Young Entrepreneur Investment

April 26, 2014, 12:22 pm

≫ Next: Frodsham Town Council and Frodsham Foundation

The Community Grant giving has been a fantastic success. It was also wonderful to hear from Ali Wheeler on the presentation evening how her Life through the lens project - which Lynn and I had funded with £1000 grant last year - had made a significant profits. Best of all Ali is to invest the profits in other community projects.

One of the schemes that Ali, Lynn and I have been discussing since last Tuesday is to set up an investment fund for Young Entrepreneurs.

We're still working out the details - so if you have any ideas how we can improve upon what we're thinking - do please let us know. But our thoughts so far are:

Ali reinvests £500 of the profits made which Lynn and I will match with £500 from each of our Member's Grants pot (total £1,500) into an Young Entrepreneurs Investment Fund;
We'll ask others, such as the Princes Trust to join with us to put in more funds and local businessmen and women to offer expertise, mentoring and support;
Local, young entrepreneurs (people 25 and under) who are looking for investment can apply for investment and mentoring support;
the fund will make small investments - seeking to get a young business off the ground - and look to have the investment repaid in say 24 months along with a modest share of the profits with a view to the investment fund growing and recycling the money.

We're thinking about running a Dragon's Den style event later this year - getting youngsters to make presentations about their ideas looking for investment... as well as explaining to us how they will make their business grow and make a return on our investment.

So that's the bare bones of the idea so far. Please help us refine it. And if you can offer help and support do let us know.

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Frodsham Town Council and Frodsham Foundation

April 29, 2014, 6:04 am

≫ Next: Congratulations - Mayor elect Cllr Alan Wales

≪ Previous: Young Entrepreneur Investment

We had an interesting debate last night at Frodsham Town Council - and it all related to whether Frodsham Town Council should review an earlier decision it had made to pay the Foundation £11,000. To understand what was going on we have to go back into history.

Now Frodsham Foundation was created by FTC with support from many partners including:

Cheshire West and Chester;
Cheshire and Warrington Social Enterprise Partnership LEP;
Princeway Medical Centre;
Northern Markets (they run the Thursday Market);
all our local Primary Schools and Helsby High School;
Frodsham Life;
Love Frodsham;
Community Association
Youth Association

to lead the Mary Portas pilot bid. The bid document made it very clear that FTC was leading the bid only until the point when Frodsham Foundation had been incorporated - or in other words only up until the Foundation was created.

CWaC had decided that there would only be one bid to become a 'Portas Pilot' town from the Borough - and they decided to back Frodsham ahead of Chester, Northwich, Winsford, Neston, Ellesmere Port... They very much welcomed the innovation that the creation of the Foundation would bring. CWaC's support was essential - as the 'Portas bid' required the local authority - in other words the Borough Council to be the accounting body. An accounting body is the entity which is accountable to the government for ensuring that any money given to the winning team is spent and managed appropriately.

Question 1.1 in the bid form said:

1.1 Organisation name (in whose name the application is being made – if a partnership/consortium/BID,

state the lead).

The answer given was:

FRODSHAM TOWN COUNCIL on behalf of FRODSHAM FOUNDATION – a charitable

social enterprise company limited by guarantee (to be established) effectively being a consortium of local businesses, community and voluntary groups with Cheshire West and Chester Council (“CWaC”) and Frodsham Town Council (“FTC”). The bid is led by FTC pending incorporation of Frodsham Foundation.

Question 2.1 in the bid form said:

Who will lead the pilot?

The answer given was:

Frodsham Town Council pending incorporation of Frodsham Foundation

Question 2.2 asked: Who will be the Accountable Body (Please attach a confirmation letter)?

The answer given was:

Cheshire West and Chester Council (letter attached)

The bid document went through how the Foundation would seek to work if it was successful. Unfortunately, as we know, Frodsham didn't win. However with all the work done to create the Foundation FTC and CWaC decided to create the Foundation.

FTC agreed to put in seed corn funding of £20,000 in the first two years of the Foundation. CWaC agreed to put in £15,000 for each of the first two years too. This CWaC resource was new additional money for Frodsham.

Frodsham Foundation was duly incorporated in September 2012.

The following month the government announced that it would encourage those town teams that had not been successful in their Portas Bid to apply to become Town Partners - and it they were successful they would be awarded £10,000. The Foundation applied to become a Town Partner, and then with the essential support of Graham Evans MP and CWaC - who had to act as the accounting body the money was duly received by the Foundation. The Department of Communities and Local Government duly paid the Foundation £10,000 via CWaC.

On 15 March 2014 the Foundation held its first AGM. The Annual Accounts were presented where all the income and expenditure were declared and published. The accounts showed that the Foundation had an income of £53,272.

The income in the first year had come from FTC, CWaC, DCLG's £10,000 and profit on activities such as the Bee Festival.

In other words, leaving aside all the activity of the Foundation the investment put in by each of the partners was new additional money to spend and invest in Frodsham. Something that had never happened before.

FTC paid the first promised £20,000 - but hasn't paid the second £20,000 (yet). FTC did commission the Foundation to provide profile and marketing support for FTC and the wide community. The commission was for £11,000 - close to the £10k of the Portas bid. Some at FTC claimed not to have known that the Foundation had received additional funds from DCLG. They suggested the DCLG £10k should have been paid to FTC. The fact that this additional funding was announced on national television for all the 300+ Town Partners seems to have passed some councillors by.

