Defiant dozen told
they must vote
by David Skentelbery
TWELVE defiant councillors at Warrington, who blocked a controversial housing scheme when they refused to vote on it, are to be asked to reconsider their stance.
The 12 – who make up the borough council’s development control committee – made a historic silent protest when they were asked to vote on a detailed plan for 214 houses on land off Longbutt Lane, Lymm.
It is believed to be the first time in the history of the council that a committee has been unable to reach a decision on a planning issue.
At the time, chairman Coun Jeff Richards after a hasty legal consultation, told councillors that their silence constituted a failure to determine an application and that the matter would automatically go to appeal at a public inquiry.
But now, after further legal consideration, the committee has been told it should have reached a decision to either approve or refuse planning permission – and that it must now do so.
The application by developers Wilson Connolly North West – part of the Taylor Woodrow group – will come before them again next Wednesday, November 3.
Councillors would not vote because the scheme was only given outline approval on condition that half the 214 homes would be “affordable in perpetuity.”
They could not accept the proposals put forward by the developer to ensure the properties would always remain “affordable.”
Two local councillors who are not on the committee have backed their stance.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt said: “I am convinced this proposal does not deliver affordability in perpetuity. For the sake of future generations, we cannot afford to compromise on affordability.”
Coun Ian Marks added: “The council must stand up to developers who try and ride roughshod over local communities.
“Outline planning consent on this site was only allowed because of a legal loophole over affordable housing. We must make sure the houses built are genuinely affordable. I don’t believe they are. The safeguards are not watertight.”
But the committee has been left in little doubt as to what they must do on Wednesday. A note on the agenda paper states: “The same planning application is being re-considered by the committee and a decision will now be formally made.”
The 12 members of the development control committee are: Jeff Richards, Terry Whelan, Mike Maher, Eric Bromley, Colin Grime and Albert Clemow (Labour), Celia Jordan, Rita Cochrane, Barbara Mawer, Judith Wheeler and David Earl (Liberal Democrat) and Les Hoyle (Conservative).
?27 million boost
for town’s education
by David Skentelbery
PLANS revealing the multi-million pound transformation of Warrington Collegiate’s Winwick Road campus will be unveiled next week when education minister Kim Howells visits the site.
The ?27 million project will give a major boost to education in the town and will include a ?3.5m business school, a theatre, a training restaurant, hairdressing and beauty salons and a major construction skills centre.
About ?1m will be invested into the development of sports facilities at neighbouring William Beamont High School.
The new campus, located within the current site, should be completed by April 2006 and be open to students in readiness for the following September term. Once work on the new building is finalised then the current campus block, a familiar site on Warrington’s landscape for more than 30 years, will be demolished.
The first phase of the new campus involves the building of a technology centre. Work will begin in December and is expected to be finished by June next year.
Principal Paul Hafren said: “The rebuilding of Warrington Collegiate is part of an ambitious strategy to ensure that the college is the major provider of vocational education and training in Warrington. It will underpin the college’s plans to deliver personalised vocational learning, support Warrington businesses and help to strengthen the communities in Warrington.
“It is the culmination of more than four years of planning by college governors – a significant element of which was the transfer of the Padgate site to University College Chester in 2002.”
Colin Daniels, chairman of governors at the Collegiate and chief executive of the Warrington Chamber of Commerce was delighted the building work would soon be underway.
“We are looking forward to an new era and we can be confident we are building on strong foundations. The Collegiate is focused on its commitment to excellence in teaching and learning,” he said.
The campus development plans include the creation of additional sports facilities at Beamont School – already a specialist sports college – in partnership with Warrington Wolves. The intention is to jointly develop a centre of sports excellence as part of wider developments in Orford Park.
Record breaking
beer festival
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON Rotary Club’s popular Oktoberfest beer festival at the town’s Parr Hall broke all records raising in excess of ?13,000 for local good causes.
The club will be handing donations to their chosen good causes at their Charter Night at the Fir Grove Hotel, Grappenhall, on Friday November 12.
The previous 7 Oktoberfests have raised over ?53,000 for local charities and good causes.
Warrington-Worldwide sponsored a beer at the event which was well supported by members of the Readers’ Forum.
Samaritans celebrate 50
years of listening
by Gary Skentelbery
A unique event is taking place in Warrington on Friday, November 26, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Samaritans.
As part of the celebrations, Samaritans of Warrington, Halton and St Helens are holding a Samaritans@50 Charity Dinner Dance at Halliwell Jones Rugby Stadium, home of Warrington Wolves Rugby League Football Club. Guest speaker will be Warrington Wolves’ Head Coach, Paul Cullen, while music will be provided throughout the evening by Pastiche.
Following a drinks reception at 7.30, guests will enjoy a three-course meal created by Paul Heathcote’s team of chefs who have been specially commissioned for the occasion. There will also be a number of fund-raising events throughout the evening, including a raffle and a charity auction.
Samaritans provide their service to the community completely free of charge. However there are sizeable costs involved in keeping their branch open, which is almost exclusively financed by fundraising. The Dinner Dance will provide the charity with an important opportunity to boost these funds, as well giving the whole community a chance to celebrate the work of Samaritans over the last half-century.
The price of tickets is ?40 per person which includes all food and entertainment. Guests will sit at tables that seat a total of ten people, and there is the option to reserve a full table for a group of friends or colleagues. Guests who purchase ten tickets or more will receive a group discount that reduces the individual ticket price to ?37.50.
