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About Backford
Backford is a village and civil parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire West and Chester and ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. It is situated between Chester and Ellesmere Port on the A41 trunk road, to the north of the Shropshire Union Canal. Backford Cross is located about 1.5 miles north of Backford. The Civil Parish of Backford also incorporates the townships of Caughall and Chorlton.
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Learn more about Backford Civil Parish
Click on the video above. |
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HyNet – CO2 Pipeline Project – Update
February 2025
On Tuesday 18th February 2025 a meeting took place between representatives of local parish councils (Backford & District, Lea-by-Backford, Mollington and Saughall & Shotwick Park were invited), myself as the borough councillor for the area and representatives working on behalf of Liverpool Bay CCS Limited, the company responsible for developing the HyNet Carbon Dioxide Pipeline. The purpose of this meeting was to receive an update on the current status of the project, the immediate next steps and commence a series of these meetings going forward to establish channels of communication with the local community. Although this meeting was limited in attendance, there will be wider community engagement and updates in the coming months.
Key outcomes were as follows:
February 2025
On Tuesday 18th February 2025 a meeting took place between representatives of local parish councils (Backford & District, Lea-by-Backford, Mollington and Saughall & Shotwick Park were invited), myself as the borough councillor for the area and representatives working on behalf of Liverpool Bay CCS Limited, the company responsible for developing the HyNet Carbon Dioxide Pipeline. The purpose of this meeting was to receive an update on the current status of the project, the immediate next steps and commence a series of these meetings going forward to establish channels of communication with the local community. Although this meeting was limited in attendance, there will be wider community engagement and updates in the coming months.
Key outcomes were as follows:
- Detail was given regarding the appointment of the principal contractor for the project, United Living Infrastructure Services. We were introduced to an individual, Mike Cobble, who will be a key contact going forward. Mike’s role is Director of Major Projects.
- United Living reiterated their commitment to ‘delivering the project safely and sustainably, with a positive impact on the community.’
- Information was supplied around the timetable to date and next steps:
- March 2024 – Development Consent Order awarded (planning permission, in effect)
- Q2 2024 – Q1 2025 – Project approvals and detailed design work
- Q2 2025 – Q3 2025 – Archaeological work, ground investigations, enabling works (accesses, land drainage)
- Q4 2025 – Q2 2028 – Construction (with an aspiration to concentrate as much as possible during periods of good weather, i.e. the summer months)
- Some specific issues that have been identified by the community during the consenting process are being considered as part of the detailed design work. This includes the traffic management plan and consideration to the most effective routes for construction traffic avoiding narrow lanes where possible for more suitable alternatives (such as the A41 for key access to sites along the route of the pipeline). The need to be sensitive to school traffic and opening / closing times was also mentioned. Other similar specific points were commented on.
- Initial comment was made on potential ‘community benefit’ outcomes that might flow from the project. These include an aspiration to utilise local employment and skills where possible, use of existing local amenities for the workforce that will be present in the area for up to 2 years and the potential for a ‘Community Benefit Fund’ to be established which could leave a tangible and positive legacy in the community following the intensive project works.
- Residents are encouraged to visit www.hynethub.co.uk and sign up to newsletter updates. This website will be a key resource for the dissemination of project updates. The email address: [email protected] can also be used to direct queries that you might have.
- The group assembled on 18/02 will meet with the project team again in the coming months (likely June) and then quarterly thereafter (increasing in frequency if necessary). A wider community engagement opportunity will also be explored later in the year (likely early autumn).
NOTICE OF DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PERIOD FOR THE EXERCISE OF PUBLIC RIGHTS
Notice of Public Rights and Publication of Unaudited Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR)
The Annual Governance and Accountability Return for the Council Year 2021-22 (as required by The Accounts & Audit regulations 2015, The Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, The Accounts and Audit (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020) has now been submitted to the external auditors (PKF Littlejohn LLP).
The public has the right to inspect the Parish Council's accounts for the year 2021-22.
The accounts will be available from 30th June 2022 for 30 days and should you wish to see these please contact:-
DEBORAH JONES
PARISH CLERK
07977119432 or E Mail [email protected]
Notice of Election
Please view the notice of election on the link below:
| backford.pdf |
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Climate Change Committee visits HyNet
On 18th July, which was the UK's hottest ever recorded day, the Chief Executive of the Climate Change Committee, Chris Stark, visited HyNet to find out more about how the project will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, being released into our atmosphere from 2025 onwards. By 2030, HyNet will be capturing and storing 10 million tonnes each year, a quarter of all emissions across the north west of the UK. Chris Stark, CEO, Climate Change Committee said: “The UK's climate goals will only be achieved with genuine ambition to decarbonise British industry in this decade. The opportunity is to cut carbon, while growing regional employment. HyNet is the kind of bold, nationally significant project we need to modernise and decarbonise multiple industries at scale. It can be a template for similar projects across the UK” Read more here. 
