Interim Notice of (Non) Conclusion of Audit 2021/22

30 September 2022

Kingsley Parish Council – Notice of the Audit

and right to inspect the Annual Governance & Accountability Return for the year ended 31 March 2022

Sections 20(2) and 25 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/234)

The audit of accounts for Kingsley Parish Council for the year ended 31 March 2022 has been carried out but cannot be completed for the reasons stated in the external auditor report.

The accounts have been published and the Annual Governance & Accountability Return is available for inspection between 9am and 5pm by any local government elector of the area of Kingsley Parish Council on application to or

Mr Luke Trevaskis, Proper Officer, Kingsley Parish Council, The Boardroom, Hollow Lane, Cheshire, WA6 8EF

Interim External Audit Report (Notice of Non Completion) 2021/22

Mr Luke Trevaskis

Proper Officer

Kingsley Parish Council

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II ~ 1926-2022

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II ~ 1926-2022
It is with great sadness that Kingsley Parish Council has learnt of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
We know how the loss of our sovereign will be felt deeply and we join nationwide mourning as we fly the Union Flag at half-mast.
A message from the Chairman, Cllr Judith Critchley:
“Buckingham Palace has announced the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday 8th September 2022. Her majesty passed away peacefully this afternoon at Balmoral Castle. On behalf of Kingsley Parish Council, I extend our deepest condolences to the Royal Family at this difficult time.
The Queen had recently celebrated 70 years on the throne, was a constant presence, carrying out her duties with grace and dedication, whilst providing unfaltering public service.
The impact of our longest-serving monarch will not be forgotten and we will continue to take inspiration from Her Majesty and her commitment to the service of this great country and to bettering the lives of others.
May we all learn to serve others like Her Majesty, with compassion, dignity and respect.
May she rest in peace.
God save the King.”
If you wish to make a floral tribute, please leave unwrapped flowers on the war memorial of Kingsley Cemetery. Flowers will be removed on the morning after the funeral and composted.
Residents can visit www.royal.gov.uk to leave messages of condolence electronically. A physical book of condolence will be available at Kingsley Community Centre throughout the period of mourning between the hours of 10am and 12noon and 5pm and 7pm. We welcome all those who wish to express their condolences.

There will also be a book of condolence open in St John’s Church, Kingsley, from 10am to 6pm Friday 9 September 2022, and 10am to 4pm on Saturday 10 September 2022.

Children and Young People Survey

Cheshire West and Chester Council is seeking the views of children and young people, supported by their family, on what matters to them regarding the future leisure, health and wellbeing provision in the Frodsham area.

Linked below is a simple 4-question survey, and the aim is to receive as many views as possible from children and young people during this consultation.

The survey deadline is Thursday 28th April 2022.

Please take a couple of minutes to answer:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/P8F7WF2

 

New CWaC Recycling and Waste Service

The new CWaC recycling and waste service has now commenced and is being rolled out across the borough. CWaC started the first phase of a 12-month rollout for the service on Monday 31 January. CWaC will be rolling out the service one collection round each week with leaflets being delivered 2 weeks ahead of each rollout.

Information Pack

Leaflet

Quick Guide

As the rollout is per collection round, and not per area, residents may see their neighbours having new bin deliveries whilst they will be still on boxes. These people may not see a change until later on in the year. All properties will be changed over by the end of the year.

This is a major logistical challenge (some 320,000 wheeled bins will be deployed) and is being undertaken in five collection rounds on a ward-by-ward basis, the first of which will take place between 14 February and 27 March 2022. Further collection rounds will be detailed in due course.

An online tool has now been created so that residents can enter their postcode to find out when to expect delivery of their new recycling bins. This can be accessed at: https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/waste-and-recycling/waste-and-recycling-collection.aspx

It appears that most deliveries will take place within the boundary of Kingsley Parish Council either in February, August or September.

Budget + Precept 2022-2023

The Council’s costs have increased significantly in recent years, and it is becoming more difficult to maintain a low precept without compromising on service delivery.

For example, the costs to maintain the cemetery have more than doubled in the last five years.

Whilst the reserves of the Council remain healthy in comparison to annual expenditure, these could be notably depleted if unanticipated costs were to arise such as tree damage from storms, election costs, or (most recently) vandalism to the cemetery.

On average, there has been little movement in the precept over the past ten years and the Council is keen to ensure residents receive the same standard of service that the Parish Council is known for – which can be achieved in 2022-2023 with an increase in the precept of approximately £1.34 per month per Band D property.

The total precept per Band D property in 2022-2023 will be approximately £48.61 – representing a figure that remains below the national average (£71.86 in 2021-2022), and significantly less than other parishes in Cheshire West such as Kingsmead Parish Council which levied a sum of £104.69 in 2021-2022.

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

 

Cheshire West and Chester Mobile Library

The Parish Council is pleased to announce that the Cheshire West and Chester Mobile Library service has moved to a full timetable and will be visiting Kingsley Community Centre on Thursdays at 12.25pm-12.50pm (please note change of time) every 3 weeks from 3 March 2022.

For times of routes and further information, please visit Mobile library service (cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk)

There is no service on weekends and Bank Holidays.

For safety and operational reasons, some routes may be temporary and subject to review.

Hollow Lane Landscaping

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Kingsley Parish Council is continuing to make improvements throughout the public realm and has recently completed a tidy up of the shrub bed in front of St John’s Primary School on Hollow Lane.

Positive feedback has been received from local residents and the Council will be considering further works to other areas in the coming months.

If you would like to propose any areas that you feel the Council should target next, please get in touch!

Grants

Kingsley Parish Council is pleased to announce it has approved a grant provision of £400.00 to benefit local community groups and organisations.

The award will remain open to applications until all the fund has been allocated, so organisations are encouraged to apply sooner rather than later.

Each application will be considered on its own merit and an application form can be downloaded here.

Please return any completed application forms to

Kingsley Cemetery Paths

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Repairs to the eroded pathways in the cemetery have commenced and access will be restricted until the work has been completed.

The work has been long overdue and it is hoped the new condition will provide improved access and safety for all visitors to the cemetery.

Wildflower Mural

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Earlier this year, Kingsley Parish Council commissioned Q Bee Studios to create a spring wildflower mural with local schoolchildren on the wall adjacent to Kingsley St John’s School, Hollow Lane.

Paint was donated by local residents and the artwork has completely transformed this neglected walkway into a bright and vibrant talking point for all those who pass by.

Thanks is given to the artist and Kingsley St John’s School who part-funded this project.