• Oak (T1) - crown reduction of one section of the canopy that is overhanging No. 2 Ravensfield. Canopy cleaned and deadwood removed. 

  2 Ravensfield Cuddington Northwich Cheshire CW8 2XW

  Ref. No: 21/01961/TPO | Received: Wed 05 May 2021 | Status: Approved

• Replacement of boundary wooden fencing with a 1.8m high green steel open mesh fencing 

  Kennel Wood Kennel Lane Cuddington Northwich Cheshire

  Ref. No: 21/01533/FUL | Received: Thu 08 Apr 2021 | Status at end July: Awaiting decision

• Two storey side and rear extension 

  57 Warrington Road Cuddington Northwich CW8 2LN

  Ref. No: 21/02076/FUL | Received: Tue 11 May 2021 | Status at end July: Awaiting decision

• Erection of three outbuildings 

  Toolerstone Norley Road Cuddington Northwich Cheshire CW8 2JN

  Ref. No: 21/02151/FUL | Received: Mon 17 May 2021 | Status at end July: Awaiting decision

• Erection of 14 no. residential units, including 4 no. affordable dwellings, with associated infrastructure and landscaping 

  Land Adjacent 613 Chester Road Cuddington Northwich Cheshire

  Ref. No: 21/02180/FUL | Received: Wed 19 May 2021 | Status at end July: Awaiting decision

• Single Storey Extension to house shower room 

  3 Cotswold Close Cuddington Northwich Cheshire CW8 2NB

  Ref. No: 21/02296/FUL | Received: Thu 27 May 2021 | Status at end July: Awaiting decision

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Highways Service has started its gully (grid) cleansing programme and plans to clean a total of 86,650 grids across the borough at least once before March 2022. Our Cuddington Parish is on the schedule for grid cleaning during May 2021 (completed) and December 2021.

The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, Councillor Karen Shore said: “Gully, or grid, maintenance is an important part of our Highways Team’s work. Under each grid is a ‘gully pot’ which is designed to contain as much silt and detritus as possible, minimising the risk of blockages.

“Please help us keep our highway network running smoothly and report any problems with gullies/grids via our website or Report It app. Though please bear in mind, a clean, working gully will still always have some water in it.

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from Cheshire West & Chester.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is promoting Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean campaign and its Love Your Streets initiative is supporting clean-up events across the borough.

Keep Britain Tidy’s campaign, which runs from 28 May to 13 June, encourages residents and community groups to get involved by pledging to give their neighbourhoods a thorough clean-up.

The Council’s ASIST officers (Area Streets Information and Solutions Team) has prepared a toolkit for individuals and groups of no more than 30 to arrange clean-up events in their communities.

The toolkit, which is available throughout the year not just during the Keep Britain Tidy campaign, includes litter-picking grabbers, bags and full instructions for the collection of filled bags, etc. A jet washing machine is also available. To boost recycling, groups are asked to sort rubbish into different bags depending on whether it is plastic or general waste.

If you would like to make use of the toolkit to make a difference in your area, please email the ASIST officers on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from Cheshire West & Chester.

Farmers and landowners are invited to join others from across west Cheshire who have been providing new homes for great crested newts and other wildlife. A total of 43 ponds were created in the borough over the last year as part of a new strategic licensing scheme, District Level Licensing (DLL). Under District Level Licensing, developers make a conservation payment which is used to create or restore new ponds in locations that will benefit the species. It is helping to provide more homes for people and more habitat for great crested newts.

Ponds are created or restored in areas known to be most suitable for this yellow-bellied amphibian to thrive. The ponds will be monitored and looked after for at least 25 years – all funded by developers.

Natural England and Cheshire West and Chester are now seeking further landowners interested in creating or restoring ponds and habitats on their land.

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from Cheshire West & Chester.

A new local history book by Jill King entitled 'Four Houses - Ashbank House, The Old Mill House, White Lodge, The Round Tower' can be ordered directly from Jill - email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01606 888402 - or via the publisher This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The book is priced at £11.95.

Cuddington parish council is disappointed and frustrated that equipment at the playground located in Boundary Lane Green, continues to be damaged and even destroyed.

Vandalism in the park can take on many forms such as graffiti and the destruction of public property. The least costly wreckage is the destruction of signs, but some more costly targets are slides, the large rocker swing, and the unilogs. The latest spate of vandalism will cost in excess of £1,500 to repair.

Playground equipment such as swings, slides, and see-saws, meant for children between the ages of 3-8 are being used by teenagers who are far too heavy and big for them. Youths have kicked down unilogs which feature near the slide.

