Bad blood leads to
bin collection chaos
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON’S refuse collection service has fallen into a state of chaos across the town due to “bad blood” between bin men and their council employers and poor communication.
Many householders who had been informed they could leave up to three extra bin sacks with their normal collection discovered to their horror that the excess refuse remained uncollected after their wheelie bins had been emptied.
Many litter conscious residents removed the extra bags of refuse, believing it had not been collected following the council’s recent controversial policy of not collecting overflowing bins, only to discover a second collection vehicle was being used for the excess rubbish!
Recent bad blood between the bin men and the council, which resulted in strike action and a work to rule during a dispute over new contracts, is believed to have added to the chaos, with the regular bin men refusing to take the excess rubbish.
A council insider said: “It appears that the bad blood between the bin men over their contract dispute has not helped the situation!”
Those affected included deputy leader of the council Keith Bland, who experienced the problem at his Culcheth home when excess bags were left uncollected.
The issue has also become a hot topic on warrington-worldwide’s readers forum.
It was also high on the agenda at the regular meeting between the council leader Ian Marks, his deputy Coun Bland and Chief Executive Diana Terris and measures are now being taken to address the issue.
A council spokesperson said: “The council had arranged for the normal weekly wheelie bin collection, and for additional bin bags which accumulated over the Christmas shutdown, to be collected on the same day.
“In previous years, it has been possible to collect the extra rubbish using the same vehicles but this was not the case this year so we have had to arrange for two separate collections – one for the wheelie bins and one to collect the bin bags.
“Because the process for collecting the bin bags is a manual process using smaller vehicles, it is slower than the usual wheelie bin collection so it appears that there has been a slight delay of up to two hours between the two collections. The advice to residents still awaiting collection of their refuse is to leave the bags out, even if the wheelie bin has been emptied, as the other vehicle will follow the same route and will collect the bags.
“However, for those people who were due to have already had their refuse collected and assumed the bags were not to be collected so had taken them back inside, the council will be making arrangements in next week’s collection to take any additional refuse.
“The council regrets the confusion that these two separate collections have caused and is taking steps to ensure that all refuse is collected as quickly as possible.”
Teenager inspired to
become fundraiser
by Lesley Wilkinson
A LYMM teenager was so moved by a documentary on a rare skin condition that she organised an event and raised ?1,391 for the charity that helps sufferers.
Charlotte Instone, 13, of Hartley Close, organised a ladies pamper evening enjoyed by about 60 guests.
She presented the cheque to Tony Eckersall fundraising manager north for Debra Charity.
The charity was founded in 1978 by parents whose children were affected by Epidermolysis Bullosa, a very rare genetic condition in which the skin and internal body linings blister at the slightest knock or rub, causing painful, open wounds.
Charlotte, a pupil of Lymm High School who wants to train to be a doctor, was moved to help the charity after watching the television programme about sufferer Johnny Kennedy, “The Boy whose Skin Fell Off.”
Her parents, Deborah and Mark, are proud of their daughter’s event and dad acted as MC for the night. Treats included aromatherapy, nail treatments, stalls, a raffle and food.
Charlotte said: “I was amazed that so many people came and we raised so much for the charity. I hope to do more fundraising in then future.”
Disability workshop
by Lesley Wilkinson
A VARIETY of agencies from Warrington are taking part in a workshop on priorities for disabled people in the town to be held on Monday January 15 from 11am.
The Disability Equality Duty Involvement Workshop will be held at The Village Hotel, Warrington, and it will be launched by The Mayor of Warrington Coun Linda Dirir.
It aims to review the activity currently undertaken by each of the partners, assess local priorities, and agree how local disabled people want to be involved in the development of this work.
The agenda will include an introduction on the Disability Discrimination Act 2005, followed by a presentation from each of the partners, group discussions and agreeing local priorities and methods for future involvement.
Organisers say the new act focuses on the mandatory duty for public bodies to involve disabled people in developing a Disability Equality Scheme and Action Plan.
Representatives from various public organisations attended the November meeting of the Warrington Disability Forum and agreed to combine for the workshop.
The partners are 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust, North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust, North West Ambulance NHS Trust, Warrington Borough Council, Warrington Collegiate, and Warrington Primary Care NHS Trust.
Charity seeks
donations by text
by Lesley Wilkinson
A WARRINGTON charity has signed up to receive donations by text to help it reach its fundraising target for the next three years of ?250,000.
The Relationship Centre, a charity that supports people in violent, abusive and unhealthy relationships, hopes to increase its funds by publicising the new service.
Spokesperson Marissa Hankinson said: “We have set ourselves up to receive donations from supporters via SMS or more commonly known as texting, people can text TALK and their name to 88999, and we receive all the proceeds from the text that costs just ?1.50.
“Fundraising is a new area for us as a charity, but we are a dynamic organisation that likes to utilise technology to our advantage.”
She said the same technology will be used to keep in touch with clients – such as sending personal safety messages, confirming of appointments or reminding them of helpline telephone numbers.
Prestigious award
for soccer club
by Lesley Wilkinson
A CLUB formed to serve the community of Winwick, Warrington, in 1996 has received a prestigious award during its 10th anniversary year.
Winwick Athletic Football Club has received the FA Charter Standard Development Club award from Lancashire FA.
Club secretary Paul McMahon said: “What a nice little Christmas present for everyone at Winwick and what a brilliant way to start the New Year, all achieved during our tenth anniversary football season in 2006/2007.
“This is an award given to local football clubs who place grassroots football high on the agenda enabling access to well organised and safe training and competitive football for children.”
The club has more than 180 children playing in 12 age groups ranging from U4 to U14, with more than 30 adult volunteers helping to keep them organised.
Paul said: “The success of the club is directly linked to the efforts of all coaches/managers/volunteers and there has been significant personal development amongst the coaches during the period 2004 to 2006.
“It is pleasurable to witness how the personal development of the team officials benefits all children playing within the teams at Winwick and we try to provide opportunities for development of football skill within talented individuals but without compromising the desire of all to take part, totally endorsing the ‘football for all’ spirit promoted by the FA.”
For more information on the club visit www.winwick-athletic.co.uk
Panto fun
by staff reporter
A “NEVER to be forgotten” performance of the pantomime Cinderella was enjoyed by members of Heatley Women’s Institute.
Forty members celebrated Christmas at Ye Olde Number Three, Agden, near Lymm. After the Christmas dinner five committee members performed the show.
Member Margaret Sharp said: “It was a never to be forgotten performance – very, very funny.”
Gifts were distributed to members over 80 and to Christine Syers who celebrated her birthday on Christmas Day.
The group’s next meeting will be on January 11 at Oughtrington Primary School. The speaker will be Peter Turner on The Art of Magic. All are welcome.