Five FTC Councillors signed the following special resolution seeking to un-pick the £11k FTC commission:

'SPECIAL RESOLUTION

The undersigned councillors wish the following resolution to be put at the full council meeting of Frodsham Town Council on 28 April 2014

In view of recent information received Council should decide whether all or part of the funding agreed to be paid to Frodsham Foundation (minute 269) should be withheld

EXPLANATION

It is arguable that the £10,000 ‘Portas’ money should have been paid to FTC since it was this body which made the original bid. More importantly, it appears that the majority of Town Councillors were unaware of this government funding when deciding on the request for a total of £11,000 from FTC made by Frodsham Foundation. Some or all of the £11,000 might be better spent funding the 2014 Christmas festival which is facing a significant reduction in funding this year, or on some other major project with much local support in the current consultation.'

Councillors Bondi, Pennington, Shearn, Redhead and Pusey signed this resolution which led to last night's debate.

The debate was a surprisingly short affair in the sense that few participated in it.

With the exception of Cllr Bondi who proposed the motion there seemed little appetite in the other signatories to carry the debate forward. So I took the initiative and took the council through the original Portas bid documents and the correspondence with DCLG all of which made it abundantly clear that only the Foundation was eligible to receive the money. FTC never was eligible. To my mind anyone reading the Portas bid papers should have seen this immediately. Every councillor was given a copy of these papers 14 days in advance of the debate ... however I wonder how many had read them? I then went on to explain how important the work of the Foundation was in supporting the town and wider community - such as the work with NEETs, business support etc. FTC was having an influence for the first time in these vitally important areas.

As it was the special resolution was defeated. Interestingly Cllr Pusey voted against the resolution he had signed and Cllr Redhead abstained. Only three Councillors voted for the resolution they were:

Cllrs Bondi, Pennington and Oulton. Cllr Shearn was absent from the meeting..

I'd like to think we all want the Foundation to be successful. This year alone, in addition to receiving funds from CWaC the Foundation has received monies from:

University of Chester;
Royal Society of Arts Manufactures and Commerce

and it is seeking funds from:

Heritage Lottery Fund;
EU

Everyone in Frodsham is eligible to be a member of it - if you subscribe to the Foundation's aims and will abide by its rules. If you want to join the Foundation just go to frodshamfoundation.net.or contact Kate Dodgson via the Frodsham News facebook page. Everyone in Frodsham has been invited to join the foundation as part of the consultation. It will be interesting to see how many do.

↧

Congratulations - Mayor elect Cllr Alan Wales

April 29, 2014, 7:58 am

≫ Next: The Emerging Local Plan - and who really cares about things around here

≪ Previous: Frodsham Town Council and Frodsham Foundation

I'm delighted to announce that, last night Cllr Alan Wales was overwhelmingly elected to be the next Mayor of Frodsham, with Cllr Fran Sutton as Deputy Mayor.

As a Council, in early 2012, we chose to split the roles of Chairman and Mayor of the Council and adopted a convention to offer the Mayorship to the councillor who had served the longest either since last being elected, or since last being Mayor.

The roles of being Chairman and Mayor are very different. The Chairman manages the council's business and as needs be drives the council forward. The Mayor is our 'first citizen' and our civic representative. As needs be he deputises for the Chairman.

By convention a Mayor serves for 12 months and then a new Mayor takes over.

The Chairman is elected to the role of Chairman at our Annual meeting to serve for the ensuing 12 months. He or she can continue to serve in that role for as long as he or she commands the majority support of the councillors.

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The Emerging Local Plan - and who really cares about things around here

May 9, 2014, 11:14 am

≫ Next: Shale Gas Conference - NEC, Birmingham

≪ Previous: Congratulations - Mayor elect Cllr Alan Wales

Today was an important day for all of us in Frodsham, and in fact for everyone in Cheshire West and Chester. Today was the last day on which those who had already commented on Part 1 of the Emerging Local Development Plan could submit a proof of evidence and have it considered at next months Examination in Public.

This Emerging Local Development Plan is of vital importance to all of us living in the Borough as it will be the yardstick against which planning applications will be measured up until 2030. We are at the strategic policy stage or Part 1. Part 2, and the specific planning policies will follow.

Lynn and I have commented on all stages of the plan so far and today submitted a 64 page joint proof confirming our previous comments and also drawing to the Inspectors attention the Frodsham Consultation. We've both said that when we get round to the examination hearings we will raise the consultation findings - and that depending what the residents of Frodsham have said we may alter what we've said so far to reflect strong community sentiments - if it differs what we've said. The first findings will only emerge at the Annual Town Meeting in a week's time.

Now a little while ago I searched the CWaC Consultation Portal to see who has said what about the Emerging Local Plan. I was and am particularly interested in what CWaC Councillors, FTC Councillors and other noteworthy locals have said. Lets not forget this is the most important development plan for our generation.

On CWaC there are 75 Councillors - 42 Conservative, 32 Labour and 1 LibDem.
At the previous 'preferred policy stage':

42% or 18 of the Conservative Councillors had participated;
18.75% or 6 of the Labour Councillors had participated; and
0% or 0 of the LibDem(s) had commented.

Those the commented on the specific policies that will be examined at the Examination in Public:

26% or 11 of the Conservative Councillors had participated;
9.375% or 3 of the Labour Councillors had participated; and
0% or 0 LibDem(s) had commented.

