Latest news with #CheshireWest
BBC News
5 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Mayor election delay agreed as Cheshire devolution moves forward
Cheshire will now elect its first mayor in 2027, after the government accepted a request from the in Cheshire and Warrington had asked for their first mayoral vote to be delayed by a year from the initially proposed date of May government hasconfirmed Cheshire and Warrington, along with five other areas, will move forward with devolution and it had "agreed to align" elections with most of the county's local elections in in the area previously said the delay would allow Cheshire "more time to put in place the right foundations". The leaders of Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, and Warrington Councils called for the delay earlier this said it would also "reduce costs" by having the election in May 2027 instead of May East and Cheshire West and Chester councils both have full council elections in 2027, with Warrington holding their next full election the following government said it would now work with the six areas on the Devolution Priority Programme to confirm their funding plans."These sweeping new powers for communities will put them on the fast track to deliver growth, opportunities, transport and housing," said Jim McMahon, the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution. 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.
BBC News
02-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Northgate: Hundreds of new homes planned for Chester city centre
About 400 new homes are planned as part of a flagship regeneration project for Chester city West and Chester Council has confirmed it wants residential properties to replace empty shops and older buildings deemed to be no longer fit for purpose as part of the long-running Northgate development first phase included setting up a new location for the city's market place as well as restaurants and a approved, the new homes will feature in Northgate's second phase and the authority is set to appoint a developer to deliver it, as well as for a regeneration project in Northwich. The Northwich Weaver Square proposals include relocating the town's market to the Barons Quay shopping centre - possibly as soon as next year - and building 100 new homes. The Northgate scheme has been a long-running regeneration project in Chester, with plans mooted for 20 years before the new market eventually opened in October 2022. A cinema followed a year Pardoe, cabinet member for regeneration, said both projects were "once-in-a-generation opportunities" to create homes in the heart of Chester and Northwich."These two major regeneration schemes will bring increased footfall, vitality and long-term economic opportunity," he said."Most importantly of all, they will create spaces that future generations can be proud of."The council's cabinet is expected to select Vinci UK Developments as a preferred developer on 9 July.A pre-development agreement would then be signed for each project. 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.
The Sun
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Full list of Universal Credit freebies and discounts you can claim in July worth up to £10,000
HOUSEHOLDS on Universal Credit can top up their incomes with freebies and discounts worth up to £10,000 in July. Around 7.5million people are on the government benefit but might not realise it comes with a host of added perks. 1 From cost of living cash to cheap days out, savings accounts and water bill help, it could be worth £1,000s. Here's the full list of help you can get this month. Household Support Fund - £300 The Household Support Fund is a giant £742million pot of money that's been shared between councils in England. These councils are in the process of allocating their share of the fund, with most distributing it to those on benefits, like Universal Credit, or low incomes. Birmingham Council is issuing payments worth £200 to cover the cost of energy, grocery and water costs. Cheshire West, Doncaster and Calderdale Councils are also sharing out help worth up to £300 to residents in need. Contact your local council to see what help is on offer. You can find your council via Healthy Start Scheme - £442 a year New or expectant mums can get up to £442 annually to cover the cost of fruit, veg and other essentials through the NHS' Healthy Start scheme. The scheme is open to those on certain benefits, including Universal Credit. Those eligible for help receive a prepaid card loaded with funds every four weeks. You can get up to £8.50 per week - worth £442 a year. Find out more via Cheap days out – save £101 You can get major discounts on days out if you're on Universal Credit. Here are some of the deals on this month: London Transport Museum: Entry for just £1 – usually £21 Yorkshire museums: Free entry, saving up to £17 per adult ZSL London Zoo: Entry for £3 – a £31.50 saving Tower of London & Hampton Court: £1 entry instead of £33.60 In total you could save up to £101 on these days out. Help to Save - worth £1,200 over four years People on Universal Credit can sign up for a Help to Save account and get a £1,200 bonus. You can save up to £50 into one of the accounts each month and get a 50% bonus at the end of your second and fourth year. Add the maximum £50 in every month and over four years you'd get a £1,200 bonus. Find out more via Water bill help – worth £400 Households on Universal Credit can slash their water bill through the WaterSure scheme. It's available to low income families or those who use lots of water due to disability in England and Wales and caps your bills at a certain amount. Contact your water supplier to see if