The Parish Clerk has now advised Cheshire Police, and said that this must be addressed, reiterating that youths need to be reprimanded and educated and suggested more regular police patrols are carried out.

Neighbours and passers-by who spot vandals, vandalising play structures, ripping up plants and trees, smashing bottles or causing other destruction - should call 101 or report it online at: www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report/asb/asb/report-antisocial-behaviour

If the vandalism continues then the Council will have no option but to close the playground.

For 100 years the Royal British Legion has been a symbol of hope for the Armed Forces community

On the 15th May 1921, four men representing different ex-service men organisations laid a wreath at the Cenotaph War Memorial in London, forming the then British Legion with the aim to support those who fought for their Country and their families and remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice. 100 years later, the Legion along with the Women’s Section is still present in the community with Branches in the UK and overseas.

The Royal British Legion and its members should this weekend May 15th 2021 be in London for a National Conference, as this cannot happen due to the pandemic, the National President Lieutenant General James Bashall CB CBE along with representatives of all services and a War Widow will lay a wreath at a special event recreating this moment from 100 years ago.

Branches up and down the Country will be laying wreaths at the same time 09.00am at their own memorials to mark 100 years of service of the RBL and Women’s Section to our ex-service community.

The four focus groups held by Danebridge and the Clinical Commissioning Group have now been completed and reports on each session have been sent to patients who attended and have also been posted on the Danebridge website.  Their observations were:

    Session 1: Medications and repeat prescriptions

    Session 2: Dropping off samples

    Session 3: Appointment booking

    Session 4: New Models of Care

Danebridge has claimed that there have been NO COMPLAINTS (zero complaints) from patients about the proposed closure of the Surgery during the last year (see bottom of Session 3 report).

Have you complained about the closure plan and written to the surgery?  If so, you might wish to remind them.

==================

In parallel to these Focus Groups, a Survey of Danebridge patients was arranged by the Clinical Commissioning Group to gather a wider feedback on these topics during April and early May.  Apparently 180 people responded to this survey and the results are made available below.

Survey results:

    Medications and repeat prescriptions

    Dropping off samples

    Appointment booking

The testing centre in Winsford which offers COVID-19 tests to targeted groups of residents who do not have symptoms of the virus has now moved. Cheshire West and Chester Council launched its service at the Winsford Lifestyle Centre to provide rapid and weekly testing to key groups, including people who cannot work from home, with results available in around half an hour.

This service has now moved to The Dingle Recreation Centre, in Winsford High Street.  Open from 9am to 7pm Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays, the centre is available for people to pop in, without needing an appointment, to get tested for free. Free kits to home-test are also available to collect.

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from Cheshire West.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Library Service will reopen more of its libraries and museums across the borough during May. From Monday 10 May 2021, Sandiway Library will reopen on temporary hours for browsing and public computer access. Revised opening hours are:

• Monday, Thursday and Saturday: 10am - 1pm
• Tuesday and Friday: 2 - 6pm
• Wednesday: Closed
  
  

Northwich and Winsford libraries reopened on reduced hours for browsing and public computer access in April.  Weaverham Library will also reopen on temporary hours from Monday 4 May.

PRESS HERE for further information and details of Sandiway Library opening hours and facilities.

* Ages as guideline; please contact Head Coach, Alex King, on

 07773 586 650 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if unsure  of which group   

The Ark community cafe has been closed for much of the pandemic but it hopes to reopen on Friday 21 May with waitress service between 9.00am-2.00pm as The Ark goes into its 6th year. There will be seating in the garden, cafe & hall for social distancing, masks to be worn until seated. Limited menu. Press Here for Ark Facebook page. The Ark team look forward to welcoming familiar & new faces.

Also, in the following week (Thursday 27th May) in the evening between 7.00-8.00pm or 8.15-9.15pm, all current and prospective volunteers are invited to enjoy refreshments in the side garden next to the Ark Cafe. This is an opportunity to meet fellow volunteers & find out more about what the Ark does for the village and what is involved by volunteering. Please ring or email Kathryn if you will be coming, and let her know which time slot you prefer so they can stay safe in terms of numbers and social distancing.

On Saturday 1st April 1961, Mid-Cheshire Boys hosted Liverpool Boys at the Drill Field in Northwich, the home of Northwich Victoria. They had forged a memorable 1-1 draw in the first meeting with Liverpool at Anfield two weeks before and if ever one was proud to be a Cheshireman this was it.  Mid-Cheshire Boys had already won their previous 6 rounds to reach the semi-final and optimism was high for them to reach their first Cup Final.  The programme for the match is displayed opposite and the price of "Threepence" (~1p) provided good value.

