1,500 extra revellers
descend on village
by Lesley Wilkinson
NEW pubs and restaurants opening in Stockton Heath, Warrington have attracted an average of 1,500 extra revellers into the village each Friday and Saturday night, according to police.
They have brought with them additional problems of binge drinking, underage drinking, anti-social behaviour and drugs, the police believe.
Stockton Heath Parish Council received a report from a meeting of the local Pub Watch group, made up of licensees, police, councillors, trading standards and other interested parties.
It highlighted police concern that there was evidence of binge drinking, anti social behaviour and drug problems in the village – and the action being taken to tackle the issues.
Licensees had agreed to do all they could to clear up litter at the end of the evening, to undertake to check IDs and consider employing door staff.
They also agreed to operate a ring round system to alert pubs to potential troublemakers and to stand firm and ban these groups. The use of toughened glass bottles and glasses to avoid broken glass was also agreed.
Parish councillors were concerned about a number of pubs and bars in the village applying for late licenses.
Local resident Julie Kueres said: “If we keep extending the hours of pubs people will end up drinking all night. This is a residential area, why should people all of a sudden find they are living a city life.
“Late at night the village should be quiet as there are a lot of older people and people who have to get up for work living in the village.”
She suggested that CCTV should be installed to tackle anti-social behaviour such as fighting and dropping litter.
Improved signage to car parks to reduce street parking is also to be investigated.
Town celebrates
Positive Action
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON had plenty to celebrate at the annual Positive Action Awards launched to reward those who have helped make a real difference to the lives of disabled people and carers in the North West.
Tesco won the employers award for helping 32 people with disabilities find employment, while town centre restaurant owner Michelle Butterworth from Shelley’s won the “Service Award,” in recognition of the efforts she has made down to providing special cultery for diners with disabilities.
Other Warrington winners during the prestigious event at the Halliwell Jones Stadium included the 5 Boroughs NHS Partnership Trust, based at Hollins Park, Winwick, who collected the Employment and Services Award and Warrington based mother of two Denise Shaw, who collected the “Individual Carer Award.”
The awards aim to reward businesses, service providers and individuals that are making a real difference to the lives of disabled people and carers in England?s Northwest.
Disabled people across the region spent the last 3 months nominating employers, businesses, services providers and individuals who promote independence, deliver accessible and/or inclusive services or maintain exemplary employment practices for the disabled people and carers in throughout the region.
There are 1.4 million disabled people and 750,000 carers in the Northwest. The awards scheme is organised by Warrington Disability Partnership and sponsored by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). Dave Thompson MBE, Event Co-ordinator, said: ?The Positive Action Awards have been developed as a way of recognising exemplary practice undertaken here in the Northwest in the field of disability. Whilst working with people from across the UK and Europe one can conclude that we have some fine examples of innovation and dedication that often go unnoticed. The Positive Action Awards offer a fantastic opportunity for disabled people and carers living in the Northwest to nominate those organisations and individuals who are making a real and positive impact on their lives.?
Steven Broomhead, NWDA Chief Executive, who presented the awards, said: ?The NWDA is delighted to sponsor the Positive Action Awards, which highlight the range of exemplary services that are available to disabled people in England’s Northwest. Disabled people make a valuable contribution to our region and it is vital that we create an environment that allows them to fulfil their potential. These Awards are fantastic recognition of those who are making a real difference.?
Full list of Positive Action Awards 2005 winners:
All Together Now – Merseyside based disability magazine
Bond Hotel ? Exemplar accessible accommodation
Merseytravel ? Commitment to providing accessible transport
Norton Priory ? Accessible visitor attraction
Oldham Coliseum Theatre ? Accessible leisure facility
Sarah Bush ? Dedication to supporting disabled staff
Shelly?s ? Accessible restaurant (Winner of ?Services? category)
Tesco ? Proactive scheme for employing disabled people & home shopping (Winner of ?Employer? category)
Tom Carty ? Long-term commitment as a carer & involvement in a local charity
Wildlife Centre ? Accessible conservation & visitor attraction
5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust ? Exemplar support for disabled staff, in particular people with mental illnesses (winner of ?Employment & Services? category)
Calvert Trust Kielder Forest ? Inclusive leisure & recreational activities
Central Cheshire Primary Care NHS Trust ? Innovative promotion of employment opportunities to disabled young people
Denise Shaw ? Commitment as a carer & involvement in a local charity (winner of ?Individual? category)
Disabled Living Manchester ? Organisers of the largest exhibition of equipment and services for disabled children and their innovative style centre / fashion service
Gill Kenyon of the H Club ? Commitment to improving services for disabled people
Greenbank Project ? Innovation and inspiration in offering inclusive leisure, sports and education
Lancashire Youth & Community Services ? Exemplar practice in accommodating the changing needs of a disabled member of staff
Martin Yates Independent Living Services ? Commitment to campaigning for independent living in Fylde
“High hedge” complaints
will cost residents ?500
by David Skentelbery
NEIGHBOUR disputes over high hedges at Warrington will be settled by the borough council in future ? if the complainant is prepared to pay ?500.
If the complainant is on benefit, the council will reduce its fee to ?200.
Town Hall chiefs are recommending the fees after hearing that neighbouring councils have set fees ranging from ?135 to ?500.
