Council to take scrutiny
process “more seriously”
by David Skentelbery
WARRINGTON Borough Council is to take its own scrutiny and overview process more seriously in future.
This pledge has been given by council leader Ian Marks following receipt of reports from two working groups set up under the scrutiny and overview process ? one on the recent review of secondary education in the borough and the other on road casualty reduction.
Coun Marks (pictured)congratulated the members of both groups for what he said were excellent reports.
He said both reports were result of valuable work carried out by councillors from all parties.
?One of the objectives of our new administration is to take the scrutiny and overview process rather more seriously than was done in past, ? he said.
?We want the leader of working groups to report to both the executive board and then to the council.
?Unless there is a very good reason why it is not appropriate, we want to ensure results of working groups? work to be taken on board by the council and incorporated in policy or working practices.
?It is too easy to say ?well done? and just put the report on the shelf.?
Coun Marks said he was looking forward to receiving future reports from working groups and, as part of standing practice, the council would be monitoring progress against the recommendations.
The secondary education review working group made a number of recommendations following the recent review.
One was that in any future consultation on education, it should be carried out over a longer period of time and, where possible, should be during term time.
Among recommendation made by the road casualty reduction group was one for a road safety road show to be held next spring, involving the council, and the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Random tests show
most cars are “clean”
RANDOM roadside tests carried out at Warrington show that the vast majority of cars pass an emissions test.
The borough council joined forces with Manchester City Council and other authorities across Greater Manchester as part of a campaign to cut vehicle emissions and improve air quality.
Out of 78 cars tested on the A57 Manchester Road over a period of two days, only one failed the test.
Coun Roy Smith, Warrington’s executive member for community services said: “The aim of the testing is to raise awareness of general air quality issues and to promote responsible motoring.
“Air quality is measured in Warrington and is considered to be good. However, excess emissions from traffic can affect air quality and can cause health problems especially for vulnerable groups such as the young and elderly.”
If exhaust emissions fail the standards set a fixed penalty notice of ?60 is issued, which can be waived if the fault is corrected.
Cars most likely to fail are older vehicles, those not properly tuned, high mileage vehicles and those not properly maintained.
Council scoops award
for direct debit campaign
by John Hendon
A PROMOTIONAL campaign spearheaded by Warrington Borough Council to encourage more people to pay Council Tax by Direct Debit has scooped a top award.
Staff in the council’s Revenue and Benefits department have won the Best Promotion Award in the 2006 BACS Direct Debit Challenge.
The team scooped the award for a campaign which resulted in the completion of 2,308 new Direct Debit instructions.
This resulted in record numbers of people paying Council Tax by this method.
Staff carried out a survey among customers and promotional leaflets were displayed in council offices, the library, market, museums and housing offices.
Coun Peter Walker, the council?s executive member for Corporate Services, said: “When a council service wins an award it is very significant as it means that service is recognised as being of a high standard and therefore means the people of Warrington are getting an excellent service.
“Well done to the team for showing initiative in developing their campaign to help people. The council favours Direct Debit as the best way for customers to make their Council Tax payments and we are continuing to promote it and hope to increase take up figures even more.”
Good, local food
for school children
by staff reporter
GOOD food doesn’t have to travel hundreds of miles to reach Warrington school children?s dinner plates.
Since September 60 per cent of all fruit and vegetables supplied to Warrington school kitchens is from Warrington and north west suppliers.
And in the last 12 months -there has been a 100 per cent increase in the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables supplied to Warrington Schools.
The council’s school catering service has a new supply contract with SET Produce of Stockport who in turn receives its produce from growers in and around Warrington and the North West. The contract was awarded through a competitive tendering exercise. The evaluation of tenders was based on quality of produce, price, food safety and logistics, recycling of paper/boxes and more importantly their ability to supply locally grown produce.
There are many benefits to having locally grown produce supplied this way.
It reduces food miles and the associated carbon monoxide emissions, reduces adverse environmental impacts on the supply chain infrastructure and supports the local and regional economy.
Unprovoked attack
on man in pub
by John Hendon
POLICE at Warrington are appealing for witnesses of an unprovoked attack on a 20-year-old man in a town centre pub
The man was taken to hospital with a broken jaw after his unknown assailant ran up to him in McCauley?s bar in Bridge Street, struck him in the face and ran off
He was unable to give police any description of the offender but detectives are anxious to talk to two women who were talking to the victim at the time of the attack
Anyone who witnessed the attack or is able to help in any way is asked to contact DC Ian Hampson or DC Jackie Daniels on 01244 613833.
Public meeting
by staff reporter
RESIDENTS of the Lingley Green area of Great Sankey, Warrington, are being invited to a public meeting on Thursday evening (October 26).
Hosted by Great Sankey North councillors Roy Smith and Trudi Wood, the meeting will give residents to express their views on issues such as the future of the play area in Shanklin Close, the pond on Park Road and the re-development of Dawson House.
The meeting will be held at the Tim Parry Centre in Cromdale Way and starts at 7pm.
