Land swap option approved in secret

TOWN Hall chiefs at Warrington, meeting in private, have agreed the terms of an option agreement for a “land swap” to enable a new town centre health clinic to go ahead.
The new clinic would replace the existing Garven Place clinic off Sankey Street and would be on the site of the old Warrington Baths.
Members of the borough council’s executive board approved the deal meeting in private session.
They have authorised the Strategic Director Corporate Services to complete the sale contract if the option is exercised
The land swap would be with Warrington Primary Care Trust – and officers say it is necessary to agree an option for a land swap if the proposed town centre clinic is to be provided.
Critics have complained that the decision should not have been taken behind closed doors because it involves the disposal of publicly-owned land.
They also say the agreement should not have been approved in advance of public consultation on proposed changes to the provision of primary care in Warrington.
They argue that the new proposals differ little from the “mini hospitals” scheme put forward by the Primary Care Trust last year, which caused an uproar among doctors and patients across the borough.