About Kay

Action on Domestic Abuse

Did you know that there is an incident of DA reported to the police every day in Congleton, on average? Kay ensured that domestic abuse statistics are reported regularly in Council meetings. She also worked with myCWA to set up a Domestic Abuse Clinic and peer Support Group in Congleton. Domestic abuse arrest rates have doubled in Congleton and survivors can now access the support they need to build their lives back

Challenging Violence

Kay led the effort to get Congleton Town Council White Ribbon Accredited. White Ribbon is a charity that engages men to challenge behaviours that lead to violence. There are now 11 White Ribbon Ambassadors in Congleton who work with schools, clubs and businesses. As a result, for the first time, men have come to the DA clinic to say they are concerned about their own behaviour.

Safer Streets

Kay led the work for Congleton Town Council to sign up to the Community Safety Charter which is designed to make people feel safer in public places.

This includes resources to build awareness and skills to challenge street harassment and other behaviours which can lead to violent crime.

Kay also worked Cheshire Police to make the Congleton Pride team a hate crime Reporting Centre so that people have someone to help them if they experience hate crime.

Healthcare Improvements

Kay has worked with NHS leaders to support and promote the War Memorial Hospital and to lobby for an adult mental health hub and additional medical facilities in Congleton. She has also supported Ruby’s Fund and Visyon, the young people’s mental health charity.

Kay also helped set up the Equal Access Congleton group, a team of disabled people who are helping the Council make the town, its venues and events more accessible for everyone.

Policy and Action

Kay developed a new Equality and Inclusion Policy for Congleton Town Council. This policy ensures the Council ‘goes the extra mile’ to ensure everyone is included in its decisions, projects and services. In addition to the standard legal attributes (such as age, sex, race, LGBT+…) the policy covers people on low incomes and those in care or with caring responsibilities. Every Council decision is now tested for equality impact. Kay has also worked with the Bromley Farm Hub team to provide support, activities and opportunities for local people

Childcare

Kay has worked with Childcare providers and parents to identify significant gaps in provision in Congleton. She has also joined national and local campaigns to improve provision.

In the Town Council Kay has helped update the Staff Handbook to include flexible working and a fuller section on parental leave.

Kay also led the effort for the Town Council to lobby government to allow childcare allowances for parish councillors (like borough councillors) as this will encourage more parents to stand for council.

Kay worked with Council officers to develop a Parents’ Resource on the Town Council website.

Hybrid Meetings

Kay used her experience in digital business to help the Council create a hybrid meetings capability, so that members of the public or others who cannot travel to the Town Hall can access meetings remotely.

The Council has not yet voted to make this facility available for all meetings, but it is used for working groups and meetings with partners.

Employer of the Year

Kay’s business, Kanga Health Ltd, won Employer of the Year in the East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce business awards in 2023.

This was awarded for ‘practising equality, diversity and inclusion at a local, national and international level, and recognising that people are the core of its business success’.

Climate Emergency

Kay proposed that Congleton Town Council declare a Climate Emergency and since then has been working hard as a member of the Green Group to reduce carbon emissions and increase biodiversity.

Kay has consistently opposed development on green spaces or the loss of trees in planning decisions, and forced a developer to replace trees it had destroyed at Quarry Close.

Hands-on Sustainability

Kay has volunteered with the ‘Trees for Congleton’ Group, including helping them with online consultations and planting trees.

Kay has also monitored air quality outside schools, run a stall at the Green Fayre, supported the Congleton Sustainability Group and the Repair Cafe, as well as other groups and charities who are working on the green agenda in Congleton.

Support for Residents

Kay was a leader in the effort to get the Sustainable Living in Congleton eLearning course online for all residents to use.

Kay has also written copy and sourced resources for Green sections of the Congleton Town Council website for residents and businesses, and work with the Green communications team that shares the ‘green days’ and months with residents throughout the year.

Transport

Kay has taken developers to task for failing to provide adequate buses, walking and cycling provision for new housing. She produced a Bus Improvements Plan for Congleton and lobbied CEC for better bus services.

As a member of the government Kay will ensure that public transport is run for the benefit of the public and a priority area for investment. Kay supports the re-nationalisation of our railways and funded local bus partnerships to ensure everyone has access to public transport.