Labour demand council
suspend use of new logo
by David Skentelbery
LABOUR councillors are to demand that Warrington Borough Council suspends use of its new logo – unveiled last week amid a storm of protest.
They will make the demand at an extraordinary meeting of the council on Monday, April 30, called for the sole purpose of debating the logo and re-branding of the council.
The meeting was called by the Mayor, Coun Linda Dirir, following an uproar at last week’s scheduled meeting of the council.
Labour councillors say they are concerned that the town’s historic coat of arms has been replaced by the new logo on council literature without any “meaningful consultation” in the council or in the wider community.
They will move a resolution that the use of the logo be suspended pending an audit of the process which led to it being brought into use, that the cost implications be investigated and that a consultation take place involving stakeholder groups and residents.
The resolution will be moved by Labour leader Terry O’Neill and his deputy, Mike Hannon.
A second resolution will be moved by council leader Ian Marks, seconded by his deputy, Keith Bland, instructing officers to continue phasing in use of the new logo and drawing attention to the fact that the process of changing to the new logo was started by the previous Labour administration.
Former Mayor Mrs Ivy Edwards – now an Honorary Freeman of the Borough – is to also ask a question, noting that she was not contacted about changing the civic crest and asking when members of the public were consulted.
Search for town’s
Golden couple!
by Gary Skentelbery
As Golden Square’s re-development work builds to its grand unveiling on May 24 managers at the Warrington shopping centre are celebrating all that is golden about the town.
Golden Square has joined forces with Warrington Worldwide to search for the town’s ‘Golden Couple’.
Marketing Manager at The Golden Square, Ian Cox said: “The massive re-development of Golden Square is a real reason to celebrate all that is glittering about the town and its people, which is why we’re now on the look out for our ‘Golden Couple’. It could be that this special couple dedicate a lot of their time and energy to the local community, or they’ve stood the test of time after being faced with difficult circumstances. Whatever the story, we want to know.”
Winners will receive ?250 to spend in a retail outlet of their choice, a three course meal for two at The Olive Press in Warrington.
Construction work at the ?120 million re-development is progressing well and will transform Warrington into one of the best shopping destinations in the north west. As well as Debenhams other new additions will include; H&M, River Island, Topshop and Topman, Office, Jane Norman, La Senza, Bank, Republic, Boots, Next, Sports World, Lush, 3 Store, WH Smith, Beaverbrooks, Perfume Shop and Fragrance Shop.
If you would like to nominate a ‘Golden Couple’ write in no more than 50 words why you think they deserve the special title. Whoever nominates the winning couple will also win ?50 of gift vouchers to spend in a Golden Square retail outlet of their choice.
The competition is open to any Warrington couple celebrating their Golden Wedding during 2007. Nominations should be sent on a postcard to Golden Couple competition, warrington-worldwide, New Media Centre, Old Road, Warrington WA4 1AT or by email to [email protected] Closing date for entries is May 15. Normal competition rules apply and no correspondence will be entered in to. The Editor’s decision is final.
Mini bikers get a
warning from police
by Lesley Wilkinson
RIDERS of mini motorbikes are being warned by police that the vehicles will be confiscated if they are driven in an anti-social manner.
Officers are cracking down on the illegal use of the bikes in Warrington.
Police Community Support Officer David Brownlee, who covers Warrington West, said: “We want to reassure people that we are doing all we can to ensure that those who are making the lives of others a misery are dealt with.”
He and colleague PC Chris Ball will be patrolling parts of Callands, which have been “plagued” by the mini motorbikes, for the next two weeks.
PCSO Brownlee said officers have the power to seize bikes and cars that are used in a way that causes harassment – even if the motorist has tax and insurance. A warning is given first, and the vehicle can be seized if the behaviour continues.
He said the vehicles can also be seized if the rider is not insured or has no road tax, and that owners are then left with a “hefty” bill before getting them back.
PCSO Brownlee said: “People should ensure they are fully aware of the rules and regulations regarding the mini motorbikes. Otherwise they run the risk of facing prosecution as well as losing their bikes.”
Minimum wage has little
impact on business
by Gary Skentelbery
THE impact of the minimum wage has had little effect in Warrington, with the vast majority of employers already paying staff at a level above it.