MID-CHESHIRE BOYS 1960-61

Whilst many of the players could be found playing and managing in the local Saturday and Sunday leagues for years to come, three of the boys were to go on and play for top division teams in the Football League.  Goalkeeper Geoff Barnett went on to play for Everton and later Arsenal, including an appearance in the 1972 FA Cup Final against Leeds.  Captain Glyn Pardoe went on to follow his cousin, Alan Oakes, to Manchester City and made over 300 appearances for them between 1962 and 1976.

Meanwhile our local hero, centre forward John Sealey, from Cuddington moved on to Liverpool FC where he played under Bill Shankley for 3 years. John (aged just 19) played once for Liverpool first team, scoring in a 3-1 win against Wolves in the game immediately before the 1965 FA Cup Final - unfortunately Roger Hunt returned to the team to replace John for that Final.  John broke his ankle badly later that year and was out of the game for many months - he moved on to play for Chester and Wigan Athletic and, through injury, had to finish his professional career at the grand old age of 24!

John still lives in School Lane with his wife Linda and can often be seen gardening opposite his house and cycling or walking around the village.  Despite his replacement knees, hips and ankle he still manages to skip round the golf course twice a week (with a lower handicap than me, grrrr! ED).

Postscript: Unfortunately Mid-Cheshire Boys lost to Liverpool 1-3 in the semi-final replay and their Cup Final dreams went unfulfilled.

Save Our Surgery

Our MP, Edward Timpson, recently wrote on behalf of the Save Our Surgery Action Group to Jo Churchill, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Prevention, Public Health and Primary Care.  In his letter he pointed out, among other things, how poor the consultation process has been and asked the Minister to make contact with the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) for Cheshire to emphasise the importance of Sandiway surgery to this local rural population, and to encourage the Primary Care Network of GP practices in the area to consider the needs of this patient group.

PRESS HERE for Jo Churchill’s written response.

Many Northwich residents who have Covid vaccinations booked are scheduled to attend “Morrison’s vaccine site” in Winsford.  Please note that this site has now closed down and has been moved to Winsford Town Centre.

Pharmacy2U have now moved their vaccination site to right in the centre of Winsford, opposite Asda and next to Argos. The full address for the clinic is:
     3 Jubilee Place, Winsford Cross Shopping Centre, Winsford, CW7 1BG.

PRESS HERE for "Advice from the team at the Winsford COVID-19 vaccination clinic".

Message from Elder John Clee:
"We are tentatively opening this Sunday for the first time since recent lockdown.  We are still under Covid rules of course so numbers will be limited. Could you advise any interested in attending to contact myself in the first instance via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ?

We will be meeting at 6:00 which is our normal service time."

From 12 April, Northwich and Winsford libraries will reopen on reduced hours for browsing and public computer access. An Order and Collect service will also be available from both Libraries. It would appear that Sandiway Library will remain closed for the present.

The Council’s Head of Communities, Culture and Libraries, Rachel Foster said: “Staff will be working hard to ensure everyone’s safety. Our ... libraries have tested processes in place to ensure that all spaces are cleaned on a regular basis and visitors adhere to social distancing guidelines. “We look forward to welcoming visitors back. Look out in the press and ... online in the coming months with West Cheshire Libraries.”

For further information and details of library opening hours visit www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/libraries.

Some Library services are available 24/7 online, including the new BorrowBox service. Any library member can download the new BorrowBox app to their digital devices and access thousands of eBooks and eAudiobooks free of charge at any time of the day or night.

Reservations will resume on 12 April and loan periods will be extended until 17 May. Libraries are also fine-free for under 13s now. Children aged 0 to 12 years will no longer be charged for any overdue items and any pre-existing late charges will be removed from their accounts. Check items on loan by logging in to your account.

Save Our Surgery

Breaking News on the Consultation Process

Please note that the focus groups to be arranged by Danebridge Medical Practice will now be scheduled for Thursdays in April.

If you have a particular issue which will be made more difficult by the closure of Sandiway surgery then please write to the Practice offering to take part in one of the Focus Groups listed above.
Contact details are: Amanda Skelding-Jones with email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

THE FOLLOWING IS URGENT:
PLEASE READ AND ACTION IF YOU WISH TO RETAIN THE SURGERY!!