Now Procuring: Cadent Gas As Cadent's work on HyNet's Hydrogen Pipeline progresses, the contract PIN for engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) has now been published via the Government's Find a Tender Service. Cadent is looking for a single entity (which could be a joint venture or consortium) to deliver the full EPCC scope, while incorporating local content. The Contract Notice release will be issued in early September via the Find a Tender Service, and Cadent are aiming to award the final contract in Summer 2023. Cadent will be scheduling a Supplier Engagement Day in early September where they will provide more details on the HyNet Hydrogen Pipeline. Sign up by clicking on the Cadent logo on HyNet's supply chain webpage. Find out more about HyNet's supply chain on our website. |
Chester school says hy to climate change
As the UK geared up to the UK's record-breaking temperatures, HyNet was invited to join pupils at Huntington Community Primary School on their Climate Awareness Day. John Egan spoke to pupils about what climate change is and how it will affect our region. The HyNet team have very much enjoyed being involved in the work being done within the North West and North Wales, such as Huntington Community Primary School, who are actively playing a part to recognise climate change. Read more here. 
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JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS
A NOTE FROM YOUR PARISH COUNCILLORS Hopefully you will all have received a newsletter outlining the jubilee celebration timetable - there are also Newsletters in the Noticeboards and on the A frame advertising boards on the village green and outside the Five Villages Hall. The Parish Council has supported the events proposed and contributed to the funding of some of the events so we hope you will enjoy taking part in these over the celebration period. Please come and celebrate with the Community
CHAIRMANS REPORT
Honouring Our War Heroes
As always the Parish councillors will be supporting the Royal British Legion by allocating a donation on behalf of the Backford community and Chairman Mike Cheers will be laying a wreath at the Church Service on Sunday 8th November 2020. |
The New CWaC Recycling Service
A little more information here on the rollout of the new CWaC recycling service which has now commenced (from 14 February 2022). This is a major logistical challenge (some 320,000 wheeled bins will be deployed) and is being undertaken in five rounds on a ward by ward basis, the first of which will take place between 14 February and 27 March 2022. Further rounds will be detailed in due course. The Saughall and Mollington Ward is not in the first round but 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 Vacancy on the Parish Council
Backford Parish Council has currently got a vacancy for a keen, community minded and motivated resident within the Backford, Chorlton and Caughall area to become a co-optee. Anyone who would be interested in this position please contact either Mike Cheers or any of the Parish Councillors to discuss your interest. Of course Debbie Jones (Parish Clerk) is also available for discussions. Mollington, Backford & District Village Hall The Five Villages Hall up-date
March 2021 We are pleased to announce that the main hall (only) will be re-opening to users from 12th April 2021. If you wish to book the main hall for any date from then, please complete the online booking form. We are including the details of this year's Plant Sale now being delivered to all addresses within the Five Villages, along with details of a community survey requesting you to complete an online questionnaire with your thoughts about the proposed MUGA (Multi-Use Games Area) that will comprise the next project for our new village hall. We remind you that you have the chance to be part of the new hall beginnings by naming a brick (family, in memory, a business) in the wall by the entrance doorway. There will be a permanent Roll of Names inside the building on completion. See Buy A Brick campaign GRASS CUTTING IN THE VILLAGE
Despite many calls and reports into the local authority website the grass remains uncut as you will have noticed. Borough Councillor Simon Eardley has been working hard to expedite urgent works in our area but to no avail - we will keep you updated on the noticeboards and on this web page. | |||||
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New Community Policing Model for Cheshire Cheshire Police has launched it's new approach to community policing, introducing a community policing team. Please see their website for more information. |
please see below January 2021 update
| progress_jan_2021.pdf |
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Six Villages Hyperfast Fibre Broadband Project Update
What is the digital divide? The term ‘digital divide’ used to refer to the divide between those people that had access to the internet and those that did not. The use of the term has changed. It now refers to the divide between those that have access to fast, reliable broadband and those that do not. We already have a digital divide in our community between those areas that have access to superfast broadband and those that do not. The question is, do we want this digital divide within our community to exist in the future? For more information please contact Mr Christopher D Jones at [email protected] |
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Neighbourhood Hub in Response to COVID-19 This notice is to outline information, which will be useful if you are self-isolating or at risk and require emergency assistance, which you cannot get from local service providers, foodshops, pharmacies, neighbours, friends or family during the current crisis. In an emergency please contact any of the telephone numbers: |
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Please do not call for general council business. Cheshire West and Chester Borough Councillor, Simon Eardley: t: 07738 184101 e: [email protected] |
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Cheshire West and Chester COVID-19 helpline: The helpline will provide advice and support and where necessary make arrangements for food, medicine and social contact. t: 0300 123 7031 e: [email protected] |
Open: 7 days a week, 8am to 7pm
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Cheshire West and Chester Council ‘Live Well’ website:
This offers excellent pointers to a range of information about local services both generally
at this time and is available here: www.livewell.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
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Security concerns:
Chester Police t: 101 (unless an emergency) w: https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ to record any crimes |
If you feel isolated and want to talk, please ring Debbie Jones on 01244 851842.