Each consultee could comment on the specific emerging policies. Each response can be viewed on the Consultation Portal and that is what I searched for and looked at today. In total all of the Councillors combined made 56 separate responses. These were divided as follows:

95% or 53 responses were submitted by Conservative Councillors
5% or 3 response were submitted by Labour Councillors

Now there clearly is something special in the water around here as Lynn and I were responsible for 21 or 37.5% of all Councillor responses.

You've got to bear in mind that these policies relate to many things - housing, employment, transport, household waste recycling centres, wind farms, fracking etc.

I then looked at the FTC Cllrs. Leaving aside Lynn and me only Cllrs Warren and Bondi have participated at any stage of this emerging local plan. A quick glance for the local 'big mouths' revealed an absence of comment or representation from them too.

So who really cares... you decide...

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Shale Gas Conference - NEC, Birmingham

May 14, 2014, 11:32 am

≫ Next: Manor House School's Frodsham Show

≪ Previous: The Emerging Local Plan - and who really cares about things around here

I attended day one of the Shale Gas conference at the NEC in Birmingham yesterday. The conference brought together industry representatives and consultants, government, local government, political parties Greenpeace,regulators and other interested parties to discuss this potentially controversial topic.

I had been asked by the conference organisers to chair two round table discussions about the issues surrounding shale gas exploration in Cheshire. Other CWaC Cllr colleagues also attended as delegates.

I was particularly pleased to see the near unanimous consensus amongst all those participating in the conference that:

shale gas exploitation should not take place unless it can be done safely - in other words without harm to human health, wildlife or the environment;
irrespective of the legal permitting regimes and the wider law the public as a whole need to be convinced that shale gas can be explored and exploited safely before it can, if ever move forward; and
industry as a whole must do a great deal more to be good neighbours with their communities.

There was a cross political party consensus too that if shale gas could be explored and exploited safely then, the many benefits for the UK could include greater energy independence and security as well as more certainty in energy pricing going forward. Dan Byles MP (Con) and Tom Greatrex (Lab) were effectively saying the same things in their respective contributions.

One of the themes discussed was the need for UK industry to have access to reliable cheaper energy. This is needed if the UK petrochemical industry is to be able to compete with the US on a more level playing field. Without exaggeration the cheap energy prices that the US petrochemical industry now has through its shale gas exploitation is already threatening the very existence of UK manufacturers and UK jobs on which we all depend.

My round table discussions about Cheshire brought together representatives of most of the major industry players in 'our back yard.' In addition we were joined by the HSE and the Environment Agency, and the Government departments of BIZ and DECC.

I outlined the public and political landscape in Cheshire as a whole and CWaC in particular. At CWaC we have established a cross party working group to explore the issues on shale gas exploration. We have asked everyone with a point of view who wants to help shape policy within CWaC to come forward and debate the issues. I am delighted that everyone who came to the Cheshire discussion has agreed to participate and present evidence in the local policy debate we are to have at CWaC. That means the industry leaders will come, Government Departments, Regulators, Greenpeace, existing representatives of the petro-chemical industry will come to join the locals some of whom are for, and some of whom are against shale gas exploration.

I outlined the intrinsic distrust many people feel with everyone associated with shale gas exploration - this includes distrust of our regulators. I pointed out the need to ensure that, if local communities are ever to understand or accept shale gas exploration, that they have access to independent non-biased expertise to help them understand the issues and risks at hand. We've already seen the benefits of this approach locally over air monitoring.

I even went so far as to suggest as an idea that the granting or otherwise of planning permission for a shale gas development could be determined by the local community itself as a means to ensure widespread community support as a pre-condition. Such an approach would compel anyone promoting a scheme to put the effort in to ensure that the surrounding local community was properly informed and was in a position with the help of experts, regulators, industry and those opposing any scheme to balance up all the issues. The public are quick to 'suss out' charlatans - so this would ensure that any community engagement was meaningful.

Another way of dealing with this would be for those promoting a local scheme to assist the local community prepare its neighbourhood plan. Don't forget a neighbourhood plan can only come into force after a local referendum. Again this would focus the minds of the promoter into ensuring that the local community buy into what is proposed.

Lets face it the prize for the UK in being able to exploit our own seemingly abundant shale gas resources means all of us must properly explore the arguments both for and against. But the pre-condition, or as one delegate put it to me yesterday, the 'table stake' is safety. That is non-negotiable.

So before anyone thinks I'm in some way a cheer leader for the shale gas exploration - I'm not. I try to act as a champion of my local community and put their interests first. Accidents of geography, geology and the many thousands of local jobs that depend on the petrochemical industry in our corner of Cheshire mean we must explore the issues and come to proper balanced view. Lets have that reasoned debate with each other - ideally in a respectful non-intimidatory way.

So my current starting point is: (as my knowledge and appreciation of the issues changes so may my view)

'If there is to be exploration and exploitation of shale gas is has to be done and demonstrably be done safely - and without real risk or demonstrable harm to human health, wildlife and the natural environment. If it is to be done it must be done in a well-managed, monitored way. It must be policed, conditioned and regulated to ensure that there is a very high level of protection. This must be done in an open and transparent way.

All material information must be shared with the local community both with regard to what is planned and with regard to what is happening. Independent expert advice must be provided to the local community to help it understand the issues before permission is granted and during all phases of the development.

There must be proper contingency planning to mitigate against forseeable risks and straight forward compensation arrangements if damage arises. There must also be the opportunity for the potential host- community to debate and consider all the issues before any scheme is granted permission. There should be community agreement and acquiescence with what is proposed and significant sharing of the benefits of such a scheme with the local community hosting it.'

If this can't be done or you are not willing to do it - then don't do it and certainly not in our corner of Cheshire.

