CPRE Cheshire AGM 2025 at Lion Salt Works Northwich

On Wednesday 14th May 2025, CPRE Cheshire held their annual AGM at The Lion Salt Works in Northwich.

Summary

The meeting was a success, with many members present. It discussed matters arising since our previous AGM in the Wirral, the Chairman’s report, Treasurer’s report, and discussion of the proposal for CPRE Cheshire to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).

Introduction

Within the Chairman’s report Jonathan Clarke thanked members for their continued support, as well as volunteers, trustees and staff for their valued contributions.

During the meeting, we looked back on the year’s achievements as well as our plans going forward. These achievements included supporting 100 meters of hedge planting at the Countess of Chester Country Park, and providing evidence on brownfield availability that helped Wirral’s draft brownfield-only Local Plan get the green light despite strong developer objections.

The meeting also highlighted the recruitment of two PR and communications volunteers during the year, helping us sharing news and information, boost our profile, and hopefully increase engagement and membership.

The conversation started with the key issues that are facing the branch. The biggest of these is national planning reform, which is increasing pressure for development and putting both greenbelt and the wider countryside at risk. This in turn means that more community groups are reaching out to us for support.

Action

What are we doing to address those changes?

• Engaging positively with proposals that encourage economic growth and are also considerate to the environment and infrastructure.
• Supporting national CPRE campaigns – for example promoting rooftop solar as an alternative to large ground-based solar farms.
• Writing and meeting with local MPs to explain the importance of protecting greenbelt land and other sustainability considerations when building new homes.
• Responding to planning applications and Local Plan consultations.
• Supporting the Nature Recovery Strategy across the county.
• Bidding for funding to plant more hedgerows.

Topics for proposal

The next topic for proposal was for CPRE Cheshire Branch to convert to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). This was following a meeting on 16th July 2024, where the Branch Executive Committee agreed in principle on this decision.

Jonathan Clarke then highlighted the advantages of this conversion, including ensuring greater protection for Trustee’s and meaning that CPRE Cheshire Branch would be a legal personality on its own. This would mean CPRE Cheshire could conduct business and employ staff in its own name, rather than that of the Trustee’s.

Other options such as CPRE Cheshire converting to Charitable Company Status (CCS) were discussed; however converting to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) had been deemed the better option for the branch. This is due to its simpler structure, with fewer registration requirements and associated costs.

Talk and tour

Following the meeting agenda, refreshments were served and attendees enjoyed a short talk about the Lion Salt Works by Andrew Needham (Trustee) followed by a tour of the site.