Town’s task group to
tackle climate change
by David Skentelbery
TOWN Hall chiefs at Warrington are being urged to set up a task group to tackle the problem of climate change locally.
The idea originated with the borough council?s Sustainable Environment and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee who believe the group should be set up, led by the executive member for planning and regeneration, Coun Bob Barr.(pictured)
Members of the group ? two Liberal Democrats, one Conservative and two Labour ? would monitor and advise on the development of a climate change strategy for the council and for its wider role in administering community leadership.
They would, specifically, agree a final draft strategy for presentation to the executive board, including priorities and responsibilities for action arising from the strategy and subsequently oversee and monitor progress on the implementation of the action plan.
A report to be considered by the executive board next Monday, August 13, says climate change is now recognised as a significant global issue requiring urgent action by central and local government.
The council?s corporate plan (2006-2010) already identifies a number of priority measures on energy efficiency and the use of renewable resources and the development of a climate change strategy.
In addition, the council has signed the Nottingham Declaration, a voluntary pledge to contribute to the UK climate change programme, the Kyoto Protocol and the target for carbon dioxide reduction by 2010.
Regional action on climate change is gathering in pace, and local initiatives will contribute to this.
The North West Development Agency has invited sub-regional bodies to bid for ?270,000 over the next three years and the Cheshire and Warrington Economic Alliance is suggesting the money should be used, among other things, to fund a ?Climate Change Champion.?
As part of an initiative undertaken and funded by the North West Regional Assembly, consultants have been commissioned to deliver to elected members, a free climate change training and awareness event in Warrington as soon as possible.
Discussions are currently ongoing with a view to finalising a date for Warrington’s event as soon as possible.
Consultants have also been appointed to develop a climate change strategy for Warrington with the bias to be on carbon management, as this greatest potential reducing the council?s own emissions footprint.
This will include calculating the town?s carbon emission baseline, forecasting future emissions and calculating costs, savings and pay back periods.
The changing face
of Warrington
by Gary Skentelbery
DEGREE students from University of Chester Warrington campus investigated the “changing face” of Warrington as part of their course work.
The documentary examines how Warrington has transformed from its industrial past to a “model town.”
Janice Heyes from Warrington Musuem, Warrington-Worldwide editor Gary Skentelbery and local photographer Nick Giles are all featured in the programme.
The documentary was produced by four degree students.
Interviewer David Twyman, who is currently seeking funding for a drama set around Warrington has previously worked on videos for the Warrington Peace Centre and Creamfields. He has now become an indpendent producer and has previously worked at Bognor Film Productions as a producer/director and has done some marketing for them.
He is also working for the Big Idea, a community internet channel in Warrington.
Fellow student Glenn Swift gave up career in industrial science as a chemist to take up career in television and is currently setting up independent production company. He also worked on the Peace Centre/Creamfields video.
Amanda Todd is currently producing a documentary on the Liverpool City Council initative Hope Street following a play from concept to completion, teaching young people about sexual health. Heather Mitchell is part of dance group in the university and is currently looking to be a presenter and also takes journalism as part of her degree.
Benefit cheat defrauded
council out of ?3,000
by court reporter
A BENEFIT cheat who fled Warrington after defrauding the borough council of more than ?3,000 was brought back to face sentencing.
Michael Robertson, 43, now of Grants Walk, Newquay, but formerly of Eden Avenue, Culcheth, pleaded guilty to falsely claiming housing and council tax benefit totalling ?3,116 at Warrington Magistrates? Court.
The court heard Robertson after claiming benefit while working between April 2002 and October 2004. He was summoned to appear in court in Warrington but failed to attend and was subsequently arrested and bailed.
He was sentenced under Section 111A of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 to a 12 months conditional discharge and ordered to return the overpayment. Of this, ?1,500 will be directly through earnings.
After the hearing, the borough council?s housing benefit manager, Adrian Webster, said: ?Deliberately withholding information that affects your claim is stealing. That?s why we are targeting benefit thieves.
?We have introduced new methods of data matching – and the obvious message to benefit cheats is you will be caught. This case is yet another clear demonstration of our determination to tackle benefit fraud.?
Rowing club makes
a splash on the Mersey
WARRINGTON Rowing Club?s annual regatta on the Mersey again attracted hundreds of oarsmen and women from all over the North and the Midlands.
The weather stayed fair and more than a dozen rowing clubs competed in more than 50 classes, with races finishing close to the club?s headquarters near Kingsway Bridge.
There were classes for men, women, senior, juniors and veterans and clubs taking part, in addition to hosts Warrington, included Trafford grosvenor, Liverpool Victoria, Hollingworth Lake, Runcorn, Mersey, Tees, Merchant Taylors, Trentham, John ?o Gaunt and Derby.
A stiff breeze led to some choppy water, but nevertheless some good times were recorded.
Rowing is believed to have taken place on the Mersey at Warrington for nearly 200 years and the origins of the Warrington Regatta date from more than 150 years ago, when large crowds of spectators were attracted.
But the present club was formed in the mid-1980s, originally based at The Old Quay Tavern.
In the late 1980s the pub changed hands and the club was given notice. This provided the incentive for the club to acquire its own boathouse on land next to Kingsway Bridge, leased from the borough council.
The boathouse was opened in 1989 on the morning of that year?s regatta. It consisted of three old pre-fabs erected in a line.
During the 90?s a lottery grant helped extend the boathouse and gym and provided a good stock of boats.
The club now has strong links with Lymm High School and over the years they have produced some outstanding oarsmen and women. Membership is higher than ever and the club is about to embark on its next project – a new boathouse with state of the art facilities for both the club and local community.
New website offers
links for businesses
by staff reporter
CHESHIRE and Warrington Economic Alliance (CWEA) has launched a new website containing up-to-date economic information, development, research and statistics.
The site, which is aimed at businesses and partners in Warrington and the rest of the county, is at www.cwea.org.uk
It contains more in-depth information about the area than ever before.
New sections include:
Economic Overview – containing up-to-date economic information, research and statistics.
Projects – containing up-to-date information on major economic development projects.
Business and Enterprise – featuring business support organisations, business clubs and b
usiness parks.
Links to most visited sections are now direct from the home page, eg news, events and publications, while new functions such as RSS feeds make it easy for visitors to receive updates on the information that is important to them. Layout is clean and functional with much clearer signposted of key sections and a simple navigation.
Martin Lee, Chief Executive at CWEA, says “The website is a vital communications tool for us and enables us to keep our stakeholders informed about the economy of Cheshire and Warrington. Organisations will find essential economic information and news about major developments that will impact on their businesses. Research reports and studies commissioned by us are available on our website within 24 hours of publication.”
Restaurant wins
awards from MPs
by John Hendon
AN All-Party group of MPs has made an award to a Warrington Indian restaurant for the quality of its food.
The Parliamentary Tiffin Club has presented a medal and certificate to The Raj restaurant in Common Lane, Culcheth.
Warrington North MP Helen Jones, who lives in Culcheth, nominated the restaurant for this year?s Tiffin Cup ? and award made by the club each year to applaud the quality of South Asian food and to raise money for charity.
MPs from across the country are invited to nominate a restaurant. The competition was launched two years ago and each year the winner is awarded the Tiffin Cup.
Judges secretly visited each nominated restaurant to sample menus and to take in the atmosphere and service.
The competition was won by a restaurant from Romford in Essex ? however, The Raj was highly praised and was awarded a Tiffin Cup Medal and a certificate, both of which were presented by Helen Jones.
