Council publishes Annual Report 2020-21

Cheshire West and Chester Council has launched its Annual Report for 2020-2021 online.

The report outlines the major achievements and milestones from a very challenging year for the people of west Cheshire, when COVID-19 dominated everyday life. 

During the periods of national lockdown, Council services had to adapt swiftly to a national and international situation which changed daily.

The Council has worked closely with partners from the health community and business sectors to provide a range of support during the pandemic.

By the end of March 2021, the Council and its partners had:

• Distributed £925,000 to support food, fuel and emergency bills.
• Delivered 1,300 meals during school holidays.
• Delivered vital frontline services virtually, including to families and to 3,724 children in need.
• Supported 21,649 Clinically Extremely Vulnerable people, with access to food, medicine, social support and financial help.
• Provided 329,000 items of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)to care homes.

Council departments delivered nearly £117m in grant funding to businesses and £500,000 in grants to 120 community initiatives through the Community Response Fund, whilst inspiring around 2,300 local people to sign-up as volunteers. A further 200 homeless people have been supported with food and accommodation for over 12 months.

 A report by the Local Government Association found that the Council had ‘adapted well to the national challenges presented by the pandemic, continuing to provide essential services and support to residents, businesses and communities.’

Leader of the Council, Councillor Louise Gittins said, “Throughout what was undoubtedly a hugely difficult and often very dark year for all our residents and communities the day to day work of the Council continued against the ever-present backdrop of Coronavirus. 

“The year saw us invest £24.2m to provide those services that people in our borough rely upon, such as services for children and older people.

“The Council also signalled its ongoing support for vulnerable communities by creating a new corporate priority to tackle poverty and inequality.  This was further underlined by the launch of the £5.4m ‘Journey First’ programme to help vulnerable young people and adults into jobs and positive destinations.

“Although there is much work to be done, our work to tackle the Climate Emergency gathered pace.  We welcomed news of a £72m decarbonisation funding boost to create thousands of new jobs and place the borough at the centre of the country’s green industrial revolution.  We also launched a Climate Emergency Fund to support local, low carbon projects and our Council company Cheshire West Recycling topped the Eunomia Research & Recycling ‘Recycling Carbon Index’.”

The Council also welcomed a £9.98m investment from the Future High Streets Fund, to support ambitious plans for Winsford - having already invested significantly in the project (worth £37million in total) and started the physical transformation of Northgate in Chester – the £70m development will open 2022.

You can read the report here:

council’s website.