Council compromise
on town’s coat-of-arms
by David Skentelbery
TOWN Hall chiefs at Warrington have finally adopted a controversial new logo to replace the town’s coat of arms at the top of the council’s business letterheads – a month after it actually started to appear on the letterheads.
But members of the executive board agreed on a compromise. The traditional coat of arms will be retained in the bottom right-hand corner of official notepaper.
On “Mayoral and Civic” letterheads, the coat of arms will appear at the top with a small version of the new logo in the bottom right-hand corner.
The logo will gradually replace the coat of arms on vehicles, signs and buildings as and when replacements are required.
But the change was only approved after another row in the council chamber.
Labour leader Coun Terry O’Neill told the annual meeting of the council that a resolution put to an extraordinary meeting of the council on April 30 had been incorrectly moved which meant that it could not legally be considered by the executive board at a meeting due to be held half-an-hour after the annual meeting.
The resolution was put after the Labour group had staged a walk-out over a lack of consultation on the new logo.
Officers said their recollection was that the resolution had been correctly moved ? but leader of the council Ian Marks agreed with Labour that it had not.
However, when a delayed executive board meeting finally got under way, Coun Marks said following discussions with council legal officers he believed the matter could be dealt with.
He said: “We do not believe we have done anything wrong ? if we thought so for one minute we would not proceed. But even though the matter was not dealt with properly at the extraordinary meeting we believe it legal for us to reach a decision today.”
The executive board voted unanimously to adopt the new logo, designed in-house by council graphic artist Mike McCrory and inspired by the town’s famous “Golden Gates” and the Greek goddess Nike, who sits atop the gates.
Honorary Freeman of the Borough Ivy Edwards – a staunch opponent of the change – was present at the meeting.
Afterwards she said: “There was no mention of the petition signed by 1,719 people, which opposes the change. People are still signing so the number will eventually be many more.
“I think the new symbol is more like a company logo than one for a council.”
Coun Marks said the council had originally approved a ?50,000 budget to develop a new corporate identity for the authority, including signage, vehicles, literature, etc, in June 2005 when Labour were in control. In fact, the estimated cost were about ?30,000 compared with other authorities who had spent more than ?1 million on developing new corporation identities.
The simplified design had the potential to save ?30,000 on print costs alone each year.
He added: “I believe people will be saying in a few months time that they like the new logo.”
Celia is town’s
new Mayor
FORMER teacher Celia Jordan – a borough councillor for 20 years – is the new Mayor of Warrington.
She was installed at the annual meeting of the council and announced that the theme for her Mayoral year would be: “Our Children, Our Future.”
The Liberal Democrat councillor who was awarded the MBE two years ago for service to the community, in particular Warrington’s St Rocco’s Hospice, said her special charity for the year would be the NSPCC.
But she also pledged support for St Rocco’s Hospice and promised to continue the theme of sustainability and the environment started by her predecessor, Coun Linda Dirir.
Coun Jordan became involved in politics when she was elected to Stockton Heath Parish Council in 1983.
She moved to Warrington in 1961 with her late husband, Alan, who died of cancer in St Rocco’s in 1999. As a result, became involved with the hospice, eventually being elected its chairman.
Coun Jordan told the meeting: “I have always believed Warrington’s success is due to the way everyone works together for the common good.”
Town faces new
traffic snarl-up
by John Hendon
WARRINGTON faces a new traffic snarl-up later this summer with major road works set to start.
United Utilitieis want to carry out major repairs to water mains in the town centre as soon as possible.
The project will affect Mersey Street, part of Bridge Street and Horsemarket Street.
Negotiations between United Utilities and the borough council are ongoing. But the utilities giant wants to carry out the work during July and August.
Town centre traders are unhappy about the proposals.
One said: “We will have no sooner got rid of the disruption caused by the redevelopment and expansion of Golden Square than we will face this new congestion problem.
