Council “heading for
the rocks” says Labour
by David Skentelbery
WARRINGTON?S Lib Dem-Tory council has been accused of ?heading for the rocks? with a ?8.6 million budget shortfall.
Labour?s finance spokesman John Morris says the council stands guilty of mismanagement of public money.
Coun Morris said: ?The scale of Warrington’s budget shortfall, just eight months into the new administration at the Town Hall, has been laid bare in a consultation document rubber stamped by the Lib Dem-Tory administration.
?The document confirms that even with a five per cent council tax increase the budget shortfall will still top over ?8 million.?
Coun Morris said the shortfall was further compounded by the forecast deficit of nearly ?1 million on the current year?s budget.
He added: “In just eight short months under the Lib Dem/Tory administration the council tax payer is facing a deficit of nearly ?1 million on the current year?s budget. This is mis-management of the public purse – yet council tax payers will now be asked to fund a possible five per cent increase with no improvement in services and a huge deficit to foot on the current year?s budget.
“This can only mean cuts in services or the selling of assets to balance the books. This Lib Dem-Tory council is incompetent and cannot be trusted with Warrington tax payers money.”
But Lib Dem finance chief Peter Walker hit back.
He said: “Warrington is no different from councils up and down the country in that we are facing a difficult financial situation. But the situation here has been made much worse because for years the Labour administration refused to take the action they should have known was necessary. ?The new Lib Dem/Conservative administration is having to sort out the mess that has been left behind.
?The budget this year was set by Labour not us and we are now taking the tough decisions necessary to put the council back onto a sound financial footing.
?Failure to tackle equal pay is a good example of Labour not having acted responsibly. Equal pay legislation, quite rightly, requires employers to pay the same to men and women for doing the same or equivalent work. This legislation has been in place since 1977. The need to take urgent action was raised by officers in 1999 but unlike many progressive councils, the ruling Labour group refused to move.
?We are looking to use ?3.5 million of general reserves to fund this because the Council is obliged to sort this out by March 31 this year.
?We are very fortunate that officers have carried out some excellent work under our guidance and found a substantial number of efficiency savings. These will go a long way towards funding the deficit without any damaging effect on council tax payers. Its great shame that Labour did not carry out such a comprehensive review years ago.”
Civic heads in visit
to garden centre
by John Hendon
SEVENTEEN civic heads from around Cheshire attended a reception at a Warrington garden centre to help promote the county.
The Mayor, Coun Linda Dirir was among the civic leaders present at the event at Bent?s Garden Centre, Glazebury.
All were keen to see how the family run business, which is now in its third generation, has established itself as one of the UK’s leading garden centres.
The group were taken on a guided tour by managing director Matthew Bent, and learned about the centre’s longstanding history, from its roots as rose growers in the 1930s to today’s business which employs nearly 300 people.
The group also visited the Fresh Approach restaurant for cream tea.
Coun Dirir commented: “It was very nice to visit the garden centre and I am sure that the civic heads enjoyed the visit.”
Mr Bent said: ?Competition from larger retailers is always a threat which is why it is important to stay ahead of the competition. We are constantly looking for new trends and ideas, which is how we remain at the forefront of our industry.”
Bents is one of only 10 ?Garden Centres of Excellence? in the UK and the Garden Centre Association?s and was ?Centre of the Year? last year.
“Culture card” will offer
discounts for attractions
by John Hendon
COUNCIL chiefs are considering encouraging residents to use Warrington?s cultural and leisure services by introducing a ?culture card? offering discounts and concessions.
The card is one of a number of ideas suggested as part of a plan to improve the town?s cultural and leisure services.
A summer activities programme for children, life long learning programmes for adults and events to make the arts more accessible are among other ideas.
The plan is a response to an inspection of cultural services, which judged the department to be fair, but with room for improvement. Areas to be worked on are raising standards of services and meeting the needs of the public more effectively.
Progress has already been made by investing in a consultation and feasibility study on the Parr Hall, investing in leisure centres and re-launching them under a new brand, Select, and launching an internet TV channel.
A report to the council?s executive board highlights the major role of cultural services in regenerating the town centre by making it a more appealing place to visit for entertainment. It also prioritises engaging those living in the inner wards of the town and improving their quality of life and well-being.
Coun Roy Smith, (pictured)executive member for Community Services, said: “I am excited by this plan and believe it sets out clear priorities for cultural services in Warrington over the next three years. A town’s cultural life is crucial. From the Warrington Wolves to Lymm Arts festival, cultural activity helps to shape the development of our town.”