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Manor House School's Frodsham Show

May 18, 2014, 9:52 am

≫ Next: Driving the future - The Tesla Model S Electric Car comes to Frodsham

≪ Previous: Shale Gas Conference - NEC, Birmingham

Its been a glorious day today - an ideal day for Manor House School's Frodsham Show. It was wonderful to see so many people enjoy themselves at the school and especially to see so many people who weren't directly connected to it either such was the draw of the event. A big thanks and 'congratulations' to all at the Manor House PTA for putting on a great show.

I think it was also a great idea to get our local MP Graham Evans to open the show and to have local businesses in the shape of Taylor's Opticians and our Barclays Bank team sponsor the event.

Saying thank- you to Victoria from Taylor's Opticians

The show had everything you'd expect - lots of competitions, stalls, food and fun.

I was asked to judge the Junk sculptures.

It was fun to watch our own 'Master Baker' Rob Crowther judge the bread and cakes competition. I've never seen bread and cakes cut with such precision and tasted by an expert before!

As some of you may know Alan Carter had set me up for a dunking. I was delighted to see the head teacher Mr Devereux-Roberts was dunked first. It was wonderful seeing so many youngsters eager to soak him! That's the sort of head I would have liked to have had!

I was also pleased that when it came to drawing the crowds to pay £1 for the chance of dunking it was the head that drew bigger crowds than me!

It was a hot day - but the water was cold.

Graham Evans MP, Alan Carter - and me, soaked!

My dear colleague Cllr Lynn Riley enjoyed soaking me! I'll get my revenge one day!

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Driving the future - The Tesla Model S Electric Car comes to Frodsham

May 19, 2014, 2:18 am

≫ Next: Are you pro or anti fracking? Come to the debate Forest Hills Frodsham tonight

≪ Previous: Manor House School's Frodsham Show

Graham Evans MP was invited to test drive the new Tesla Model S electric car and I was lucky enough to tag along and have a go too as the starting point was Forrest Hills. We were shown around the car by Tesla UK's Stephen Davis.

I'm eager to be an early adopter of a practical electric car - I think that's what we'll all be driving in around 10-15 years time. I've test driven them in the past but haven't found anything yet that I want to invest in. My experience yesterday made me wonder whether we are on the cusp of a break through.

The Model S has everything you'd expect of an 'executive' type car. As something of a geek I loved the huge 'glass cockpit' display on the centre console and the 'touch screen' approach. When you got behind the wheel there you realised you were driving something that could easily compete with established marques like Mercedes, Jaguar and BMW. Steve explained that this particular model had a range in excess of 250 miles - and could readily be re-charged in an evening.

Tesla Model S at Forrest Hills, Frodsham

The car handled brilliantly - and I could definitely see me enjoying the slightly different experience of driving an electric motored car. First the torque. We popped onto the Mile Straight and Steve encouraged me to blip the accelerator. The acceleration was impressively rapid. Then there are the regenerative brakes which re-charge the batteries as you decelerate. It is an interesting experience to back-off on the accelerator - the regeneration kicks in slowing the car. In fact other than coming to a stop to swap drivers I don't think I touched the foot brake at all. Everything you needed to do in terms of accelerating or slowing down could be done from the accelerator pedal. As something of a geek I loved driving to the gauges - seeking to maximise speed whilst minimising the draw from the batteries, or conversely enjoying making progress whilst seeing the batteries regenerate.

The particular car we were driving was a left hand drive Dutch registered model. If you want one to drive here they are making right hand drive models.

As you could well imagine I encouraged Steve to open a Tesla dealership in Frodsham!

Graham Evans MP test driving the Tesla Model S

A big thank-you to Stephen Davis for letting us have a go and giving us the guided tour of the car. Elon Musk one of Tesla's (and PayPal) founders is something of a personal hero for me - especially with his involvement in SpaceX... Now that is a test drive I'd also love to try too!

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Are you pro or anti fracking? Come to the debate Forest Hills Frodsham tonight

May 28, 2014, 7:20 am

≫ Next: The renewables and fracking debate Forest Hills last night

≪ Previous: Driving the future - The Tesla Model S Electric Car comes to Frodsham

'Are you pro or anti- fracking?' is one of those questions that journalists and campaigners use to try and divide people and politicians at the moment. I was posed a very similar question by David Holmes of the Chronicle earlier this afternoon.

The answer I gave him, is the same response I will give tonight at the debate being held by Frodsham and Kingsely Transition Initiatives at Forest Hills, Frodsham.

'I am neither pro nor anti fracking - I am pragmatist on the side of my community.'

It is both Conservative and Labour Party policy to seek to exploit shale gas and shale oil reserves if at all possible. Both parties also accept, as indeed does industry and the regulators, that if fracking is to take place it can only happen if it can be done safely - without harm to human health, wildlife and the environment and if there is significant community consent.

For my part I go further.

Without safety and proper protection for human health, wildlife and the environment during all stages of the proposed operation - forget it. I'm not interested and I would oppose any development proposals where safety at all levels wasn't properly guaranteed.

Secondly, and crucially of all - forget fracking unless there is significant community consent - perhaps demonstrated through a local referendum on a neighbourhood plan or if the community itself could decide whether or not to grant planning permission.

When weighing up the arguments on fracking one has to think of the local jobs and industry tied up with the petrochemical industry in our part of the world and their need for cheaper energy. Will the UK petrochemical industry survive the onslaught of cheap US shale gas production over the next 10 years? Can we strike the right balance though?

