The Parish Council

In May 2023, the election for parish councillors has been declared uncontested as follows:

CHOOSE YOUR VOICE FOR UTKINTON AND COTEBROOK

Choose the person who will represent you on Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Voting takes place on the 4th May 2023.

You will need approved photo ID to vote (most people will use a passport or driving license?) and you will be turned away from the polling station without it.

If you don’t have an accepted form of photo ID

You can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate, if:

you don’t have an accepted form of photo ID
you’re not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you
you’re worried about using an existing form of ID for any other reason, such as the use of a gender marker

You need to register to vote before applying for a Voter Authority Certificate.

How do I apply for a Voter Authority Certificate and what is the deadline to apply?

For the local council elections taking place on Thursday 4 May 2023, the deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April 2022.

You can apply online……

https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/…/photo-id-at…

You can apply for a Voter ID in person by making an appointment with a dedicated customer service adviser, telephone: 0300 123 8 123.

Chester: Chester Town Hall (side entrance)
Ellesmere Port: The Portal
Northwich: Information Centre
Winsford: Wyvern House

If you need to apply by post for a Voter ID, just contact the Parish Council Clerk on 077095 12348 or utkintonandcotebrookclerk@gmail and she’ll post or email you a copy of the form for you to complete and send into Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The Parish Council covers the villages of Utkinton and Cotebrook and is up to its full complement of 9.

Utkinton and Cotebrook Parish Council sets its precept for 2022/23

Utkinton and Cotebrook Parish Council, like all other town and parish councils at this time of year, has met and agreed the level of local tax that it will request from Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council. At the Parish Council meeting on 11^th January, the councillors agreed that the annual precept needed would be £9,400 which represents an increase of £2.39 per year for a Band D property in the area.

Utkinton and Cotebrook parish has a population of over 700 residents and around 300 homes.

In the last year, the parish council has:

Adopted the land known as Cotebrook Green and planted a community orchard there
Funded a tree survey at Quarry Wood and carried out tree work there to ensure the safety of the site
Funded the grounds maintenance of Cotebrook Community Orchard, High Billinge Pond and Quarry Wood and the War Memorial.
Funded three traffic monitors to measure the volume and speed of the traffic on two parts of Utkinton Lane and John Street, which will be shared with the local community police team and Cheshire West and Chester Council.
Funded the cleaning and refurbishment of the telephone box in Cotebrook, refreshing it as a community library resource.
Bought and installed two new dog bins – one at Primrose Hill and one at Cotebrook Green and the parish council are paying CWaC to empty them regularly
Given grants of £150 each to Cotebrook Village Hall, Utkinton Village Hall and St John and the Holy Cross Church (a contribution towards the maintenance of the graveyard)
Circulated the Courier newsletter every quarter to every household

The council is a consultee on planning applications in the area and supports residents with information and deals with local queries/problems. A Clerk/Finance Officer is employed for 5 hours a week to support the council and carry out decisions made by the Council (this is a legal requirement).

Parish Council Chairman, Cllr Francis Tunney said “the parish council are very aware that the next year will be difficult financially for many and have worked hard to ensure that the rise in the precept this year is a modest one of 4p per week for Band D residents and will be less than that for many. In the next year, we hope to:

Celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II with a big lunch at Tirley Garth on Sunday 5^th June
Secure the parcel of land known as ‘High Billinge Pond’ using ‘Adverse Possession’
Facilitate ‘Welcome to Utkinton and Cotebrook Parish – Please drive safely’ gateway signs

For information about Utkinton and Cotebrook Parish Council, contact the Clerk to the Parish Council on 07709512348 or utkintonandcotebrookclerk@gmail.com

The Parish Council for 20121/22 have all signed ‘Acceptance of Office’ and ‘Register of Interest‘ forms as of Tuesday 14th December 2021.

The council for 2023 – 2024 is as follows;

Marian Atkinson – email
Tony Dahill – email
Matthew Grant (Vice Chair) – email
Andrew Needham – email
Graham Spencer (Chair) – email
Graham Stewart – email
Francis Tunney – email
Parish Clerk, Kath Lloyd utkintonandcotebrookclerk@gmail.com – 07709 512348