Here is an update on what I’ve been doing in the last two months since my previous blog.
Get in touch if you’d like to discuss your priorities for Congleton. Email cllrkay.wesley@congleton-tc.gov.uk or call or text 07711 459740
Or you can come to one of my online surgeries on the first Tuesday of every month – check out my Councillor Facebook page to find out when the next one is.
Congleton Pride
Congleton Pride took place on 19th July. It was a wonderful day and brilliant celebration of Congleton, our inclusivity and diversity. Many thanks to the fantastic Congleton Pride team who have worked for months to put it together, as well as all the sponsors, stall holders and entertainers.
I volunteered in the setup and was also the Accessibility Marshal for the day. I drafted the Accessibility Guide for the day and ensured that everything was in place to optimise access to the event. Some people in wheelchairs did me the favour of navigating around the event and checking it for me.
Congleton InBloom
I helped with the Town Tidy on the eve of the InBloom judging day, and supported all three of the Britain In Bloom and North West In Bloom judges visits in various ways. I stood in Elizabeth’s Garden and explained who Elizabeth Wolstenholme Elmy was, I represented the Town Council in the Polytunnel and Park and I spoke for the Bromley Bloomers on Susie Mead’s behalf as she was away.
The judges seemed very impressed with everything and I do hope we get a good clutch of Gold awards this year.
I also worked with Anna from Elizabeth’s Group to prepare an Elizabeth Wolstenholme Elmy themed display for the Flower Festival in St Peter’s Church. I was pleased that the White Ribbon Group also had a display. The judges were very impressed by this extra feature as part of their day in Congleton.
Congleton Play Days
Once again I volunteered at the town centre Play Days during the summer holidays. These were fantastic for families, offering free activities such as crafts, colouring, circus skills, games, a book swap, and much more. The Museum and Everybody Leisure also had stalls with games, and the Library had a story day. These days are run by Congleton Town Council with Congleton Community Projects, and are a great way to get the kids outdoors in summer. Feedback from the grown-ups and children alike was excellent.
Equal Access Congleton
This group of people with disabilities, chaired by Deborah Lawson, is helping us to make Congleton more accessible for all. We are continuing to work on our Accessibility Plan which covers events, shops and premises, the town centre, communications and public attitudes.
At my suggestion, CTC celebrated Disability Pride Month with a series of posts intended to share more information about disability and build understanding and support. We got really good feedback from some local disabled residents.
The group Chair, Dr Deborah Lawson, has published a brilliant children’s storybook called ‘Damson’s Friendship Wish’ about a young deer that wants to fit in. We used some of the accompanying activity sheets to run a colouring competition at our town Play Days, and Dr Lawson offered a signed copy of the book as a prize.
We have awarded some more ‘Disability Welcome Awards’ – to Max Spielmann and Holland & Barrett. They were delighted to receive them and very glad to be in our future Accessiblity Guide to Congleton.
If you own a shop, café or pub and you are interested in being in our Disability Guide to Congleton, you can download the checklist to complete on the Town Council website.
We are planning a number of awareness raising activities as part of Disability Pride Month in July – including social media and children’s activities at the Town Centre playdays.
Combatting Crime
I chair the Community Safety Working Group of the Town Council, and we work closely with the local Beat Team, the Cheshire East Antisocial Behaviour team, the Fire Service and the CCTV service, to help prevent and combat crime.
Our Code of Conduct for the Town Centre will now go to a full Council meeting to be voted on and ratified, after broad public support was shown for the idea at a Town Meeting.
I have been asked to be the Congleton Chair of the Police Community Cohesion meetings, where the public scrutinises the work of the local police and comments on how it is carried out. I attended a training course on chairing these meetings at Police HQ in Winsford, and got the opportunity to observe training on the ‘use of force’. I chaired my first Community Cohesion meeting in July.
White Ribbon
Congleton Town Council is White Ribbon Accredited, which means we strive to eradicate men’s violence against women and girls and all gender-based violence in Congleton.