• On Tuesday 25th March Danebridge Medical Practice issued an email to those patients who have volunteered to take part in four Focus Groups. These are limited to 15 patients in each session
• Danebridge have been instructed by the Clinical Commissioning Group (Cheshire CCG) to widen their consultation and have been asked (by the CCG) to put out a short survey. This survey asks some of the same questions as will be asked in the Focus Group discussions
• Danebridge have only sent this to a very small group of patients (mostly those who will be in the Focus Groups)
• The survey can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ZK65TR5
• The DECISION on the future of the surgery has NOT YET BEEN TAKEN and so you need to fill in the survey and make sure that you use the comments boxes to make your views known
• Over 900 residents in Sandiway and Cuddington signed to support the Save Our Surgery campaign back in January of 2020

WE NEED YOU ALL TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY, PLEASE!

If you are a patient with Danebridge Medical Practice and want to contact the Action Group to show your support for the campaign to keep the surgery open, please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Healthwatch Cheshire have been very actively following this campaign.  If you wish to make any comments about the impact of closing Sandiway on your health care you can email Jem Davies at Healthwatch: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you wish to voice your concerns directly to the Clinical Commissioning Group you can contact them at www.cheshireccg.nhs.uk/get-in-touch

The Community Methodist Church at Sandiway has temporarily ceased Sunday Morning worship during the pandemic, but is planning to reopen on Sunday 4th July - more will follow nearer the date.

The church will also be celebrating their 138th Anniversary on Sunday 25th July.

Will users of the playing fields on Norley Road and Weaverham road please note the following:

If you wish to provide a regular service, on the playing fields, whether paid for or not, to other users e.g. fitness classes, personal training, sports coaching, sporting and other events etc, then you must register such activity with the Playing Fields Association (PFA) prior to carrying out such activity.

The PFA will, where deemed necessary, need to have copies of your method statements/risk assessments and potentially, public liability insurance details, before agreeing that such activity can proceed. This is to ensure that the requirements of the PFA’s own insurance are being adhered to. The PFA will be happy to offer further advice to any would be users about the type and detail of information required.

Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information.

Since October 2019, a newly formed Local Academy Board of Governors has worked closely together to develop a team of volunteers who have continued to enhance the effectiveness of Cuddington Primary School. The skills of the Academy Board have proven to develop and secure positive outcomes in Safeguarding, Finance, Mental Health and Well-Being, Special Educational Needs and the Quality of Education.

We are looking to enhance our Board further by recruiting a governor who could oversee our Health and Safety practises, by working with our Site Maintenance Officer and Head Teacher. If you think you have the skills to support and advise in this role and would enjoy being part of ‘Team Cuddington,’ then please contact the school directly on 01606 288150 and ask to speak with Mrs Sue Mills (Head Teacher) for further details.

We look forward to hearing from you and thank you in anticipation for expressing an interest in helping our wonderful team of professionals, children and their families.

The Government has now confirmed the plan for exiting the current lockdown in England. A pictorial summary is as follows:

PRESS HERE for a more detailed summary of the planned stages.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Library Service is launching a brilliant new way to download and read eBooks and listen to eAudiobooks.

Any library member will be able to download the new BorrowBox app to their digital devices and access thousands of eBooks and eAudiobooks free of charge at any time of the day or night.

BorrowBox will replace the current system on Monday 29 March 2021. To borrow eBooks or eAudiobooks after this date, members will need to move to Borrowbox.

Library members will be able to download the BorrowBox app from the Apple app store for iOS users and the Google Play store for Android users. Kindle Fire users can also download the app, while PC users can access BorrowBox through the website.

Once downloaded, members simply then choose Cheshire West and Chester Libraries in the app, enter their library card number and PIN plus their email address.

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from Cheshire West & Chester.

Over 90 people took part in last Sunday’s event (21 March) and CWaC Cllr Gillian Edwards is delighted that so many groups, individuals and little heroes came out to clean up the village.

The Spring litter pick was organised by Cuddington Parish Council with the aim of making Cuddington and Sandiway a cleaner place to live and to give the community a sense of civic pride, as well as raising awareness that litter is unacceptable.

Whilst still being frustrated that people indiscriminately throw away their litter rather than taking it home, we do applaud the many who respect our environment and a huge thank you goes out to those who go the extra mile to volunteer all throughout the year as well as those who take part in the organised litter picks. We hope to hold an Autumnal litter pick where refreshments will be available in the Village Hall subject to Covid-19 restrictions.

Finally, we apologise to those who were left disappointed that we ran out of “littler picker tools” and promise to double our stock for the next event.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is extending the opening hours of its larger Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) from 12 March 2021. All Recycling Centres are currently open to the public for essential journeys only but demand has been high and the Council has seen an increase in the number of visitors to the sites.

