Storm over ex-councillor’s
“consolation prize”
by David Skentelbery
A STORM is brewing over the appointment of a former Labour councillor to the board of Warrington’s council-owned bus company.
Eddie Coop, who lost his seat in the June council elections, is believed to be favourite to become the next chairman of Warrington Borough Transport.
Opposition Liberal Democrat councillors say he has no particular expertise in passenger transport.
Coun Barbara Mawer, former leader of the Liberal Democrat group said: “This looks very much like a consolation prize for an ex-councillor.” Mr Coop is known to have been devastated when he lost his seat as a result of a shock win for the Conservatives at Woolston.
Two weeks ago, the borough council announced that Les Taylor Duff – the man credited with transforming the bus company from a loss-making organisation into a vigorous, award-winning transport undertaking, was stepping down after five years.
Council leader John Joyce praised him for his commercial and business acumen and keen sense of social and community responsibility.
He added: “We would like to congratulate him on a job well done.” But the Liberal Democrats claim Mr Taylor Duff was persuaded to step down to make room for Mr Coop.
They are also angry that there is no place on the board of the transport company for a Liberal Democrat.
The only opposition councillor to be given a seat on the board is Conservative Les Hoyle.
Liberal Democrat leader Ian Marks accused Labour of “hogging” places on the board.
He said: “Transport is a major issue for the town and it is right that the major opposition party should be represented. There is no justification for this behaviour. I thought that after the election the Labour Party had changed its ways, but clearly it hasn’t.”
No representative of the Labour Group was available to comment.
Putting the country
under the microscope
by Terry Johnson
A-LEVEL biology students from Priestley College, Warrington, put the countryside under the microscope during a two-day field studies trip to North Yorkshire.
Their ‘environment module’ was the area surrounding Malham Tarn Field Centre.
Students explored the diversity of the countryside, tarn and cove – then computer-logged their findings, crucial to course work.
College spokesman, Nathan Ashurst, said: “The hands-on nature of the outing, coupled with the residential stay, was invaluable to students”.
Tutor Dr Louise Norbury added: “It was brilliant to be in the great outdoors. Students really enjoyed the trip”.
Pictures shows students enjoying their countryside studies.
MP wins pledge over
village post office
by Terry Johnson
GLAZEBURY village post office, near Warrington, is closing its doors – but not for good.
Labour MP, Helen Jones, who has campaigned on behalf of villagers for retention of the community facility, said the Post Office had assured that the axe was not to fall.
Glazebury’s closure follows the retirement of sub-postmaster John Murray after 15 years in the village.
The Post Office’s rural transfer advisor has told the Warrington North MP that he is personally working to maintain Glazebury’s main road post office, which combines with a newsagents and general store.
The closure was ‘a temporary arrangement’ and it was hoped to restore the service shortly.
Ms Jones stated: “It is disappointing that this essential service will be removed – even for a short time. I know that residents are worried that it will not be restored”.
She added: “I shall be monitoring the situation closely.”
Youths blamed
for school fire
by staff reporter
YOUTHS are being blamed for a fire which caused minor damage at the former special school in Loushers Lane, Warrington during the night.
Fire crews were called to the scene and tackled a blaze which had been started by setting light to a quantity of rubbish inside the disused building.
A Fire Service spokesman said the fire had apparently been started deliberately but was probably the work of youths “messing about” rather than a serious attempt at arson.
However, the fire could have been serious if it had got out of hand.
Householder loses
planning appeal
by John Hendon
A HOUSEHOLDER has lost an appeal against Warrington Borough Council’s decision to refuse him planning consent for a first floor extension at his home in Station Road, Penketh.
The borough’s development control committee threw out the proposal in August last year after planning officers described it as “oppressive and unattractive” and out of scale with existing buildings.
Now a planning inspector has ruled that the development would be “conspicuously out of proportion” and out of character with existing Edwardian and more recently erected properties.
A council spokesman said: “The council’s decision has been vindicated”