you're eligible. Some water companies offer customers free water-saving devices like shower timers and cistern bags to bring usage down too. Free prescriptions and healthcare – up to £119 Those on Universal Credit can sometimes get free NHS prescriptions, which are currently £9.90 per item. Based on one item a month, that's a £118.80 a year saving. You can also get other NHS-based freebies if you're on Universal Credit. These include: Free dental checks Free eye tests Travel reimbursement for medical appointments Free wigs or glasses Use the NHS online checker to see what you can get. Discounted broadband and mobile contracts – worth £370 You should be able to sign up to a social tariff if you're on Universal Credit. The discounted tariffs are for those on certain benefits and, usually but not always, can save you money on your bill. One lady previously told The Sun switching from a standard tariff to a social tariff saved her £300 a year. Ofcom has a list on its website of all the firms offering the tariffs, either for phone or broadband. You can also use The Sun's free checker tool. Council tax support – up to £2,280 Those on Universal Credit can sometimes get money off their council tax, or even have the bill wiped completely. The help on offer varies from location to location, but based on the average Band D, which is £2,280, you could save £1,000s. Head to to check your eligibility. Energy bill help – up to £2,000 Energy firms like British Gas offer hardship grants worth up to £2,000 to those struggling with their bills. EDF also offers customers support if they're struggling to keep up with energy bills. If you don't qualify for a grant through your supplier, charity Turn2Us has a tool you can use to find grants available based on your location. You can find it via - Pregnancy grant – worth £500 Mums expecting their first child can claim a one-off £500 Sure Start Maternity Grant. It's available to those on Universal Credit or other qualifying benefits. You must apply within 11 weeks of the due date or six months after the baby is born. Find out more via Support with travel and job applications – worth £150 Claimants can get a Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount card, cutting public transport costs by 50% across the UK. The card lasts for three months and is free, you just need to be actively job hunting. There's also the Flexible Support Fund, which can cover costs like: Travel to interviews Job training (up to £150) Uniforms, work tools, and childcare Apply at your local JobCentre. Cheap gym memberships – worth £100s Some leisure centres offer Universal Credit claimants gym memberships from as little as £5 a month. Based on the price of the standard membership, it could save you £100s a year. Everyone Active and Better Leisure both offer discounted rates. Access is often off-peak and varies by location, so check with your nearest centre. Free childcare – worth up to £1,769 a month Working parents on Universal Credit can get up to 85% of childcare costs covered, either paid up front or in arrears. The maximum payout is £1,031.88 a month for one child, or £1,768.94 for two or more – that's over £21,000 a year if claimed in full. You can find out more via
Leader Live
23-06-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Vietnamese restaurant Pho coming to Cheshire Oaks
The restaurant has applied for a premises licence with Cheshire West and Chester Council and will take up a unit in the northeast section of the outlet, previously occupied by Swarovski. Pho, which takes its name from Vietnam's national dish, has locations across the UK. Its menu consists of a wide range of Southeast Asian dishes, including noodle soups, curries, rice bowls, salads and wok-fried dishes with options for vegetarian and vegan diners, and traditional desserts and ice cream. READ MORE The restaurant also offers a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including Vietnamese beer brands, signature cocktails, teas, coffees and soft drinks. The premises licence states that the new location will be open from 7am until 1am throughout the week, with alcoholic drinks to be offered until 12.30am. A statement from the brand says: 'The premises shall trade as a restaurant, with a bar, with the sale of alcohol and late-night refreshment.' An opening date for the new restaurant has not yet been announced.
Leader Live
16-06-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Cheshire West and Chester planners approve Ikea signs
Last month, Cheshire West and Chester Council's planning department received the proposal for the signage as Ikea gets set to take over the former Homebase store, as announced on April 1. The three internally illuminated fascia signs for the store, to be on the Greyhound Retail Park, were approved by planning officials on Monday, June 9. Approving the decision, council planning officer Gail Nickson that the signs were suitable for the location and type of business. She said: 'It is considered that the proposed signage is acceptable with regards to visual amenity given its design and as it largely replaces existing signage. OTHER NEWS: 'It is considered the proposed signage would maintain current levels of public safety given the simple form, design and position. 'Advertisement consent is recommended with the standard advertisement conditions and approved plans condition.' The Swedish furniture superstore giants have not yet confirmed an opening date for the new Ikea store, which has been eagerly awaited by Chester residents as well as further afield in Wirral and North Wales. The store will offer its normal service, albeit on a reduced scale, after previously offering a mobile collection facility in the same area.
