Speed cameras: making
money from motorists?
by David Skentelbery
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MORE than two thirds of people who took part in a survey at Warrington believe speed cameras are an easy way of making money out of motorists.
Just over a third of respondents also doubted that speed cameras meant that dangerous drivers were more likely to get caught.
The survey was carried out by the borough council among members of “The Warrington 1,000” – a panel of residents who have volunteered to periodically respond to questionnaires.
A survey of opinions on speed and red-light cameras was carried out on behalf of the Cheshire Safety Camera Partnership.
Eighty four per cent of respondents agreed that speed cameras were intended to encourage drivers to keep to speed limits rather than to punish them. Eighty per cent agreed the use of cameras should be supported as a means of reducing casualties on the road.
Only 22 per cent of people thought there were too many cameras in the area.
But 67 per cent felt cameras were simply an easy way of making money out of motorists and 36 per cent felt that dangerous drivers were less likely to get caught.
Three fifths of people agreed, however, that fewer collisions were likely to happen on roads where cameras were installed.
The Cheshire Safety Camera Partnership is installing speed and red-light cameras across the county at sites with a history of collisions resulting in death or injury.
Information gathered during the survey is being passed on to the partnership so it can be used to monitor the public’s perception of the safety camera scheme.
Consultation meetings
on day centre plans
by staff reporter
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SOCIAL Service chiefs and users of a busy day centre have completed a series of consultation meetings.
Warrington Social Services and Dallam Day Centre users have held talks about some of the centre’s up and coming developments.
The Dallam Centre assists in enabling individuals with a physical or sensory disability to achieve and maintain their maximum level of independence. They promote diversity, respect, tolerance and opportunity for all.
Centre employees are planning to provide new college courses in the near future as well as encouraging users to participate in activities within the local community.
More than 100 people attended the consultation meetings and were given the opportunity to share ideas and put forward suggestions about the future of the centre.
Jeanette Oatway, the council’s principal officer for older people and physical disabilities, said: “The consultation exercise has been a really positive experience for both service users and staff alike and will help us take into account the needs of users when planning new services.”
Pictured (l-r) at one of the meetings, are: Helen Barlow, tutor from Warrington Collegiate; Emma Jones, Dallam Centre interlink worker; Fran Price, centre user; David Neil, volunteer; and Jeanette Oatway, principal officer for older people and physical disabilities.
Councillors rubber stamp
their own pay rise
by John Hendon
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COUNCILLORS at Warrington have rubber stamped a 10 per cent pay rise for themselves.
The increases, which will take the pay of a back bench councillor from ?5,931 to ?6,524, was approved at the annual meeting of the borough council.
It is line with the recommendations of the independent Members Remuneration Panel and is the second stage of a three-year phased increase programme originally suggested by the panel in December last year.
But the Liberal Democrats opposed the rise, pointing out that council staff had received an 8.9 per cent increase over three years, with just 2.75 per cent this year.
Coun Iank Marks, the Liberal Democrat leader, commented: “If it is good enough for our staff, it should be good enough for us.”
The increases mean the leader of the council’s allowance will rise from ?15,451 to ?16,996 while his deputy’s pay will rise from ?10,944 to ?12,038.
Portfolio holders and chairmen of the scrutiny and strategic policy overview committees will have a rise from ?6,617 to ?7,278.
The development control committee chairman’s allowance will rise from ?6,015 to ?6,616 and opposition group leaders will receive a rise from ?5,470 to ?6,017. The chairman of licensing will receive ?4,962 – up from ?4,511.
The Mayor’s allowance will increase from ?12,359 to ?13,594 while the Deputy Mayor will receive ?3,436 – up from ?3,124.
Travel allowances inside the borough will rise by three per cent, but travel and subsistence allowances outside the borough will not be increased.
The recommendations of the independent panel are intended to bring councillors’ pay closer to the average made by other councils of comparable size.
Woman falsely claimed
?6,500 in benefits
by court reporter
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A BENEFIT cheat, who falsely claimed more than ?6,500 in benefits from the Council has been sentenced to 100 hours community service and ordered to pay ?600 costs.
Penelope Heywood, 42, of Allen Avenue, Culcheth, pleaded guilty at Warrington Magistrates Court to making false statements and representations saying she lived as a single-parent when she had been living with her partner for almost four years.
In total, Heywood defrauded the Council of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit amounting to a total of ?6,664.25 between 16th February 1998 and 16th December 2002.
Adrian Webster, the Council’s Benefits Manager, said: “Benefit cheats are not just defrauding government or the local authority, but their own neighbours and communities. They must realise that they cannot abuse the benefit system and steal from the rest of society.
“Fraud is a serious matter and this is a clear demonstration of our determination to tackle benefit theft and to reduce the amount of money lost through fraud and abuse. We are committed to ensuring that people get the benefits they are rightly entitled to.”
Extension plan
for historic farm
by staff reporter
PLANS for alterations and extensions at historic Holcroft Hall Farm, Culcheth, near Warrington have been given the green light by planning chiefs.
The proposals involve the construction of a garage on the site of a former outbuilding and construction of a single storey link to Holcroft Hall.
Alterations will provide residential accommodation in the south wing of Holcroft Hall Farm, associated with the main hall building.
Both the hall and the farm are Grade 2 listed buildings.
New car
tax centre
by staff reporter
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MOTORISTS wishing to tax their cars can now do so at Stretton Post Office, at the Beehive Stores in Tarporley Road, near Warrington.
To qualify for the new work, staff had to sit a test on car taxing and the premises had to be assessed for suitability.
Previously people form the area had to visit Warrington or Stockton Heath for car taxing.
