Here is an update on my work over March and April across Congleton Town Council and in the wider community, following on from my previous blog.
If you would like to raise a local issue or discuss something in more detail, please do get in touch.
cllrkay.wesley@congleton-tc.gov.uk
07711 459740
You can also keep up-to-date on my Facebook Page.
Disability and Equal Access Group
I supported the Equal Access Advisory Group in contributing to improvements to the Beartown Bus timetable leaflet produced by Cheshire East Council.
The revised version includes clearer and more accessible information, and reflects detailed input from the group. It is also important that information is available in a range of formats, including large print, Braille and audio, so that it can be accessed by as many people as possible.
The new timetable is going into all homes in Congleton inside the Bear Necessities Newsletter. Look out for it – and why not try catching the bus?
The CEC colleagues told us they have embedded the learning from this into their communications standards going forward, which is great.
The CEC team also attended an Equal Access Group meeting to help shape the future Transport Plan in terms of how it addresses accessibility. This was very useful session for all concerned.
Mark Bailey of Congleton Live attended an Equal Access Group meeting to discuss how to make Congleton Jazz & Blues even more accessible. Some useful tips were shared and the team will remain in touch with this event.
I, together with Council Officers, attended some Disability Confident Employer training and we have now signed up as Disability Confident Committed. This is a first step to ensure we remove any discrimination from our recruitment and working practices, so that everyone has equity of opportunity at the Town Council.
Combatting gender-based violence
It has been encouraging to see the continued work of our White Ribbon Ambassadors alongside senior students at Congleton High School. They are making a positive contribution to challenging misogyny and promoting a culture of respect, helping to create a safer environment for everyone.
The head and deputy head boys gave a whole week of assemblies to the entire school and got a really good reception. Then I and our Ambassadors did a workshop with Year 11, focused on misogyny and the ‘manosphere’. The reaction was very positive with almost all the students making their White Ribbon Promise and several of the boys asking if they could lead this work in sixth form.
This work sits alongside wider activity to address violence against women and girls. During this period I took part in an evening walkabout in the town centre with local partners, including the police, to identify areas where people may feel unsafe, particularly after dark. The focus is on identifying practical improvements such as better lighting and more open spaces.
If you’d like to get involved with this work please contact me, and you can make your own White Ribbon Promise at www.whiteribbon.org.uk.
Transport
I met with Highways officers to talk about road safety in a number of ‘hot spot’ areas around Congleton – by the station, on Canal Road and the town centre pedestrian area. We came up with some ideas and will now see how they can be implemented.
I also went on a walk with Congleton Sustainable Travel to look at how a footpath might be improved from St Johns playing area to Havannah.
Our campaign to get Sunday trains back in Congleton continues but there is little progress from Northern Rail. I’m working in support of Cllr Suzy Firkin is leading the liaison with the train provider. We are also trying to get CrossCountry to stop on Sundays in Congleton as they used to. I set up the Facebook Group Congleton Train Users – please join if interested.
I have met with Officers and CEC on the bus services in Congleton, in particular to discuss new bus stops and free buses for special event days in the town such as the Food & Drink Festival. There is more government money coming for bus services and this collaborative work is allowing us to ensure Congleton gets its share.
One of the most exciting things coming up is the integration with Traveline to help provide real-time bus data so that you can see how soon the bus is coming and to plan journeys across modes of transport.
I think this will really help persuade people to use our buses, and ‘if you don’t use it, you lose it’.
If you’re interested in buses, please join the Facebook group I set up – Congleton Bus Users.
Environment and Biodiversity
I met with the Streetscape team and residents of Blackshaw Close to discuss ways to enhance their local green space, including opportunities to support biodiversity while improving the appearance of the area. Many thanks to them for their support and enthusaism.
I also joined a planting session at the Friendship Garden, supporting Cllr Susan Mead alongside local Beavers. A range of vegetables, fruit and herbs were planted, and it was encouraging to see such positive involvement from people of all ages. I enjoyed planting potatoes and cabbages with some Beavers.
Town of Culture Bid
Congleton Town Council together with Congleton Partnership have put together a bid for Town of Culture.
I have been part of the team developing the initial submission, working with partners to help shape the bid and reflect the range of cultural activity in the town.
It has also been encouraging to see residents engaging with this process, including through the recent survey on what makes Congleton special. This feedback will help inform the next stages of the bid. Many thanks to Cathy Dean who led this work and did a fantastic job.