“Mersey Street is one of the main routes for taking traffic around the town centre and any problems there are bound to have a knock-on effect elsewhere.”
Car dealer’s award for
community commitment
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON car dealer Polar Ford has been recognised for its outstanding commitment to the local community at a UK awards event.
It won the first ever PR award presented by Ford Retail, the largest Ford dealer group in Europe and owners of Polar Ford.
Polar Ford Warrington stepped up its community programme last year at each of its dealerships in Warrington, Runcorn and St Helens and well as its South Manchester businesses in Wilmslow, Stockport and Macclesfield.
Activities in the community included sponsorship of the Warrington Wolves Rugby League team, competitions with local schools and a series of highly successful charity nights in aid of Breast Cancer Care, raising ?6,000 in just six months. The next charity event in the Polar Ford Warrington Showroom takes place on May 31.
Regional director Gary Greenaway said: ?Polar Ford is committed to building links with our community and we have thoroughly enjoyed working with a wide number of local businesses, charities and schools in achieving our success. Particular credit goes to Kate Vella and Phil Rutter, two of our employees who have shown great enthusiasm for co-ordinating our community programme.?
Cash rewards for
town’s eco-schools
by staff reporter
ENVIRONMENTALLY friendly schools in Warrington are to be rewarded with grants of up to ?5,000.
Eighteen schools in the borough have successfully adopted School Travel Plans as part of a national campaign to improve youngsters’ health and help the environment through sustainable travel.
The plans aim to promote active travel and reduce congestion near schools through measures such as walking buses, cycling and car sharing.
Secondary schools will receive grants of ?5,000 and primary schools ?3,750, plus an extra ?5 per pupil, to enable them to strengthen their plans and purchase items to support healthier lifestyles.
The total number of Warrington schools now enrolled in the School Travel Plan scheme is 54, which puts the borough ahead of the national target to engage all schools by 2010.
Coun Brian Axcell, executive member for Environment Services, (pictured)said: “Sustainable travel is an essential tool in tackling congestion outside the school gates and I fully support any initiative which improves our children’s health.
“The number of schools in the borough adopting Travel Plans simply illustrates our commitment to this scheme.”
Pupils step out for
“walk to school” week
by staff reporter
SCHOOL children in Warrington are putting their best feet forward this week – National Walk to School Week.
All primary schools across the town are encouraging pupils to ditch their lifts from parents and forget the bus and get walking to and from school.
Research shows that childhood obesity levels are on the increase and children engage in le
ss physical activity than ever before. National Walk to School week aims to get kids on the move by walking – which is one of the best and easiest ways to stay fit.
Schools are running a number of events to promote the event, including lessons on the benefits of walking and regular exercise, walking days and actvities and the Golden Shoe award, where all pupils across the town are invited to come up with an award winning design for a walking shoe.
Coun Brian Axcell, the borough council?s executive member for Environment Services, said: “Physical activity and exercise has never been more important for our children and National Walk to School Week is an enjoyable way to incorporate it into their daily lives. It also gives parents a chance to leave the car at home, makes roads less congested and reduces pollution – so everyone wins!”
New ?20,000 entrance
porch for church
by David Skentelbery
THREE years of fundraising has culminated in a new ?20,000 front entrance porch at Glazebury Methodist Church, near Warrington.
A stylish new porch has been formally opened at a short ceremony conducted by the Minister, the Rev Paul Martin ? thanks largely to a successful bid under the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme to Waste Recycling Environmental (WREN).
The church dates back to 1865, although it has had many more recent extensions. It serves a dual role as a well supported local community church and also a venue for many local organisations.
The new porch, built by Stringfellows of Coppull, is of materials and style which complements both old and new parts of the building and provides a welcoming entrance. WREN Project Manager, Richard Smith says that the strong local support for grant funding for this project did much to ensure the success of the bid, which resulted in meeting a substantial part of the ?20,000 costs.