We were delighted that Congleton High School decided to name their student ‘allyship’ award the White Ribbon Allyship award this year. One of our White Ribbon Ambassadors, Jonathan Dakin, presented the award. Congleton High is committed to rolling this initiative out further. Eaton Bank School has also asked for another White Ribbon workshop in the coming academic year, which is great.
I have been leading a team working on an evening for parents in Congleton entitled ‘Growing Up Wired – helping your child through adolescence in a complex word’. The CTC White Ribbon team is partnering with Visyon (young people’s mental health), Cheshire Constabulary (online safety) and young people themselves on this event.
This event will be helpful to all parents and especially those who are very concerned having watched the BBC drama ‘Adolescence’ which highlights some of the challenges.
We have some local businesses keen to become White Ribbon Accredited. If you are a business owner and would like to join in as part of your inclusivity agenda, please get in touch. Anyone can become a White Ribbon Ambassador or Champion.
If you want to get involved in the White Ribbon campaign, please email info@congleton-tc.gov.uk.
Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence
Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence are the most prevalent violent crimes in Cheshire. I helped set up a peer support group for DA Survivors in Congleton. It is still running on the last Friday of the month. Get in touch with myCWA for details: 01270 250390.
Cheshire East has published its new DA Strategy for consultation, in collaboration with the CEDSAP board, which I am a member of. I highlighted the consultation at our Community Committee in July.
I was delighted to hand over a cheque for £7000 to myCWA as one of my Mayor’s Charities from last year.
If you’ve been affected by domestic abuse you can get support locally – phone 0300 123 5101.
Youth Council
I have been working with Barney, who was my Mayor’s Cadet, on ideas for a new Youth Council in Congleton. Together with Community Officer Cathy, I developed a Survey for young people which will go out in September.
Then we hope to bring anyone interested into a workshop in October to decide how to set up and run the Youth Council, and what projects it might focus on. There’s been a lot of interest from young people, which is amazing. If you’d like to get involved with this, please get in touch with me.
Bromley Farm Hub Group
The Bromley Farm Hub Group held a Community Celebration for 10 years of the Wellbeing Hub on Parnell Square. Sponsored by Plus Dane, it included free food, live music and lots of activities for adults and children. I volunteered for the day and everyone had a wonderful time. Many thanks to the whole team.
The Hub will be hosting new introductory training courses in September led by Macclesfield College and on subjects such as computer skills, smartphones and back-to-work skills.
If you’re interested in helping out with the Bromley Farm Hub group please email bromleyfarmhub@gmail.com to learn more.
Travel and Transport
I shared on social media the fact that our Beartown Buses now have digital displays and announcements, and this started an interesting conversation with people who want more and better bus services. It is great to see the enthusiasm for public transport! I continue to work with the bus companies and CEC on how we can improve services.
I also met with CEC Highways to discuss safety concerns at the station entrance after the new crossing was installed. There were meant to be bollards to stop vehicles crossing the pavement and they have not been installed. Local residents and businesses disagree about the need for the bollards. I will continue to try to resolve this.
Neighbourhood Plan
The Neighbourhood Plan sets out what Congleton people want for their town and how they would like it to develop in future. The first public consultation on this document is complete and the next version ‘Regulation 15’ of the plan has been developed, with input from me and other team members. It now goes to the Cheshire East for the next steps. We still hope to get it to referendum this year.
You can access the Neighbourhood Plan here: www.congletonneighbourhoodplan.co.uk
Case Work and other activities
I continue to help some vulnerable residents access essential services, especially relating to crime, financial advice, domestic abuse and mental health.
I have followed up on a number of residents’ queries including tidying up grass verges, facilitating residents taking responsibility for local areas and dealing with antisocial neighbours.
I have had further correspondence with residents of Sheldon Ave and Cheshire East Council about the bins that are left on their street.
Meeting Attendance
I have attended 93% of my Council meetings and working groups in the past 2 months (14 of 15). Since I was elected in 2019 I have attended 91% of my meetings and working groups, and 95% of full Council meetings, having only missed one in 6 years.
The Equality Party 