Bins backlog sparks row
with refuse collectors
by David Skentelbery
TOWN Hall chiefs at Warrington brought in agency workers to clear a massive backlog of rubbish following a breakdown of talks with their own binmen.
The workforce turned down two offers of extra pay and are now considering a work-to-rule.
Three members of the council’s executive board – Coun Mike Hannon, Coun Terry O’Neill and Coun Jeff Richards – visited the council’s Woolston depot in an attempt to resolve the issue.
It is understood the men rejected an offer of an extra ?43 per man, with an extra ?51 for drivers – and that the cost of the agency workers is ?110 each.
The backlog arose from the one-day council workers’ strike over pensions on Tuesday, March 28 when no refuse collections took place.
Council leaders announced at the time that refuse normally collected on the Tuesday would be collected yesterday (Tuesday).
But on-going negotiations over payment for the catch-up service failed to reach an agreement.
Bob Williams, the borough council’s head of communications said: “While we recognise the right of the workforce to undertake legitimate industrial action, we also understand that we must do everything possible to maintain a service for the public.
“With that in mind, following discussions with the workforce and trade unions and in addition to the normal collection service, we have arranged for extra resources to be used, specifically to collect any extra refuse that has built-up.”
A spokesman for the workforce said: “Had a reasonable offer been made in the first place, this could all have been avoided and a less costly solution could have been found.
“Agency workers do not know the area so the work takes longer.
“We are now considering working strictly to rule – which would mean not picking up any additional refuse left outside bins.”
The dispute could have implications for the next stoppage planned for later this month.
Soccer girl Hannah’s
petition to sports chiefs
by John Hendon
A 10-year-old girl soccer player from Warrington, who will have to quit playing in a mixed team this summer, has delivered a protest petition to culture and sport secretary Tessa Jowell and Brian Barwick, chief executive of the Football Association.
Hannah Dale, from Great Sankey, wants a change in the rules governing football to enable girls to carry on playing in mixed teams after the age of 11.
She currently plays for Crosfields Junior FC Under lls. But she will not be able to when she reaches the age of ll this summer, because of FA regulations.
Hannah is one of the team?s star players ? she has been voted player of the year for the last two seasons.
She was taken to meet Tessa Jowell and Mr Barwick by Warrington South MP Helen Southworth.
The petition was signed by her team mates and calls on the FA to change the rules so that young female footballers can play competitively in mixed teams.
Mrs Southworth said: “Hannah is an exceptional footballing talent and it would be a real shame if she was forced to leave the club and her team-mates because of out-dated regulations.
?I will continue to lobby the FA and Government Ministers on behalf of Hannah and all the other young female footballers, because it is vital that we encourage, rather than discourage, girls who actively want to participate in competitive sports.”
Following the meeting, the FA has said it will seek the views of other youngsters and amateur clubs on the regulation.
Volunteers rewarded
for their work
by Lesley Wilkinson
MORE than 170 volunteers who work with a range of organisations in Warrington were thanked for their work at the town’s ninth annual Volunteer Awards ceremony.
Warrington Volunteer Centre hosted the event at the Village Hotel, Warrington. Guests were The Mayor and Mayoress Couns Hans and Karen Mundry, who presented the awards to the hard-working volunteers.
Awards were given to those who had achieved 100 hours of volunteering last year, and people who had completed the Accredited Certificate for Volunteering.
The Mayor told volunteers: “You should be really proud of the work that you do, each and every one of you make a huge difference to your local communities.” More than 35 voluntary organisations from across Warrington were represented at the ceremony. During the evening guests had the opportunity to learn about the work of the other organisations taking part.
Karen Burman, award scheme co-ordinator said: “Volunteers give so much time and energy into helping others and don’t often get the recognition they deserve. This special evening is our way of highlighting the work that they do and thanking them for their fantastic contribution.”
Preparations are now underway for next year’s ceremony and anyone interested in finding out details should ring the centre on 01925 637609.
Online quiz on
justice system
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON people are to get another chance to ask online questions about the way the justice system is run ? hard on the heels of last week?s successful question-and-answer session with Cheshire?s Chief Constable Peter Fahy.
