Neighbourhood Pride environmental schemes announced

Cheshire West and Chester Council has announced a large number of environmental projects, initiated by local councillors, which will make a difference to communities across the borough.

The Council introduced the Neighbourhood Pride Scheme (NPS) specifically for councillors to propose small to medium environmental improvement projects within their wards.

Last year, all ward members were allocated a share of £450K to spend on environmental projects in their ward.  This equated to each member having £6,400 to utilise for projects, with money having to be allocated to a project and spent within the financial year, by the end of March 2023.

Council officers liaised with councillors to identify environmental projects within their ward and a grand total of 246 costed and feasible projects have now been approved.  Work has already started on some projects helping to improve the environment in neighbourhoods across Cheshire West and Chester.

Examples of projects include:

• Supporting town and parish councils to purchase equipment to help maintain their areas.
• Installation of new benches
• Installation of Smiley SIDs (Speed Indicator Devices)
• Pond restoration
• Grass verge reinstatement
• Footpath resurfacing

The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, Councillor Karen Shore said: “I’m delighted to announce that hundreds of schemes will take be taking place in the coming weeks to show the environment some love in communities across the borough.  Sometimes, it’s the little things that can make all the difference – from transforming a village pond, to ensuring a footpath is resurfaced for everyone to enjoy the great outdoors.

“Our Your Streets team will be working with local ward members, volunteers and community groups to make these projects happen.  I’m looking forward to seeing all the end results.”