Congleton Partnership Executive Meeting took place recently, download the full meeting minutes HERE.
Highlights include:
Tree Planting Group.
New tree planting group has been set up to support our drive to plant 30,000 (1 per resident) by the beginning of 2025.
Margaret Gartside and Patti Pinto briefed us on the plans to develop three areas (500 trees and shrubs) to get the initiative working.
The areas involved, Padgbury Lane, Marshall Grove and Quinta play area have fully costed plans which had been circulated to The Executive prior to the meeting.
The project will involve a great deal of partnership working between The Partnership, Congleton Town Council, Cheshire East, Cheshire Wildlife Trust and residents.
An application for funding of £1600 was put to the executive. The application to fund was proposed by Steve Foster, seconded by Linda Hulse, and passed by a show of hands from the executive body. Photos of the planting and results will be welcomed for siting on The Partnership website as is normal once funding support is granted.
This project is to be seen as a “starter for 10” to raise the profile of the scheme, and hopefully attract funding and volunteer support across the board.
Where residents cannot physically be involved in the opportunity to be involved through sponsorship/support will be available.
Various ideas were raised at the meeting eg, Burial sites, family involvement etc.
Patti reported that 2 new orchards have already been planted along with a few random placed trees by some CSG members. The will be a need to record what has been sited and a visual siting v target displayed for all to see.
- Town Centre: The churn of shops continues – and concern over number of empty units in prominent sites – Mill Street (5 plus the 3 Scarborough buildings) Pedestrian area 6 empty units, High Street 2 units. Since the last meeting ….
New Shops – Congleton Emporium and Bazaar – Lawton Street
Cheeky Chicken – Lawton Street
Lux – Antrobus Street
Hayes Travel – Pedestrian area
Proper Barbers – Market Street
Recently Closed Shops
Ecig – Pedestrian Area
Town Bathrooms – High Street
Well Pharmacy Mill Street
Work in Progress
Former Farm Food – North West Air Ambulance – Market Street (open soon)
Former Royal Bank of Scotland – Food
Former Co-op/Britannia Bank – Gym
Former Retro Shop Pedestrian Area – Training Centre
Former Broken Cross – Bar (same people as Rumba)
Notice Given
TSB Bank – October 2020
A small working group is still meeting with a small group of Market Traders to look at options to try and improve Congleton Market. Congleton Makers Market will continue on the last Saturday of the month. Waiting for feedback from Cheshire East on plans to carry out revitalisation plans for each of the key service towns. Arranging a meeting with traders for January to discuss plans and ideas for 2020 to improve footfall in Town.
Sports Trust – David McGifford.
David gave the meeting a full report on the formation of The Sports Trust, its members, aims both short and long term. Whilst initially it started with football, and the lack of good playing fields it is starting to include other sports and broaden its horizons. Land as usual around Congleton is an issue, the debate is ongoing with local landowners with a view to developing a sports and leisure offering in and around Congleton. There is little if no land inside the link road.
Early success is the joint projected with Eaton Bank School fronted by Vale juniors for a new all-weather playing area to be site at Eaton Bank and open for public usage outside of school operating times. This should be developed in the near future.
A copy of his presentation will come out with the minutes.
David to make contact with the newly formed Cricket Club (Congleton Cricket Club / Mossley C C ) regarding their situation.
U3A – Sue Ward.
Sue reported that the group which is highly successful with over 1000 members and has a lot to offer, is still not terribly well known and in need of some PR to spread the word.
They have now become very active members of In Bloom through their gardening group.
More information can be found on their website https://www.congletonu3a.org.uk/
The meeting ended at 7.00pm
Next Meeting is:- Tuesday 3rd March 2020, Congleton Town Hall, 5.30pm.