"Too many don't share in town's success"

WARRINGTON is a very successful town but too many residents are not sharing in its success.
This is the claim made by local Liberal Democrats in their manifesto for Warrington Borough Council elections on May 5.
Leader of the Lib Dem Council group, Cllr Bob Barr said: “We are ambitious for Warrington and its people but we believe the town deserves better than the current divided and bickering administration offers. Labour’s leadership has held the town back, which is why so many of our inner neighbourhoods are shamefully shabby and deprived.
“We are very proud of the impact we had on the town between 2006 and 2011 when we led the council. Labour’s ‘achievements’ since they regained control in 2011 are nearly all based on the groundwork done by our administration.
“Housing conditions have massively improved. Plans for a new town centre were put in place. Omega was re-thought and new planning permissions allowed the successful development now largely completed. Community policing was introduced to help reduce crime and disorder.
“Many of our neighbourhoods are inadequately cared for with potholes, poor pavements and litter. We would bring back the ‘Look of the Borough’ initiative set up when we were in charge. We would give residents and businesses a bigger say in how the town should develop.
“While we still have responsibility for overseeing education, we would continue to work to ensure that the aspirations of all children are raised so our young people can achieve their full potential. Health and social care must be brought closer together to provide better services for the same money allowing older people to stay independent in their own homes for as long as possible.
“Warrington will grow and develop more rapidly over the next 10 years because of the national housing crisis. There will be a more vibrant town centre and new developments fronting the River Mersey. We support this and the plans were laid when we led the council. Speculative builders must contribute to services and public open spaces and not just grab opportunities to make a profit.
“We would defend the Green Belt because there is enough other land for development.”