Council asked to back
DIY power generation
by David Skentelbery
TWO Warrington councillors are advocating moves that would enable householders to install micro-units in their homes to generate their own electricity.
They want the borough council to support the move ? and press for legislation that would require utility companies to purchase, at a reasonable rate, any surplus energy generated by householders by ?microgeneration.”
Liberal Democrat councillors Ian Marks and Ray Hancock will put a resolution to the borough council on Monday asking the council to recognise that microgeneration is a valuable new approach to engaging people in the issues of climate change and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
They say the council should welcome the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill and the Management of Energy in Buildings Bill, put forward by a cross party group of MPs earlier this year.
The bills are due to be debated in the House of Commons on November 11 and the two councillors want the council to urge Warrington?s two MPs, Helen Jones and Helen Southworth, to support them.
Among other measures the resolution would require are:
An annual report from the Prime Minister on greenhouse gas emissions
A fiscal strategy to assist with microgeneration and energy efficiency.
National targets for microgeneration
Coun Marks said: “This is an opportunity for ordinary individuals to do their bit. The micro units could be solar panels, combined heat and power systems, mini-windmills, fuel cells or even small water driven systems.
“Not only could people help do their bit to combat global warming, they could also save themselves some money.”
Coun Marks and fellow Liberal Democrat Coun Rita Cochrane are also to ask the council to support a motion encouraging more recycling, including increased kerbside collections.
Jan drove them
round the bend!
by Lesley Wilkinson
A TUTOR from Priestley College, Warrington, took part in a Ladies Driving Challenge at the Shell Test Track in Stretton, with the opportunity to drive a fire engine, HGV, police car and tractor.
Jan Costello, head of science and maths, hopes to raise ?200 in sponsorship for Marie Curie Cancer Care, with help from staff and students.
She braved the challenge of trying to drive a variety of vehicles.
At just 5ft Jan was concerned that she may not be able to reach the pedals on the larger vehicles, including a chemical tanker.
She said: “The event was really special on a number of fronts. It’s not every day that the public can get behind the wheel of emergency vehicles.
“I guess getting back behind the wheel of my normal car, will now be somewhat of a let down in relation to my recent experience.?
Charity abseil – with a
chance to win a Ferrari
VOLUNTEERS with a head for heights are being sought for a charity abseil to raise funds for the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Trust in Warrington.
So far 50 people have volunteered to complete the 90 feet free-fall drop at Manchester Velodrome on Saturday and Sunday November 26 and 27 and the organisers are looking for more.
It is hoped that at least 100 people will take part and raise more than ?10,000 for the trust. Money will go towards the charity’s projects including Children in Conflict Situation, Anti Bullying, Citizenship, and Peace and Reconciliation.
Everyone taking part in the abseil will be entered into a draw with the chance to win a Ferrari Driving Challenge sponsored by Driveme.net. People taking part have to pay a reservation fee and pledge to raise ?145 for the charity. They should be reasonably fit and have no major health problems.
Anyone interested in joining should contact KoR Events on 0870 877 1212.
Having a say on the
future of healthcare
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON people are being invited to have their say on the future of healthcare outside hospitals, including GP services, family planning, physiotherapy and quit smoking services.
As part of a nationwide survey, local people are being consulted in the ?Your Health, Your Care, Your Say? exercise designed to find out what people want from care in the community and in their homes.
Warrington Primary Care Trust’s chief executive Allison Cooke said: “The aim is to ask people to think about what they would like to see in the future: what sort of services they will need and how they would like to use them.
“It follows the survey of 2,000 people we carried out over the summer in Warrington, the results of which will be fed into this national consultation. It’s really important for people to have a say because the outcome will influence the Government’s new policy about how care outside hospitals should look.?
The consultation looks at key issues such as when and where people needing support want it to come from, and how the NHS can best co-ordinate support.
Anyone interested in completing an online questionnaire should click on the link: www.nhs.uk/yoursay, or contact the Trust on 0800 389 6973.
Stables plan
thrown out
by David Skentelbery
PLANNING chiefs have thrown out controversial proposals for a horse riding centre at Stretton, near Warrington, after hearing of the fears of nearby residents.
They decided the development on land off Spark Hall Close would have too big an impact on the openness of the Green Belt.
The scheme had been opposed by Stretton Parish Council and nearby residents who feared plans for stabling six horses on land off Spark Hall Close could be the first phase of a major development.
Members of Warrington’s development control committee visited the site before reaching a decision.
The site is currently used for grazing – but applicant Peter Clarkson wanted to build a stable building with six horse cubicles and storage area and provide hardstanding and an exercise arena for the horses.
Horses would be exercised on the remaining land, in rotation with continuing agricultural use.
Neighbours warned of increased traffic, parking problems, noise and smells and argued that the equestrian centre would conflict with the nearby Park Royal Hotel.
They were also concerned about the staging of horse shows, gymkhanas, etc, and the possible breeding and sale of horses.
The stables would in fact be a large, obtrusive industrial building within the Green Belt, they claimed.
News in brief
Parking ban
COMPLAINTS from residents about obstruction caused by vehicles parked in a passageway at the rear of Thelwall Lane, Warrington have led to the borough council making an order to ban parking. Objections must receive council solicitor Howard Norris by October 6.
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 4, 6, 14 and 16. There was one winner for the ?719 jackpot and the ?25 consolation prize went to Mr Balfe. Next week’s jackpot is likely to be around ?250.
Stack plan
INEOS Silicas Ltd have won planning consent for the construction of a raised section of roof at their gals plant in Liverpool Road, Warrington, together with a vent stack 28m above ground level, to accomodate a new production process.
Disabled parking
AN order has made to create a disabled persons’ parking place in Alder Lane, Warrington, near its junction with Mortimer Avenue. Objectors must apply to the High Court within six weeks of September 15.
[ 06.10.2005, 15:24: Message edited by: DS ]
