Here’s an update on what I’ve been doing over November and December 2025 across Congleton Town Council and in the wider community, since my previous blog post.
If you’d like to discuss something in more detail or raise a concern, please get in touch:
📧 cllrkay.wesley@congleton-tc.gov.uk
📱 07711 459740
📘 Councillor Kay Wesley – Facebook
16 Days of Activism – White Ribbon
This year’s White Ribbon Day on 25 November marked the start of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, with the campaign running through to 10 December — International Human Rights Day. Locally, this was one of the most active and visible campaigns yet, with the national campaign of #WeSpeakUp to end gender-based violence.
As part of the White Ribbon Working Group at Congleton Town Council, I worked with volunteers, schools, community groups and businesses to encourage residents to take the White Ribbon Promise — to never use, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women or any gender-based violence.
You may have seen our team in the town centre on 22 November, speaking with shoppers and handing out leaflets, or spotted the White Ribbon flag above the Town Hall and ribbons on lampposts around Congleton.
The White Ribbon Ambassadors also wrote to the Congleton Chronicle to explain how they personally are speaking up as allies to women and girls.
I also worked with local venues, visiting pubs and bars with the team to share White Ribbon posters and beermats, sparking conversations about respect and safety in everyday life.
Videos from our Ambassadors, including students, emergency services and business owners, were shared across social media throughout the campaign, helping amplify the message that change starts with everyone speaking up. I wrote the posts and press releases, and organised the media campaign with Council officers.
We visited Castle Primary School to conduct a workshop on what is ‘Fair and not Fair’, addressing gender stereotypes. We were delighted with the enthusiastic response of Years 5 and 6, and will be doing more of these primary school sessions in the New Year. If you’d like to learn more, please get in touch with me.
Congleton High School students themselves ran a series of assemblies to support the message this year, which was amazing.
I and the White Ribbon Ambassadors and Champions made videos which became part of the National Association of Local Councils’ White Ribbon Campaign. I continue to sit on the NALC national White Ribbon Steering Group.
We hosted the White Ribbon Day webinar in the Town Hall. This featured international thought-leaders Jackson Katz (US), Dr Michael Flood (Australia) and Michael Kaufman (Canada), discussing how men can challenge misogyny in all walks of life.
It was attended by people from the council and local businesses, and this resulted in a follow-up meeting I had with a local business leader to discuss collaborating on a project to eradicate ‘non-contact sexual violence’.
As a result of a short White Ribbon talk at Congleton Partnership, our Ambassadors are following up with a talk at Congleton Rugby Club in the new year.
This year’s activities helped us reach more people across age groups and backgrounds, reinforcing that gender-based violence is something we all have a part in addressing here in Congleton.
If you’ve been affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence you can get support locally – phone 0300 123 5101.
New Beartown Bus Services: 93A & C
One of the most exciting transport developments this period was the launch of the 93A and 93C Beartown Bus services on 10 November. These new circular routes reconnect Viking Park, West Heath and Congleton town centre, supported by Cheshire East Council funding through the government’s Bus Service Improvement Plan.
On launch day I was on board the first 93A departure as it left Congleton Fairground.
It has been good to see people of all ages using the service — from shoppers heading into town, to families and older residents travelling to local appointments. The frequency (every 30 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays) and clear loops in both directions are already helping people get around without needing a car.
Feedback from local residents online was positive, with many welcoming the restored connectivity to key destinations like Viking Park Retail and West Heath Shopping Centre.
More bus-stops and timetables are needed, as well as more publicity for the service. Cheshire East Council has committed to providing these and the Town Council will market the service in all its channels, with new timetables in the Information Centre. We already included an article about it in the Bear Necessities newsletter, which goes into every home.
We are keeping everyone up to date on the new Facebook group Congleton Bus Users, that I started in November. I attend the Cheshire East Bus Partnership Forum on behalf of Congleton Town Council and always feed in our requirements for more and better services. Progress is slow, but it is happening.