The findings are part of a recent business survey on wages and benefits carried out by the Warrington based Chambers of Commerce North West, comprising 16 local Chambers working together on behalf of businesses in the region.
Commenting on the findings, Colin Daniels, (pictured) chief executive of Warrington Chamber of Commerce said: ?The survey aimed to obtain a picture of employment trends throughout North West businesses, relating to various elements of working life ? from pay and overtime levels to benefits and pension schemes.
?Among members responding to the survey, full time employment still considerably predominates over more flexible options such as part time and contract working. It is encouraging to note however, that the impact of the minimum wage in the North West is minimal in that the vast majority of employers are already paying employees at a level above it.
Mr Daniels also added: ?Flexible working practices, such as home working, are not commonly used in the region although it is difficult to establish whether this is due to employers? reluctance to stem away from rigid working practices, or whether there is a simple lack of demand from employees wishing to work more flexibly. Given the consideration from the majority of firms over work life balance, this would suggest the latter.
?Pay schemes are reviewed by the majority of businesses on an annual basis. Predictably, the most popular period for this occurs in April, around the end of the financial year. Looking at the month and year of members? most recent pay award, the vast majority had revised new pay deals within the past year. It is pleasing to see that North West employers are keen to maintain an up-to-date payroll.
?The most influential factor affecting pay levels is interest rates/inflation. It is encouraging to see that so many members recognise the importance of these economic signals and the effect they have on business. Performance is also widely considered when adjusting pay. Providing employees are aware of this, it will have a positive impact on productivity and output. Competitors, others? pay in the organisation and the minimum wage were also held in fairly high regard to show that employers give well-rounded considerations with regards to pay.?
Copies of the survey can be purchased from the Warrington Chamber of Commerce. Call 01925 715150 for details.
Hospital staff “among
happiest in country”
by Lesley Wilkinson
NHS staff in Warrington are among the happiest in the country, according to a national survey.
North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust ? which runs Warrington and Halton General hospitals – was in the top 20 per cent of acute hospital trusts for employee satisfaction.
Results show it offers staff a good work life balance, structu
red appraisals and effective support from immediate managers.
Most staff said they suffered little stress, felt positive about where they work and were not thinking of leaving.
The survey, carried out by the Healthcare Commission, looked at all NHS organisations in England.
It found for Warrington staff there was a low incidence of staff working extra hours, suffering a work related injury and witnessing potentially harmful errors, near misses or incidents. There was also a low incidence of staff experiencing harassment, bullying or abuse from other staff or patients.
The trust fell in the middle 60 per cent of acute trusts for all other areas of the survey.
Sheila Samuels, trust director of human resources, said: “Staff feedback is vital in helping us to understand the issues for our workforce and enabling us to support them in their jobs.
The results are very pleasing. Nevertheless, we will not become complacent and will continue to look for ways to improve our services for all our patients and staff.”
The dangers of buying
a dream home abroad
by staff reporter
PEOPLE in Warrington should be warned about the dangers of buying property abroad, according to a local MEP.
Warrington-based Brian Simpson, Euro MP for the North West of England, wants tour operators and airlines to warn clients about the risk of buying abroad without going through the proper channels.
He is concerned that people fly off to the sun, decide to buy property and then are left with problems on their hands.
The Euro MP said: “We have a number of ongoing cases where people have bought property, particularly in Spain and Eastern Europe and now find themselves either out of pocket, or facing compulsory purchase orders, or not even owning the land that their property is built on! Every year we get these problems,”
He would like holiday operators to help by issuing a “buyer beware” leaflet, when airline tickets are sent out.
House extension
appeal rejected
by staff reporter
A PLANNING inspector has thrown out an appeal by a resident of Matlock Close, Great Sankey, Warrington against the refusal by the borough council to grant permission for a two-storey side extension and single storey rear extension.
He ruled that the proposed development would damage the character and appearance of the street scene because it would erode the attractive spaces between short, terraced blocks.
Changes to the windows and eaves of the property would also detract from the appearance of the existing building.
A council spokesman said the extension would have been a sizeable addition to the side of a small group of terraced houses. The inspector had supported the council that the extension would cause harm to the character and appearance of the street scene.