Drop in for
taster session
by Gary Skentelbery
A WARRINGTON based cancer charity is organising its first drop in session.
The John Holt Cancer Support Foundation will be organising the free event at the Dallam centre on Dallam Lane on Thursday February 8 from 7pm-9pm.
People are invited to attend for a drink and a taster session in holistic therapies including reiki and reflexology. There will also be a raffle helping raise funds for the group.
For more details call 01925 244255 or visit the website www.jhcancerfoundation.org.uk
Pupils a key factor
in their own success
by staff reporter
PUPILS at Appleton Thorn Primary School, Warrington, are key factor in their own good achievement, according to school inspectors.
In a glowing report on the school, inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) say pupils have extremely positive attitudes and excellent behaviour.
The school is described as ?good with some outstanding features.?
Teaching quality is commended and the report says teachers have high Expectations. Pupils respond well to the challenges set by them.”
Teachers are praised for developing lessons that ?positively sparkle with exciting learning” and match pupils’ needs well.
The excellent headteacher and “dynamic deputy head” create a common sense of purpose among all who lead or manage the school to constantly review, evaluate and improve.
Headteacher Jackie Stillings said: “The whole school is really proud of the outcomes of our recent OFSTED inspection. I am particularly proud to lead such a team of dedicated staff and enthusiastic learners.”
“The children’s behaviour and general conduct throughout the whole inspection were absolutely wonderful and this is more than supported by the content of the report – they really are fantastic ambassadors for our school.?
Chairman of governors John Warren said: “The governors are delighted at the result of the OFSTED report and congratulate the staff and pupils for their achievement. We have worked very closely with the school to improve b
oth the working environment for staff and the learning environment for our children.
“There is always room for improvement and despite this fantastic accolade we will continue to strive to make Appleton Thorn a role model for primary education in Warrington.?
Charity needs volunteers
after “going national”
by staff reporter
A WARRINGTON-based charity is seeking more volunteers after ?going national? with a helpline for parents who have little or no contact with their children.
The Relationships Centre serves survivors of abuse and people with relationship problems and its helpline FamiliesTogether originally catered for local people alone.
But it has now been launched nationally and, in December, received its highest numbers of calls to date.
As a result it needs more volunteers to help provide practical and emotional support, information and advice to people who lives have been affected by issues of violent, abusive and unhealthy relationships.
Marissa Hankinson, spokesperson for The Relationships Centre said: “We have now launched the FamiliesTogether service nationally and in December, we received our highest number of calls to date.
?There are many advantages to volunteering such as it being an introduction back into the workplace or a way of giving something back to the community. Volunteers come from all walks of life, are of both sexes, all ages with one common desire – the willingness to do everything they can to help, wherever they can.”
All volunteers are given comprehensive training and anyone interested in joining the team should call 01925 246910 or visit the website www.do-it.org.uk
Schools chess
tournament
by staff reporter
THE 13th Warrington Primary and Secondary schools individual chess championships take place today (Saturday) at Whitecross Community Centre, Lexden Street.
Youngsters from schools across the borough will be taking part in the competition, which also acts as a local county trial.
Matches start at around 9.30am and continue until 1.30pm. Entry to the competition is free.
Each primary school player is guaranteed five games of chess and each secondary school player at least four games. Prizes will be presented by the Mayor,Coun Linda Dirir.
The competition is organised by the Cheshire and North Wales Chess Association and the Cheshire Schools Chess Association.
News in brief
Litter pick
MEMBERS of the Warrington Clean Team are to carry out their first litter pick on 2007 tomorrow (Sunday) ? along Whittle Brook at Great Sankey.
Organiser Coun Trudi Wood said: ?This area has a couple of horrid grot spots.?
Volunteers are asked to park in Whittle Hall Lane, near a bridge over the brook.
Garage expansion
PLANS for a new building for a replacement valeting bay and five additional servicing bays have been submitted to borough planners by Warrington Mazda, in Bewsey Road, Warrington.
Children’s centre
A CHILDREN’S centre will be provided at Burtonwood Primary School, Green Lane, Burtonwood, Warrington if planning bosses give the go ahead for the conversion of an existing nursery block.
Footpath closure
A TEMPORARY footpath closure in Winwick Road, Warrington, which was originally intended to last about four weeks from early November last year has now been extended until February 19 while work continues on the construction of a footway chamber. An alternative route for pedestrians remains in place on the other side of the road.
Driving ban
A TEMPORARY prohibition of driving comes into force on part of River Road, Warrington, on Monday (January 15) to enable to work to be carried out ton major water main and service renewals.
