?24 million vision
for new high school
by Gary Skentelbery
AWARD – winning architectural firm, Building Design Partnership (BDP) have revealed their visionary plans for a new ?24m building at Culcheth High School near Warrington.
The international firm’s winning design includes modern, state-of-the-art learning spaces for all subjects including science, ICT, drama, PE, technology and art. The school’s Sixth Form wing will also undergo a modern facelift with new private study areas and common room.
At the heart of the plans are facilities that can be used by both the school and the residents of Culcheth. A key feature is a high-tech Humanities conference centre that will become a valuable resource for both the school and the community, as well as a sports hall, dance studio, fitness suite, outdoor synthetic and grass pitches and meeting rooms that can be enjoyed by all.
Innovative measures to ensure the school stays environmentally friendly feature in the new build. A grass roof to provide natural insulation in the winter and cooling in the summer school will feature, as well as a system to collect rainwater and recycle it on site.
Work will start on the new build in January 2008, aiming to be completed for the start of the academic year in September 2009.
Head teacher Martyn Froggett said: “We are delighted, following our successful inspection report and record breaking exam results, that we will be able to provide our students with a first class, modern, educational facility”.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt, the borough council?s executive member for Children’s Services, says, “The plans for Culcheth High School are of a very high standard quality, which is no less than what pupils, staff and the wider community deserves. The project again reflects our constant investment and commitment to children and their education in Warrington.”
Details of the plans can be seen on the school website www.culchethhigh.org.uk
Countdown begins for
a smoke free borough
by staff reporter
THE countdown has started for a ?smoke free? Warrington.
Laws will come into force on July 1 which should make the town?s pubs, clubs, shops and workplaces no-go zones for people who want to smoke.
All premises and vehicles used by more than one person will be obliged to ban smoking.
The law will also mean that indoor smoking rooms – still common in some Workplaces – will no longer be allowed. So anyone wishing to smoke will have to go outside instead.
The borough council will be enforcing the legislation throughout the town and work has already started to put the necessary support in place, ensuring that businesses are aware of how to comply with the new laws.
The clampdown has been welcomed by borough councillor Paul Kenny, who described it as “the most important health protection measure in a generation.”
The Fairfield and Howley councillor said: “We are now entering an important period, when all businesses should start preparing for compliance. They should be removing all smoking rooms and start putting up no smoking signs.
“A snapshot survey carried out by the Department of Health shows that more than three quarters of businesses are aware of the legislation. This is an encouraging picture, but obviously we need to ensure every business understands what actions they will need to take ahead of July 1 and has the support they need.
“To help businesses prepare, guidance and no smoking signs will be issued to every business with employees in Warrington during April, while the council will also be providing support and advice about smokefree law.”
The survey of businesses and the public, commissioned by the Department of Health, shows widespread support for smokefree legislation.
74% of the overall population support the legislation;
77% of all businesses are aware of the legislation;
65% of the population say that the legislation will not affect how often they; go to the pub and 15% of the overall population say they will go more often;
75% of the overall population believe that going smokefree will have a positive effect on health.
?70 million maintenance
programme ready to go
by David Skentelbery
COUNCIL chiefs at Warrington are to be asked to approve a detailed planned maintenance programme costing more than ?70 million over the next three years.
The spending was agreed in February last year but members of the borough council’s executive board now have to agree what the money will be spent on.
School buildings, council building, homes, highways and transport and the environment are included in the package.
Work on primary schools includes extensions to Old Hall Primary and Oughtrington Primary. High school improvements include work on the sixth form facilities at Culcheth, a new performing arts studio at Padgate High and a new media and arts facility at Penketh High.
A major refurbishment of Warrington Market is including in the council building maintenance programme – although it is not scheduled until 2009-10.
Highways work includes projects related the Golden Square development, provision of a new carriageway in Woolston Grange Avenue and traffic calming at Burtonwood.
Work on housing improvements is designed to bring all Warrington’s rented property up to the “decent homes” level as well as help improve poor quality private housing.
Environmental maintenance work will include cleaning up contaminated land at Sankey Bridges, improvements to Westy Park and Longshaw Street Playing Fields, development of the Victoria Park skatepark and conservation work, heritage trails, etc at Lymm Dam.
Council clampdown
on the flytippers
by John Hendon
TOWN Hall bosses at Warrington have announced a clampdown on fly-tipping following two major incidents of materials being illegally dumping at the recycling site at Birchwood.
One involved a load of unwanted children?s items, such as toys and dolls while the other comprised of general items including old light fittings, baskets and a microwave.
The items were left strewn on the ground at the site.
A spokesman for the council?s enforcement unit said fly-tipping was illegal and culprits could be fined up to ?50,000.
The spokesman said: ?Fly-tipping can be hazardous to the environment, the public and animals. It can cause damage to watercourses, soil quality and habitats. It also looks unsightly which can harm perceptions of and investment in an area.
?It can be anything from a single mattress or black bin bag to large-scale fly-tipping of several truckloads of construction, demolition and excavation waste.
?There are many reasons why fly-tipping occurs. In some cases it is just ignorance of the law or a lack of awareness of the responsibilities for proper waste management and disposal practices. However, there is considerable evidence that a lot of fly-tipping is organised by professional criminals who can gain significant financial rewards.
?Fly-tipping costs taxpayers almost ?50m a year to clean up, there are on average 89,173 fly-tipping incidents per month reported in England.?
The spokesman added that householders should also be aware they were legally obliged to check that anyone removing waste from their house was licensed to do so.
Checks could be made with the environment agency on 08708 506 506 or on-line at www2.environment-agency.gov.uk/epr/search.asp?type=register
Tenants to have
deposits protected
by staff reporter
MOST private tenants in Warrington will now have their tenancy deposits protected so landlords can no longer unreasonably withhold them – thanks to a new law which comes into force next month.
The law has been introduced following a joint campaign by Shelter and the Citizens Advice Bureau – and supported by Fairfield and Howley councillor, Yvonne Fovargu
e.
Last year more than three-quarters of all tenants who had their money withheld claimed it was retained unfairly.
With the average deposit now reaching ?700, losing a deposit can cause real hardship and lead to homelessness.
The new tenant rights coming into force from April 6 will be good news for both tenants and landlords, according to Coun Fovargue.
From April, all new deposits for assured short hold tenancies (ASTs) must be protected. The new law requires all landlords to be in a Government approved scheme and there will be sanctions against landlords who don’t comply. Anyone signing a tenancy agreement after April 6 should ask their landlord or agent how their deposit will be protected.
Coun Fovargue said: “This is great news and will directly benefit thousands of tenants who face problems getting their deposit returned, plus provide a vital safety net for both tenants and responsible landlords. So from April 6, before signing a new contract, ask your landlord or agent which Tenancy Deposit Protection scheme they are part of as your money will only be protected if your landlord has signed up, which they are now required by law to do.
“The private rented sector involves some ?740m of assured shorthold tenancy deposits currently held in England and Wales and I welcome the government commitment to make sure that tenancy deposit protection works, that it fully benefits tenants, landlords and agents, and that the days of unfairly withheld deposits are ended.