No community wants to be the 'guinea pig' nor indeed in my view to the people who take these decisions really think about the locals.

But the track record doesn't look good...

Think about all the recent major decisions in and around the Mersey Estuary where local opinion has been effectively ignored eg.-

Ince Resource Recovery Park - with its two incinerators given planning consent by a Labour Secretary of State;
Frodsham Marshes Windfarm - given planning consent by a Lib-Dem Secretary of State;
The incinerator at Ineos to burn Greater Manchester's Waste - granted consent by Halton Borough Council

If any of us had been given a real influence on the decision making I'm sure most of us would have said 'No' to each of these development proposals. However if industry and the regulators were compelled to explain their cases to us all who knows what the answers would be. That's why I'm arguing for a much greater say for local communities as a whole. For something to be safe it must be demonstrably safe and explained in a way that everyone can understand - and everyone can feel part of the decision making process.

I think industry has become separated from the local communities on which they depend. Also I think our regulators are no longer trusted. These issues also form part of the underlying community concerns.

So I'm not a cheerleader for fracking. I can see the benefits, but I can also see the risks and legitimate concerns. I am a cheerleader for my community, for a community that wants and needs cheaper energy and good jobs - but that is not at any price. If it can't be done safely - forget it. If you can't get community support - forget it.

I'm looking forward to a lively debate tonight.

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The renewables and fracking debate Forest Hills last night

May 29, 2014, 5:28 am

≫ Next: Summer sun shine

≪ Previous: Are you pro or anti fracking? Come to the debate Forest Hills Frodsham tonight

The Frodsham and Kingsley Transition Initiative debate at Forest Hills was interesting and thought provoking. Professors Eirk Bichard from Salford University and Professor Peter Styles from Keele University led the debate on whether fracking was necessary or desirable. Each took a different side in the argument - however for me, what I found particularly interesting was where they agreed.

Both looked on the debate from the standpoint of climate change and the need to take carbon out of our energy production. However there is a problem - the apparent lack of a coherent energy production policy from Government and the long lead in time to commission new power plants. This is a criticism levied both at the present Government and, the previous Blair/Brown Government.

Both Professors agreed that, for energy production, we need a mixed approach to production. Both agreed that the future, probably post 2030, would see energy production primarily made up of nuclear power and renewables. They also agreed that energy efficiency was also key - we can all do a lot more to reduce our energy usage.

Professor Bichard pointed out how inefficient our housing stock is when it comes to energy usage or wastage and that more could be done to promote more renewables, such as hydro, solar or tidal.

The difference between the Professors came when dealing with the position between now and say 2030. How do we 'de-carbonise' our energy production? Erik Bichard believes we can do enough though energy reduction and promoting more renewables to avoid having to exploit any shale gas reserves. Peter Styles sees shale gas extraction 'fracking' as the least worst solution to bridge our energy gap whilst also seeking to promote energy efficiency and renewables.

In the debate Prof Styles pointed to some of the effects of the American's massive exploitation of shale gas production. The American's costs of production and energy have fallen greatly. They now have a significant advantage over Europe when it comes to manufacturing. One of the unexpected consequences of American shale gas is the increased burning of cheap American coal in Europe - and thereby causing increased CO2 emissions which further risks climate change. American coal has become cheap because of the abundance of shale gas.

He also hinted at the economic consequences for the UK of being overly reliant on Russian, Norwegian or Qatari supplies of Liquefied Natural Gas. A state which he believes we are heading to.

Professor Styles pointed out that there have been over 200 'fracks' in the UK since the late 1950s or early 1960s. He pointed out that these fracks had taken place without incident.

When it came to whether the UK will seek to exploit its shale resources Professor Styles was less sure. He described a 'triangular' position which has yet to be completed:

are their shale gas resources;
can they be exploited economically; and
is their public consent for that to occur?

Frodsham Transition Initiative, who organised the debate, then brought in 5 other speakers. I went fifth! The other four speakers talked briefly about various energy saving approaches or energy production through renewables. This raised an interesting question about whether biomass burning was actually a more or less sustainable means of energy production.

I spoke briefly about the national consensus between Labour and the Conservatives on exploiting shale gas if it is safe to do so and there is community acceptance. I explained how I want to go further and ensure real community engagement. I pointed out, what virtually everyone in the room already appreciated, that where we sat in Frodsham we had had plenty of controversial developments 'done' to us, rather than with us. The well known examples include:

Peel's windfarm;
Peel's Ince Resource Recovery Park - and its permission for two incinerators; and
the burning of Greater Manchester's waste at Ineos.

I argued that, that position must come to an end.

I pointed out that we would not be interested in shale gas exploitation unless it could be done safely - and I mean really safely and that there was community agreement that it should happen.

We've already had coal bed methane explorations at Ince where coal bed and shale gas was discovered. At some point those of us around the estuary may have to face a planning application for it to be exploited. I want the community as a whole to be given the means to decide controversial planning applications in future either through deciding the applications in a vote or perhaps through a local referendum on a neighbourhood plan. There was widespread agreement with that sort of approach. I pointed out it would also force industry and our regulators to do far more to engage with local communities.

I also want independent expert advice for local communities about these sort of controversial developments. I explained how Cllr Riley and I had been able to persuade Peel to do that with regard to air quality ahead of their Ince Waste Recovery park being built - and that this had shown that we have air quality issues but these were associated with cars and lorries on the M56 and A56.

At the end of the debate the Chairman sought to discover from the room what they thought.

