What's New?
'HOW TO BE GREEN: Cheshire and surrounding areas Climate Action Plans & What to look for with your Procurement & Suppliers'
Sustainable Playground Refurbishment complete at Derby Docks, Crewe.
As part of the Town Funds project, we would like to share that the public playground and Multi Use Games area at Derby Docks in Crewe has recently been completed, and officially opened by Dawn Clark, the Crewe Labour Councillor on 10th April.
KOMPAN UK along with their local installers, worked with ANSA and Cheshire East Council to design and create an upgraded playground site for the local community which is sustainable, futureproofed, modern, accessible and inclusive to all users. The scheme was created using play products with HDPE EcoCore with >95% post-consumer recycled waste, and their unique climbing BLOQX with 75% post-consumer waste and ocean waste.
KOMPAN UK pledge to support Cheshire East Council to achieve their 'Carbon Neutral Council Status' and other Local authorities, parishes and towns to achieve their Climate Action plans, with REAL results and REAL verified GREEN data showing carbon impact of every product and project.
https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/environment/carbon-neutral-council/carbon-neutral-council.aspx
For support on how to reduce your playgrounds', sports and fitness areas' carbon emissions, contact Millie Vozza, KOMPAN UK, in Delamere on amevoz@kompan.com
Unity Trust Bank – see how banking is changing for the better
As Unity Trust Bank celebrates 40 years of helping to create positive social impact across the UK, a new project is underway to review the current proposition offered to parish, town and community councils.
We're committed to putting our customers' needs at the heart of everything we do. Listening to feedback from local council clerks has highlighted the challenges some customers have faced, from account opening stage, through to daily banking issues, including digital banking, flexibility around mandate changes, and more recently, confusion around regulatory changes and information gathering for due diligence.
These are being addressed by a specialist project team, and consultations have begun to identify areas for improvement and future development, and we're inviting feedback from councils and associations, to help us shape their future banking.
In addition to this, a newly appointed specialist relationship manager will be available to assist parish/community and town councils with more complex issues; complementing the existing customer support team, Unity Connect.
We offer business banking solutions including current accounts, savings accounts, a range of payment services and loans. Our customers have access to secure online banking and a UK-based call centre.
Unity has recently added a range of new deposit accounts to its current transactional banking facilities to expand our offering. A new 18-month fixed term deposit account was launched early in 2024 , to complement the instant access account, 30-day, 90-day, 6-month, 12-month and 24-month fixed term deposits already on offer.
We have reduced the minimum deposit amount, to within the Financial Services Compensation Scheme(FSCS) limits, and positive changes to maximum funds held give our account holders more flexibility. By saving with us, you can be safe in the knowledge that your deposits will be used to help make a positive difference across the UK because our lending practices are aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
If you would like to offer any feedback to the project team, please contact:
Relationship Manager (Councils) – Sarah.johnson@unity.co.uk
Website – https://www.unity.co.uk/sectors/parish-councils/
Unity Trust Bank will also be exhibiting at the SLCC Annual Conference in October, at Hinckley – please pop along and say hello!
Town and Parish Councils: D-Day 80 6th June 2024
Local Councils across Cheshire, Halton, Warrington and Trafford are being encouraged to take part in D-Day commemorations and celebrations, enabling the local community to pay tribute to those that gave so much to ensure we all enjoy the freedom we share today. There are several ways in which councils and their communities can take part.
- Beacon or Lamp Light of Peace : Light a Beacon or Light of Peace at 9.15pm on 6th June
- Ringing Out for Peace: Cathedrals and Churches are asked to ring their bells at 6.30pm on 6th June
All those taking part will be sent the Certificate of Grateful Recognition, which can be printed and framed as a reminder of their involvement.
The latest Guide to Taking Part can be viewed and downloaded from the D-Day 80 website https://www.d-day80beacons.co.uk/ Those councils wishing to become involved are asked to go to page 53 of the Guide, and send the information requested by no later than 30th May 2024
Day 80 Official Lapel Badge
The D-Day 80 Official Lapel Badge is a commemorative piece designed to honour the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings. It is produced by Empire Medals and measures 40mm in diameter, featuring the flags of all nations involved in the historic event. This stunning lapel badge is plated with gold and enamelled for a polished finish. The reverse side is equipped with two secure butterfly clasps and 25% of each badge sold will go towards supporting the D-Day Beacons project. The badge costs £7.95 and can be viewed, ordered and purchased from the Empire Medals website https://www.empiremedals.com/products/d-day-80-official-lapel-badge?variant=40397188759670