Here’s an update on what I’ve been doing over January and February 2026 across Congleton Town Council and in the wider community, since my previous blog post.
It has been a busy couple of months to start the year. I’m grateful to be able to work alongside so many committed councillor colleagues, residents, officers and voluntary groups who care about Congleton and give their time to our community.
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
You can also keep up-to-date on my Facebook Page.
Community Safety
I now chair the Congleton LPU Community Cohesion Group, which brings together residents to scrutinise the work of the police.
I attended the CCG Chairs’ meeting at Police HQ to share best practice on running Community Cohesion Groups, and later chaired our Congleton LPU CCG at the Town Hall.
I wrote the Congleton Town Council response to the announcement that Cheshire Police was planning to remove almost all its PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers). Colleagues voted to support the response which concluded “Congleton Town Council therefore urges the PCC and the Constabulary to retain all 87 of the PCSOs and in particular the ones that serve Congleton”. I was delighted to learn that 57 PCSO jobs, and all the posts currently serving Congleton, have now been saved.
We have now finalised the Congleton Code — our community commitment to keeping everyone safe in our shared space in the centre of town. Councillors voted to support this and it will now be promoted more widely.
Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls
I wrote the White Ribbon Report on the 2025 campaign for presentation to council, reflecting on progress made and where we need to go next.
This report is on the Council website here.
I organised for Ambassadors to deliver a White Ribbon session at Black Firs Primary School for Years 5 and 6 — described as “a hit” by the Headteacher, who has already booked another session for next year.
I also set up a session at Quinta Primary School, again very well received.
I was invited to present to Frome Town Council about our White Ribbon journey — sharing what we’ve learned and encouraging other councils to take action.
Misogyny in schools was a significant topic at the Cheshire East Domestic and Sexual Assualt Partnership board meeting. I shared our White Ribbon primary materials and information about our Growing Up Wired event for parents.
I also attended the national White Ribbon “Voices for Change” webinar with Dan Egg — continuing to learn and bring back best practice to Congleton.
I also reviewed our White Ribbon Action Plan with officers and discussed what we can do internally as an organisation.
Youth Council
Our Youth Council continues to develop. At our latest meeting we discussed the emerging Youth Café idea — a place for young people to spend time together on activities such as board games, movies and music – away from their screens. I will be working with council officers to see how we can make this happen.
I met with Visyon to explore whether the Youth Council might use their space, and to get advice on the kind of youth worker support that would be needed. If we are going to create provision for young people, it must be properly supported with appropriate safeguarding in place.
Accessibility and Equal Access
Through the Disability Welcome Scheme, I’ve invited more shops to participate and supported them in completing the checklist. Making small, practical changes like adding a doorbell or removable ramp can significantly improve access.
The Equal Access Group has fed into the Cheshire East Transport Strategy — including a meeting with officers and Dr Deborah Lawson — to ensure accessibility is embedded, not bolted on later.
We also contributed to the new Beartown Bus Services leaflet to improve clarity and accessibility of information.
I’ve encouraged officers to attend the new Disability Confident training that is now available — and I’ll be attending too.
Green Spaces
I met with our StreetScape manager Doug Christie regarding the Blackshaw Close open space and I have written to residents suggesting a meeting so we can plan the way forward for this space together. We are still working on getting permission for some residents to take on a patch of land at Avon Drive, and have communicated about the underground utilities there.
Meanwhile, I was called out by a resident to Hulton Close, a patch of which had become very overgrown, so I fed this back and the StreetScape team have now taken responsibility for this area. It is looking much better, many thanks to them!
Bromley Farm Hub
As Secretary of Bromley Farm Community Hub, I prepared the papers and annual report for its recent Annual General Meeting. This community group is going from strength to strength and has many subgroups including the Bromley Bloomers the Friends’ Lunch Club, Residents’ Forum and more.
The team is looking for more volunteers and participants in some of the activities. Please email bromleyfarmhub@gmail.com to learn more or check out the Bromley Farm Hub Facebook Page.
Congleton Pride
I attended the Pride in Leadership event in Chester to explore how we better support LGBTQIA+ communities across Cheshire.
I also participated in a Trans Advocacy and Protection Network meeting, continuing ongoing work to ensure trans people locally feel supported and safe. Community cohesion means everyone.
I continue to be a member of the Congleton Pride committee and recently helped with a press release promoting the upcoming St Patrick’s Day Quiz Night on 16th March. This is at Radley and Co. – starting at 7pm. Please come along!
I’m also helping with recruitment of more volunteers – in particular for communications and social media. If you’re interested please get in touch via the Facebook page or email volunteer@congletonpride.co.uk.
Congleton Museum
I was pleased to be re-appointed as a Trustee of Congleton Museum, and have been helping the board navigate a turbulent time for our museum. The public support has been amazing, and we now have several new trustees and a great many new volunteers.
I have been volunteering as a museum ‘key holder’ and recently helped with the half-term activities as part of Roman Week, which was the most successful yet. Many thanks to all the volunteers and everyone who came.
Other Activities
I have joined the Partnership Oversight group which supports the work of Congleton Partnership, co-ordinating charities and voluntary groups.
I also attended the town council Regeneration Working Group meeting – this group is focused on improving and developing our town centre.
With my colleagues I was involved in the conversations around setting the budget and precept. These are always difficult, balancing limited resources with need, especially since Cheshire East Council is reducing its support in some areas.
I’ve been mentoring a young woman who is setting up her own business — sharing what I can from my own experience of creating my organisation, Kanga Health.
I have been helping with the planning of Elizabeth’s Group’s International Women’s Day event. This year it will be an afternoon tea and talk by Katherine Connelly – biographer of Sylvia Pankhurst. The event is on 7th March and you can get tickets here.
Residents’ Feedback
I’ve had some nice feedback recently.
On sorting out weeding and verge tidying:
“What a breath of fresh air to deal with someone who uses common sense. I am very pleased with the outcome and thank you very much again for your help, it is really appreciated.”
On signposting a disabled resident to an accessibility guide, and the work of our Equal Access Group:
“Wow. Thank you. I didn’t expect a reply as quick or as reassuring as that…When you’re disabled, so many things are against you, you start thinking everything is. I’m relieved CTC isn’t like that. I didn’t know it was the group’s chair who wrote the Astbury Mere guide. I’ve never used one as good as this. I’m now a regular at the mere because of it. I wish every place and building in the UK had one just like it… All in all thank you for the best email reply I’ve had in years. I’ll be telling people what a brilliant council and councillor you are.”
My meeting attendance
I have attended 94% of my Council meetings and working groups in the past 2 months (17 of 18) and 100% of my statutory Council committees (4 of 4).
The Equality Party 