Responding to the publication of the Cheshire West and Chester Council Annual Report 2020-21, Leader of the Conservative Group, Cllr Margaret Parker, said:
“The last year has been unprecedented in so many ways with multiple issues requiring Cheshire West and Chester Council to respond to the difficult circumstances it has been presented with. I pay tribute to the hard work and dedication of so many of our officer team who have risen to the challenge, often changed their work focus and activity, and help the local authority deliver priority services to thousands of people in our communities. On behalf of the Conservative Group, thank you.
“But much of this work simply wouldn’t have been possible without unprecedented support from the Conservative Government who have provided massive financial assistance and covered almost all Covid-19 related costs in particular. This support has been absolutely essential on many levels, meaning the difference between business survival or failure and indeed, in countless cases, life or death. This isn’t being over dramatic, its what dealing with the pandemic crisis has meant and I would therefore pay tribute to our partners at a national level who have helped our local area respond so well and so comprehensively. In particular, we have seen the following direct support which the local council has been responsible for delivering to those entitled to it: nearly £117 million in grant funding for businesses.
“But the Covid-19 pandemic isn’t the only issue that has attracted support. The Government is playing a direct role in the delivery of our borough wide response to the climate emergency we face. £33 million (which has unlocked a further £39 million) has been allocated from UK Research and Innovation to the HyNet North West project which will help transform our area into the world’s first low carbon industrial cluster. And we’ve seen nearly £10 million committed to support ambitions for the regeneration of Winsford from the Future High Street Fund.
“Delivering a better borough can’t be achieved in isolation. Local Conservatives welcome the strong commitment to Cheshire West and Chester that is clearly in evidence from our partners in Westminster.”
Read the full Annual Report on the council’s website: https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/your-council/policies-and-performance/annual-report/annual-report.aspx
