Lib Dem-Tory alliance
loses its first battle
by David Skentelbery
THE new Liberal Democrat-Tory alliance set up to take control of Warrington Borough Council failed in its first battle with Labour.
A move to reduce the size of the executive board from 10 to eight was swept aside at the council?s annual meeting after Labour?s Coun John Morris (right)drew attention to the fact that the change would involve amending the council?s constitution ? and this could only be done with the approval of two thirds of the members.
Labour ? still the largest group on the council ? opposed the change and the Lib Dems and Conservatives were forced to drop the plan.
But Lib Dem leader Ian Marks (left) ? who shortly afterwards was elected leader of the council ? said: ?We think eight members is adequate and it remains our intention to reduce the size of the executive eventually.?
The stormy meeting was punctuated with ill-tempered exchanges as Labour traded insults with both Liberal Democrat and Tory councillors.
What is normally a formal meeting, at which the highlight is the installing of the new Mayor, dragged on all afternoon with Labour forcing named votes on several issues.
Eventually it was adjourned to resume on Thursday.
Labour accused the Lib Dem-Tory alliance of incompetence and causing chaos ? while the Lib Dems in turn accused Labour of time-wasting.
The Labour group condemned the Lib Dems and Tories of being an ?unholy alliance? ? and infuriated the Conservatives by dubbing them ?political prostitutes.?
The Lib Dems were accused of ?playing to the gallery? and Labour of trying to disrupt the administration of the council and frustrate the ?will of the people of Warrington.?
But former Labour leader John Joyce said: ?People did not vote for an alliance.?
Coun Marks said Labour were displaying ?sour grapes.? But it was the intention of the Lib Dems and Conservatives to build on the council?s past successes.
Reducing the size of the executive by two members was hardly a major restructure of the council and all Labour were trying to do was divide the two allies.
?We won?t fall for that one,? he said. He disputed Labour claims that reducing the size of the executive would damage the stability of the council.
?Just give us a chance and we will show you what we can do.?
Music festival’s ?3.5m
boost for economy
by Gary Skentelbery
BUSINESS and tourism leaders have given their backing to a controversial music festival despite opposition from more than 400 villagers who claim it will create a weekend of misery due to noise pollution.
It is believed the internationally-acclaimed Creamfields music festival which is set to take place in fields on the estate of Lord Daresbury near warrington, will provide a ?3.5 million boost to the local economy.
The event is scheduled to take place in Daresbury on August Bank Holiday weekend subject to a successful licence application and will feature some of the biggest names in music.
Among the headline acts signed up are The Prodigy and Goldfrapp, plus Gnarls Barkley who recently reached number one in the charts on downloads sales only. Joining them will be Liverpool band The Zutons and the pick of the world?s DJ talent.
The event will provide a huge influx of visitors which has resulted in a residents’ protest group being launched. But it has been welcomed by business and tourism leaders, including Visit Chester and Cheshire, the area’s destination management organisation.
Chief executive Chris Brown said: ?It’s a great opportunity. Such an event would create huge potential for our stakeholders in Cheshire and Warrington to benefit from the additional business that would be generated from the 40,000 visitors who are expected to attend.
?If the plans are successful, we will be actively seeking to work alongside both the organisers and our stakeholders to maximise the economic benefit.?
In the past seven years the festival has produced an estimated ?20 million windfall for Merseyside?s economy. This year?s event is currently undergoing consultation as part of its licensing application, with a final decision expected in June.
If the licence is granted the festival will host more than 40,000 people with independent research suggesting a spend per head of close to ?100 on accommodation, travel, entertainment, food and drink.
This research was carried out following the 2004 event by The Mersey Partnership and found that a total of ?91.83 was spent on average by each individual attending the festival.
That represented an estimated total economic impact of the 2004 Creamfields Festival, based on an attendance of 38,000, of ?3,489,540.
The decision to choose Daresbury as the proposed site for Creamfields has been welcomed by the Chambers of Commerce in both Halton and Warrington.
Bill Badrock, chief executive of Halton Chamber of Commerce said: “This is a tremendous opportunity for the local community. A proven high profile event; organised by a world renowned company, Creamfields will help Halton’s improved image. This together with announcements on the second Mersey Crossing and Runcorn Docks is just the tonic we need to help grow the local economy.?
Colin Daniels, (pictured) chief executive of the Warington Chamber added: ?We welcome this event being staged in the area and it?s clear that there will be economic benefits. The choice of venue is another example of the continuing success of Warrington.?
Chief executive of Cream, James Barton, said: ?In 2004 Creamfields contributed ?3.5 million into the Merseyside economy according to independent research carried out by The Mersey Partnership. We are confident that if the event gets the go-ahead the economic impact for both Halton and Warrington will be boosted by a similar figure.?
An application for a licence is expected to be heard by Halton Borough Council in June.
