Latest news with #CheshireWest
Leader Live
a day ago
- General
- Leader Live
Flintshire Council sees increase in demand for safeguarding
According to a report, which is to be discussed by the authority's social and health care overview and scrutiny committee on Thursday (June 5) sets out the demand facing council staff working in adults and children's safeguarding settings at present. One of the areas the report examines is the deprivation of liberty safeguards (DOLS) - which come into play if a person lacks mental capacity to agree to live in a care home, is under continuous supervision and control and would be prevented from leaving a care home if they were to try to do so. The report explains: "Deprivations of Liberty in Flintshire care homes are assessed by a best interest assessor and by a specialist doctor. "Numbers of applications have increased year on year from 13 applications in 2013-2014 (before a significant new judgement, known as Cheshire West, widened the scope of DOLS) to the number of applications received in 2024/25 being 685. "The number of referrals received means that careful prioritisation is needed to ensure that those most in need receive assessments." MORE NEWS It also describes the rising demand in adult safeguarding and adults at risk, explaining: "The Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 expects the local authority to undertake relevant enquiries and decide on next steps within seven working days of receipt of an adult safeguarding report. "Between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024, 668 adult safeguarding reports that met the threshold for enquiries were completed, with 90 per cent of enquiries being completed within seven days." The same period between 2024 and 2025 saw 991 adult safeguarding reports that met the threshold being completed - 96 per cent of which were completed within seven days. "This reflects an increase in demand year on year," the report adds, "with the same amount of resource within safeguarding. "Despite this, the adult safeguarding team have risen to the challenge and maintained a high level of performance in respect of adult safeguarding investigations and timeliness." It further states that the majority of referrals made over the last 12 months "have involved neglect and physical abuse," adding: "Referrals are becoming more complex and financial abuse is an increasing trend within adult safeguarding."
Leader Live
27-05-2025
- Leader Live
Op Bastion aims to tackle retail crime in north Flintshire
North Wales Police's North Flintshire team - who cover Holywell, Flint, Connah's Quay and surrounding areas - have launched Operation Bastion this week. Officers are aiming to combat retail crimes which have been taking place across those areas. Patrols will be stepped up following a rise in that type of crime in recent weeks. North Wales Police say the public can expect; targeted patrols, increased police visibility and a partnership with local retailers, as well as Cheshire West and North Wales Business Crime. IN OTHER CRIME NEWS Sgt Dave Smith said; "We've seen an increase in retail crime in recent weeks. "We're finding that in most cases, offenders are either professional shoplifters or young people stealing for entertainment, and this won't be tolerated. "We will take positive action against those committing crime."
Leader Live
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Leader Live
Chester: Grosvenor Pulford Hotel plans to build car park
The Grosvenor Pulford Hotel and Spa, in Wrexham Road, has approached Cheshire West and Chester Council with plans to create 63 additional parking spaces, using a patch of woodland within the hotel's footprint. The new overflow would utilise a patch of the hotel grounds towards the south west of the main building. The area is currently designated as Green Belt land and restoration area under the council's Local Plan, with NSC Planning saying that proposal would seek to 'safeguard and enhance' identified areas. Permeable grass webbing or webbed panels will be installed to support vehicles and to 'limit the impact on biodiversity' in the site. OTHER NEWS: Some trees and hedges would need to be removed in order for the car park to be completed including three ash trees, an English oak, and some hedgerows, however a survey states that all of the trees identified are in fair to poor condition, with one ash tree already dead. The planning statement adds that in 'times of heavy business' the current parking for the hotel becomes overrun and parking spreads onto Wrexham Road, which can be 'inconvenient' or 'troublesome' for residents, increasing traffic and reducing access. Its developers say that the build, if approved, will be 'in keeping with the rural character of the site'. They add: 'When not in use, the car park will seem as it did before, proving sympathetic to the delicate nature of the Green Belt and restoration area minimising the impact on both openness and visual amenity.'
