Supporting the Natural Environment
In September 2019, Kay brought the proposal to Congleton Town Council that it should declare a Climate Emergency, which it approved, and she helped set up the working group that aims for carbon neutrality, waste reduction and improvements to biodiversity.
Kay has stood up for Congleton’s green spaces and natural habitats, consistently opposing development in these places in Planning meetings, as well as objecting to the unwarranted felling of trees.
Kay ensured a local developer replanted trees to replace ones it had destroyed in Quarry Close, Congleton.
Hands-on Biodiversity
Susan runs the ‘Bromley Bloomers’, a gardening group that plants vegetables, trees and flowers in Bromley Farm. She leads a large group of volunteers, who enjoy the wellbeing benefits as well as growing free food to eat. The Bloomers have won a number of awards, as has Susan’s business with is an Eco-Green Flag Nursery and a Plastic-Free Nursery.
Kay has volunteered with the ‘Trees for Congleton’ group, which is halfway to its target of planting 30,000 trees by 2025. She has planted trees and hedges, but also helped the group with its online consultation and resident engagement.
Tools for Change
As a member of the Green Working Group, Kay was a lead in the project to deliver the ‘Sustainable Living in Congleton’ eLearning module for our residents. Covering Energy, Food, Waste and Travel, this is completely free, and you can complete it at http://www.learn.congleton-tc.gov.uk.
In addition, Kay developed the Green Council, Green Living and Green Business sections of the Council website – packed with useful information and resources.
Campaigning for a new Tip
Kay joined Council colleagues to campaign for a replacement Household Waste and Recycling Centre in Congleton. Kay spoke at several Cheshire East Council meetings, including the one at which the decision was taken at last to review provision in Congleton.
Travel
Kay is in the Integrated Transport working Group and has led the lobby for better public transport in Congleton. She wrote a Congleton Bus Improvements document that was submitted to Cheshire East Council as input to the local travel plan. Many of its recommendations are now in the Plan.
In Planning Committee, Kay has been a vocal critic of new house developers who have not considered active and sustainable transport options as part of their Travel Plans.
Kay monitored air-quality as part of a project that demonstrated we need improvements to transport in our town, especially next to our schools.
‘Congleton is the only town in Cheshire East that has provided such detailed input into the requirements for improved public transport’ CEC Transport Officer
Town Centre Vitality and Neighbourhood Plans
Kay has been a member of the team scrutinising these plans for the future of Congleton. Her focus has been on revitalising our local economy, reclaiming our town centre for people instead of cars, ensuring we maintain biodiversity and protect green spaces, protecting our heritage and making sure our town is accessible and welcoming for all.
Also in 2022 Kay was chosen as a ‘Cheshire Platinum Champion’ – the only Congleton person included in 70 Cheshire residents awarded this accolade as part of the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
WEP Congleton 