19/01/2025
This week we met with Alison from Sustainable Northwich (Transition Northwich) to discuss future plans for the land by the Blue Barrel Pub.
We've already got the land cleared alongside adding a bench, planters and hanging baskets. Alison gave lots of advice on how to go further; turning this space into a green, sustainable place for the community.
Please let us know if you also have any ideas or would like to support in any way. Next stop is a litter pick to clear the space!
Thank you very much Alison!
Cllr Arthur Neil - Winnington and Castle
16/01/2025
A little bit of information about the Neurodivergent Network:
The ND Network is a new project run by me - Jackie Goldstraw - under our not- for-profit Community Interest Company - See Communications CIC.
Anyone with any Neurodivergent condition can be referred or self refer. (Autism, ADHD, Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, Touretteโs etc) Diagnosed, on the waiting list for assessment, self diagnosed, or exploring.
Please contact Jackie for further details.
[email protected]
Text, Call, Whatsapp 07596322854
16/01/2025
Cheshire West residents who are struggling with their mental health can now get free wellbeing coaching to help them become more resilient and able to cope for the future.
Cheshire West and Chester Council along with Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) have funded this new Mental Health programme. The support is being run by the local charity Mid Cheshire Mind.
Contact Mid Cheshire Mind by phone 01606 863 305 or email [email protected] for more details.
Mid Cheshire Mind โ We're fighting for mental health
In 2024 Mid Cheshire Mind became part of North Staffs Mind. Together, we wonโt give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect.
08/01/2025
๐๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐ผ๐ป ๐บ๐๐๐ต๐ ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ผ๐๐ ๐ด๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด
Here are some common myths about snow and gritting:
โ ๐ข๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ด๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ฝ๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐น๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐ฎ๐น๐น ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐น๐น ๐บ๐ฒ๐น๐
โ
Spreading salt on the road is only the start of the de-icing process. Movement of salt around the road by traffic is essential to complete the process. Overnight, when traffic levels are low, roads can remain icy for some time and people should take care.
โ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐น๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฎ ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐๐๐ผ๐ฝ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ
โ
Salt works by lowering the freezing temperature of water. This prevents ice or frost forming on the roads as it would otherwise, once the temperature of the road surface falls to 0ยฐC. Salt usually loses its effectiveness once the temperature falls below -5ยฐC and stops working at -10ยฐC. Pre-salting the road forms a separating layer so if snow falls it doesn't freeze onto the road surface and can be ploughed off or churned off by traffic.
โ ๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฎ๐น๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐ณ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ต ๐๐ป๐ผ๐ ๐๐ถ๐น๐น ๐บ๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ ๐บ๐ฒ๐น๐ ๐พ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฟ
โ
Salt only effectively melts snow when as much of it as possible is removed and traffic can move the salt around. To protect the road surface from ploughs we remove snow to around a depth of 20mm before spreading salt.
โ ๐ก๐ผ ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ถ๐, ๐๐ฎ๐น๐ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐บ๐ฒ๐น๐ ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ
โ
In the concentrations we use on our roads salt does not melt ice below minus 8ยฐC and is less effective at temperatures below minus 5ยฐC.
โ ๐๐ผ๐ป'๐ ๐ฐ๐น๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ผ๐๐ป ๐ฑ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐๐ต๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ผ ๐ณ๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐๐น๐ฑ ๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐
โ
Anyone can clear snow and ice from the pavement outside their home or public spaces to prevent slips and falls - normal table salt will work. Don't be put off clearing paths because you're afraid someone will get injured. Remember, people walking on snow and ice have a responsibility to be careful themselves. To clear snow and ice safely, follow advice from the Met Office.
โ ๐ ๐ด๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐บ๐ฒ ๐ฏ๐๐ ๐ป๐ผ ๐๐ฎ๐น๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ
โ
Salt no longer sprays in all directions, covering the windscreens of cars and the legs of pedestrians. Computer-controlled mechanics now dispense the required amount of salt directly down onto the road. They can also 'throw' the salt to one side or the other to ensure the whole carriageway is covered even if the vehicle is driving down one side only. However, this is not always a myth as the vehicle may not have reached the starting point of its treatment route, or maybe returning to the depot at the end of its route or to refill.
07/01/2025
๐โป๏ธGarden Waste Collection Service โป๏ธ๐
The garden waste collection service will be starting in February. Details on when and how to apply for the service are below.
*Community Collection* Did you know that any community clean up groups can get a free permit to help with their endeavours. So if you'd like to share the responsibility of keeping an area tidy with others you don't have to worry about paying for a green bin service or using your own.
https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/waste-and-recycling/garden-waste-collection
31/12/2024
Happy 2025!
We're kicking off the New Year with a short online survey to help us know what to focus on for the next 12 months. Click here https://forms.gle/HS6gLyAoECxXzXw99
We would be really grateful if you could fill this in. Alternatively feel free to contact us directly.
All the best for 2025 for you and your family.
08/12/2024
Cllr Arthur Neil - Winnington and Castle and I regularly receive requests to help facilitate action on local issues in the area, below are just a few of the things we managed to get sorted during October and November.
Some issues are easy to get sorted. Others are more complex taking more time and resources that make them ultimately more longstanding.
