Campaign for council
tax refund for women
by John Hendon
LIBERAL Democrats at Warrington are launching a campaign to force the Government to pay the one-off ?200 Council Tax refund to all pensioners and stop discriminating against women aged 60-64.
Coun Roy Smith said: ?The Government are insulting the 4,968 women in Warrington aged 60 to 64.
?They are denying them the ?200 Council Tax refund on the grounds that they have retired inappropriately early.
?This is ludicrous. If the Government has overwhelming evidence that women between 60 and 64 do not require the same level of help as other pensioners they should produce it. Otherwise, this appears to be nothing but discriminatory.
?We are launching a petition which we hope to deliver to the Prime Minister later this year.?
Anyone who wants to sign the petition or join the campaign should contact Roy Smith, 25 Winchester Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington WA5 1XU (Tel: 01925 654950) or e-mail [email protected]
Coun Smith added: ?I am submitting a motion to the next meeting of Warrington Borough Council on November 28 to draw attention to this.?
Mother-of-two takes
over top sales job
by staff reporter
A MOTHER-of-two from Warrington has been appointed field sales manager for the North West division of Harron Homes.
Carole-Ann Rose only joined the company in January after previously working as a branch manager for an estate agent.
She will have responsibility for the co-ordination and motivation of the sales force across the region.
Carole began her career in the property sector working for an independent estate agent in 1978 as a bookkeeper/cashier.
She rose to become a branch manager and spent several years working out on site for a number of developers.
During this time her passion for off-road sports led her to own and run an off-road motorcycle dealership for 10 years. She still loves motorcycles and also enjoys dancing, walking and off-road cycling.
She said, ?I aim to use my knowledge to make a significant contribution to Harron Homes’ operation, helping them to develop within the industry.
?Harron Homes has the potential to be the largest independent housebuilder, in five to 10 years time – Harron will naturally develop into a well recognised ‘brand name’ within the housing market.
Sam is the man
for student job
by staff reporter
NEW student president at Warrington?s Priestley College is Sam Clarke.
The 18-year-old from Padgate is currently in his second year of study at the Loushers Lane campus and is completing his A2 Levels in maths, further maths and physics as well as the CPS critical thinking programme.
A former pupil at Birchwood High School, Sam’s major responsibility is to lead the student council and be a voice for his peers on all matters relating to student life at the college.
He has to balance the role alongside his full-time study programme but has taken it all in his stride.
“You have to be organised and need to know where to be and where you’re going” he said.
“It’s not that dissimilar to the role I had whilst at school and I definitely enjoy being busy.”
Sam also has the interests of students firmly in his focus.
He said: “I always try and do the best I can in what ever I do, so this role is no different. It is key to me that the voice of the students is heard and I enjoy the responsibility of addressing those opinions to the relevant parties.”
Praise for schools
with “basic skills”
by John Hendon
WARRINGTON?S education chief has praised three schools which have been presented with Basic Skills Quality Mark awards.
Coun Colin Froggatt, the borough council?s executive member for Children?s Services, said: “This is a great achievement for all three schools and they should be very proud.
?It is very important that we continue to maintain high standards in the basic skills of literacy and numeracy and staff work very hard with pupils to achieve this. Every child matters in Warrington and it is important that they have these basic skills to build their futures on.?
The three schools are Statham Primary, at Lymm, Oakwood Avenue Primary, Warrington, and Green Lane School, Padgate.
They received their awards from Pat Collard, assistant director of the Basic Skills Agency.
The nationally recognised awards show a school is teaching, planning and acting to raise achievements and standards in the basic skills of literacy and numeracy.
Each school had to fulfil 10 key elements to obtain the awards and underwent independent accreditation inspections last year.
Restaurant over
showroom refused
by John Hendon
RESIDENTS have won a battle to block plans for a restaurant above a car sales showroom at Woolston, Warrington.
The borough council?s development control committee has rejected an application for the first floor restaurant at the junction of Manchester Road and New Cut Lane.
More than 50 nearby residents had opposed the scheme on the grounds of noise, disturbance, smells, increased traffic and over-development of a small site.
Residents also feared an increase in anti-social behaviour, glare from illuminated signage and a loss of privacy for the nearest houses.
Members of the committee visited the site before reaching their decision which went against officers? recommendations to approve the scheme.
Officers argued that residents? concerns could be dealt with through conditions and pointed out that a similar mix of uses involving a restaurant above car showrooms had function successfully elsewhere.
News in brief
Autumn fair
A TWO-day autumn fair is being held at Warrington Parish Church on Thursday, October 27 at 2pm and Saturday, October 29 at 11am. There will be staff with gifts, crafts and other items and a prize draw.
Phone masts
BRITISH Telecom have been granted permission to erect three antennae and two equipment cabinets on the roof of their premises in Stanley Street, Warrington.
Road closure
WARRINGTON Borough Council intends to make an order to temporarily close part of Westbrook Way, Great Sankey and introduce a 30mph speed limit while structural works are carried out to the carriageway.
New offices
A NEW two storey offices building, with retail and food sales on the ground floor, in Union Street, Warrington, following demolition of existing buildings.
Bulb planting
RANGERS will be planting bulbs in Orford Park, Warrington, tomorrow (Sunday). Anyone who wants to help can join them between 2pm and 3.30pm.