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Other sources of information:
- UK Government advice: www.gov.uk/coronavirus
- General Cheshire West and Chester Council COVID-19 updates are available here:
- www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/coronavirus
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Five Villages Community Hub project update - June/July 2020
Re-Cap Progress on matching funds with the quoted prices of the preferred contractor, despite two value engineering exercises, stalled probably late April and into May. No progress on the proposed contract – as our contact was furloughed and communication very difficult as the world closed down. The decision was taken to cease proceedings with the preferred contractor and re-think our options. |
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Re-Set
Fresh meetings were held via the web with our professional team (architects, QS etc) as well as with our major funder The National Lottery (TNL) with the aim of agreeing a new track to follow in pursuit of our new hall. The project team prepared fresh scenarios ready for these discussions. Both our professionals and the TNL were very supportive of our proposals. An open and honest discussion was held as to the best way forward during which the TNL offered to confirm their support to two of our funders who have made pledges to fund on the proviso that we raised sufficient funds to meet project costs.
The agreed scenario was to return to the contractor market and approach builders in our area with a view to encouraging more up-to-date prices. Given the overall situation in which the UK found itself we thought that we would be entering a different market dynamic compared to that of pre-March 2020.
We found that there is a desire amongst local builders to start work again not least to have the opportunity to release their workforce from furlough.
With the continued backing of and encouragement from the TNL and advice from our professionals a suite of project documents was collated and sent out for pricing. We do remain under the requirement of competitive pricing as laid out by the TNL. We had hoped for prices to be returned without too much delay but even now the sluggishness of the responses of the supply chains (C-19) resulted in a requested extension to the closing date to mid-July.
Fresh meetings were held via the web with our professional team (architects, QS etc) as well as with our major funder The National Lottery (TNL) with the aim of agreeing a new track to follow in pursuit of our new hall. The project team prepared fresh scenarios ready for these discussions. Both our professionals and the TNL were very supportive of our proposals. An open and honest discussion was held as to the best way forward during which the TNL offered to confirm their support to two of our funders who have made pledges to fund on the proviso that we raised sufficient funds to meet project costs.
The agreed scenario was to return to the contractor market and approach builders in our area with a view to encouraging more up-to-date prices. Given the overall situation in which the UK found itself we thought that we would be entering a different market dynamic compared to that of pre-March 2020.
We found that there is a desire amongst local builders to start work again not least to have the opportunity to release their workforce from furlough.
With the continued backing of and encouragement from the TNL and advice from our professionals a suite of project documents was collated and sent out for pricing. We do remain under the requirement of competitive pricing as laid out by the TNL. We had hoped for prices to be returned without too much delay but even now the sluggishness of the responses of the supply chains (C-19) resulted in a requested extension to the closing date to mid-July.
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So where are we now?
The project team has been encouraged by the engagement of the new potential builders, most of whom have visited the site and all of whom have asked questions relating to various aspects of the technical build. With price offers returned by mid-July we’ll plan to start assessing bids immediately and will discuss the bids with our QS professionals for their views, thoughts and recommendations. Contract signing is a reality now, sooner than later. Since the last funding award in January, we learned in late June of our success in winning more funding from a landfill credit funder which is of course a super boost to the project. |
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So we have backing from all of our funders – either having received the funds already or have received fresh confirmation that the pledged funds are still available for our project. Our big two funders are The National Lottery (ca. £647k) and Sport England (ca £95k).
The third biggest funding amount will come from the Public Works Loan Board – (PWLB) to whom our three parish councils applied last year for a loan. This loan will be financed from the increase in the parish councils’ precept which was the subject of a 2019 residents’ survey seeking approval of same. Approval was overwhelmingly given and as such our three parish councils are fully engaged in this project for the benefit of the community.
The PWLB approved the loan last year. However the result of the above events (value engineering exercises, slowing down of UK activity, the postponement of normal business activity, public and parish council proceedings not least the closing of our hall) was a hibernation of project progress. An extension to the timing of the PWLB agreed loan is currently being requested so as to re-align to our project timetable.
Given that a loan has already been approved by the PWLB, we are hopeful that the parishes’ request for this vital extension is approved again. Without it and with no time left to re-start fundraising, the project would fail at the very point at which we are close to signing a contract and starting the build.
The Five Villages Project Team
The third biggest funding amount will come from the Public Works Loan Board – (PWLB) to whom our three parish councils applied last year for a loan. This loan will be financed from the increase in the parish councils’ precept which was the subject of a 2019 residents’ survey seeking approval of same. Approval was overwhelmingly given and as such our three parish councils are fully engaged in this project for the benefit of the community.
The PWLB approved the loan last year. However the result of the above events (value engineering exercises, slowing down of UK activity, the postponement of normal business activity, public and parish council proceedings not least the closing of our hall) was a hibernation of project progress. An extension to the timing of the PWLB agreed loan is currently being requested so as to re-align to our project timetable.
Given that a loan has already been approved by the PWLB, we are hopeful that the parishes’ request for this vital extension is approved again. Without it and with no time left to re-start fundraising, the project would fail at the very point at which we are close to signing a contract and starting the build.
The Five Villages Project Team
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Citizens Advice Leaflet