Cheshire West and Chester Council, GB

Cheshire West and Chester Council, GB Workspace pilot opens co-working spaces for small businesses

The council recruited seven organizations as co-work space providers for the program. Twenty-one startups and home-based businesses will access office space over a two-year period. Participants also benefit from industry-specific guidance based on their workspace placement including retail operations from OpenHome and digital services from Code Nation. This project received funds from the national Department of Levelling Up in support of the council's Inclusive Economy Strategy.

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Cheshire West and Chester Council, GB

United Kingdom

Cheshire West and Chester Council, GB counters shoplifting with Business Crime Reduction Partnership

Council leaders and Cheshire Police assist retailers in their efforts against shoplifting and other illegal activity. Participants learn about theft techniques and trends during weekly police briefings. Each business receives a radio connecting to CCTV operators and patrol officers for communications during active incidents. The partnership also ensures shared communications about suspected shoplifters through the Disc mobile app.

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Cheshire West and Chester Council, GB

United Kingdom

Cheshire West and Chester Council, GB amplifies community projects with crowdfunding platform

Council leaders and Spacehive created Cheshire West Crowd for crowdfunded projects. Cheshire West Crowd focuses on grassroots fundraising with contributors supporting their favorites starting from £2. The council will match funds up to 75% of a campaign's target based on its positive impacts on community life. Local groups learn more about the platform during a pre-launch event along with free campaign development workshops.

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Cheshire West and Chester Council, GB

United Kingdom

Cheshire West and Chester Council, GB adds QR codes for waste bin reporting in public places

QR stickers were applied to 115 standard and Bigbelly bins in four locations. Passersby scan the codes with their smartphones to open incident reports. The report form for a standard bin can be used for structural damage or collection requests. The Bigbelly bins send automated messages when full but the QR codes can be used in cases of vandalism or malfunctions. This pilot compares how the codes compare to the Report It app in dealing with bin maintenance.

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Cheshire West and Chester Council, GB

United Kingdom

Cheshire West and Chester Council, GB evaluates local mobility improvements with e-scooter pilot

Council leaders and e-scooter provider Ginger selected Chester for the one-year pilot. The trial was designed with the help of local police and the Disability Access Forum. Licensed residents aged 18 years and older can reserve e-scooters from designated parking areas using the Ginger app. Each scooter is speed-limited and restricted to certain areas of the city. The council hopes the pilot provides an affordable and eco-friendly method for navigating Chester streets.

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Cheshire West and Chester Council, GB

United Kingdom

Cheshire West and Chester Council, GB addresses homelessness through ForHousing empty homes scheme

The council and partner organization ForHousing seek 25 apartments for the scheme. Participating landlords receive a fee from the council in exchange for renting empty units to homeless residents. ForHousing provides building inspections, maintenance, and tenant services that typically incur costs for landlords. Council leaders are hoping to build on this program with 4,000 empty homes in the area potential lifelines for those facing housing insecurity.

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Cheshire West and Chester Council, GB

United Kingdom

Cheshire West and Chester Council, GB resurfaced roads with emission-free treatment

The council selected an innovative micro asphalt treatment to resurface roads in 12 areas. This sealant is applied without heat or machine exhaust and sets within an hour of application. Roads treated with micro asphalt can last up to seven years longer than typical roads as the sealant fills cracks and potholes. Council officials hope micro asphalt can reduce traffic impacts while helping it reduce emissions from public works.

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Cheshire West and Chester Council, GB

United Kingdom