They are extending the opening hours at their larger key site at Winsford by two hours to 6pm and at Northwich by one hour to 5pm. Opening times are now:

• Winsford: open seven days a week from 8am to 6pm
• Northwich: open five days a week from 8am to 5pm (closed Wednesday and Thursday)

Despite the fact that the road signs have indicated a new speed limit for a few months now, Cheshire West & Chester Council have formally announced that the new 50 mph limit came into force on 26 February for the section of the A556 from the Round Tower, past Sandiway Golf Club and just past the slip road for Hartford (and in the reverse direction).  Presumably this means that mobile speed cameras may now be used! Beware!!

PRESS HERE for the "Traffic Regulation Order" from Cheshire West & Chester.

The following statistics and logistic plans have been provided by Danebridge Medical Centre. The vaccination take-up statistics relate only to their patients (which number approximately 25,000 in total in all age groups).

Note: "Mass vac' site" means will, in priority order, be receiving an invitation from the national booking service (NBS) to attend a mass vaccination centre or community pharmacy setting.

The GP Surgeries will now focus on providing first injections to those in Group 6 (which includes a wider group of people at higher clinical risk, including carers and young adults in residential settings), persuading the 'refusers' in Groups 1-4, and second injections for those who have already received their first from them.

If you are aged 65 and over and haven’t yet had your coronavirus vaccine you can do this now by contacting the national booking service via www.nhs.uk/covidvaccination or by calling 119. By contacting the national booking service you will gain access to flexible appointments at other local vaccination services 7 days per week from 9am – 11pm.

Update: We have been informed by Danebridge that anybody 50 or over (Priority Groups 1-9) can now register with the NHS for their first vaccination, to be administered either locally in Winsford or at Chester Racecourse.  There will be some "last minute clinics" held at Kingsmead for Groups 5-8 (ie 55 & overs) and these will be advertised on the Danebridge website when available.

A message from the Ark Community Cafe team:

"On average we’ve been delivering 90 lunches a week to the elderly, vulnerable, and shielding since early November when this lockdown began.
The last delivery will be Friday 2nd April.

Many thanks to all who’ve supported this financially, in particular Cheshire Community Foundation, Councillor Gillian Edwards & many generous donations from individuals in the village. Thanks also to the 38 deliverers who’ve cheerfully given their time & chatting talents over the past two lockdowns.

We hope to reopen the ARK as the usual Friday cafe in May, more details later in March.

Best wishes to all from the ARK Team. "

Save Our Surgery

Progress Update

Our MP Edward Timpson has been following progress on the fight to save Sandiway Surgery and has been very helpful in keeping up correspondence with the NHS regulatory bodies to ensure that our case is being heard.

He recently wrote to NHS England North West on our behalf. His letter and the reply from the NHS are shown below:

and the reply from Anthony Leo, Director of Primary Care and Public Health, NHS England and NHS Improvement – North West

The Police have confirmed that there was an robbery at the Shell Petrol Station on A49/A556 at around 9pm on Sunday evening when an intruder threatened a women who was working behind the counter and demanded that she handed over all of the cash.  He then stole the money from the safe and fled the store on foot, running towards the A49, in the direction of Cuddington. Police came quickly to the scene and the Police helicopter circled overhead the village for at least 30 minutes.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage following a robbery.  PRESS HERE for a fuller report and police appeal.

The first NHS large-scale COVID-19 mass vaccination centre in the borough is set to open at Chester Racecourse in mid-February.

This new mass vaccination centre will be able to deliver thousands of COVID-19 vaccines every week to residents across the borough in key priority groups as part of the national vaccination programme.

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from Cheshire West & Chester.

The Government has now confirmed that local council elections will take place on 6th May 2021. You may wish to consider getting a postal vote if you don't have one already....

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from Cheshire West & Chester, and learn how.

Cheshire West and Chester’s army of unpaid carers are about to get a digital boost that will get them online and able to access vital services.

A batch of 300 new iPads is winging its way to homes across the borough with no or limited access to digital technology, thanks to funding secured by Cheshire West and Chester Council. The rollout will enable unpaid carers to attend appointments, use the online pharmacy prescription services, and take part in events and support sessions remotely.

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from Cheshire West & Chester and learn more.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is offering financial support and advice to owners of empty homes interested in revitalising their properties.

There are around 2,100 long-term empty homes within Cheshire West and Chester. As the nation marks Empty Homes Week (15-21 February), the national campaign run by the charity 'Empty Homes' to highlight how the nation’s empty homes are a wasted resource, the Council is offering grants for landlords to transform their empty homes.