The Sun
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Thousands of households can apply for cost of living cash worth up to £200 NOW – see if you're eligible
THOUSANDS of households can apply for cost of living cash worth up to £200 to help with essentials. The support is available through Cheshire West Council's latest allocation of the Household Support Fund. 1 The £742million fund has been distributed to councils across the country by the Department for Work and Pensions. So, even if you don't live in Cheshire West it's likely you can access support if you're struggling with the cost of everyday essentials such as food and energy. For details on what support is available you'll need to check with your local authority as every council sets its own framework to distribute the cash. In Cheshire West the council has announced that help will be provided to struggling families, pensioners and vulnerable residents across the region. Support ranges from vouchers to put towards food costs to cash for energy bills and help with other essentials. But, it will only be available to residents receiving either housing benefit or a council tax reduction. The council has not set out limits to the amount of support it will provide to those applying through its online portal for cost of living support. But, you can only make one application in a six month period and applications must be made per household, so partners cannot submit two separate claims. Additionally all families living in Cheshire West with children who receive free school meals will automatically receive vouchers to help with food costs during school holidays, worth at least £15 a week. Between May's half term and the February half term 2026 payments will be worth £160. Pensioners on a low income who are in receipt of Pension Credit as well as housing benefit or a council tax reduction will also receive £50 from the local authority. Five key changes to PIP & Universal Credit as Labour's benefits crackdown unveiled Those pensioners who are not receiving Pension Credit will receive £200, to compensate for the loss of the winter fuel allowance. The authority will make contact with eligible pensioners from autumn 2025. Other councils to have announced details of their schemes include Salford where residents can apply for free food vouchers and fuel top up credits. North Somerset Council has also announced it will provide food vouchers worth up to £100 to those in need. And, families living in Worcestershire can apply for cost of living cash worth £500. Household Support Fund explained Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains what you need to know about the Household Support Fund. If you're battling to afford energy and water bills, food or other essential items and services, the Household Support Fund can act as a vital lifeline. The financial support is a little-known way for struggling families to get extra help with the cost of living. Every council in England has been given a share of £421million cash by the government to distribute to local low income households. Each local authority chooses how to pass on the support. Some offer vouchers whereas others give direct cash payments. In many instances, the value of support is worth hundreds of pounds to individual families. Just as the support varies between councils, so does the criteria for qualifying. Many councils offer the help to households on selected benefits or they may base help on the level of household income. The key is to get in touch with your local authority to see exactly what support is on offer. And don't delay, the scheme has been extended until April 2025 but your council may dish out their share of the Household Support Fund before this date. Once the cash is gone, you may find they cannot provide any extra help so it's crucial you apply as soon as possible. What if I don't live in Cheshire West? The £742million Household Support Fund has been allocated to councils across England to help residents facing financial hardship. If you're on a low income, receiving benefits, or struggling to afford essentials, you may be eligible for support. The type of help available varies by area and may include cash payments, food vouchers, or help with energy bills. Applications are handled by local councils. Some have already opened their schemes, while others are expected to launch soon. Residents are advised to check their local council's website or social media for updates. Many councils have dedicated Household Support Fund pages with details on how to apply. In some cases, councils may contact eligible households directly by post. What other help is available? If you're not eligible for the Household Support Fund, there are still other ways to get financial support. First, check if you're missing out on benefits. Every year, billions of pounds in benefits go unclaimed - and you could be entitled to more than you think. There are free online tools that can help you find out what you're owed: Policy in Practice – Better Off Calculator Entitledto Benefits Calculator Turn2us Benefits Calculator If energy bills are piling up, you might qualify for a grant to help clear your arrears. British Gas and Octopus Energy offer financial assistance to customers in difficulty, with some schemes wiping as much as £2,000 off unpaid energy debts, depending on your situation. It's worth checking with your supplier or visiting their website for eligibility details. .
BBC News
15-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Cheshire devolution: Ex-deputy leader criticises plans
An elected mayor for Cheshire is "neither welcome nor necessary", according to a former deputy leader of one of the area's councillor Craig Browne said he felt there should be more responsibilities and funding for town and parish councils East's Conservative group has also raised concerns on the proposals and said although it supported devolution as a principle there had not been enough information from the East Council has said it supports devolution for the county, and leader Nick Mannion said he believed it would "release the full potential" of the area. The comments from Browne and the Conservative group were part of their responses to a government consultation on devolution for the area, which recently who stepped down as deputy leader last year, said he felt that a mayor was "merely another layer of democracy".Meanwhile, the Conservative group said it also believed that Warrington should not be included in a devolution deal for the county."It is different in socio-demographic makeup, geography, and its economy to either Cheshire East or Cheshire West and Chester," the group also criticised the proposed name of Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority and said it was "unnecessarily long".The Conservative group reiterated its previous calls for the election for a mayor to be delayed until 2027, highlighting that both Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester Councils would be holding full elections that year. In its response to the consultation, Cheshire East Council said devolution would offer "a powerful voice for growth" for the Mannion, the Labour leader of the authority, said it was time for the county to join other areas in the region that were "reaping the benefits"."We believe that devolution will help us to release the full potential of our borough with the wider Cheshire and Warrington area and will support us to have greater influence nationally," he leader, Independent Michael Gorman, added: "Getting this funding and additional powers to make decisions locally through devolution, across all these areas, means we will be able to get the best for our residents and businesses." Read more stories from Cheshire on the BBC and follow BBC North West on X. For more local politics coverage, BBC Politics North West is on BBC One on Sunday at 10:00am and on BBC iPlayer.
