The dates for the upcoming surgeries are as follows:

Further dates and more information will be posted on our website www.neston.gov.uk

Residents are welcome to attend if they have any issue they would like to discuss with Neston Town Council, to bring matters to Councillors’ attention, or just for a general chat about our town. 

Many local issues, such as waste collection, highways issues, transport and street lighting are dealt with by Cheshire West and Chester Council; however, Neston Town Council would be happy to discuss the matters that matter to you. So why not pop along? Neston Town Councillors are looking forward to meeting you.

Neston, Cheshire — Neston Community Energy, a Community Benefit Society*, has been awarded funding from the GB Energy Community Fund to undertake two important feasibility studies aimed at accelerating locally owned renewable energy and reducing energy costs for residents in and around the CH64 area.

The funding will support early-stage investigation and resident engagement and involvement into local renewable generation and the creation of a community-based energy club, both designed to reduce electricity costs, and ensure that the economic benefits of energy generation remain within the community.

Exploring Rural and Rooftop Renewable Energy

The first feasibility study will focus on the potential for solar and/or wind installations on agricultural land and farm buildings in the Neston area, subject to planning permission.

The project will explore opportunities to install renewable energy schemes on suitable farm buildings while allowing the land to remain in productive agricultural use. As part of the concept, the project will also examine the potential to provide electric vehicle charging infrastructure connected to the renewable installation.

If the project proves viable, capital costs are expected to be funded through a community share offer, enabling residents and supporters to invest directly in locally owned renewable energy. Given the possible scale of the project, the study will also consider using the Ethex investment platform to allow ethical investors from outside the immediate area to participate.

Community ownership would be secured through the project being established by the Community Benefit Society (CBS). This structure would allow local residents to become members and have a direct say in how profits generated by the scheme are reinvested for the benefit of the community.

Assessing a Local Energy Club for CH64

The second feasibility study will investigate the creation of a local energy club serving Neston and the wider CH64 area.

The aim of the club would be to enable local electricity consumers to purchase power directly from nearby small-scale renewables generators at a price that benefits both the consumer and the generator. By keeping both the generation and consumption of electricity within the local area, the scheme could help reduce energy bills.

The study will identify which consumers could participate based on the electricity substation to which they are connected and will assess likely community interest and participation levels.

It will also outline a practical framework for establishing such a club, including running costs and operational requirements. Depending on the local electricity distribution network structure, there may be potential for multiple local energy clubs to emerge across the area.

Importantly, the study expects that capital costs for establishing and operating the club would be relatively modest, meaning they could potentially be raised within the community or supported through the feasibility work itself.

Strengthening the Local Energy System

Andy Mills the current Chair of  Neston Community Energy said:

“Securing this support from the GB Energy Community Fund is an important step in exploring how locally owned renewable energy and innovative energy sharing can benefit the Neston community. These studies will help us understand what is possible and how local people can play a direct role in shaping and owning the future energy system in our area.”

The feasibility studies will take place over the coming months, with findings helping to inform the next stage of development and community engagement.

More information here: nestoncommunityenenergy.co.uk

*A Community Benefit Society is a member-owned organisation that runs a business specifically to benefit a community rather than its members.

• FREE face painting from 9.00am.
• A FREE to enter Easter Trail with a small prize from Neston Town Council for every entrant.
• Neston Town Councillors will be running a charity book stall and will also be handing out the entry forms and prizes for the Easter Egg trail.
• FREE biscuit decorating with the Wooden Spoonful from 9.00am.
• FREE craft activity with Little Actors Theatre Company.

All arranged free of charge and provided by and Neston Town Council.

There will be a variety of delicious treats to purchase for the Easter weekend ahead, plenty of bargains to be had and you can even take a break from all the Easter excitement for a drink and a bite to eat.

The Easter Bunny will be paying us a visit at around 10.30am and handing out treats so keep an eye out for him popping up to say hello! Why not come along and join in the fun at Neston’s wonderful market?  

During the latter months of 2025, all council committees worked through their figures and strategically planned their budget requirements in detail, before submitting their requests to the Finance & Administration Committee, where meetings took place in both in November and December to scrutinise the proposals. With the taxbase figure for Neston being confirmed by Cheshire West & Chester Council in mid-December, this added an extra layer of financial scrutiny to the figures, to ensure complete accuracy and an informed decision-making process. In order to make accurate and informed decisions at Full Council, members of the Finance & Administration Committee held an additional working group meeting in early January to analyse the three different percentage rise options and the effect these could have on Neston residents’ council tax. This opportunity also allowed councillors to fully appreciate how a single percentage figure can affect the amount of funding the council requests and receives.

During the Full Council budget meeting, there was a mixed response from councillors on the proposed figure of a 7.9% rise, with nine members voting for the higher amount, and four members voting against, out of a total of thirteen councillors present. The proposal was carried. In Neston, the lower property bands A to D make up just under 83% of the number of properties in the town. This means that in 2026/27, only 17% of properties will pay more than £83.31 for Neston Town Council’s total portion of the council tax bill over the next 12 months. This is an increase of £6.07, or 51p per month, compared to last year.
Neston Town Councillors are not paid for their work and all of their council meetings and duties are undertaken on a voluntary basis. Neston Town Council manages the Town Hall and Market Square, the Neston Friday Market, three local allotment sites in Raby Park Road, Marshlands Road and The Ropewalk, as well as floral decorations and the town’s Christmas lights displays in both Neston and Parkgate. Neston Town Council currently has one remaining councillor vacancy in the Neston Ward and you can join us by submitting your co-option application prior to the deadline of 9th March 2026. For more information on the casual vacancy please visit our website: https://nestontowncouncil.gov.uk/make-a-change-become-a-local-councillor-for-neston-3/ or call the Council offices on Tel: 0151 336 3840.

