Council Unites in Cross-Party Agreement to Promote Community Cohesion and Interfaith Working

In a powerful demonstration of unity and shared values, Cheshire West and Chester Council has supported a cross-party motion reaffirming its commitment to community cohesion and interfaith collaboration across the borough.

The motion, proposed by Deputy Council Leader Councillor Karen Shore and seconded by Councillor Simon Eardley, Sheriff of Chester and Deputy Leader of the Council’s Conservative Group, was brought before Full Council on 16 October 2025 in response to a concerning rise in incidents of prejudice and intolerance directed at British Jews and British Muslims. The Council condemned recent attacks, including the assault on the Jewish congregation at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Manchester during Yom Kippur, and the arson attack on a mosque in Peacehaven, East Sussex.

Councillor Shore said:

“I am proud that here in Cheshire West and Chester we are a Borough of Sanctuary, and these acts of hatred have no place in our society. We have much more in common than divides us and must stand together to protect the values that define us - democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. We support decency over division.”

The motion recognises the deep impact such incidents have on local communities, creating fear and division. It also reaffirms the Council’s unwavering support for freedom of speech and religious expression, while emphasising that these freedoms must never be used to justify harm or intimidation.

The Council’s resolution includes a series of commitments aimed at strengthening community ties and fostering understanding between faith groups.

These include:

• Promoting community cohesion and supporting interfaith activities by working cross-party to engage with Jewish and Muslim leaders across the borough.
• Collaborating with the Council’s Equality and Diversity team to ensure meaningful engagement with affected communities.
• Reaffirming the Council’s commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that all residents—regardless of faith, belief, or ethnicity—feel safe, respected, and protected from discrimination or exclusion.

The motion also called for continued vigilance against all forms of hate speech and discrimination, and for proactive efforts to build bridges between communities through dialogue, education, and shared initiatives.

Councillor Simon Eardley, representing the Cheshire West and Chester Council Conservative Group, supported the motion, stating:

“This is not just a symbolic gesture - it is a collective message and call to action. We are committed to ensuring that Cheshire West and Chester remains a place where everyone belongs, and where diversity is celebrated, not feared.”

The Council’s decision has been welcomed by local community leaders, who praised the cross-party approach and the Council in standing against hate.

With the cross-party decision last night Cheshire West and Chester Council’s united stance sends a clear message: intolerance and division will not be tolerated. Instead, the borough will continue to champion the values of respect, inclusion, and shared responsibility.