About 60 Warrington residents have made enquiries with the authority about possible action over high hedges.
Council action against the owner of high hedges is possible under the Anti Social Behaviour Act.
Members of Warrington?s executive board approved the fees after hearing that hedge owners were entitled to appeal against the council?s decision and that it was possible that some complaints could involve a lengthy and costly process.
No Government funding is available and the council has no budget provision for the work so the charges have to set at a level that makes the service self-financing.
To be covered by the Act, a ?hedge? must consist of two or more evergreen or semi-evergreen trees, shrubs or bushes in a line, more than two metres high and forming a barrier to light or access.
There is a compulsory period of informal negotiation before the council will accept a complaint.
A council spokesman said: ?It is anticipated the workload will be high in the first two years but may subside to a lower level after this time.?
The decision is subject to confirmation by the full council.
Meeting to avert a
go-slow on the buses
by David Skentelbery
MANAGEMENT and union chiefs at Warrington Borough Transport are meeting today (Thursday) to try and resolve a dispute over
pay.
Members of the Transport and General Workers? Union have rejected a 7.4 per cent pay rise, backdated to last April, plus two further increases totalling 4.8 per cent starting next April.
They are threatening an overtime ban starting on Friday (October 14).
WBT managing director Nigel Featham said: “The company has made a very substantial pay offer which will give drivers an immediate increase of over ?1,000 per year. Unfortunately, while the offer falls below the expectation of some staff, it is the absolute maximum the company can afford without putting its future at risk.” The company claims support for the overtime ban among members is divided.
Of those who voted, 74 union members were in favour and 54 were opposed.
WBT has made contingency plans, including other staff driving school buses, and are hoping to keep any effect on customers to a minimum. The company are advising all passengers to travel as normal.
Mr Featham added: “I believe the vast majority of staff want to see a quick and common sense resolution to the pay dispute and I still hope they can be persuaded that the offer on the table is the best available at the present time”.
Hospital A&E features
in TV documentary
by Lesley Wilkinson
THE everyday drama of work in Warrington Hospital’s ?6 million Accident and Emergency Department is currently gripping television viewers.
From dealing with serious accidents to a simple cut finger the department’s work is featured in a documentary, A&E, showing at 9pm every evening on the Discovery Home and Health channel.
It was filmed earlier this year when production company Mandrill Television spent several weeks filming alongside the doctors, nurses and paramedics. The medical staff held a special preview screening of the first programme in the Trust’s Postgraduate Medical Centre.
Shirley Brady, directorate manager for emergency care, said: “Staff were apprehensive about taking part in the series at first, but the television crew were so friendly everyone was quickly put at ease.
“The aim of the programme was to show to people just what goes on in a modern Accident and Emergency department.?
She said Warrington staff work hard to meet the tough Government treatment standards.
“The dedication and expertise of every member of staff to put the needs of patients at the heart of everything they do has consistently impressed and delighted me. I think that dedication comes across on the documentary,” she added.
Watchdogs’ glowing
report on school
by our correspondent
EDUCATION watchdogs have given a Warrington school a glowing OFSTED report.
Woolston CE Primary has been hailed as a ?very good school where pupils achieve very well? and provides a ?rich, relevant and interesting curriculum for all its pupils? after an in-depth inspection earlier this year.
In their report inspectors noted that ?the quality of education is good Overall? and ?teaching and learning are very good across the school?.
Provision for the Foundation Stage ?is very good with many excellent Features? and the strength of the foundation subjects ?lift pupils achievements beyond the expected levels?.
The report picked out may strengths from the school including that provision for English, science, maths, music, design technology, art and design, ICT and personal, social and emotional development, were all classed as ‘very good’ and in geography and history indications ?are that most pupils in Years 2 and 6 are on course to exceed the expected levels in both subjects by the end of the year?.
The reports states that the leadership, management and governance of the school are very good with some excellent features and ?children achieve very well and develop very positive attitudes because of the good teaching, assessment, leadership and management?.
The school has ?established very good links with parents and other schools and colleges? and ?has good links with the local community?.
Parents’ views were also highlighted as they ?expressed a very high level of satisfaction with the school? and ?are full of praise for the headteacher and all of the staff.?
The inspectors highlighted that ?this is a very good school with no major Weaknesses? but suggested the school should encourage everyone to use electronic assessment procedures.
Headteacher Gareth Jones, said: “We are absolutely delighted with this glowing OFSTED report as it recognises all the hard work and commitment put in by both staff and pupils. I am pleased that so many aspects of our school life have been highlighted and praised and we are committed to maintaining this high standard of education for the future.”
Alan Gough chairman of Governors at the school, said: “The dedication of everyone involved with the school has resulted in this positive OFSTED report and all the governors are very pleased. It reflects our commitment to providing the best education services we can for our pupils in a safe and happy learning environment.”
Venue change
for CAM
by staff reporter
A HIGH turnout at the first Community Action Meeting (CAM) at Stockton Heath, Warrington, has resulted in a change of venue for the next one.
Fifty five people attended the first meeting, so police have arranged to have the second, on Thursday, December 1, at Stockton Heath Primary School, in Brackley Street.
The meeting gives residents and opportunity to discuss issues of concern with police and partner agencies.
Main issue raised at the first meeting was the perennial problem of parking in Stockton Heath ? and police undertook to look at ways of resolving the situation.