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from Cheshire West & Chester.

Northwich Community Support will be opening a new food hub at St John’s Church Hall, Norley Road, every Tuesday starting 2nd February, 10-30-11.30am.

Lots of great fresh food available from our no food waste program. Our Pantry will be open offering store cupboard favourites, beans, soup, veg, rice, pasta etc all available at a fraction of the cost 😊

We would love donations towards our costs so we can continue to support our local community.

Please remember the usual guidance is in place ...mask/visor, sanitise and social distance.

Please bring your own bags and a smile behind your mask, it cheers up our lovely volunteers.

No referral or vouchers required to access our services 😊 Save money, Save on Waste 👍#workinginunityforthecommunity

Please park at the village car park , down Weaverham Road (just below Sandiway Primary school).

Open to all !   Save food from going to landfill !!

PRESS HERE to learn more about their weekly service from the Church Hall.  Please note that it is the Northwich Community Support Group running these sessions, with the help of some local volunteers, and any questions should be directed to their Facebook page.

Save Our Surgery

Postponement of Consultation process

Please note that the focus groups arranged by Danebridge Medical Practice and listed below have now been postponed owing to the vaccine roll-out programme.

If you have a particular issue which will be made more difficult by the closure of Sandiway surgery then please write to the Practice offering to take part in one of the Focus Groups listed above.

What the Save Our Surgery Action Group is doing:

• The Action Group has written a Review of the Equality & Quality Impact Assessment (EQIA) carried out by the Clinical Commissioning Group and presented at the Primary Care Commissioning committee meeting in November.
• This Review has been sent to the chairs of the CCG and PCC and also the chair of the CWaC Scrutiny Committee. The EQIA is, in our opinion, of a very low standard.
• Edward Timpson, our MP, has informed us that he has written to NHS England asking, among other things, that they intervene and consider the establishment of a Primary Care Network to serve the rural community.
• Edward is also writing to the Clinical Commissioning Group asking for them to seriously consider how to retain the service level for the affected patients and asking them to talk to other local practices and primary care networks.
• Councillor Fifield has made contact with the Integrated Care Partnership for Cheshire West and Chester on our behalf and we will be discussing the situation with them.
• If you are a patient with Danebridge Medical Practice and want to contact the Action Group to show your support for the campaign to keep the surgery open, please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• If you wish to voice your concerns directly to the Clinical Commissioning Group you can contact them at www.cheshireccg.nhs.uk/get-in-touch 

Refurbishment of 69ers building (behind the Scout Hall)

A funding application to Cheshire Police for refurbishment to the 69ers building has been submitted via PCSO Gillett. Julie - Parish Clerk - is liaising with Steve Chivers who is committed to getting the 69ers ready for the youth services, following lockdown regulations.

Grit Bins

It was noted that Cheshire West and Chester Council provides grit bins if there is greater than a 10% incline of a hill. The parish council consider having more in areas around the village, and decided to continue with CWaC policy, so they will purchase a grit bin for the top of Moss Lane, Cllr’s Edwards, Fifield and Williams are willing to contribute towards the cost of it, out of their member’s budget.

Signage on Social Distancing

Additional signage on social distancing has been erected at Boundary Lane Green Play area and on the village car park.

Report It app

 The clerk has reported potholes in Mere Lane, Moss Lane and Boundary Lane North.
The parish council urges the public to use the CWaC app to report faults. Once you have downloaded and installed the app you will be able to report issues such as:

• problems with roads e.g. potholes, street lighting
• fly tipping
• dog fouling
• full bins

PS. An alternative way to report faults to the Council is to use the "Report It" box on the Home page of this website.

"It is anticipated that these two roads will be closed for a maximum of 14 days within the next four months; the closure may be on consecutive days or on separate days depending upon site, weather conditions and works required.

Advanced Warning signs will be placed on site at least 5 days before the planned commencement of the works. (Works will take place 7 days a week.)"

PRESS HERE for the official 'Temporary Road Closure Notice' from Cheshire West & Chester.

It would appear that the Whitegate Way is closed at the Waste Lane end while engineers assess the integrity of the bank where a crack has opened up following Storm Christoph.  CWAC workmen have been busy erecting fences and signs on Wednesday 27 January. They say it should only be for a few days (?!?!?).

Granny's Hump to Waste Lane is still open (but very muddy, from personal experience!).  Access to Whitegate Way from Oakmere Way remains open.

PRESS HERE for the latest news from Facebook.