Next Tuesday, April 11, people will be able to quiz Mr Fahy again ? along with four representatives from the Local Criminal Justice Board (LCJB).
They will be live online from 6pm answering questions about subjects ranging from giving evidence in court to the rehabilitation of offenders.
Joining Mr Fahy will be Ian Rushton, acting Chief Crown Prosecutor, Cheshire, Phil Lloyd, manager, Youth Offending Team ? Chester, Gareth Jones, manager, Youth Offending Team – Halton and Warrington and Steve Collett, chief officer, Cheshire Probation Service.
The work of the LCJB affects the lives of everyone in Warrington, Halton and across Cheshire and changes to the “Victims Code” this month mean its job is very much in the public eye.
To ask a question, log on to www.Cheshire.police.uk and follow the link at the top of the front page. Anyone wanting to make sure of an answer is advised to get their question in early. Answers to the questions will start appearing on the site almost immediately.
Members of the LCJB are responsible for:
Bringing together the criminal justice agencies to make the criminal justice system more effective.
Increasing public confidence in the criminal justice system.
Improving victim and witness satisfaction.
They also aim to bring more offences to justice, reduce delays in trials, deal with persistent young offers more effectively and ensuring the system puts its best efforts into bring priority offenders to justice.
Holiday fun
for the girls
by Lesley Wilkinson
GIRLS in Warrington have the chance to try a variety of activities ranging from boisterous rugby and football to the gentle art of pilates during the Easter break.
Warrington Wolves and Warrington Borough Council have joined forces to offer free activity taster sessions for girls aged between 11 and 14.
On Tuesday April 11 there will be pilates, gym and swim sessions at Fordton Leisure Centre between 1pm and 4pm.
Great Sankey Leisure Centre hosts badminton, gym and swim session on Thursday April 13 between 1pm and 3pm.
On Tuesday April 18 there are fitness classes and swimming at Woolston Leisure Centre from 12.30pm to 2.30pm. And the following day swim sessions at Broomfields Leisure Centre are from 2.00pm to 3.00pm.
The Wolves are also running two Dance Activity Days between 10.00am 3.00pm at Beamont High School, Long Lane, on Monday April 10 and Wednesday April 12. The first day is for girls aged seven to 11, and the second for the over 12s. Sessions cost ?5.00.
Crosfields JFC is joining the Wolves to stage a Joint Activity Day for girls aged 10 to 14 on Tuesday April 11 between 10.00am and 4.00p
m.
Qualified coaches in rugby league and football will offer training at Crosfields playing field, and sessions cost ?5.00.
Places for all events can be booked by contacting Dawn Cuts @ Warrington Wolves Foundation or on 01925 248894.
Church holds
plant sale
by staff reporter
GREEN-fingered folk have the opportunity to stock up on plants at a sale being held in Stockton Heath on Saturday May 6.
St Monica’s RC Church Plant Group, Appleton, holds its annual Plant Sale at Alexandra Park, Stockton Heath, between 10am and 3pm.
A wide variety of plants, including shrubs and perennials, will be on sale and all money raised will go towards children’s charities.
Ahoy there…it’s a
pirate’s life for kids!
by staff reporter
A SUMMER holiday club with a pirate theme will be held in August at St John’s United Reformed Church, in Warrington.
The Landlubbers Holiday Club, for primary school children, will be held from Monday August 7 to Friday August 11.
Sessions run each day from 10am to 12noon and there will be a range of activities including art, craft, drama, fun and games – all with a pirate theme.
The cost is ?7.50 per child per week, and more details are available by contacting [email protected]
Second fire at
unoccupied farm
by John Hendon
FIRE crews were called to an unoccupied farm in Radley Lane, Cinnamon Brow, Warrington for the second night running when an area of grassland was found ablaze.
The fire had been deliberately started and followed one the previous night when two caravans were destroyed.
A Fire Service spokesman said: “On the first occasion, a cylinder exploded as we were arriving at the scene. It could have been a very dangerous incident.”
Firefighters were also called to the Unilever works on Liverpool Road, Warrington early today when a chemical spillage started a small fire. Damage was minimal.
