Lib Dem attack on in denial Labour

IN an outspoken attack, a senior councillor has accused Labour of taking the credit for Warrington’s good economic performance when in fact much of the groundwork was done by the previous administration led by the Liberal Democrats
Cllr Bob Barr (pictured), deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat said Labour in the town were “in denial.”
He said Warrington had weathered the economic storm since 2008 better than any other town in the North, but there was much left to do.
At this week’s council meeting, he said, the Labour leader had taken the opportunity to list the many positive signs in the local economy.
He was given the opportunity to acknowledge that much of the groundwork for Warrington’s current good performance had been laid by the previous administration.
But that simply resulted in barracking by Labour members.
Cllr Barr said
*The Local Authority Mortgage Scheme – devised in Warrington before Labour took control in 2011 – was being adopted around the country.
* Warrington’s good performance in the Centre for Cities reports, showing that Warrington was the top town in the UK for the growth of SME companies, began under the previous administration
*Plans for the Stadium Quarter now being proposed were only possible because the previous administration prevented land owners from exploiting the site in a way that wouldn’t have helped Warrington.
*Progress on Omega, which had been blocked for many years, began under the last administration as it became clear that mixed development rather than another massive office park, was the way to go.
* Warrington and Co was established under the previous administration and was now leading in partnership regeneration in the town.
*The developer had been chosen and the contracts for the Bridge Street Quarter redevelopment were ready for signing as the new administration came in
*The Orford Park Hub had been financed and built.
*Golden Gates Housing was turned into an independent trust able to further improve all of its homes.
Cllr Barr said: “It is sad that the leader continues to peddle the Sleeping Beauty fairy story of a Warrington that did nothing during the Lib Dem led administration, when it is clear to any fair minded person that the foundations of Warrington’s current relative success were laid during those years.
“The task now is to ensure that wealth generated in Warrington stays in Warrington and is used to reduce inequalities in the town and foster ‘One Warrington’ where every resident, wherever they live, has a share, in the town’s success.”