Please get in touch via email, facebook or phone if you need support with anything and we will either try to help directly or signpost you to the right place that can.
23/11/2024
This is such great news.
Labourโs pledge to restore creativity and music education in schools is a significant step towards promoting arts and culture in the UK. Key points from the Lisa Nandy's speeches just now included:
โ
Putting creativity at the heart of the curriculum: Labour promises to reform the school accountability framework to make arts subjects, such as music, art, design, and drama, count.
โ
Reforming Progress 8: Labour will update the Progress 8 performance measure to include a creative or vocational subject, ensuring that arts subjects are valued and accounted for.
โ
Increased funding: Labour has committed to investing in music and arts education programs, with a focus on accessibility and equity.
โ
Support for creative industries: Labour has pledged to cap resale prices of tickets and take arts and culture across the country, recognizing the importance of the creative industries to the UK economy.
20/11/2024
We are currently operating the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP).
SWEP ensures emergency accommodation for people rough sleeping during severe winter weather.
If you see anyone sleeping rough, call Housing Options: 0808 175 3595 or email [email protected]
20/11/2024
Join us for Wellbeing Wednesdays, a free workshop open to all! ๐ Each session covers a different topic with morning and afternoon options available. This time, we're diving into the 5 WAYS OF WELLBEING, offering simple tips to enhance your overall wellness and boost mental health. ๐ช Contact us to sign up and start your journey to a healthier you: 01606 863305 or [email protected] ๐ฟ๐๐
19/11/2024
This is a great scheme if you are looking for free and impartial advice on how to improve your home and save energy.
Green Doctor, helping UK residents stay warm, stay well, and save energy. - Groundwork
Our team of friendly Green Doctors are energy efficiency experts offering free, impartial advice to help you take control of your bills and save energy in
10/11/2024
Really well attended Remembrance Sunday in Northwich.
Remembering all those that have sacrificed their lives and all those affected by any war, past and present.
Cllr Arthur Neil - Winnington and Castle
10/11/2024
Today we honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
We will remember them.
05/11/2024
Really Important: Watch out for Scam Messages about support and receiving Winter subsidies. Let people know who you think might be at risk of this; the messages are very convincing! (See details below).
---
Trading Standards issue warning about winter fuel scam texts
Cheshire West and Chester Councilโs Trading Standards officers are advising residents of a winter fuel scam.
Fraudsters are targeting vulnerable pensioners, offering to replace the winter fuel allowance with another payment in a new scam.
Pensioners receive a text message which directs them to a fake website that tricks them into handing over their personal details including bank account details.
One of the hoax messages seen by Council officers reads in full: โWhen you receive this message, it means you have received a new round of winter heating subsidies approved by the local council. Please fill in the link below in time to receive your subsidy. The collection channel will end before November 3, 2024 and we will issue the subsidy to you within 7 days โ [webpage link] โ Thank you for your support to the UK home office.โ
Residents are advised to be cautious of any text they receive with similar wording โ and urged not to click on any link they do not recognise or trust.
Councillor Karen Shore, the Councilโs Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Highways, said: โWatch out for fake text messages claiming to be from the Government, inviting you to apply for a new winter fuel payment.
โThis scam has been widely reported across the country. Please be aware that the Council will be contacting people they believe to be eligible for any additional payments using their own data. Do not give anyone your personal data after receiving a text message.
โPlease also check on vulnerable neighbours and relatives to ensure they are aware of this scam.โ
If you think youโve been scammed, take the following steps:
โข If you've already responded to a scam, end all further communication immediately.
โข Call your bank directly and cancel any recurring payments โ or, for speed and ease, you can call the secure 159 hotline that connects you directly to your bank if you think you might be being scammed.
โข Report the scam to the police through Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or report a scam anonymously on the Action Fraud website.
โข If you want more help, contact Citizens Advice Scams Action via the Citizens Advice website, or call its Scams Action helpline on 0808 250 5050.
13/10/2024
Solar Energy and the power of collective action!
Cheshire West and Chester Council is encouraging residents and businesses in the borough who are interested in powering their properties by solar power to register for the latest Solar Together Cheshire scheme.
People have until Friday, 15 November 2024 to register for the local group buying scheme which provides the option of purchasing solar panels with optional battery storage and EV charge points at a competitive price.
solartogether.co.uk
07/09/2024
Cllr Arthur Neil - Winnington and Castle and I are regularly receiving queries about issues and suggested improvements for our area. Please feel free to contact us on messenger, email or whatsapp and we will respond and try to help. Not all things are within our capacity but we can signpost to other places that can help if we are unable to.
Many things such as overgrown hedges and fly tipping etc can also be reported using the report it app.
Report it app
Information on our report it app, how to get it and what to do if you have any problems.
19/08/2024
It was so so lovely to be part of the Pina Colada parade over the weekend. It was fab to see the happy faces of kids as they got a hello from Mr. Pineapple. What a fantastic event for Northwich and local businesses. This is such an original and authentic event. I spoke to a number of people on the day that were visitors to Northwich that said what a lovely town it was.
Really well done to Visit Northwich, BID and Northwich Town Council.
Very sad to learn that the beautiful pineapples have been damaged. A go fund me page has been set up to support Toppers of Northwich if you are able to donate.
https://gofund.me/7593d674