Meanwhile villagers who are opposing the festival were meeting last night (Monday) to discuss how best to tackle the proposed event.
New Mayor filled with
pride and tradition
by Gary Skentelbery
THE new Mayor of Warrington Councillor Linda Dirir said she was “filled with a great sense of tradition and pride” as she took up her chains of office yesterday, Monday.
COun Dirir was formally elected as the 123rd Mayor of Warrington during the annual meeting of the council, held at the Town Hall, and her husband Allin, parish councillor for Penketh Parish Council, took on the role of Mayor?s consort.
Coun Celia Jordan took on the role of deputy Mayor with Mr Roy Jefferson as consort.
Coun Dirir, Ward Councillor for Penketh and Cuerdley, was joined on her special day by family, friends, Members and Officers.
Environment, climate change and sustainability are the main themes for her Mayoral year and her chosen charities are Cancer support/research and support for small community/charitable groups.
She said: ?I am filled with a great sense of tradition and pride as I take up the chains of office and I am looking forward to my role as the Mayor of Warrington.
“My new role will enable me to go out in the community and meet the people and groups who are doing fantastic work every day and are helping making a difference to so many people?s lives.
“My themes for this year are environment, climate change and sustainability. I believe that everyone can play their part to help improve the environment, prevent further climate change and live in a more sustainable way. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Coun Mundry for all his hard work and I intend to continue the success of my predecessors.?
Celebrating at
the double
by Gary Skentelbery
It was a double celebration when Geriant Jones celebrated his 50th birthday with family and friends at Walton hall Conference centre.
Family and friends clubbed together and raised money for Guide Dogs for the
Blind with a raffle to mark the 75th anniversary of the charity.
It was certainly a memorable occasion with a surprise of a lifetime for Geraint when Elvis Brettini made a dramatic grand entrance to sing at the party.
Geraint from Stockton Heath relies upon his guide dog Weaver for independent mobility while travelling on public transport to work in Manchester.
Meanwhile wife Sue also has a guide dog Vaughn, who is currently Guide Dog of the Year.
As a tribute to their “wonderful dogs”, friends and family raised around ?500 with a raffle and donations.
Arson attack wrecks
community centre
by staff reporter
POLICE are investigating an arson attack on a Warrington community centre which left the building devastated.
Orford Park Community Centre, off Alder Lane, was almost completely destroyed in the attack.
Fire chiefs say at least 25 per cent of the timber building was destroyed by fire.
But the rest of the property ? some 60ft by 45 ft ? was trashed by the intruders.
Windows were smashed, fittings destroyed and the property ransacked.
A spokesman said: ?This was a mindless act of vandalism. We think the building was ransacked first and then set alight.
?These acts of vandalism put the lives of firefighters at risk unnecessarily and are a blight on the local community.?
The centre is used by numerous community groups, including Mums and Tots groups and pensioners? organisers.
But it is now likely to be out of commission for months ? and will probably need to be demolished and re-built.
Children win helicopter!
by staff reporter
THE North West Air Ambulance (NWAA) will be on active standby at Woolston Community Primary School, Warrington, today (Tuesday May 23) to personally congratulate all the staff and pupils for their fantastic support during the charity’s Cheshire recycling initiative.
The school has collected a phenomenal 186 bags of clothes and donated them to the registered charity who swapped the unwanted items for much- needed funds with the help of SWD Premier Clothing, a North West-based clothes and fabric recycling company.
As the region’s only medical air emergency service the NWAA receives no mainstream funding and relies solely on the generosity of businesses and residents of the North West to keep the vital life-saving service flying.
To celebrate the success of the recycling initiative, the NWAA flew into Woolston Community Primary School’s playing fields and will remain there all day on active standby. Pupils and staff will be given the opportunity to look around “Katie,” the yellow helicopter, and talk with the NWAA pilot and paramedics.
Lynda Brislin, charity chief executive of the NWAA said: “The success of the recycling initiative has been exceptional and we are delighted that one man’s rubbish truly is the North West Air Ambulance’s treasure! We would like to congratulate Woolston Community Primary School for all their hard work and we hope that they enjoy having Katie for the day.”
Judith Elshaw, Woolston Community Primary School head teacher said: “The North West Air Ambulance is such a vital service that we were delighted to get involved. It’s been great for the pupils to learn about the benefits of recycling while raising funds for such vital a charity.”
It costs ?1.3 million per year to keep this vital service in the sky seven days a week, 365 days a year across 5,500 square miles serving a residential population of seven million. The NWAA covers all major road incidents, all serious sporting accidents and incidents in areas that have poor and restricted road access. On average the NWAA is called out four times a day, rising up to ten in the summer.
For further details about the NWAA please visit www.northwestairambulance.co.uk To make a donation please call 0800 587 4570.