Sunday Trains Campaign
The Bear Necessities Newsletter also featured a campaign I’ve been part of for Sunday trains at Congleton station, in partnership with residents led by Richard and Lisa Eadie, my Council colleagues from the Equality Party, LibDems and Labour, Congleton Sustainable Travel, and our local MP Sarah Russell. It is outrageous that we have not had Sunday trains for over a year.
I stood on the station early in the morning collecting petition signatures from commuters, many of whom had more requests for train services such as late-night from Manchester, longer trains and more frequent services.
We ended up handing the petition over to our MP in early December, and she presented it in Paliament.
As a result of the feedback from residents during the campaign I started the Facebook page Congleton Train Users – please join if you are interested and we will keep you updated on Train developments as we learn of them.
Remembrance Day
The town came together on 9 November for Remembrance Sunday, honouring those who have served and sacrificed for us. The parade at the Lawton Street Cenotaph, including local uniformed services and the Dutch Princess Irene regiment as well as local representatives and community groups, was watched by hundreds of people, as usual.
We paused for the traditional two-minute silence, laid wreaths, and shared moments of reflection with residents of all ages.
I enjoyed seeing the members of the Princess Irene regiment and chatting with them again, after meeting them properly for the first time last year as Mayor.
It was lovely to see the Ukrainians once more laying a wreath in memory of and solidarity with their compatriots who have lost their lives and are still involved in the Russian war.
Youth Council and Young Councillors
Following the Workshop in October, I helped write up the outputs and communicate next steps to the young people. We had a Christmas gathering with many of those who have signed up to be members of the Youth Council, and our first proper meeting will be in January.
I was asked to attend the National Association of Local Councils’ Young Councillors’ Network meeting to present the White Ribbon campaign, which I was delighted to do. Several attendees expressed an interest in establishing it locally in their councils, and NALC will follow up accordingly.
Equal Access Congleton
The Equal Access Congleton Group continues its work helping shape accessibility plans for events, transport, town centre spaces and communication strategies.
I facilitated the Group’s input into the new Cheshire East Transport Strategy which had ambitious statements in its objectives about accessibility, but fell short in the detail of how this was going to be achieved.
Together with Dr Deborah Lawson, who chairs the Equal Access Group, I met with Cheshire East Transport leaders to go through the strategy and suggest improvements and approaches to being more inclusive for disabled people. They found the discussion very helpful and expressed in interest in including our group in their consultations going forward.
Our Disability Welcome Scheme continues for local businesses. 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.
Business Recognition
It’s important that we continue to celebrate the people and businesses that make Congleton special.
I’m delighted that this year’s Mayor has continued the High Street Awards that I started, and I recently nominated a local business and was pleased to see them get their award.
Cheshire East Engagement
I attended the Cheshire Association of Local Councils Network Meeting Organised by Jackie Weaver. This discussed the Cheshire East Budget and the potential devolution to town and parish councils, including a framework for delivering services at a local level. We also discussed the new transport strategy consultation.
It is going to be increasingly important for local town councillors to engage with these discussions as Cheshire East reorganises and seeks to devolve more services.
Combatting Crime
The Community Safety Working Group (which I chair) refined our suggested ‘Congleton Code’ for users of the shared space in the town centre, and the Council approved that this should now be fully designed and communicated.
We are continuing to look at how we can make that space vehicle-free during the prohibited hours as many car and van drivers are flouting the rules.
Neighbourhood Plan
The Neighbourhood Plan sets out what Congleton people want for their town and how they would like it to develop in future. I have been a member of the Town Council’s Neighbourhood Plan team and helped to draft it.
We were delighted when the Inspector appointed by Cheshire East Council only came back with a short list of comments and easily-answered questions and did not criticise our plan overall. This is a fantastic step towards getting the Plan finalised.
Once these questions are answered we hope the Plan will go to public referendum.
Standing up for Equality and Inclusion
I attended the Trans without Abuse forum in November and heard from people working in this area more about the real impact on local people of some responses to recent events, both by the press and the public.
In early December, I spoke out about the decision by Girlguiding UK and the Women’s Institute to change membership rules in ways that exclude trans women and girls from formal participation in their organisations. These changes followed the UK Supreme Court interpretation of the Equality Act and were forced on to these groups, but I expressed concern that they risk marginalising some of the most vulnerable and committed members of our community.