Youth Council
Our Youth Council met with Council Officers to discuss opportunities to use the café in the Town Hall as a ‘drop-in’ for young people. We discussed how the room might be decorated and set out to allow a variety of activities.
The Youth Council has also talked about the potential of a pump track in Congleton, and met with the local Police to discuss what concerns young people have about safety in the town.
Town Hall Tours
I supported two tours, one with the Air Cadets and the other with 6th Congleton Scout Group. These tours include looking at the Town Hall and Town Treasures (including the royal mace) as well as a fun quiz and talk about Congleton, its history and democracy.
I started these as Mayor in 2024-25 and I am delighted that Mayor Cllr Robert Brittain and Deputy Mayor Cllr Suzy Firkin have continued with them. I just help out with larger groups.
Health and Wellbeing
I was pleased to support the Health and Wellbeing Fayre at Congleton Town Hall. The event brought together a wide range of organisations offering advice, support and information to residents in an accessible setting. This is always a busy event and I enjoyed volunteering on the door and meeting people as they came in.
I also attended the Buddy & Befriending Club ‘meet up’ in the Town Hall, joining the members for a very pleasant lunch. This projects supports people who may be isolated or just need a friendly chat. My colleague Cllr Susan Mead helps with the phone conversations and Cllr Suzy Firkin leads this effort via the Senior Forum, of which I’m also a member.
Civic Awards
As Chair of the Community Committee I was a judge on the Mayor’s Civic Awards together with the Mayor and Deputy and Council Officers. The standard of entries was amazing and it was a very difficult process to pick a winner in each category. Many thanks to all those who submitted a nomination.
The awards will be presented at the Town Meeting on 14th May.
Congleton Pride
I joined the Congleton Pride Swimathon team and we were very happy to have sum 140 lengths in an hour, raising money for Congleton Pride and a similar amount for the Rotary Charities.
I attended two fund-raising events for Pride – a St Patrick’s Day Quiz and a Games Night. Both were a lot of fun.
The more serious business of Pride continues and I continue as a member of the committee. I’m preparing our public and community LGBTQIA+ survey, to see haw attitudes have changed in the 3 years since we last did it. I have also agreed to update Prides Equality & Inclusion policy.
This year’s Pride event on 18th July will be in the Town Hall.
Neighbourhood Plan
The Neighbourhood Plan has now reached its final stages.
This has been a detailed and lengthy process, and the next step will be the referendum. This will give residents the opportunity to formally approve the plan, and I would encourage people to take part when it is announced.
We have taken a lot of feedback from residents and groups, and if we approve the plan it can help protect our green spaces and town’s precious landmarks for years to come.
Congleton Museum
As a Trustee, I was part of the recruitment and interview panel for Congleton Museum’s new Development Officer. I’m delighted to say we had some excellent applications and eventually offered the position to Sergey Kamenskiy, who has been volunteering at the museum for some time.
I also did a stint in the museum as part of the Easter fun days, supporting colouring and painting of Easter eggs and bunnies.
International Women’s Day
For IWD2026 I attended the Crewe Women’s Day event with my party. It was very interesting meeting all the groups advocating for and supporting women.
The same day I also volunteered at, and attended, the Elizabeth’s Group International Women’s Day event. We had an afternoon tea and excellent talk by Kate Connolley, biographer of Sylvia Pankhurst. It was fascinating to hear of her correspondence with Elizabeth Wolstenholme Elmy of Congleton.
Casework and Ongoing Work
As always, a significant amount of time has been spent responding to resident enquiries and following up on issues. This includes liaising with officers and supporting residents in navigating council services, as well as looking at our outdoor environment and supporting with flytipping and weeding.
Alongside this, I have continued to contribute to ongoing council work and meetings, supporting progress across a range of local priorities. I am a Town Council signatory and regularly sign off invoices and payments to support the finance team.
Representing my political party, the Equality Party, I was asked to go on BBC Politics North to talk about a number of hot topics, including the Town of Culture nominations. I took the opportunity to give Congleton a big plug!
Meetings attended
I attended 85% of all my meetings and extra working groups in these 2 months (17 of 20) and 100% of all my mandatory Council Committee meetings.
In the years since I became a councillor (since 2019) have attended 96% of all full Council meetings.
The Equality Party 