105 new rented homes
soon to be available
by John Hendon
THE first of 105 new rented homes to be provided on the re-developed site of the Anson and Blenheim estates at Padgate, Warrington are expected to become available in August.
Town Hall chiefs have approved a specific allocation policy for the properties, which consist of two, three and four bedroomed houses and one two bedroomed bungalow.
Tenants from the former properties rehoused when they were demolished were advised at the time that their move was permanent so they will not be given priority to return to the area.
The allocations policy takes into account the demand and capacity of local schools, other support services and in order to create a sustainable community.
Rehousing opportunities will result from moving residents in from other areas.
Families with one child will be eligible for two bedroom houses, of which there are 24. Families with one or more children will qualify for the 66 three bedroomed houses and families with three or more children will qualify for the 14 four bedroomed houses.
Where there are no eligible applicants for a property, the next group of eligible applicants can be considered.
The allocation policy has been drawn up after consultation with Golden Gates Housing, Shelter, Warrington Law Centre and the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Emergency or “roofless” homeless cases will not be considered for the new properties because Arena Housing Association, who are managing the scheme, say they will not be available for immediate occupation.
A total of 87 homes for sale are also being provided on the site.
Rugby stadium health
centre kicks off
by staff reporter
A UNIQUE state-of-the-art health centre has officially opened at Warrington Wolves’ Halliwell Jones Stadium.
The ?1.3million facility, which houses a wide range of community health services, is the first ever to be located in a rugby stadium.
Health chiefs believe the close association between sport and health offers those people who might otherwise not access healthcare a new style of service.
More than 90 staff from Warrington Primary Care Trust (PCT) are based at Health Services at Wolves, providing a range of services including cardiac and stroke rehabilitation, falls prevention for older people and a stop smoking service.
The centre has also brought together therapy services – physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, and podiatry (foot health) – which were previously held in town centre GP practices and clinics. This means that patients can now access these services all day Monday to Friday for the first time. Previously some patients had very little choice over appointment times because some sites which delivered the services had only a few sessions a week.
The centre was officially opened by Wolves’ chairman Lord Hoyle of Warrington.
Warrington PCT chief executive Allison Cooke said: “This is an incredibly important development for patients in the town centre as it has given them greater access to services as well as a greater choice of appointment times. The facility also provides the base for many specialist services which everyone in Warrington can access.
“This is just the first stage of our vision for improving healthcare in Warrington for the 21st century.”
Video interviewing suite
opens in police station
by staff reporter
A BRAND new video interviewing suite to help vulnerable victims or witnesses of crime give the best possible evidence to investigators has been installed at Warrington Police Station Thanks in part to Home Office funding, which has been matched by money from the Cheshire Police Authority, Warrington is one of six police stations across the county to receive the new style facility.
The suite will help children and, in certain cases, vulnerable adults to give their evidence “in chief” – that is that their evidence is videotaped and played in court.
It also puts Cheshire Police ahead of the game in terms of future legislation which may extend this opportunity to other people, such as witnesses who are scared of intimidation or victims of domestic violence.
The concept of video interviewing is not a new one. Across the county, facilities have been in place for more than a decade for victims in cases such as rape, sexual assault or child abuse to be interviewed on camera, but these facilities were ordinarily situated away from police stations.
However, additional facilities such as the one at Warrington are now on-site and are being used on a daily basis by trained interviewers to help put victims and witnesses at ease as they tell police exactly what they know about a particular incident.
Interviews are not recorded on video, but on DVD, which gives better quality results and are easier to store.
The new facility at Warrington has two rooms – the interview room, furnished with settees, a low coffee table, curtains and a video camera. Adjacent to this room is a control room, where officers and representatives of the person being interviewed can monitor proceedings.
Promoting positive
mental health
by staff reporter
PEOPLE across Warrington are being invited to a free fun day promoting positive mental health for all.
The “Smile You’re Worth It” event is a day of activities, fun and information to raise awareness of the importance of looking after mental health.
On the day there will be an opportunity for people to work with a talented graffiti artist to “spray” a graffiti art wall which will go on permanent display at Warrington Wolves Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Other activities include a stress-busting drumming workshop, relaxing with gentle massage, relaxation technique classes and a chance to experience the benefits of Tai Chi.
There will also be drama workshops for budding actors and a chance to learn circus skills like juggling and plate spinning. Workshops to help with understanding depression and how food can affect your mood will also be held on the day.
People can also get creative in our art corner, which will include creative writing, pottery and flower buttonhole making.
Organiser Kerry Broadhead, Warrington Primary Care Trust’s assistant director of health improvement, said: “This is a unique opportunity for local people to learn about the benefits and ways of staying mentally healthy. The ‘Awards For All’ funding which the Primary Care Trust received to host this event has enabled us to develop a creative and accessible event which we are very excited about.”
“We are looking forward to the day and hope that everyone will find it fun, informative and helpful in understanding how important positive mental health is. To avoid disappointment booking is essential as some workshop places are limited.”
Smile You’re Worth It is part of the Disability Awareness Day celebrations on July 7 at Walton Park Gardens, Warrington. More information is available from Jannette Norton on 01925 843725, or email [email protected]
Nathan is game for
a trip to France
by John Hendon
A FIRST year student at Warrington’s Priestley College is to jet off to France next month where he will visit the Louvre –but he won’t have much time for sight-seeing.
Nathan Lau, from Latchford, Warrington, is a keen computer gamer and has excelled himself on a national stage having been crowned champion gamer at this year’s ESWC UK Finals in Oxford.
He fought off a number of strong computer game enthusiasts to finish top of the pile at his chosen game, the ever-popular War Craft III.
Nathan, who is currently completing his AS Levels in Computing, Electronics and Physics, is a keen member of the computer club at Priestley and recently missed out on the trip of a lifetime to China due to sitting his AS-Level exams having originally qualified for a global gaming tournament.
Among his other on-going proje
cts, Nathan is currently involved in an initiative to build a 3D replication model environment of Priestley College that can be used in conjunction with the popular title “Unreal Tournament.”
College ICT tutor Peter Butterfield said: “I was really happy to learn of Nathan’s achievements. It was very sad that he had to miss the Chinese event but I hope he more than makes up for it in France.
“It’s great to see he has put his studies first in terms of the China trip and he has now been rewarded with an outing to the Louvre.”
New councillor
elected
by staff reporter
Mrs Stephanie Foster has been elected a member of Appleton Parish Council, Warrington following the resignation of ex-councillor Alistair Day, who has left the area.
She represents the Hill Cliffe Ward and was elected unopposed.
