Council chiefs withdraw
cost-cutting measures
by David Skentelbery
COUNCIL chiefs at Warrington plan to axe cost-cutting measures which would have saved more than ?200,000, following the biggest-ever budget consultation in the town.
Trade unions, the business community, voluntary groups, the elderly, young people and representatives of ethnic minorities were consulted.
Proposals for a five per cent rise in council tax did not attract strong opposition as most people recognised the council faced difficult choices about how to balance its spending plans for the coming year.
Each group consulted wanted to continue to work more closely with the council – but also wanted assurances the council would listen to and, where possible, respond to the issues they raised.
The council has made a number of changes to spending proposals as a result of the consultation. These include: Scrapping plans to end half-fares for students aged 16-18 on local buses.
Remove proposals to reduce the benefits of senior citizen’s concessionary travel in view of a national scheme to be introduced from April next year.
Axe plans to reduce the subsidy paid to bus operators for Sunday services.
Delete a plan to cut financial support to the Woolston learning centre.
In addition, departure charges for bus operators using the new bus interchange will be increased and ?10,000-a-year will be provided to promote partnership working with the voluntary sector to improve consultation on the review of grants.
Other proposals include working with schools and the Youth Parliament on a “school recycling protocol” to reduce waste paper and increase recycling and offering assistance to the Ethnic Communities Association in finding a meeting room.
The council started its consultation of budget proposals earlier than usual this year, to allow more time for talks with various groups but they plan to start the process even earlier next year and, were possible, will include proposals on capital investment.
“Hair today, gone
tomorrow” for Steve
by Lesley Wilkinson
IT was definitely a case of “hair today, gone tomorrow,” for a Warrington man who took the brave step of having his head shaved for charity after his mum died of cancer.
Steve Bennett, a project manager in human resources at Warrington Borough Council took the challenge to help raise funds for the Clatterbridge Cancer Campaign.
So far, he has raised more than ?620 – and hopes to get more.
He said: “My mum died last February of lung cancer. The treatment she received and the nursing staff were absolutely fantastic. In May of last year the family sent almost ?600 raised from friends and family who made a donation instead of buying flowers for the funeral.
“For months I’ve been trying to think of a way to mark the first anniversary of mum’s death and considering what she went through, I don’t think losing my hair for a few weeks is too much of a sacrifice.”
The “pruning” was carried out by Dan Anderson of the N-Joi Hair Company in Bridge Street, Warrington.
Dan said: “I’m always happy to get involved with raising money for worthwhile causes and if anyone comes in to the salon between now and March 31 mentioning Steve’s name will have 25 per cent of their payment donated to the fund.”
Steve said: “The hospital has to raise ?1.5m each year to continue the vital research into the genetic factors surrounding cancers and I think it’s important to support the campaign.”
Residents’ quiz on
future housing needs
by staff reporter
NEARLY 14,000 people are to be asked to take part in a survey to help shape the future of housing at Warrington.
Town Hall chiefs want to know what the borough’s housing needs are now – and what they are likely to be in the future.
Residents will be asked about a variety of topics through the postal survey, including basic information about themselves and their family, the size of their rooms and their reasons for moving to their current home.
They will also be asked about any support needs for their household and about future plans – whether they plan to move in the future and if so, to where.
Coun Brian Axcell, (pictured)the borough council’s executive members for environment services, said: “The council needs to understand what sorts of homes are needed now and in the future so we can plan up to 2021.
“The more people that reply and the more they tell us about their needs, the more accurate we can be. I would ask everyone who receives a questionnaire to complete it – the more you tell us the better the job we can do”.
The results of the survey will help the council to bid for government funding for local housing projects.
Residents have been randomly selected to provide a statistically representative cross-section of the views of the borough’s population.
Racist attack on two
men in takeaway
by John Hendon
TWO men who carried out a vicious, racially-motivated attack on two customers in a takeaway shop are believed to be from Warrington.