From where I sat there appeared to be a consensus in the room that the UK needed to:

do more on energy efficiency; and
do more to promote non-carbon using energy production such as nuclear and renewables.

It also looked like that most of the people in the room supported shale gas extraction - although there was also a significant number who were opposed to it.

After the debate we had a number of break out sessions. Amongst the people I spoke with were a number from Halton and Upton. The Halton residents were particularly critical of the lack of engagement they perceived from their council and their industry. They were also critical of politicians who fail to show leadership for their communities about these issues. I agreed with them! The residents from Upton raised the testing that is going on there and what they saw as the lack of information given to them about the present exploration. I tried to encourage one of them to stand for Upton Parish Council!

I pointed out to them all how few Councillors had bothered to engage in CWaC's Local Development Plan consultations - and how it appears that only Cllr Lynn Riley and I were the only ones to engage regarding the emerging policies in the plan regarding 'novel hydrocarbon' extraction. Both of us are arguing for much stronger community engagement and involvement in any decision making.

As part two of the plan with its detailed policies is emerging please get involved with suggesting policies!

A big thank you to Frodsham Transition Initiative. A well organised and thought provoking event. I learnt much from it and I'm sure others did too. I will keep arguing for Frodsham, and indeed any community to be given the means to decide any controversial application. This is too important a matter to be decided by one or two people whether from Government or the Planning Inspectorate.

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Summer sun shine

June 14, 2014, 10:14 am

≫ Next: Frodsham Governance Review

≪ Previous: The renewables and fracking debate Forest Hills last night

One of the first books I read my children was a Postman Pat book that started: 'It was a lovely sunny day and...'As is the way of things the repetition of reading the book to the 3 of them has meant that it is seared in my mind - if not in theirs. So I can't do anything in sunny weather without thinking of Postman Pat.

I've been out a lot today - this morning out making a number of deliveries - now that really does make you think of Postman Pat.

Much more enjoyable was the invitation from 4th Frodsham to their open day. It was great to see Ron, Fiona and their colleagues fundraising to send some of their youngsters to Japan as well as celebrating their new tents (partly funded by Lynn and my CWaC Member community grant funds as voted by for by other community groups and the wider community.) It was also a great opportunity for Caroline Ashton our candidate for the Frodsham South to be out meeting people too.

Later in the afternoon Lynn and I called in at the Warburtons Farms open day. It would be great if we could all do more to support our local business. Just think how few food miles their are between our local farms and our dinner plates. Makes you think!

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Frodsham Governance Review

June 25, 2014, 1:14 pm

≫ Next: Super fast Broadband in Frodsham

≪ Previous: Summer sun shine

Well it looks like we've cleared the penultimate stage on CWaC's Governance Review of Frodsham. Tonight the Community Governance Review Committee approved the final recommendations to be made to CWaC's full council meeting in July.

There's been extensive consultation - and the final recommendations propose that Frodsham's boundaries be extended:

to the east to take in the land between the River Weaver and the Weaver Navigation - moving the boundary from the stone bridge to the swing bridge; and
to the south to take in Kingsley Green and Lady Heyes.

You can see the new proposed boundaries below.

For town council elections Frodsham is divided into 4 wards. The boundaries of those wards have been tweaked with a view to equalising the number of electors per ward. With effect from the next election each ward will elect 4 Councillors. At present North and South elect 4, East 5 and West 3.

CWaC's Governance Review Committee agreed unanimously that the ward names will also change.

There has been a strong consensus throughout the consultation process that we ought to be able to do better than names reflecting a compass point. When FTC considered this issue in February 2014 the majority of its members wanted:

River - instead of North;

Lakes - instead of East;

Park - instead of West; and,

Caves - instead of South.

Personally I didn't agree with those suggestions - I voted against them at that meeting and had proposed names with stronger geographical connections.

At FTC's meeting last night there was a different consensus - one that sought not to have names like 'Caves' adopted. FTC contacted CWaC to request that there was a rethink over the new names. FTC would have been happy to continue with 'compass points.'

At CWaC's Governance Review tonight there was unanimity that we could do better than compass points and that more geographical names be adopted. After a short discussion there was agreement on:

Waterside for what is now largely Frodsham North - the greater part of this ward's boundaries are made up of the Mersey, Hoopool Gutter and the Weaver Navigation. The ward also contains stretches of the Ship Canal, the river Weaver and all of Frodsham Marshes;
Lakes for what is now largely Frodsham East - reflecting the fact that the 'Lakes Estate' makes up the lion share of this ward;
Castle Park for what is now largely West ward. Castle Park is the dominating feature in this ward; and finally
Overton and Five Crosses for what is now largely Frodsham South.

The final stage in this process is likely to take place at CWaC's July meeting. Assuming these recommendations are approved a legal order will be made bringing these changes into effect from election day in May 2015.

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Super fast Broadband in Frodsham

June 27, 2014, 2:23 am

≫ Next: How great thou art! The Royal British Legion's WW1 commemoration concert

≪ Previous: Frodsham Governance Review

This will be a momentous week in the Dawson household. Our super fast broadband - boasting speeds of 40Mb per second arrives. With 3 teenagers in the household all with on-line life styles - you can never have enough bandwith! In fact thinking of all the devices we have personally and those connected to the house and the internet it is probably only the dog that doesn't have a need for wifi and an internet connection. Although thinking about it I'm sure you could train the dog to activate a device connected to the internet demanding attention

The latest data from Connecting Cheshire shows the progress in rolling out super fast broadband in our Borough and closer to home in Frodsham. We are fortunate in Frodsham that most of our town now has super fast broadband available - and most of the remaining areas should have it by the end of 2014.