Christmas Festivities and Seasonal Fun
December was packed with festive highlights:
Congleton Christmas Lights Switch-On — It was wonderful to join the celebrations as the lights came on, watching local families and friends enjoy the evening. I volunteered to help with Santas’ Grotto in the Town Hall, which was very busy throughout the event.
Tree of Light Ceremony — I once again joined in this event to remember loved ones and take part in communal reflection.
Community Carol Service — I attended the Carol service in St. Peter’s Church.
Carter House Carols – Having attended last year as Mayor, Mike and I were invited back to Carter House to enjoy their Christmas sing-song with the support of the team from Wellspring Church, followed by delicious home-made mince pies. Thanks for inviting us, we had a lovely time!
Bromley Farm Hub – I helped with the Christmas party at the Hub, which provided free food plus a visit to Santa for the little ones. This year’s was the best ever and the Hub was packed for the whole time. Thanks to all who came!
Congleton Museum – I helped with part of the Santa’s Grotto event, and enjoyed doing some craft activities with the children.
Christmas Tea Dance – this was organised by the Senior Forum with support from the Lions and I was delighted to volunteer to serve our elderly guests and enjoy a dance or two!
Like many others of course I enjoyed local Christmas events in a personal capacity, including the wonderful Rotary Christmas Concert, the Choral Society and Community Choir Concerts, and the St John’s Christmas quiz. There is so much going on in Congleton!
Supporting Community Groups
I attended the Congleton Partnership AGM and have been co-opted onto the Partnership Executive as a Town Council representative.
Congleton Museum has been going through a turbulent time recently, with a rift between one of the founders and the remaining trustees. I have been working with the trustees to try to ensure common-sense prevails and this important community asset continues to serve our public. We managed to ensure the museum was open for its Christmas Grotto which was a great success.
The trustees co-opted me back onto the board (I was a member until 2023) to help progress this work, which continues into the new year.
I attended the Visyon Fundraising Dinner, again, having first attended last year as Mayor. I wanted to once again support this worthwhile event. Visyon is a charity that supports the wellbeing and mental health of young people.
The Park Café has reopened under the management of Everybody Health & Leisure; I attended the opening and met the new management. It looks to have a very promising future.
I attended the Congleton Sustainable Travel Christmas dinner. That group has done some fantastic work this year and I’ve been very happy to be associated with them. I’ve learned a lot and hopefully brought some of their ideas into the Council.
I attended the InBloom recognition evening and was delighted to see many groups I’ve been involved with (Trees for Congleton, Bromley Bloomers, the Floral Displays at St Peters, and more) go up on stage and receive their certificates.
I also attended Elizabeth’s Group Christmas celebration and it was great to connect with these brilliant women and plan what we are going to do in 2026, especially for International Women’s Day.
Supporting Residents
As ever, my work this period has involved supporting residents with day-to-day concerns — from housing and antisocial behaviour reporting, to planning applications and building works, and advocating for accessibility improvements, improved maintenance of streets and green spaces, road safety (for example at the Station entrance and Canal Road), and better public services.
Looking to 2026
As we enter the new year, my focus remains on:
- Transport improvements — continuing to work with Cheshire East Council, Town Council colleagues, residents, bus operators and rail partners to improve services and help promote them;
- Community safety and wellbeing — extending White Ribbon, continuing to work with the Cheshire Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Board, Chairing the Community Safety Working Group and working with the Police Community Cohesion Group as its Congleton Chair;
- Accessibility and inclusion — ensuring town services, events and communications are welcoming to all by extending the Disability Welcome Scheme, ensuring accessibility frameworks for all town centre events and continuing to lobby for accessible transport, roads and paths;
- Youth and civic voice — developing our Youth Council’s role and engagement with young people, setting up the initial meetings and projects.
Thank you for reading and for all the messages, conversations and feedback over the past months.
Meeting Attendance
I have attended 89% of my Council meetings and working groups in the past 2 months (16 of 18) and 100% of my statutory Council committees (4 of 4).
The Equality Party 