Chester council news
Chester council news, newest first: decisions, budgets, council tax, bins and services, each linked to the council's own papers.
Top story
Cheshire West SEND Deficit: Auditor Flags Weakness Again
For a second year, the council's auditor has found a significant weakness in its finances. The cause is a SEND deficit forecast to hit £80.9m by March 2027.
More stories
Council
Cheshire West Council Complaints Nearly Doubled to 312 Last Year
Formal complaints to Cheshire West and Chester Council rose 86% to 312 in 2025-26, and two in three were upheld. SEND and school transport drew the most.
Social Care
Cheshire West Care: 387 Adults Placed Over 20 Miles Away
Cheshire West has 387 adults in care placements more than 20 miles outside the borough, at £1,799 a week on average against £806 for a local place.
Cheshire West
Cheshire West Budget Consultation: What a 10% Cut Would Do
Cheshire West's budget tool says a 10% cut could remove up to 300 litter bins and shut a tip. You can respond until 2 December. Checked November 2026.
Cheshire West
Cheshire West £10.9m Overspend: Hiring Hold, Reserve at Risk
Cheshire West forecasts a £10.9m overspend this year and has put a hold on most recruitment. Reserves could fall to £16.2m. Cabinet meets on 11 November.
Chester
Chester Taxi Fares Could Rise: £3.50 Start Would Go to £3.90
A three-mile daytime Chester taxi would go from £9.60 to £10.40 under plans councillors weigh on 10 November. It would be the first rise since November 2022.
Winsford
Winsford Cross Demolition: £1.6m Plan Could Bring New Homes
Cheshire West plans to spend £1.6m demolishing empty buildings at Winsford Cross, opening the north-east corner for homes. Cabinet discusses it on 11 November.
Northwich
21,140 Illegal Cigarettes Seized in Northwich and Winsford
Raids on four Northwich and Winsford premises on 28 October seized 21,140 illegal cigarettes and 3.6kg of hand-rolling tobacco. How to report sales.
Cheshire West
Cheshire West NEET Rate Falls to 3.62%, Lowest Since Covid
Cheshire West's rate of young people not in education, employment or training is 3.62%, down from 5% in 2022. How employers can offer a young person a start.
Elections
Cheshire West Polling Places: Most Moves Backed for May 2027
Officers recommend most of the proposed polling place moves, from Upton to Barnton. Two Chester districts still have no venue, and Helsby keeps Horns Mill.
NHS
Blacon Diagnostic Centre Backed, No Public Consultation
Councillors backed the NHS's £3.3m scan and test centre on Blacon Parade and agreed it needs no public consultation. It is due to open from April 2027.
Chester
Chester's Kubus Shut Over Illegal Tobacco; Three Shops Again
Kubus on Frodsham Street is closed for illicit tobacco, and three shops elsewhere are shut again after reopening. Raids found stock behind a false wall.
Council
Cheshire West Budget: £82m of Savings Needed by 2031
Cheshire West must save about £82m by 2031, with £42.3m not yet found and a £22.9m gap next year. Council tax is assumed up 4.99% a year. What is driving it.
Council
Chester Fly-Tipping Fortnight: 3 Checks Before You Pay
Paying someone to clear rubbish? Cheshire West says ask for a waste carrier licence, check it on 0300 065 3000 and get a receipt. Campaign runs to 25 Oct.
Health
Cheshire West Health Peer Review: First in England, 7 Fixes
Cheshire West and Chester is the first council in England to face an LGA public health peer review. It passed, with seven recommendations to act on.
Animals
Cheshire West Stray Dogs: 115 Found in 2025, 39 Went Home
The council's stray dog service has won an RSPCA Platinum Award for a 15th year running. Only 41 of the 115 dogs it picked up in 2025 had a microchip.
Transport
Cheshire West £1 Bus Fares for 16 to 19s Start 5 October
Ages 16 to 19 in Cheshire West pay £1 a bus journey with the free NextGenTravel pass. Who qualifies, the seven operators, what is excluded and how to apply.
Council
Council This Week: £3.3m Blacon Diagnostic Centre
Councillors examine a £3.3m NHS plan for a diagnostic centre on Blacon Parade on 1 October. It would add 6,894 tests a year. What is on and how to speak.
Northwich
Northwich Market Opens at Barons Quay, All 19 Stalls Let
Northwich's new Barons Quay market shuts Monday and Tuesday and opens late on Friday and Saturday. Opening times, all 19 traders and how to get there.
Ellesmere Port
Ellesmere Port: Three Shops Shut Over Illegal Tobacco
Stop and Shop, Vaporesso and Quick Stop must close for three months. That is nine premises the council has shut since November, two of them twice.
Frodsham
Frodsham Town Council: 12 Seats Recommended, 4 Wards Stay
Officers now recommend cutting Frodsham Town Council to 12 seats but keeping all four wards, though the town council has changed its mind on the review.
Chester
Chester City Walls Have Never Had a Structural Inspection
An internal audit found the walls' 113 structures have never had a principal inspection, and that only 11% of the borough's 368 bridges ever have.
Ellesmere Port
Cheshire West Alley Gates: 14 Orders Expire in October
The council's 14 alley gating orders lapse in October. Ten cover streets in Ellesmere Port, three in Chester and one in Winsford. Comment closes 30 September.
Winsford
Winsford Market Door: Officers Reject 1,316-Name Petition
Officers want Winsford Market's side door kept shut on safety grounds, despite a 1,316-name petition. Councillors take it up at 6pm on Monday 7 September.
Northwich
Northwich Market Shuts 29 Aug, New One Opens 18 Sept
Trading at Weaver Square ends on Saturday 29 August. The new £1.8m market at Barons Quay opens on Friday 18 September, leaving 19 days with no market.
Planning
Chester Business Park Article 4: Office-to-Flats Route Cut
The council made Article 4 Directions for Chester Business Park, Gadbrook Park and Sealand. Comments close 5pm on 18 September; in force 10 August 2027.
Energy
Cheshire West Solar Scheme: Register Free by 25 September
Cheshire West's group-buying solar and battery scheme is open until 25 September. Registration is free, and last year 121 of 193 quoted households went ahead.