Murder suspect found hanged
BARRY Stone, 31, the Warrington man charged with the murder of Nicola Sutton, at Birchwood on September 26, has been found hanged in a cell at Leeds Prison, it has been revealed. He was being held there pending his trial. For more details, see tomorrow’s edition of Warrington-Worldwide
?771,000 forecast
overspend for council
by David Skentelbery
WARRINGTON Borough Council is currently forecast to be heading for and end-of-year overspend of ?771,000.
But council leader Ian Marks has stressed that spending is not out of control, that the overspend is only a forecast and that steps are being taken to rectify the situation.
He said: We don?t want to give the impression that spending is out of control, because it isn?t.
?Everyone is working hard to come inside the budget and everyone is doing an excellent job.?
The figure was reported to the council?s executive board under new, revised budget monitoring arrangements which contain, for the first time, a forecast year end position for each of the council?s directorates.
Coun Marks said: ?It is excellent that we have these forecasts for year end.
?These are forecasts based on where we are today ? you would never get this sort of transparency in private industry.?
Coun Fiona Bruce, executive member for Value for Money, added that the forecast overspend would be ?200,000 less but for a national government ruling which had come after Warrington?s budget had been set.
The forecast year end figures for each directorate are:
Chief executive?s: ?8,000 overspend; Corporate services: ?193,000 overspend; Children?s services: ?1.720 million overspend; Community Services: ?298,000 overspend; Environment Services: ?312,000 overspend; Corporate financing: ?436 underspend.
The total overspend represents 0.7 per cent of the total revenue budget of ?114.694 million.
Parr Hall refit would
result in “proper theatre”
by David Skentelbery
THE ?6.8 million plan to revitalise Warrington?s Parr Hall would result in a ?proper theatre? according to borough council chiefs.
It would have first class back-stage facilities, new seating, modern lighting and electrical systems ? and it would hold twice as many people as Runcorn?s Brindley Theatre.
Coun Roy Smith, executive member for community services spelled out the proposals for the hall at a meeting of the council?s executive board.
He said the Parr Hall was highly valued by the council and the community, but had some major drawbacks ? not least the fact that it was not popular with artists or audiences.
There would have to be a complete re-modelling of the back stage facilities to attract the calibre of performers Warrington needed.
New, comfortable seating was needed and the hall would have to be transformed not just into a theatre but also into a social venue ? a place where people could call in all through the day, with a restaurant or caf?.
The refurbishment would not be cheap. But the hall would end up with a seating capacity of 800-1,000, compared to only 450 at the Brindley Theatre in Runcorn.
Coun Smith said two million people lived within a half-hour drive of the Parr Hall so there was a considerable potential market for entertainment. There was a potential to increase income not just through ticket sales but also through catering.
But he stressed that there would be consultation with Parr Hall users and the public with the first consultation meeting taking place on Monday, December 11.
Coun Smith acknowledged that there was a movement in the town to restore the disused Mr Smith?s club as a theatre.
?I would be more than happy to see someone fit out Mr Smith?s as a theatre,? he said. ?But we would still have the problem of the Parr Hall to deal with.
Council leader Ian Marks said: ?We do have the Mr Smith?s option ? but the main thing is that we all want a theatre for the centre of the town.?
Police clamp down on
“car and key” thieves
by Lesley Wilkinson
POLICE in Warrington are clamping down on “car and key burglaries” throughout the town.
Thieves committing the crime burgle houses to steal car keys and then take the car from outside the property.
So far one man has been arrested and charged and police have recovered a “pool car” used by offenders. Officers expect that forensic evidence obtained as a result will lead to further arrests.
In recent years car manufacturers have improved vehicle security with a range of enhanced anti-theft measures, including sophisticated alarm systems, engine cut out technology and electronically chipped ignition keys.
These measures make it more difficult for thieves to steal cars by traditional methods, and this means an increase in “car and key” burglaries.
Detective Inspector Peter Shaw said: “Across Runcorn, Widnes and Warrington we have seen a steady increase in this type of offence over the last few years. Many of the addresses attacked have been specifically targeted because the thieves have selected a high value vehicle seen on a driveway or parked on the road outside.”
He said the stolen vehicle is often then used to commit other crimes such as ram raid burglary of commercial premises or robbery.
“We are advising householders to ensure that the security of their homes is a priority and that doors and windows are locked and alarms are in good working order and properly set. Additionally, we advise that vehicle keys are not left visible inside premises. They should be hidden away or, if possible, locked away,” he added.
Detective Inspector Shaw said police are increasing their efforts to detect offenders involved in the crime, with intelligence being gathered on suspected offenders and extra patrols in specific areas.
“Those offenders who are arrested will face the likelihood of significant custodial sentences,” he said.
BA slammed over
cabin crew closure
by Lesley Wilkinson
A DECISION by British Airways to close its cabin crew base in Manchester, where a number of Warrington people work, has been criticised by MP for Warrington North Helen Jones.
She, along with several North West MPs, is criticising the move, which means re-location of staff jobs.
In a Commons Motion the MP notes that BA have failed to offer any real justification of their decision and failed to carry out an adequate consultation with employees and trade unions.
She said: “British Airways are now trying to force staff to go on relocation courses immediately despite verbal assurances to the contrary. This is putting severe pressure on a long serving workforce, many with children, who, in the run up to Christmas, will find any relocation to Heathrow traumatic.
“We believe that BA’s complete failure to observe family-friendly policies together with their regional cabin crew closures and sale of BA Connect undermines their credibility as a UK-wide national airline.”
Litterpickers brave
the wind and rain
by Lesley Wilkinson
DESPITE the worst weather conditions they have yet faced, Warrington’s Clean Team had a successful litter pick in Great Sankey.
Organiser Coun Trudi Wood said: “The pick was quite literally windswept and interesting.
“A group of us met in horrendous weather conditions, probably the worst yet for The Clean Team. The wind was awful and I fully expected the members to suggest we postpone. But, no, they were as determined as ever and I felt ashamed for even thinking such things.”
Fourteen bags were collected in Barrowhall Lane. But one of the team had to pick his bag twice – as the carefully filled bag was upturned by the wind and he had to start again.
“We met a true hero in the form of a resident of Great Sankey who picks in the area of Barrowhall Lane and Sankey Forum for three hours a day five days a week,” said Coun Wood.
“I was truly impressed. It just
goes to show how much litter is generated in the schools in that area if, even after that sort of effort, we can pick up 15 sacks without even leaving the car park!”
She said the group also had a “financial” highlight when one of the youngsters found a ?5 note flying in the wind.
The next litter pick will be on January 14, possible in Whittle Park subject to a parking area being found.
Christmas concert
for Africa charity
by staff reporter
A CONCERT featuring popular classical music and sing-along Christmas carols will be held in Lymm on Saturday to raise funds for international charity Vision Africa.
The concert, at Lymm Baptist Church, is by the Fouray String Quartet.
Money raised will for towards the charity which works with orphaned and destitute children in Africa, by providing essentials such as food, clothing and schools.
There will be a stall selling African crafts and Vision Africa Gift Cards, which organisers say will make good Christmas presents.
Tickets are priced ?5 for adults and ?3 for children with refreshments included.