The pair walked into into Godfather?s pizza takeaway in King Street, Wigan, shouted abuse at the two customers and then launched a savage attack on them.
After the 4.30am attack on January 8, the two offenders were picked up by a taxi and taken to Birchwood, Warrington.
Greater Manchester and Cheshire Police are co-operating in the hunt for the pair.
The whole attack was captured by CCTV cameras.
One of the attackers punched his victim, headbutted him and knocked him to the floor. He then kicked him.
He was shouting racial abuse all the time.
The two victims, aged 29 and 28, were taken to hospital with cuts and bruises but were not seriously harmed.
Sgt Craig Lippitt said: ?This was a vicious and unprovoked attack on two men who were just going about their own business. It is only due to good fortune that the victims were not seriously injured.?
Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call police on 0161 856 5307 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Woman falsely
claimed ?9,206
by court reporter
A WOMAN who falsely claimed ?9,206 in benefits by saying she was a single person when she lived with a partner, appeared before Warrington Crown Court.
Amanda Carty, 31, of Cabul Close, Warrington, was found guilty of benefit fraud and was sentenced to a 200-hour Community Punishment Order and ordered to repay the money. She had denied the offence.
The court was told that between November 2004 and August 2005, Carty defrauded the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) of ?6,567 Income Support, and Warrington Borough Council of ?2,110 Housing Benefit and ?527 Council Tax Benefit.
Adrian Webster, the council’s benefits manager, said: “There are no ifs, no buts when it comes to benefit fraud. Deliberately withholding information that affects your claim is stealing. That’s why we are targeting benefit thieves.
“We have introduced new methods of data matching – and the obvious message to benefit cheats is you will be caught. This case is yet another clear demonstration of our determination to tackle benefit fraud.”
Fraud operations manager for the DWP Roy Paul added: “The public is fed up with cheats who steal money from the taxpayer when it should go to those in genuine need of help.”
Theatre company’s
“adult” production
by Mark Hemmings
WARRINGTON-based theatre company IMPACT are set to stage their latest play, “I Licked A Slag’s Deodorant” later this month.
The play written by Jim Cartwright, tells the story of a crack addicted street walker and a vulnerable, broken man who try to salvage an awkward intimacy away from the harsh and ugly streets.
Better known for his play, “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice” which was made into a film in 1998 starring Michael Caine, Jane Horrocks and Brenda Blethyn, Jim Cartwright speci
alises in plays set in the North of England.
A spokesman for IMPACT said: “The play is quite unusual and to add to the experience will be performed in the promenade style. Audiences should note there will be adult content.” The play will be staged this Friday and Saturday, (February 16-17) at 8pm in The Farm Community Centre, Cinnamon Brow, Warrington.
Tickets are ?6 each from the box office on 01925 452895 or 07887 726160 and via email [email protected]
Drivers urged to stop
using their mobiles
by Lesley Wilkinson
AS penalties for using hand-held mobile phones while driving increase, motorists in Warrington are being urged to “switch off before they drive off.” Warrington Road Safety Partnership is reminding people that mobile phones and driving do not mix.
Officers say that although mobile phones provide security and can be a help in emergencies, tests have shown a driver cannot help being distracted by a phone call or text message.
They remind people that it is illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone when driving and from February 27 the fine increases from ?30 to ?60 plus three penalty points on the licence.
The team say that people can also be prosecuted for using a hands-free mobile phone if they are caught driving dangerously.
The penalties will be the same as for using a hand-held phone.
Officers say that people do not have to be caught many times to be disqualified – as those who get six points in the first two years after passing the test will lose a licence under the New Drivers Act.
The team urges people to switch off before driving making use of voicemail and only to use the phone after they have stopped in a safe spot. They advise people to avoid taking calls even on a hands-free phone while driving as this can be distracting.
Coun Brian Axcell, the borough council?s executive member for environment services, said: “The message is simple – do not use your mobile phone when driving. You are putting your own life and the lives of others at risk.”
