Archive for category: News

We are pleased to announce the appointment of a new contractor for the maintenance of our cemetery as of May 2024. After a period of seven months without any maintenance, we understand that the cemetery is not in its usual pristine condition, and we appreciate your patience as we work to restore it.

The Council faced challenges in finding a local contractor who not only meets our standards but also has a keen horticultural eye. While larger companies have been considered in the past, their work has not always aligned with the Council’s desired quality outcomes. We believe that our new contractor will provide the strong stewardship needed to maintain the cemetery as a place of rest and respect.

Restoring the cemetery to its former state will take some time, and we ask for your understanding during this period. The Council is committed to ensuring that the cemetery is maintained to the highest standards, and we are confident that our new contractor will help us achieve this goal, including improved maintenance of the pathways to the cemetery, and the garden of rest.

Thank you for your patience and support as we work to improve this community space. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kingsley Parish Council is required to set an annual budget to deliver services, and its income is financed through a combination of the parish precept, cemetery fees, grants and other income such as Community Infrastructure Levy.

Over the past few years the Council has made efforts to establish a realistic budget. Kingsley Parish Council is now better equipped to respond to issues as they arise and unforeseen circumstances (such as vandalism) without this impacting the delivery of other services. These increments over recent years would have been less significant if there had been more reasonable annual increments applied historically. However, between 2009-2020 the precept increased by an average annual sum of £0.83 per annum. While this produced an overall saving for taxpayers for over a decade, it effectively resulted in real-term budget cuts throughout most of the Council’s recent existence as the precept fell far short of inflation.

Across a similar period the second-tier authority, Cheshire West and Chester Council, has experienced funding reductions of almost £400 million since 2010.

In reaction to these circumstances, Kingsley Parish Council has tried to play a more proactive role and reduce the potential risk of watching a decline of services in the Parish by undertaking additional public realm maintenance to areas such as key public rights of way in the village.

This year’s precept brings us almost to the level necessary to deliver all of our services, make additional investment in the Parish and the community, and continue making a meaningful difference to the people of Kingsley. 

It is important to note that the Council’s costs have increased significantly in recent years, and it is becoming more difficult to maintain lower precept requests, without compromising on service delivery. For example, the costs to maintain the cemetery have more than doubled in the last five years.

The new precept delivers a Band D rate of £82.38, which is a year-on-year increase of £11.30 (15.9%), and equivalent to an additional £0.94 per month. This remains lower than the national average and the precept charged by Frodsham Town Council (£93.71).

To view the full budget and precept report, please click here.

A full analysis of national precepts charged by local authorities for FY2324 (produced by the National Association of Local Councils) can be found here.

Questions about the budget and precept can be raised with the Responsible Financial Officer, Luke Trevaskis, by emailing

Online is still the quickest and easiest way for residents to access the services of Cheshire West and Chester Council, although the authority does recognise that not everyone has internet access or the technology to go online. That’s why they also offer alternative ways in which residents can get help, including calling the contact centre for assistance or to book an appointment, or by visiting one of their Resident Assistance Points in key Council buildings and some libraries. A level of support will also be rolled out to further libraries and the mobile library this year.

Contact centre: call 0300 123 8123 – available Monday to Friday 8am – 7pm

For more information about Resident Assistance Point locations and opening times please use the link below.

Improving access to Council services

The nearest Resident Access Point to Kingsley is Frodsham Library, Princeway, Frodsham WA6 6RX. Opening times Monday-Friday 9am-6pm, and Saturday 9.30am-1pm.

Kingsley Parish Council is pleased to report that it has approved funding for the works to repair the eighteen vandalised memorials in Kingsley Cemetery.

The Council does not have the funds to replace like for like, but will undertake works to re-pin and repair to securely refit all fallen elements back into place on existing foundations where sound. Where foundations have disturbed the footing will be restored to hold the headstone securely. All cracked sections will be pinned and chemically bonded back to a single structure, cracks filled to prevent ingress and ageing compounds added to blend cracks.

The works are due to commence at the end of October 2022, for completion in November 2022.

The Council has contracted local supplier, G R Marsh Stone, who has provided a significant discount.

Anybody who wishes to remedy a plot under their ownership can let us know by emailing