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How great thou art! The Royal British Legion's WW1 commemoration concert

June 28, 2014, 3:02 pm

≫ Next: Townfield Lane Allotments open day

≪ Previous: Super fast Broadband in Frodsham

Frodsham Community Centre was packed last night for the Royal British Legion, Frodsham Branch's first World War 1 Commemoration Concert. I say first, because given how successful it was our local branch of the legion now have the confidence to organise another one.

Frodsham Silver Band, the Highfield Male Voice Choir were joined by youngsters from Frodsham CofE Primary School (Overton) for a musical evening. There was much audience participation - and even a cameo role for our MP Graham Evans who joined a choral group who led the audience through WW1 era songs.

The Community Centre Hall was laid out with the audience sitting at tables - which allowed us to have a drink and a bite to eat as the concert progressed. I thought that was an excellent idea as it encouraged the informal, fun atmosphere that was tinged with suitable sombre moments of commemoration.

The evening concluded with a rousing chorus of Land of Hope and Glory with the youngsters waving England flags - almost certainly a sensible re-use of left over World Cup paraphernalia!

A fantastic evening.

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Townfield Lane Allotments open day

June 29, 2014, 12:17 am

≫ Next: Remembering the fallen from World War I

≪ Previous: How great thou art! The Royal British Legion's WW1 commemoration concert

A big thank you to the Townfield Lane Allotments Society for inviting Cllr Lynn Riley and me to their open day. I enjoyed it so much I attended twice - the second time bringing my wife and wearing a fleece.

The weather wasn't kind. Poetically it was 'soft refreshing rain' in reality is was cold and wet. However the rain didn't dampen the warm welcome. The WW1 theme, bunting and exhibitions were superb. We can be very proud of this colony of allotments and what the growers are trying to achieve.

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Remembering the fallen from World War I

June 30, 2014, 1:35 pm

≫ Next: Comprehensive Victory for Conservative Candidate Caroline Ashton

≪ Previous: Townfield Lane Allotments open day

I was very touched to receive a copy St Laurence's booklet on Frodsham's fallen from World War I this morning and have just spent a very reflective half hour reading it.

The booklet provides interesting family details and a link to our recent Frodsham forebears.

What struck me was the familiarity of the names, the ordinary nature of their jobs and recognising the addresses where they lived.

We are all far closer to this conflict and its devastating consequences they we perhaps realise.

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Comprehensive Victory for Conservative Candidate Caroline Ashton

July 3, 2014, 4:04 pm

≫ Next: Frodsham South By-election Result

≪ Previous: Remembering the fallen from World War I

Today was the by-election for Frodsham Town Council's South ward.

The result declared earlier this evening was:

Caroline Ashton Conservative 229 votes 59.3%
Ryan Edgehill 116 votes 30.1%
Tom Reynolds 38 votes 9.8%

Spoilt papers 3 votes 0.8%

Total votes cast 386 votes

There was a 22% turnout. Caroline Ashton secured 59.3% of the votes cast in an overwhelming endorsement of her positive, no-nonsense manifesto.

I am really looking forward to working with Caroline. Her straight forward, candid approach will be a tremendous asset for Frodsham.

This seat was last contested in a by-election in 2011 when Carol Davis (Conservative) was elected with 183 votes to Geoff Bath's 132 votes.

Caroline Ashton's election has increased the number of votes cast and the proportion of victory for the Conservative Party. Absolutely fantastic!

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Frodsham South By-election Result

July 4, 2014, 7:08 am

≫ Next: Downhill Run and Festival in the Park

≪ Previous: Comprehensive Victory for Conservative Candidate Caroline Ashton

Here is the formal declaration of the Frodsham South by-election result from yesterday.

A big thank-you to everyone involved in working so hard for Caroline and to those who helped give Caroline and the Conservatives the opportunity to increase both our majority and the share of the votes cast for a Conservative since this seat was last contested in August 2011.

This was an election we didn't seek - but having been called we were happy to contest.

With all-out Town Council elections due in May 2015 we would have been content for the Town Council to co-opt to fill this vacancy in the full knowledge that a Conservative would almost certainly not have been adopted even presupposing one had been put forward - which would have been very unlikely. We can say this as, until last night, there were only 3 Conservatives on the Town Council and we don't act as a political party on the Town Council in any event. Had this vacancy occurred in or after October 2014 no election would have been permitted given the proximity of the all-out elections in May 2015.

For a parish or town council to hold by-elections 10 local voters have to petition to say they seek an election, otherwise the parish or town council can co-opt to fill any casual vacancy that arises. Each by-election costs the Town Council close to £5,000 - and this is third by-election we have had to the Town Council within a year. With the all-out elections in May 2015 so close I pose the question whether this was money that needed to be spent. It is literally the price of democracy.

Since the last all-out elections in May 2011 there has been 1 co-option (Cllr Alan Wales (Independent)) and 4 by-elections fought and contested.

There are now 4 Conservatives on the Town Council out of the 16 members. At the all out elections in 2011 all 3 Conservative candidates seeking election were elected and a fourth was elected in the August 2011 by-election.

All Conservatives on FTC are pledged to working independently of each other and to work with all other town councillors willing to work collectively. We don't hold pre-meetings or stitch up council business before hand.

We tell you honestly and openly we are Conservatives so you can appreciate the philosophy we bring with us - however we do not act as a political bloc or caucus at the Town Council.