Update on 15 Feb from CWaC's Greenspace Officer: "The Whitegate Way is still closed and diverted, it will remain so until engineering investigations and any necessary remediation is carried out. We are currently unable to give a time scale on when the route will re-open fully."
We are also told that there is an alternative route to follow, which links the two sections either end of the closure. There are maps and signage onsite.

The Disability Unit at the Cabinet Office is developing a National Strategy for Disabled People. Publication is planned for Spring 2021.

To help the government with understanding the barriers that disabled people face and what it may need to focus upon to improve the lives of disabled people, we need to hear about your views and know more about your experiences. This survey will ask about your life experiences either as a disabled person, a carer or parent or as someone who has an interest in disability issues.

Many people have had big changes in their lives as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and there will be an opportunity at the end of the survey to state if your life has changed notably due to COVID-19, and in what ways. However, please answer other questions thinking about yourself, your own experiences and your current situation.

The survey will be open until 23 April 2021.  Responses received before 13 February 2021 will inform the development of the National Strategy, while those received after this date used to inform its delivery.

This form should take you around 20 to 30 minutes to complete and can be saved as you progress. You will be routed through the questionnaire based on the answers you provide.  PRESS HERE to start the survey.

A testing centre has now opened in Winsford to offer COVID-19 tests to targeted groups of residents who do not have symptoms of the virus. Cheshire West and Chester Council is launching its new site at the Winsford Lifestyle Centre to provide rapid and weekly testing to key groups, including people who cannot work from home, with results available in around half an hour.

Testing will now be available to residents who are unable to work from home and to unpaid carers. The pilot aims to identify people who have COVID-19 without symptoms and so stop people from spreading the disease unknowingly.

PRESS HERE for the full Media Release from Cheshire West.

Important message from the Ark Community Cafe team:

"The ARK Community Cafe is extending the delivery of a free packed lunch service each Friday until the end of February. This is for anyone requesting it who is elderly, isolating or shielding during lockdown. To order, phone Kathryn, 07955 600570 Wednesday mornings, 9.30-12. Choice details will be on our Facebook page at the beginning of each week and orders will be taken on Wednesday morning.

We're looking forward to seeing you all again soon! "

Primary Care Commissioning committee

The Primary Care Commissioning committee (PCCC) (a sub-committee of the NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group) met on 5 November to make a decision on the Danebridge proposal to close Sandiway Surgery. The Save Our Surgery Residents Action Group produced and presented a second report for that committee.

The PCCC decision was to defer their decision until their next meeting on 4th February at the earliest. The chair of the PCCC has now written to the Practice to confirm next steps and future actions Danebridge have been asked to do the following:

• Carry out a full assessment of the impact on patients
• Justify the choice to upscale Kingsmead as opposed to refurbishing Sandiway
• Find solutions for patients with regard to:
       - meds monitoring, handling repeat paper prescriptions
       - blood tests, samples collection.
  
  

The PCC have requested that this work should be done through conversations with local patients. The idea of focus groups has been suggested.

The following Focus Group Meeting dates were issued by Danebridge but these dates will now have to change due to the Vaccination program priorities:

The PCC were clear that there is still work to do before they can support an application for closure of Sandiway, and have given Danebridge a great opportunity to engage properly with their patients to explain to them the reasons they want to close the surgery, to resolve the issues listed and to reassure their patients that they are not being left to fend for themselves for Primary Care in Cuddington and Sandiway.

Where We Stand:

1. It is very clear now that Danebridge do not want to keep Sandiway Surgery, regardless of our views, but expect to retain the patients.
2. The only way a surgery will be maintained in Sandiway is if the CCG refuse to allow its closure and then take on the responsibility to find a practice willing to take on the surgery building.
3. With that in mind the Save Our Surgery Action Group has met with our MP Edward Timpson who has written directly to the NHS North West and has also agreed to write the Cheshire CCG and also to the Government Minister for Prevention, Public Health and Primary Care.
   
   

What Patients Need to do:

1. If you are a patient at Danebridge and have been invited to take part in a focus group discussion then please do.
2. If you are a patient and have not been invited to a focus group but would like to take part and give your view then please contact: Amanda Skelding-Jones, Business Manager by email - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
3. If you support the idea of finding another practice to operate the Sandiway surgery then please contact the Action Group to indicate at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
   
   

The report prepared on behalf of patients for the Primary Care Commissioning committee can be read here:
  Part One: The Report - September 2020
  Part Two: Supporting Reference Information
and the presentation given by the Action Group at the committee meeting can be viewed here:
  PCC Presentation

The Ark Cafe team have arranged for food bank donations to be collected from the Church Hall on Norley Road each Friday morning between 9:30 and 11:30am.  The Mid Cheshire Foodbank Facebook page is updated early each week with the items which they are most keen to receive.

