Defiant finance boss defends
council’s ?114 million budget
by David Skentelbery
WARRINGTON?S finance boss has hit back over criticism of the borough council?s ?114.6 million budget.
John Morris, the council?s executive member for resources, said the council was providing value for money, had achieved savings of ?6.3 million and had increased efficiency.
After the council approved a 4.9 per cent council tax rise on Monday, the Liberal Democrat opposition group accused the ruling Labour group of agreeing a budget that ?papered over the cracks.?
Coun Peter Walker, the Liberal Democrat finance spokesman, said the council tax rise was a ?stealth tax? imposed by the Government.
He said: ?We have had several years of increases more than inflation and this particularly hurts people on low incomes. Residents will also be hit by a raft of increased charges above inflation for services and a ?1 million cut in other services.?
Coun Morris said: “We have faced a number of challenges and tough decisions in setting the budget for this year.
?We have identified more than ?6.3million savings next year by increasing our efficiency, increasing the income we receive and focusing more closely on our core business. I believe the decisions we have made will mean the council can continue to provide front line services that are important to local communities as well as investing in projects to further improve life in the borough.
“In the recent Audit Commission’s annual letter to the council the Commission has recognised that the council provides value for money and has a stable financial position. Through this budget we are able to maintain this position and continue to keep council tax at a lower level than our comparable authorities.
“We have taken on board the comments and views expressed during the consultation process and I would like to thank everyone who contributed.”
Sporty students give
charity a boost
by John Hendon
SPORTS students from Warrington?s Priestley College found a solution to completing their coursework, while at the same time helping out charity.
First year students from the BTEC National Certificate have to complete a Community Sports Leaders Award as part of their course which involves organising and running an event.
The group subsequently decided to hold a fund raising drive for the African School initiative ? a scheme to help build a Primary School in Kenya.
Following the selection of a committee the students decided to run an inter-form sports day involving three sports: volleyball, football and tag rugby.
From start to finish the BTEC students were responsible for the entire event including fixture allocation and officiating, setting up of equipment and maintenance of facilities.
More than ?100 was raised on the day meaning that the students had made a fitting contribution to the fund raising which continues to gather further momentum.
Sports department spokeswoman Katie Jones said: “The day passed off very well indeed and the students are to be congratulated on their efforts in setting it all up.?
Top scientist helps
students study DNA
by staff reporter
A NUMBER of Warrington students met one of Britain?s top scientists when he visited Sir John Deane?s College, Northwich ? to help students delve into studying DNA.
John Schollar, assistant director at the National Centre for Biotechnology Education, based at Reading University, spent two days at the college holding DNA workshops for around 100 A Level science students.
Pauline Lowrie, head of Biology at SJD, said: “We are extremely fortunate that John Schollar agreed to hold the workshops as these techniques couldn’t usually be carried out in a school or college laboratory.
“This sort of opportunity is usually offered at universities, rather than to younger students.
“They really enjoyed the chance to learn more about their own DNA and were inspired by John’s teaching.”
During the workshops, John helped the students examine mitochondrial DNA extracted from their own cells – to learn techniques used by forensic scientists and in genetic engineering.
Hospital radio shortlisted
for top national award
by staff reporter
RADIO General, Warrington Hospital’s radio station, has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.
The hard work of the station’s team of volunteer commentators and sports presenters has seen them reach the final of the Hospital Broadcasting Awards.
They are one of just nine finalists in the sport section of the awards, which are open to all hospital radio stations and will be held in Blackpool next month.
Kevin Farrell, who presents the Sunday afternoon sports show, said: “We are delighted to get through to the final because we put a lot of effort into our sports broadcasting.
“We know how popular rugby league is with our patients and offer them pretty in-depth coverage to keep them informed about what is going on during their time in hospital.”
Kevin added the station provides live commentary from Warrington Wolves and Widnes Vikings home games, thanks to a team of volunteers. They include Wilf Broadhurst, who has been a volunteer commentator for 46 years – a feat recognised a few years ago with an MBE.
A rugby league magazine show, called The Final Hooter, is broadcast every Wednesday, while the Saturday Sport show covers all the Premiership action with live links to games through Independent Radio News.