We are the only political party to act in this open and honest way in Frodsham.

Other political parties have a long track record of putting forward so-called independents - who then declare, when elected, political party affiliations in their declarations of interests.

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Downhill Run and Festival in the Park

July 6, 2014, 12:53 pm

≫ Next: Christmas 2014 - pledge of Members' Grant support

≪ Previous: Frodsham South By-election Result

Wow what a fantastic 6th July in Frodsham. You can forget the Tour de France, the British Grand Prix and the Men's final at Wimbledon. Today was one of those fantastic days in Frodsham when we celebrate being a wonderful, vibrant, inclusive community.

A huge thank you to Rotary, Roundtable, the Community Association and the army of volunteers who turned out to make the Downhill Run and the Festival in the Park such a fantastic occasion. I very much appreciate the hard work put in by many people without which we wouldn't have had such a wonderful day. Thanks also to the CWaC officers for their hard work behind the scenes and for manning one of the many stalls.

I also have to say thank you to my daughter Sarah who took many, many photographs - some of which I've posted here. If anyone wants a higher resolution copy of any of these images, or if you want me to look to see if Sarah captured you or your family on the downhill run just be in touch and I'll see what I've got. I have around 50 of them!

It was wonderful to see so many parents running with their youngsters. I'm personally very grateful that they do - it is the only way I have a chance of finishing in the top half!

Now for the second year running I won the particular challenge I set myself - beating Graham Evans MP to the finish line. I breezed passed him at the Ring O'Bells. I keep the bragging rights for another year! Incidentally Graham and I are exactly the same age - we are the twins that never were!

For data protection reasons I've limited the size of the 'family photos' and the numbers I've reproduced here.

Chris Larkin was the first one home

The downhill run's appeal is that it is for most of us a family fun run.

I'd love to say 'accelerating' at the Ringers - but that wouldn't be true!

Graham Evans MP and son

still smiling at the finish.

Cllr Sarah Wakefield and fiancee Greg with Graham Evans MP and his son. I'm in the middle! Ironically we're lined up in the order we finished!

Mayor of Frodsham Cllr Allen Wales presents

Just before the shower!

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Christmas 2014 - pledge of Members' Grant support

July 9, 2014, 8:11 am

≫ Next: Swing Bridge - Proposed Permanent Traffic Regulation Order

≪ Previous: Downhill Run and Festival in the Park

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Swing Bridge - Proposed Permanent Traffic Regulation Order

July 15, 2014, 1:47 pm

≫ Next: Frodsham Marshes - replacement of the drainage pumps

≪ Previous: Christmas 2014 - pledge of Members' Grant support

The text that follows below is the CWaC formal notice, statement of reasons and accompanying plan proposing a permanent Traffic Regulation Order for the A56 at the Swing Bridge to the east of Frodsham.

The bridge is set to re-open in the early autumn. The restored bridge will only have one lane in each direction.

As you can see from the plan the proposal is to continue with the existing temporary traffic management arrangements.

This allows free movement of traffic into Frodsham and from Frodsham to the M56 motorway. Those wishing to travel from Frodsham to Sutton Weaver will continue to have to loop around the first M56 roundabout. This arrangement works without traffic lights.

It is important that everyone who wishes to express a view on the proposal responds to this consultation by 8 August 2014. I'm going to have my say - make sure you have yours!

CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER BOROUGH COUNCIL

TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER

NOTICE is hereby given that the Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council propose to make the following Traffic Regulation Order in accordance with the provisions of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER BOROUGH COUNCIL

(A56 SUTTON CAUSEWAY, SUTTON WEAVER)

(PROHIBITION OF RIGHT HANDTURN) ORDER 2014

The effect of the order will be to prohibit any vehicle proceeding in a northerly direction on the A56 Sutton Causeway to make a right hand turn into the A56 Chester Road, Sutton Weaver

Full details of the proposal are in the draft Order together with a plan which may be examined at the offices of Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council, Wyvern House, The Drumber, Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 1AH between the hours of 9am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

If you wish to object to the proposed Order, or to any provisions contained in it, you may do so in writing specifying the grounds on which it is made, to the undersigned quoting reference TRO 865 by 8^TH August 2014

Richard Flood

Area Highways Manager

Localities Directorate

Cheshire West and Chester Council, Winsford Area Highways Office, Phoenix House, Clough Road, Winsford, Cheshire CW7 4BD

Engvr@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

16^th July 2014

STATEMENT OF REASONS

THE CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER BOROUGH COUNCIL

(A56 SUTTON CAUSEWAY, SUTTON WEAVER)

(PROHIBITION OF ACCESS) ORDER 2014

As part of the major refurbishment of Sutton Weaver Swing Bridge currently being undertaken, it is proposed to reduce the traffic to two lanes over the bridge to protect the structure from vehicular impacts.

Extensive traffic modelling work has been undertaken to assess the traffic impact of reducing it to two lanes over the bridge.

It has been requested by the Executive Member for Localities that a traffic order should be advertised to prohibit vehicles travelling from Frodsham towards Sutton Weaver to access the A56 Chester Road, Sutton Weaver. This will facilitate the removal of the traffic signal junction as the A56 Sutton Causeway and A557 Clifton Road will be the main route between the M56 motorway and Frodsham.

Traffic wishing to travel to Sutton Weaver will have to continue along A557 Clifton Road around Clifton Road Roundabout and back along A557 Clifton Road turning left into A56 Chester Road. This is illustrated on the plan attached to this order.

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