New restrictions have been introduced in England from Tuesday 5 January.  We move into the 'National Lockdown: Stay at Home' with the following consequences:

1. You must not leave, or be outside of, your home except where necessary. You may leave the home to:

• shop for basic necessities
• go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home
• exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area
• meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary
• seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)
• attend education or childcare - for those eligible.
  
  

2. Colleges, primary and secondary schools will remain open only for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers. All other children will learn remotely until February half term. Early Years settings remain open.

3. Higher Education provision will remain online until mid February for all except future critical worker courses.

PRESS HERE for the full list of restrictions on the Government's website and PRESS HERE for reaction from CWaC Borough Council.

Also, PRESS HERE for the CWaC Council services affected by Lockdown restrictions.

As Cheshire moves into the 'Stay at Home 4' Alert Level, the following local public buildings are affected:

The Village Hall on Norley Road has closed its doors for the present until restrictions allow.  The Playground, as well as the adjoining toilets, will remain open for use under strict Tier 4 Covid guidelines.

As announced before Christmas, Sandiway Library will not be re-opening in January nor offering a mobile or home library service under tier 3/4 restrictions.  PRESS HERE for more information from the Library Service.

St John’s church is also now closed & services cancelled whilst we remain in Tier 4. "We know that this is not a Government requirement; however for the well being of everyone, we are encouraging people to stay at home given the severity of the pandemic."  Online services continue: see the St John’s website for links.

Danebridge Medical Centre have shared with us the following information:

• The Kingsmead surgery is the designated vaccination site for all Northwich GP practices.
• A COVID vaccination site manager (CCG employee) has been appointed and will based at the Kingsmead surgery.
• The Kingsmead site will be run in the same way as for the flu vaccinations: one way in & one way out. There will be a holding area on the car park at the back where patients will be recommended to wait for 15 minutes after their vaccination.
• Vaccinating clinicians may have already received their vaccine and will have completed the necessary training modules.
• Eligible patients will be contacted with an appointment time and follow up appointment three (or maybe up to 12) weeks later once the Medical Centre have received confirmation of the vaccine delivery date - they are expecting this to be early in the New Year. Please do not contact the surgery for an appointment.
• A limited ‘business as usual’ service will be available from Danebridge Medical Centre in Northwich on vaccination day so that they can free up as many staff as possible to support the vaccination programme.
  
  

PRESS HERE for further details from the Danebridge website.

PRESS HERE for further details from the Weaverham Surgery website.

Businesses in Cheshire West and Chester which are required to close due to the national lockdown Stay at Home COVID-19 restrictions are able to apply for a grant from the Cheshire West COVID Support for Businesses scheme.

This follows the announcement from the Prime Minister, with everyone being urged to Stay at Home and England entering a national lockdown. Throughout the pandemic, officers with Cheshire West and Chester Council have worked to support the borough’s business community and will continue to do so.

It is important that businesses who had submitted an online application and received a grant before 31 December 2020, when the borough was under Tier 2 and Tier 3 restrictions, reapply for a grant now they are have to close. If a business submitted an application between 31 December and 5 January when the borough was under Tier 4 restrictions they will not need to make another application.

It is very important that businesses do not submit duplicate applications as this delays grant payment being made.

PRESS HERE and PRESS HERE for the full Media Releases from Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council.

PCSO Report:

The new PCSO for Cuddington and Weaver ward, Michelle Gillett, advised the Council that the Police and Crime commissioner has given every beat area £1000 for work with community projects. This will be an equal joint 50/50 funding. Also, she has been on patrols around the village calling in on the vulnerable, and she has used the community speed gun on Norley Road.

The parish council raised concerns with the PCSO about Vehicles travelling too fast throughout the village which introduces extra danger on the road, and this makes the environment less pleasant for other road users, especially pedestrians and cyclists.

In 2021 the Parish Council will be working with the PCSO in relation to improving the traffic calming measures especially on Norley Road with the use of speed indicator devices, which will provide additional safety measures for pedestrians as well as the many more cyclists using the road.

External Audit Report:

The Council were notified by the external auditors that the financial year 2019/2020 is a clean audit with no matters raised.

Other News:

• The Defibrillator in Poplar Close is now live and is registered with the North West Ambulance Service.
• A blossoming cherry tree has been planted on Boundary Lane Green play area, in memory of the late Chris Lees.
• January’s meeting of the Parish Council will be held via Zoom, due to Cheshire West moving up to tier 3 (and now 4).