Spread the warmth

 

Cheshire East Council and Age UK Cheshire, in association with their partners and the Local Adult Safeguarding Board, are offering a range of advice and support to residents on how to keep warm, well and safe this winter.

The Council has put together a wealth of detail in one place at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/winter where residents can find advice on a wide range of topics from heating, eating and winter safety to school closures and public transport.

This week, we explore how Cheshire East Council is working with parish councils to assist local communities in the event of snowfall and ice.

Council donates snow-clearing kits

Cheshire East Council is offering free snow clearing kits to parish councils.

Containing a snow shovel, a bag of rock salt, ice breaker, a broom, gloves, hi-visibility jacket and a guidance sheet, the packs are designed to help parishes to assist their communities in the event of snow.

The area has experienced its first snowfall this week and the Council wants to work with parishes and volunteers to ensure vulnerable people are able to get in and out of their homes safely.

Councillor Janet Clowes, Cabinet member in charge of health and adult social care, said: “We anticipated a cold winter and some challenging weather conditions and we wanted to be as well prepared to assist people as we could.

“These kits will prove very useful to clear any snow and to salt pavements outside homes and I encourage all parish councils to get in touch with us and we will provide as many packs as we can.

“Cheshire East is keen to work closely with communities as their local knowledge is invaluable in targeting those residents and areas most likely to need help during adverse weather.”

Cheshire East Council’s Local Area Partnerships (LAPs) across the Borough are now looking at various ways to distribute the packs to parish councils.

Due to high demand, the Council must stress that one pack is available per parish council and any additional kits required will be supplied subject to availability.

Community groups will also be able to access kits to help keep pathways clear for local residents.

Funding for the kits has been made available by the Council thanks to monies allocated from last year’s successful bid for the Stay Warm, Stay Well, Stay Safe campaign. This has been allocated to the LAPs to provide a quick response this winter.

In addition, the LAPs are putting together ‘winter warmth packs’ for the elderly and vulnerable and are holding a range of events to distribute them and share information. Crewe LAP has held a number of days within the town so far.

Nantwich LAP is joining forces with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and Nantwich police on January 24 for a ‘winter warmth’ event to promote to deliver ‘winter warmth packs’ to those in need. They will be based in Nantwich from 9am to noon, Wrenbury from 1pm until 2pm and Audlem from 2.30pm to 3.30pm.

Meanwhile, LAP teams in Macclesfield, Congleton, Poynton, Knutsford and Wilmslow are looking at how they can distribute kits and share information with the community.

For more information on the snow clearing kits, call Jane Kavanagh on 01270 685854.