Tough times ahead
warns council chief
by David Skentelbery
COUNCIL leader Ian Marks has given a stark warning that Warrington faces a tough budget for the coming year following a disappointing provisional financial settlement from the Government.
He said: “Warrington has done badly and received the minimum increase of two per cent next year.
“The year after it will be 1.8 per cent and the minimum 1.5 per cent in 2010-11.
“For 2008-9 this compares with 3.62 for English authorities and is far worse than the 5.05 per cent for other unitary councils.
“This is most disappointing and will make the forthcoming budget round very tough indeed.”
Coun Marks said on the plus side, it was pleasing to be able to report that the council’s value for money activities were generating substantial savings for council tax payers.
During the year efficiency savings of ?4.7m had been redirected towards frontline services. The first fruits of a property review were coming through and the sale of surplus properties had released ?400,000 towards priority investments such as the new customer contact centre in Horsemarket Street.
Coun Marks said: “The contact centre in the town centre is highly visible and is proving very successful as it develops and builds up its expertise.
“But behind the scenes, the transfer of many of our administrative activities into a single business support centre in New Town House is proceeding apace and will achieve more efficiency savings.”
Coun Marks said it was now policy to enter the council for national awards as a way of rewarding the success of our employees and putting Warrington on the map.
As a result the authority has been shortlisted for the Local Government Chronicle award for “Efficiency and Modernisation.” Feedback from an assessors’ visit for an application for Beacon Status for “Dignity in Care” had also been pleasing.
The council’s Children’s Services directorate had been rated Number One in the country by the Audit Commission for improvement across all performance indicators over the last three years and had also achieved some outstanding results in the annual performance assessment.
Coun Marks also highlighted the fact that Warrington’s verified recycling rate for the first six months was at a record level of 35.9 per cent.
Students learn new skills
on residential course
STUDENTS from Priestley College have returned to Warrington after successfully completing a four-day residential course with the National Trust on a disability inclusion project.
Around 16 students from the Early Years and Health and Social Care course travelled to Cumbria to work on a number of National Trust buildings in order to improve access for disabled people.
The National Trust relies on volunteers to complete many of its day-to-day activities in the Lakes and the course was beneficial for all parties concerned with the students learning new skills while at the same time experiencing a unique sense of purpose having given something back to the community and the countryside.
Curriculum manager for Early Years and Health and Social Care Bev Whittaker said: “This is an annual trip that we do with our students. We feel that it benefits them personally and supports them in their future applications to university or employment. It proved to be a very rewarding yet challenging stay.”
Stormy meeting as council
debates post office closures
by David Skentelbery
WARRINGTON needs more post offices – not less.
This was the message from the borough council to the Government after a stormy meeting in which two motions on post office closures were debated but only one accepted.
A motion proposed by council leader Ian Marks was approved by 30 votes to seven, with 16 abstentions.
Another motion, proposed by Labour’s Coun Paul Kenny, was defeated by 30 votes to 23.
Both motions opposed the closure of six Warrington post offices currently under threat.
Coun Marks told the council the Government was proposing to close 2,500 branch post offices, including six in Warrington. But according to the Post Office’s own criteria, Warrington needed more post offices, not less.
His motion called on the Government to end the branch closure programme, remove restrictions on post offices to allow them to develop further business opportunities and to stop removing Government business from post offices.
Coun Kenny’s motion affirmed the council’s opposition to further post office closures in the town and asked that the council provide assistance to threatened branches to help keep them viable.
Sixteen Labour councillors abstained when Coun Marks’ resolution was put to the meeting – and only seven opposed it. But the Labour motion was unanimously opposed by Liberal Democrat and Conservative members.
After the meeting, Coun Kenny accused the Lib Dem and Tory members of “playing politics.”
He said: “True leadership requires politicians to set aside petty party politics and take a wider view on what is in the best interests of the town.
“In defeating this motion the council leadership have wiped their hands of the threat to our local post offices. The motion before the council gave the opportunity for the council to look at how it could assist local post offices to remain as viable businesses.”
Indie rock band takes
country by storm
by James Parr
WARRINGTON’S finest in Indie Rock and Roll are taking the country by storm after performing for sell-out audiences.
Sly Digs are being labelled as “the next big thing” thrilling audiences at a number of events across the North West.
It seems their impact has been far reaching as promoters from Edinburgh, Louisiana and Milan have all been chasing the signature of the four-piece band.
The lads haven’t forgotten their roots however, as they are set to perform at the Leigh Arms in Newton Le Willows on Sunday (December 23).
Promotion manager Peter Sudworth said: “Sly Digs are young talented lads who are living the dream. Belief is a big thing, they have the belief that with good hard work and practice they can produce what is needed to take them towards that promised land of a major record deal. I believe they have what it takes and their ever-increasing fan base from around the world just goes to show that.”
Other up and coming gigs for Sly Digs include Zanzibar, Liverpool, on Saturday, DV8, Preston, in January and The Broadwalk, Sheffield on February 9.
Cigarette end starts
fire in kitchen
by staff reporter
FIRE chiefs at Warrington are urging residents in the town to take extra care this Christmas after they were called to a kitchen fire started by a discarded cigarette.
Two appliances attended the blaze at a property in Fox Street, Bewsey and had to use breathing apparatus and hose reels to tackle the flames and a ventilation fan to clear smoke from the premises.
Crews discovered the cause of the fire was a discarded cigarette and found the property to have no smoke alarms fitted.
Crews are reminding residents to check the batteries in their alarms in the build up to Christmas and that they can fit them in home free of charge.
Cricket club wins
?5,000 award
by James Parr
MEMBERS of Lymm Oughtrington Park Cricket Club are celebrating after winning an award of almost ?5,000 from Biffaward.
The multi-million pound environment fund has donated ?4,989 so the volunteer-run club can make some much-needed improvements to its clubhouse.
Replacing the felt on the roof is the first item on the agenda, with improvements to the bar area and seating closely following.
A successful application was made by the club under the Small Grants Scheme after they looked to improve the quality of life for the local community and put forward some of its own funds for the work.
This investment
looks set to give the building a new lease of life making it more welcoming for the club’s four teams and the local community.
As membership of the club continues to rise, two new volunteer coaches have been appointed for the New Year.
Chairman of Biffaward Martin Bettington said: “Biffaward is pleased to support this project, which is a real investment in the club’s future. I hope that the community will continue to use the facilities, for social gatherings and to participate in sport.”
Club vice chairman Bob Sabberton added: “The re-roofing of the clubhouse is the first priority. Biffaward’s grant has energised the club’s team of volunteers to plan the remaining internal improvements, for completion by April.”