To order tickets, a cheque for the appropriate amount should be made payable to Samaritans of Warrington, Halton and St Helens, and returned in an envelope addressed to Samaritans@50 Charity Ball, 46 Arpley Street, Warrington WA1 1LX.
College celebrates
national award
by Gary Skentelbery
STAFF at a Warrington college are celebrating after winning a national award.
Warrington Collegiate has become the first FE college in the country to secure an award recognising excellence in the delivery of information, advice and guidance.
The Collegiate’s Learner Services team were presented with the Matrix Excellence Award by actress Maureen Lipman at a ceremony in London hosted by the Minister for Skills and Vocational Education, Ivan Lewis.
A total of 85 organisations from across England and Northern Ireland entered for an excellence award. Pat Kitto, the Collegiate’s Director of Lifelong Learn
ing said: “We are over the moon about this award. It recognises the high standard of information, advice and guidance offered by our Learner Services team.”
Principal Paul Hafren praised his team saying: “This is an acknowledgment of the great work Learner Services does for students and how well the team is led. It demonstrates the strength of commitment we have to our students by offering top quality, impartial advice. We are delighted that we are the first college of further education in the country to win this award.”
Head of Learner Services, Nicola Meredith, said she was delighted and thrilled when the college was presented with the award.
“Our learners, both existing and new, are at the very heart of all that we do. This excellence award will reassure our students that we provide the highest quality service for them. We have been particularly praised for our impartiality and the number of referrals we make to external agencies and other providers, which I am told, is rare in a college of further education”.
Presenting the awards, Maureen Lipman said: “The winners should be very proud of what they have achieved and I hope their success inspires others to achieve the matrix Standard and join the best in the business”.
Learner Services at the Collegiate offers information and advice about courses as well as careers, health, transport, finance and welfare. It was awarded the matrix accreditation earlier this year.
Japanese visitors
“in wonderland”
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON’S De Vere Daresbury Park hotel, together with Cheshire and Warrington Tourism Board, played a leading role for the popular Japanese travel channel, TABI-channel when the TV producers were on a quest to discover the world of Lewis Carroll.
With the channel attracting an audience of 2.8 million households across Japan, this one-hour programme will promote not only the local “Alice” attractions but also where to stay and other areas of interest, to a huge potential tourism market.
De Vere Daresbury Park general manager Mark Fuller said: “The trend in Japanese tourism has turned more towards the individual traveller who wants to stay in an area longer and have time to explore. This is in contrast to the traditional image of the whistle stop coach tour.
“Alice in Wonderland is extremely popular in Japan and the producers were interested in including the hotel having heard of our Alice in Wonderland themed restaurant and caf? bar.
“We are also popular with Japanese visitors who enjoy our friendly atmosphere and positioning close to Lewis Carroll’s birthplace. We are delighted with this publicity which we hope will bring even more Japanese guests to the area.”
The programme will be on air in Japan in December and will feature unique tourist attractions in England.
Man arrested after
stabbing incident
by staff reporter
A 23-year-old man was arrested at Warrington after an alleged stabbing incident.
The victim is in a stable condition in Warrington Hospital following the incident late at night in Bridge Street.
Police said he had apparently been stabbed in the stomach.
Later the 23-year-old was arrested and held in custody overnight at Warrington Police Station.
Inmates’ families
get health advice
by John Hendon
FAMILIES of inmates at Risley Prison, near Warrington were given advice on how to keep healthy at a special open day.
The event, at the Visitors Centre, gave families an opportunity to ask questions about health issues and learn more about services they can access in Warrington.
Health visitors from Warrington Primary Care Trust gave advice about how to keep young children protected against diseases like meningitis through immunisation.
Children were encouraged to learn more about keeping well through art and stories. To promote healthy eating and the “five-a-day message”, families were given an opportunity to taste different fruits.
They were also be able to learn more about the role of Sure Start North Warrington, which helps children get the best start in life by improving early education, childcare, health and family support.
Visitors centre manager Sheila Glover said: “We are really pleased to be taking part in this national event to increase awareness of family issues and stimulate effort to respond to problems affecting them.”
The event was part of Parents’ Week and also tied into a scheme celebrating the 10th anniversary of the UN Year of the Family which asks if prisons are “family friendly.”
Shopping centre’s
key new attraction
by staff reporter
SHOPPERS at Hatter’s Row were treated to soothing sounds with a touch of class thanks to pianist Brian Pendleton.
Brian, who is currently taking time off from his regular work as keyboard player in the Andy Prior Big Band, delighted cafe customers with a surprise appearance.
Apart from appearing at the Parr Hall, it was Brian’s first visit to Warrington and he was impressed with the exclusive feel of Hatters Row.
He has played at the Trafford Centre on many occasions and enjoys creating soothing melodies for music lovers.
Brian is currently due to record a Christmas TV special with Andy Prior for Granada but says he will be visiting Hatter’s Row on a regular basis over the next few weeks and is looking forward to playing his piano in the caf?.
New “industry
bible” for town
by business staff
AN INDUSTRY bible has been produced to give business leaders across the borough an insight to Warrington’s potential, thanks to the Borough Council’s Economic Development Team.
The Inward Investors Handbook brings the details of Warrington’s economic and social climate together, for the first time, in a handy guide. The guide provides a comprehensive overview of the economic and social climate in the UK, North West and Warrington providing specifics about quality of life.
The guide is aimed at investor brokers and other intermediaries who deal with international relocation projects.
A limited number of hard copies are available and the document is also available in electronic form. Anyone interested in getting a copy of the guide should contact Elizabeth Felix on 01925 715100.
