of meetings where the findings were discussed, the Council’s response to the feedback, and the adopted Local Transport Plan Core Strategy can be found here.
The Council developed a draft Core Strategy for a new Local Transport Plan, building on earlier engagement with over a thousand people about the biggest challenges and priorities for transport across the borough. The draft strategy set out a long-term approach to transport, focusing on making transport fairer, greener, safer and more joined up.
The Panel was invited to share their views on whether the draft Core Strategy reflected local priorities by completing a survey, submitting ideas online, attending drop-in sessions or online events, or taking part through a group or organisation workshop.
The consultation findings report, details of meetings where the findings were discussed, the Council’s response to the feedback, and the adopted Local Transport Plan Core Strategy can be found here.
Chester City Public Space Protection Order consultation – Winter 2024/25

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The Panel was invited to take part in the review of the Chester City Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), to help understand local views on existing measures and new measures being considered to tackle antisocial behaviour, and the area to which the PSPO applies.
A consultation feedback report, summarising the findings can be found here. The recommendations based on the consultation findings and data were accepted by Cabinet and subsequently a new borough wide PSPO has been created.
The Panel was invited to take part in the review of the Chester City Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), to help understand local views on existing measures and new measures being considered to tackle antisocial behaviour, and the area to which the PSPO applies.
A consultation feedback report, summarising the findings can be found here. The recommendations based on the consultation findings and data were accepted by Cabinet and subsequently a new borough wide PSPO has been created.
Climate Emergency Response Plan consultation – Autumn 2024 to Winter 2025

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The Panel was invited to take part in the climate emergency response plan consultation to help shape an inclusive and innovative plan that will help the borough to achieve net zero by 2045. Respondents were asked for their views on the key priorities and proposed areas for action, and how the Council could work with residents, partners and businesses to tackle climate change.
A consultation feedback report, summarising findings can be found here. The findings from the consultation will inform a Cabinet decision on the Climate Emergency Response Plan in July 2025.
A small sample of the Participate Panel were also invited to attend two focus groups (known as Strategy Room sessions), to help understand local people’s views on Climate issues relating to housing, transport and food. 
More details about the engagement and feedback from these focus groups can be found here.
The Panel was invited to take part in the climate emergency response plan consultation to help shape an inclusive and innovative plan that will help the borough to achieve net zero by 2045. Respondents were asked for their views on the key priorities and proposed areas for action, and how the Council could work with residents, partners and businesses to tackle climate change.
A consultation feedback report, summarising findings can be found here. The findings from the consultation will inform a Cabinet decision on the Climate Emergency Response Plan in July 2025.
A small sample of the Participate Panel were also invited to attend two focus groups (known as Strategy Room sessions), to help understand local people’s views on Climate issues relating to housing, transport and food. 
More details about the engagement and feedback from these focus groups can be found here.
Join the budget conversation (Budget consultation) – Autumn 2024

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The Panel was invited to take part in this year’s budget consultation ‘Join the budget conversation’ to help ensure that the Council's budget plan reflects the priorities of local people and aligns to our Borough Plan 2024-28. Respondents could take part in a budget simulator challenge to tell us how they would set the budget, as well as share views on the Council’s proposed approach to setting the budget, and make suggestions on how to save money and raise income.
A consultation feedback report, summarising findings and how the Council is responding to key messages, can be found here.
The Panel was invited to take part in this year’s budget consultation ‘Join the budget conversation’ to help ensure that the Council's budget plan reflects the priorities of local people and aligns to our Borough Plan 2024-28. Respondents could take part in a budget simulator challenge to tell us how they would set the budget, as well as share views on the Council’s proposed approach to setting the budget, and make suggestions on how to save money and raise income.
A consultation feedback report, summarising findings and how the Council is responding to key messages, can be found here.
Housing Strategy consultation – Summer to Autumn 2024

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The Council developed a draft Housing Strategy based on feedback from a series of workshops and a public engagement in early 2024. The draft strategy set out a collaborative approach to ensure that there is a range of good quality, affordable housing and support that meets the needs of local people. The Panel was invited to share their views on the draft Strategy by completing a survey or attending a drop-in session.
The consultation findings report, and details of Council meetings where the findings were discussed and the new strategy can be found here.
The Council developed a draft Housing Strategy based on feedback from a series of workshops and a public engagement in early 2024. The draft strategy set out a collaborative approach to ensure that there is a range of good quality, affordable housing and support that meets the needs of local people. The Panel was invited to share their views on the draft Strategy by completing a survey or attending a drop-in session.
The consultation findings report, and details of Council meetings where the findings were discussed and the new strategy can be found here.
Household Waste Recycling Centre consultation – Summer 2024

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The Participate Panel was asked to share their views on proposals for Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC), to help shape future services and ensure they reflect the needs of the community. Respondents could complete a survey or attend a drop-in session to share feedback on five proposed solutions for repair and reuse, automating proof of address checks, reasonable use, sorting waste and recycling and DIY waste limits.
A consultation findings report, details of Council meetings where the findings and recommendations were discussed, and feedback on key messages from the consultation can be found here.
The Participate Panel was asked to share their views on proposals for Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC), to help shape future services and ensure they reflect the needs of the community. Respondents could complete a survey or attend a drop-in session to share feedback on five proposed solutions for repair and reuse, automating proof of address checks, reasonable use, sorting waste and recycling and DIY waste limits.
A consultation findings report, details of Council meetings where the findings and recommendations were discussed, and feedback on key messages from the consultation can be found here.
‘Let’s talk about Transport’ - Local Transport Plan engagement – Winter 2023

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The Panel was invited to take part in the Local Transport Plan engagement, to help understand local people’s views on the current transport network, challenges for transport in the borough and the Council’s proposed approach to the future of transport in west Cheshire.
Findings from this engagement are currently being analysed and your feedback will be used to develop a draft Local Transport Plan for consultation. More details about the engagement and how to stay up to date can be found here.
The Panel was invited to take part in the Local Transport Plan engagement, to help understand local people’s views on the current transport network, challenges for transport in the borough and the Council’s proposed approach to the future of transport in west Cheshire.
Findings from this engagement are currently being analysed and your feedback will be used to develop a draft Local Transport Plan for consultation. More details about the engagement and how to stay up to date can be found here.