Councillor Catch-up: Vicky Wheeldon

Last week, COGNEWS attended our first local County Council election count, and it was a doozy. We've already reported the results, but we wanted to use the opportunity to talk with candidates about their work and passions for our local area and how winning or losing will change what they do next.

Firstly, we caught up with Cheadle and Checkley candidate Vicky Wheeldon straight after the count. Disappointed but not dejected, Vicky told us that her work will not change. Already a Cheadle Town and District councillor, she is working with a small community group to bring into being a social supermarket for Cheadle.

She explained that a social supermarket is very different from a food bank; a food bank supports the poorest in our society, often for a short period, whereas a social supermarket is open to anyone who is struggling with high food prices for as long as they need it.

Visitors make a nominal payment and choose their items, which makes it a more uplifting choice. It's also good for the environment, with overproduction and short-date items being routed to social supermarkets rather than going into landfill. Vicky and her partners are going full steam ahead towards launch. More on that as it develops.

Vicky is passionate about having a successful market for Cheadle; she sees that as a vital part of our town centre regeneration. She attends the meetings and is keeping accountable the processes involved since the market was purchased by the district council on behalf of the town a few months ago. Nearing the completion of the public survey results, Vicky will be making sure that our market is fit for purpose and ready for work as soon as possible. We share her enthusiasm for the success of this project.

She is also part of the working group at SMDC who are responsible for South Moorlands Leisure Centre benefiting from a multi-million pound refurbishment and the new Chair of Cheadle Town Council's Finance Committee.

And finally, Vicky told us, "I will hold to account the newly formed county council, questioning and inputting and sharing my views wherever I can. Whatever happens next, I will still be working for the residents of Cheadle."

Councillor Catch-up: Vicky Wheeldon - published 18.5.25