The Town Council plans to deliver a number of special projects in the new financial year and remains committed to upgrading and preserving the Town Hall for its residents and hirers. There is a commitment to both renew and increase the Christmas lighting displays on offer this year. Neston Town Council will now be heading into 2026/2027 in a stronger financial position than it has since before the pandemic. The Town Council will continue to offer community grants and donations to charitable groups and local organisations in the town for the benefit of its residents. Neston Town Council remains committed to working hard to help to create an environmentally sustainable and thriving market town for Neston’s residents, businesses and visitors by fostering a strong community spirit and improving and increasing the range of locally run services. Helping to support a town its residents can be proud of.

The Mayor of Neston, Cllr Simon Davies stands by the marginal increase, stating, “We have kept Neston Town Council’s proportion of the council tax bill as low as we could, whilst still meeting the needs of the organisation and allocating funds to pursue additional projects and priorities that we know our residents support, such as a new Christmas lighting scheme for the Christmas season 2026. I look forward to the year ahead and seeing progress with these bigger projects.”
Residents on low incomes, or benefits, can apply for Council Tax Reduction or support to help reduce their bill; this is regardless of whether you rent or own your home. Further discounts include 25% off for living alone, 50% for specific cases, or reductions due to disabilities. If you are struggling to pay your council tax or you need financial support, please contact Cheshire West & Chester Council for help.

Telephone: 0300 123 7022. You can call this number if you have received a final notice and cannot pay your bill in full, or to discuss payment options if you are struggling to pay.

Alternatively, for more information, click HERE

Thank you to my fellow councillors and our Neston Town Council officers who continually work hard to help us achieve our mission of creating an environmentally sustainable and thriving market town for Neston’s residents, businesses and visitors by fostering a strong community spirit and improving and increasing the range of locally run services.

Thank you to everyone who has supported Neston throughout the year. I hope we continue to support each other as friends, neighbours and co-workers, through both joy and adversity as we navigate a tricky world. I have always been proud to call Neston my home and witness on a daily basis the strong community spirit we foster here.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year 2026.  

Neston Town Council is calling on residents who are passionate about their community to stand as a Ward Councillor. There is currently just one casual vacancy remaining on Neston Town Council for the Neston Ward. You could be the perfect candidate that we are looking for.

• Are you passionate about Neston and Parkgate area?
• Do you have several hours per month that you can spend helping your local community?
• Are you a Neston resident or business owner?

Then we want to hear from you!

What do councillors do?
Councillors are the champions of their community and give residents a voice on the decisions the council makes. Becoming a councillor will allow you to make a real difference in your community by engaging with residents, local groups and businesses to find out their needs; making decisions on which services and projects the council should take forward; and getting involved locally to ensure the services are meeting your community’s needs.

How much time out of my day will it take?
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) Local Councillor Census Survey found that councillors put aside, on average, three hours a week for council work. This often includes attending meetings, engaging with residents and speaking on behalf of the council to other bodies. This is an unpaid position.

To qualify to become a councillor you must be:
• a Commonwealth citizen (which includes being a British subject) or a citizen of a member state of the European Union;
• over the age of 18;
• an elector of the parish; and in addition
• have been either during the whole of the twelve months before the day of nomination, or the day of election, resided in the parish or within three miles of it or occupied as owner or tenant any land or premises therein or had principal or only place of work there.

It is therefore possible to sit on more than one council.

How can I get involved, how can I find out more?
You can find out more about the work of the Council on our website www.nestontowncouncil.gov.uk

ChALC Information
https://www.chalc.org.uk/how-to-become-councillor.html
Training will be provided.

If you would like to be considered by the Council for co-option, please complete the application form. This will help members of the Council in the co-option process. All vacancies are non-remunerated positions.

Neston Ward application form

Please complete and return application forms to Neston Town Hall.

Further information:
Zoë Dean, Locum Chief Officer, Neston Town Council.
Town Hall, High Street, Neston CH64 9TR
0151 336 3840

The dates for the upcoming surgeries are as follows:

Residents are welcome to attend if they have any issue they would like to discuss with Neston Town Council, to bring matters to Councillors’ attention, or just for a general chat about our town. 

Many local issues, such as waste collection, highways issues, transport and street lighting are dealt with by Cheshire West and Chester Council; however, Neston Town Council would be happy to discuss the matters that matter to you. So why not pop along? Neston Town Councillors are looking forward to meeting you.

The vacancies will be filled by the Town Council itself at the next available meeting.

If you would like to be considered by the Council for co-option, please complete an application form, which is available at the address below or by clicking HERE. This will help members of the Council in making nominations from which to select a new member of the Council.

The deadline for return of the co-option application form is Monday 12th January 2026 at 12pm.

Please note that all information contained in Part 1 of the application will be published in the same manner as other documents for consideration at a meeting of the Council and be available to the public at the Council’s office and on its website.

Neston Town Council

Neston Town Hall

High Street

Neston

CH64 9TR

council@nestontowncouncil.gov.uk

Locum Chief Officer, Neston Town Council, Zoë Dean 0151 336 3840

www.nestontowncouncil.gov.uk

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