Conversation on the Borough Plan moves to consultation phase

Residents of West Cheshire are being urged to get involved and have their say, as Cheshire West and Chester Council sets out an ambitious vision for the future of the borough.

Today, Wednesday, 8 November 2023, the Council is launching the consultation on its proposed Borough Plan for 2024-2028, following extensive engagement that took place over the summer.  

During the last few months, residents, community groups and partners have joined a conversation to help shape what the proposed Borough Plan would look like.  Those contributions have helped shape the proposals, which set out the four-year plan for the borough and focuses on everyone playing their part and working together for a stronger future.   

The draft Borough Plan sets out a number of priorities, grouped under three main themes – Thriving Communities, Caring Communities and Sustainable Communities. It also highlights the significant financial challenge facing all local public services and establishes that there will be some hard choices ahead and new ways of working will be required.   

Cllr Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said:

“This is our initial thinking on anambitious plan for the borough, shaped by local people and everyone who plays their part in making our communities such special places. It focuses on building a stronger future, where all of us live in thriving, caring and more sustainable communities. 

“We know times aren’t easy and we care deeply about that. People are worried about paying bills, they are concerned about the environment, they worry about the future and their family’s future. Local public services are also under significant and immediate financial pressure – the most challenging situation in over a decade.  

“There are no easy solutions. We will have to prioritise stability and make hard decisions about local services. But we know that great things happen when we work together with shared goals and mutual respect. It will take each and every one of us to make it happen. We will play our part – join us and play yours.” 

During the consultation period, which launches today and last runs until 17 December, the people of the borough will have the opportunity to comment on three priority areas.   

The Thriving Communities section focuses on how the Council and partners will implement plans for an economy that works for local people and steps to ensure that we will all be proud of where we live.  It also sets out clear ways in which everyone can contribute to the future of the borough, from getting involved in positive action in their local community to reporting issues so they can be dealt with quickly.   

In the Caring Communities section of the consultation, the focus is on preventing financial hardship and poverty, and supporting people to be healthier, happier lives for longer and to live longer. Ensuring children and young people have the best start in life and empowering all residents to live our best lives are also included in this section.  Some of the ways that everyone can contribute to these areas include volunteering, donating locally, and taking responsibility for our own health and wellbeing.   

The third section focuses on Sustainable Communities, and sets out plans to make local services, industry, businesses and homes more environmentally sustainable.  Our natural environment and adapting to the impacts of climate change are also included here.  The suggestions for how local people, businesses and industry can play their part include making personal choices and changes to live and work more sustainably. 

There is also a section within the plan that highlights how local public services need to work differently to tackle funding gaps and make the borough more resilient and fit for the future. 

There are a number of ways people can take part in the Borough Plan consultation. 

You can complete the survey at: 

www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/jointheconversation 

You can write to the Council at:

Join the Conversation, Insight and Intelligence, Cheshire West and Chester Council, The Portal, Wellington Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 0BA.

 Email: 

jointheconversation@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk 

...or telephone the Council’s Contact Centre on 0300 123 8 123 and quote ‘Join the Conversation’. 

Alternative formats are available upon request.