Borough may go it
alone on waste strategy
by David Skentelbery
WARRINGTON Borough Council believes it can still produce a waste strategy to meet Government targets ? despite the decision by neighbouring Halton Council to withdraw from a joint initiative.
Coun Brian Axcell, Warrington?s executive member for Environment said: ?We are confident that we can still move forward and achieve the goals we have been set, either independently or through an alternative partnership.? Halton?s executive has decided ? as exclusively reported by Warrington-Worldwide earlier this month to withdraw from a joint waste management strategy worked out between the two authorities over a period of up to eight years.
No reason has officially been given, but it is believed Halton had grown impatient with the time it was taking to complete the joint strategy.
It is not believed to have any connection with the recent change of political control at Warrington.
Coun Axcell said: “The council is committed to implementing a waste strategy that meets the needs of the people of Warrington and achieves the recycling and diversion from landfill targets set by Government.
“It is a Government initiative that local authorities form partnerships and we were making good progress in helping to drive forward waste strategies.
“A considerable amount of work had been achieved so naturally we are disappointed that Halton has taken this decision. However, in anticipation, we have already considered various ways of still delivering Warrington’s waste strategies and we are confident that we can still move forward and achieve the goals we have been set, either independently or through an alternative partnership. We are reviewing the way ahead and are hoping to report to the executive board very shortly.” It is understood a party of officials from Halton visited Warrington and intimated they were pulling out of arrangements for a joint strategy before the decision was taken by their executive.
Coun Phil Harris, Halton’s executive member for the Environment, said: “Waste management is a major issue for any local authority and in ensuring we look after our residents’ interests properly we have a responsibility to explore all options.”
Both councils have waste management strategies – and both refer to working in partnership with other authorities.
One controversial possibility that has been discussed is of a major incineration plant producing energy from waste situated near the Fiddler’s Ferry Power Station – in effect on the border between Warrington and Halton.
Joint recycling of “green” waste has also been discussed.
Halton Council already sends more than 80 per cent of its waste for landfill ? the vast majority of it to Warrington?s Arpley landfill site.
Warrington’s waste management is based on eight strategic principles.
First is that any solution must aim to be sustainable for the environment and community in the long term, having regard to the needs of the community, protection of the environment, costs, alternative solutions and technical and practical limitations.
Second is that Warrington will seek to dispose of its own waste within its own boundaries or, if working in partnership with other authorities, within the partnership area.
Third is that Warrington will seek and develop partnerships with neighbouring local authorities and the waste industry where such partnerships lead to sustainable solutions for waste.
Another principle involves reducing reliance on landfill. Warrington’s landfill sites currently import many times more waste than is generated within Warrington and Halton but the aim is to reduce this by encouraging local authorities further afield to dispose of their own waste.
One worrying aspect that the collapse of a joint strategy with Halton could, far from ending plans for an incinerator at Fiddler?s Ferry, actually lead to an even bigger plant dealing with waste from a much wider area.
Youngsters hoping for
place in national finals
TWO teams from a Warrington school took part in the regional heats of a national competition aimed at challenging youngsters in a countryside setting.
And the youngsters, from William Beamont High School in Warrington, are waiting to hear if they have won a place in the national final of the 2006 Kielder Challenge – a competition for teenagers with and without disabilities.
The school is competing against more than 250 teams from across the UK and Channel Islands to win one of only 12 places in the final, following participation in a regional heat at Haigh Hall, Wigan.
Each team is made up of eight 13 to 16 year olds and teams complete a series of problem-solving games designed to encourage teamwork and integration between those with and without disabilities. At least four members of each team must have a disability.
The top 12 teams take part in the final on September 20 to 24 in the Kielder Forest, Northumberland.
Youngsters from Beamont High involved in the competition.
Everything is ready for
172nd Walking Day
by staff reporter
THE 172nd Warrington Walking Day will take place this Friday (June 30) and the borough council has announced details of road closures.
Town centre streets will be packed with people as they turn out to celebrate The town?s historic demonstration of Christian Witness.
As usual, the procession will start at the Town Hall at 10.30am and make its way through the town centre. The procession will be led by a contingent from Warrington Parish Church.
Walkers of all ages from various denominations will follow, accompanied by a number of brass bands.
A council spokeswoman said: ?It is anticipated that there will be some delays to traffic but these will be kept to a minimum and we ask for people to be patient.?
The inner town centre will be effectively closed to all traffic from 9am until about 12.30pm. All town centre roads are expected to re-open by 12.45pm.
Access to Mersey Street car park will be via Academy Street and Academy Way from both Mersey Street and Buttermarket Street. Exit from this car park will be maintained via Bank Street to Mersey Street at all times.
Bus services will continue to operate but will terminate at the edge of the town centre.
Delays on main roads are expected and motorists are being urged to take extra care and exercise patience if delayed by walking groups going to or from the procession.
Tough competition for
Year Eight pupils
by Lesley Wilkinson
YEAR eight pupils from five schools in Warrington will be competing in a tough competition at Culcheth Sports and Social Club, on Monday July 10.
A total of 64 pupils will take part in the Axis Engineering Enterprise Challenge Event, which runs from 9.00am to 2.45pm.
It aims to improve the perception of engineering and manufacturing in young people and give them an insight into industry.
The teams will be a mix of eight pupils from different schools, who will form a company in competition with the others. They will use their skills to improve production while coping with a variety of business problems that arise during the challenge.
Local businesses and organisations, including British Nuclear Group, will be working with the students as business facilitators.
The challenge is run by Axis – a skills development organisation that aims to ensure the future supply of skilled people into engineering and manufacturing by working with schools.
Suez campaigners can
apply for veterans’ badge
by staff reporter
A WARRINGTON councillor has obtained dozens of Veterans’ Badges for ex-servicemen who fought in the Suez Campaign.
Coun Paul Kenny, who represents Fairfield and Howley on the borough council, is delighted that the Government has decided the badges be awarded to those who took part in the Suez operation in 1956.
He said: “Many veterans in the F
airfield and Howley area have already received a Veterans Badge to recognise their service to our country. “I’m delighted that the badge is now being extended to include all those who served in our armed forces any time up to the end of 1959.
“This means that the badge will now be available to those who served during the Suez conflict of 1956.”
In fact, the badges are to be made available to all who served up to 1959.
Coun Kenny added: “As we remember the sacrifices so many made serving our country, we must continue supporting all veterans, young and old. ” The many heroic acts and sacrifices of our veterans and their families must never be forgotten.”
Local veterans wanting to apply for the badge should get in touch with Coun Kenny by calling 01925 721184.
Cars destroyed
in garage blaze
by staff reporter
TWO cars were destroyed and a garage building badly damaged when fire broke out at Warrington in the early hours of the morning.
The blaze was at a garage in Dallam Lane and was originally thought to just involve the building.
But fire crews discovered two cars well alight when they entered the garage.
Three fire appliances and a hydraulic platform were used in the operation and foam was laid to help bring the blaze under control.
Cause of the fire is being investigated.
