“Hypocrisy” claim as
bins row rumbles on
by David Skentelbery
LABOUR politicians who have slammed Warrington Borough Council over its controversial new policy over the collection of wheelie bins have been accused of hypocrisy.
A union boss ? who stood as an independent candidate in the council elections in May ? says the officer who introduced the policy was appointed by Labour before they lost control of the council at the elections.
Head of environmental services Paula Darlington, who had introduced a similar policy at her former council, Rochdale, was also given delegated authority to introduce the change, according to John Mulhall, chairman of one of Warrington?s Transport and General Workers? Union branches.
Mr Mulhall said: ?I?m not defending the Lib Dem-Tory administration over this because they have not handled it particularly well.
?But it is not fair to blame them. They had only effectively been in control of the council for about six weeks when the policy was introduced so it was being planned when Labour were still in power.
?It is just hypocrisy for Labour to now condemn the matter.?
Mr Mulhall has been involved in waste issues in Warrington for many years.
The new council policy is that wheelie bins will not be collected if the lid is not firmly closed.
Despite the regulation being announced several weeks in advance, hundreds of people were caught out in the first week of operation and their bins were not collected.
Angry residents blitzed the council with complaints that rubbish was being left rotting in the heat wave.
Labour figures, including council opposition leader Terry O?Neill, Howley member Yvonne Fovargue, Birchwood Town Council leader Chris Fitzsimmons and Warrington North MP Helen Jones ? whose own bin was left uncollected ? have slammed the policy as ?madness?.
The council says the majority of residents have co-operated with the new regulations which have introduced because a number of accidents have been caused because of overflowing bins which could not be closed.
Boost for Cinnamon Brow
Words and pictures by Mark Hemmings
JUBILANT people at Cinnamon Brow Farm Community Centre, Warrington have said a big thank you to Muir Group Housing Association.
After months of fundraising, volunteers at the farm took receipt of a cheque for ?2,500 from Muir to enable them to carry out some essential building work to the side of the old farm building.
Spokesman Mick Curran said: “To have the wall cladded and sealed costs ?26,000. The team at Waste Recycling Environmental Limited (WREN) have been a great help to us financially and now with Muir stepping in too, we can get the work under way.”
Beverley Price, Community Investment Manager for Muir said: “We’re pleased to be involved with this project as the biggest landlord in the Cinnamon Brow area.”
Coincidentally as the farm received their donation, the Princes Trust Team who have completed various projects at Cinnamon Brow this year, were handed a cheque for ?150 on the same day again by Muir, which gave a welcome boost to the funds raised at a Family Day.
New deal for town’s
wheelchair users
by John Hendon
PEOPLE across Warrington who need a wheelchair assessment are benefiting from reduced waiting times since the service moved to new premises.
The NHS Wheelchair Service is now at 226, Europa Boulevard at the Gemini Retail Park, where the assessment, storage, repair and delivery of wheelchairs on long-term loan are located. It is the first time all aspects of the service have been on one site.
The service redesign involved support from a working group which included service users, carers and representatives from the voluntary sector.
Louise Jenkins, Independent Living Manager for Warrington PCT, said “We want people to be as independent and mobile as possible; a wheelchair can make a huge difference to people’s lives.
“By bringing all the functions of our service together, we are giving our clients a better overall service. This includes shorter waiting times between being assessed and receiving a specially adapted wheelchair.?
Previously the assessment service was located at Beaufort Street which had only limited space.
There are currently 4,500 people across Warrington who use a wheelchair loaned from the service, which may include specialist seating and pressure care, prescribed following comprehensive assessment by a wheelchair therapist.
The NHS Wheelchair Service is complimented by a short-term loan service run by Warrington Disability Partnership, which is part funded by the PCT. The Wheelchair and Independent Living Equipment Loans Service has a range of equipment which people can borrow for up to six weeks.
Rejected – the houses
everyone wanted
by David Skentelbery
TOWN Hall planning chiefs have thrown out proposals for housing on a garden centre site at Culcheth – despite the scheme having overwhelming local support.
Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council backed the scheme in Church Lane, Culcheth – adjacent to the Harrow pub.
Only one neighbour commented on the proposal – and he said it would enhance the area and remove an eyesore.
There were no objections from highways officers, environment chiefs, education bosses, health chiefs or United Utilities.
But planning officers condemned the scheme for design deficiencies and claimed it would cause harm to the character of the area.
The plan was submitted by garage proprietor Owen McKay and involved 10 houses on the site of Culcheth Garden Centre – which is shortly to close.
An earlier proposal, involving 14 houses, was refused by Warrington’s development control committee and rejected by a planning inspector when it went to appeal in March.
The new plan reduced the number of houses by four and provided for off-street parking But planning officers claimed it would contribute to an over-supply of housing land in the borough.
They said little regard had been given to design or landscaping, the development had a “dreary layout” and would introduce a harsh, featureless built form. The revised scheme does little to address these concerns and would have a damaging impact on the character of the road.
Culcheth councillor Keith Bland said the site would deteriorate if nothing was done when the garden centre closed.
“I’m really disappointed. Nobody opposed this scheme and it would have introduced affordable homes for local people. I just can’t understand it.”
All night
barn fire
by staff reporter
MORE than 50 firefighters were involved in a 12-hour battle to extinguish a fire involving a barn filled with hay near Warrington.
The blaze started shortly after 5pm at a farm in Penkforth Lane, Collins Green and over the next 13 hours 10 fire appliances were involved in the operation. The last crews left the scene around 6am today.
A Fire Service spokeswoman said more than 300 tonnes of hay was destroyed and the barn badly damaged.
But no-one was hurt.
While the operation was going on, fire crews had to deal with scores of other grass fires in various parts of the borough.
People urged to visit
local Green Flag parks
by staff reporter
THE Civic Trust launches a week-long campaign tomorrow (Saturday) designed to encourage people to visit their local Green Flag parks.
A record number of 423 Green Flags were awarded by the charity this year – and they are regarded as the national benchmark for quality parks and green spaces.
The North West has a wealth of them ? including five in Warrington.
Flags are awarded to parks and other green spaces judged to be welcoming, safe and well maintained with the strong involvement of the local community.
Civic Trust spokeswoman Caroline Williams said: “Now the children are on holiday, there is no better time to visit your nearest Green Flag
Award winning site where you can play, relax or take part in a special event. All parks and green spaces within the scheme are free of charge.”
Go to www.greenflagaward.org.uk to find out what events are taking place in local Green Flag parks.
