Big Society minister visits town

THE Government minister who leads on the “Big Society” paid a visit to Warrington to look at joint working in the community.
Minister for Civil Society Nick Hurd met representatives from the Warrington Partnership at the Centre for Independent Living in Beaufort Street.
He was interested to hear how communities across the borough are engaged in important decision making and commissioning processes and also about the Local Integrated Service (LIS) programme.
The LIS programme supports unemployed people back into work through skills development and improving their health and wellbeing.
Cllr Kate Hannon, the borough council’s executive member for leisure, communities and culture, said: “The council and all members of the Warrington Partnership are committed to improving public services for our residents by working together to find more effective and more efficient ways of tackling important local issues.”
The Minister said: “Partnership approaches are central to the Big Society initiative, when services work together with communities so much more can be achieved.
“I very much appreciated the opportunity to meet members of the Local Integrated Service and hear their experiences of tackling local social issues in Warrington.”
Pictured left to right) are deputy leader of the council Mike Hannon, council leader Terry O’Neill, Nick Hurd MP and Cllr Kate Hannon at the Centre for Independent Living.