Kevin said: “Our commentators really paint an entertaining picture of the matches and we have had lots of patients thanking us for that, because they say they normally attend every game.
“It is not an easy job to do because you have to keep talking for the full match, but over the years our team have become used to going with the flow, even during the quieter matches.
“They all have their own turns of phrase. For instance, Wilf described Mark Hilton as human battering ram number two, because Danny Lima was already number one. We had to put in a 10 minute entry from more than 30 matches which was tough to narrow down, but that comment was definitely going in.”
He added: “The finals will be judged by professional broadcasters and our category is sponsored by Radio Five Live, so it will be interesting to see how we bear up to that level of scrutiny.
“We are hopeful that we will do well, but it is an honour just to get this far. Anything else is a bonus.”
? Radio General is on the look out for move volunteers to join its commentary team. For further details on how to get involved, visit the website www.radiogeneral.co.uk
Inspectors’ praise for
“outstanding” school
by staff reporter
OUTSTANDING – that’s the verdict of inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education after a visit to St Oswald’s Catholic Primary School in Padgate, Warrington.
The OFSTED inspectors reported that it was ?an outstanding school?. The children’s achievement and standards are ?outstanding? with children making excellent progress and attaining well above the average standards.
The report highlighted that the children benefit from an ?outstandingly rich Curriculum?.
There is strong emphasis placed on ensuring children are well equipped with the basic skills of literacy, numeracy and ICT and outstanding features were noted in the quality of teaching and ?the level of care for all children is outstanding?.
The children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is said to be ?outstanding? and they exhibit very positive attitudes and behaviour in class and around the school.
The outstanding leadership provided by headteacher Helen Lennon provides a clear focus on high quality care and education for all children and she is supported very well by other managers and governors, the inspectors say.
The report notes that t
he school ?provides exceptional care, guidance and support for children? and the children have highly positive attitudes, are hard working and have a clear understanding of acceptable behaviour an dhow to treat one another. The school meets the personal development and well being of all the children with ?outstanding success?.
The inspectors also noted that many improvements had been made since the last inspection and the school is ?very well placed to improve even further? and provides outstanding value for money.
Ms Lennon said: “The whole school is delighted with this outstanding OFSTED report. Everyone here at the school is working very hard to give our pupils a high standard of education to give them the best start in life and this is reflected in the extremely positive report.
“Our children are hardworking and responsible and I am glad that their tremendous qualities have been highlighted in the report, they should all feel very proud. I would also like to thank all the staff for their hard work, dedication and commitment towards our school and thank governors and parents for their continuous support. We are all looking forward now to continuing our success into the future.”
Bobbies ask cyclists
to make their mark
by Mark Hemmings
TWO of Birchwood’s dedicated ?bobbies?, who are keen to put crime well and truly in its place are asking local cycling enthusiasts and mobile phone owners to be more street wise when it comes to improving security on their valuables.
PC Rob Catterall and Community Support Officer John Pitchford want as many people as possible to head along to Birchwood Mall this Saturday (March 4), between 2.00pm and 4.00pm to get their free security mark.
“It only takes a matter of seconds to do and will help us to identify your property if it is stolen and then recovered by police, so make sure you don’t miss out” said PC Catterall.
News in brief
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 2, 6, 8, 13 – but nobody hit the jackpot. As a result the top prize will be rolled over to next week when the jackpot will be ?350. The ?25 consolation prize was won by “Kate”.
Footpath closure
WARRINGTON Borough Council intends to make an order to introduce a temporary footpath closure on the Trans Pennine Trail at the rear of Weir Street for a distance of 35 metres in a northerly direction. It will come into effect from March 13 and is not expected to last more than 16 weeks. This is to enable re-profiling of the existing embankment as part of bridge works.
No U-turns
U-TURNS have been banned in Midland Way and Legh Street, Warrington for up to 18 months to eliminate possible conflict situations between pedestrians, cyclists and motorists while construction work is carried out.
Road closure
EAGLE Brow, Lymm, will be subject to temporary closures for a period of about 18 weeks while structurel maintenance work is carried out on the carriageway. An alternative route will be signposted via Church Road and Rector Lane.
[ 06.03.2006, 10:06: Message edited by: DS ]
