278 drink-fuelled youth
crimes in one month
by David Skentelbery
YOUNG people in Cheshire were involved in more than 1,500 incidents of anti-social behaviour during June, it has been disclosed.
Chief Constable Peter Fahy has revealed the figures ? and again spoken out the link between youth crime and alcohol ? in the wake of the tragic murder of 47-year-old Garry Newlove at Warrington.
Mr Fahy (pictured) originally called for parents to take responsibility for their children?s behaviour and suggested a blanket ban on drinking in public places.
But he says his views are based on work carried out by police in Cheshire over the last 12 months to understand the effects of alcohol on crime.
Cheshire Police introduced the ArcAngel scheme, which included changes to the way incidents involving alcohol and young people were recorded. This provided police with a clear picture of how much crime and disorder involving young people has alcohol as an influencing factor.
Mr Fahy said: ?We are now in a position where we can build a picture of how, when and where young people involved in crime and anti social behaviour are accessing alcohol.
? We knew that there was a problem involving young people and anti social behaviour but we didn?t know what was causing the behaviour. Changing the way we do things has given us a clear indication that alcohol plays a big part in anti social behaviour. ?
During June, police recorded 1,502 incidents of anti social behaviour, of which 890 were youth related and 278 of these influenced by alcohol.
Cheshire?s ArcAngel approach challenges society?s tolerance that drinking to excess is part of British culture.
?We need to tackle the problem at grass roots level by holding to account the people who are responsible for allowing young people access to alcohol when they are underage.
” I have already stated that the police cannot tackle this problem on their own and that parents need to take responsibility. This is society?s problem and in Cheshire we are taking a stand,? Mr Fahy added.
The ArcAngel standards aim to influence behaviour, be it on the street, in licensed premises or in the home and in particular in those areas where disorder is endemic.
For sale – the piano
played by the stars
by Lesley Wilkinson
A HISTORIC grand piano – played by a host of stars during its many years at Warrington’s Parr Hall – has been restored by a Lymm firm.
Now the Bechstein piano is to go up for sale and the owner David Finnegan, of Cheshire Pianos in Statham, is hoping to compile a portfolio on its history.
The 1930s piano was donated to the Parr Hall by local bandleader Wilf Rigby and was there for more than 50 years. Stars such as Jools Holland, Rick Wakeman – who played it at the “peace concert” after the Warrington bombing – Kenny Ball, Stephane Grappelli, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Cleo Laine, Elkie Brooks and Ken Dodd used it, as well as numerous distinguished concert pianists.
Mr Finnegan maintained the piano for about 15 years and about three years ago he bought it. He has spent six months restoring it at a cost of about ?7,000 and he says a new version would cost about ?35,000.
“I am keen to hear from anyone who knows anything about its history,” he said.
“It has been well maintained over the years. It was moved around a lot and used to get damaged – but the council spent a lot of money maintaining it.”
Mr Finnegan has fully renovated the piano, including restringing and restoring the veneer and gold work.
Anyone who can help with the history of the piano should contact him on 01925 757969.
Man in canal
rescue drama
by David Skentelbery
POLICE, fire and ambulance crews were involved in a canal rescue drama at Warrington shortly before midnight.
A middle-aged man was dragged to safety from the Sankey Canal at Sankey Bridges after a 999 call was received.
The man, who had been drinking, was found clinging to the side of the canal, under some bushes, unable to get out of the water. He had been in the canal for some time.
A Fire Service spokesman said the incident could easily have ended in tragedy because the person who had raised the alarm had switched off his phone and left the area.
Rescuers, who had been searching the canal bank for some time, were about to call off the search in the belief the call had been a malicious false alarm.
The spokesman said: “It is always adviseable for people to stay at the scene of an emergency as it assists the fire or ambulance service in finding it.”
A Levels – “better than
ever” say council
by staff reporter
EARLY returns from schools and colleges in Warrington suggest that A-Level performance this year is better than ever – with about 70 per cent of pupils achieving grades A*-C.
Around half of all Warrington’s 18-year-olds have completed a full advanced level course this year and many of these students will be heading for university next term.
Increasing numbers of pupils are choosing to study the new Vocational A level and GNVQ subjects, which offer a wider choice of subjects to pupils. Around 18 per cent of papers taken this year were the new vocational subjects.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt, the borough council?s executive member for Children’s Services, said: “The information we are receiving from our schools and colleges suggests that advanced level results in Warrington this year are very good.
?The greater range of subjects now available at advanced level does seem to be encouraging more pupils to stay in full time education after the age of 16. I would like to congratulate all students and staff for their hard work in achieving such good results.”
The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) produces performance tables for advanced level results in mid-November. These can be obtained from the DCSF by phoning 0800 24 23 22 or from their website www.dcsf.gov.uk/performancetables
Task group will take
on climate change
by David Skentelbery
WARRINGTON Borough Council has agreed to set up a task group to tackle the problem of climate change locally.
It will be led by the executive member for planning and regeneration, Coun Bob Barr (pictured) and will consist of two Liberal Democrat, one Conservative and two Labour councillors.
The idea originated with the borough council’s Sustainable Environment and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee and the aim is for the new group to monitor and advise on the development of a climate change strategy for the council, including how it can take on a wider role in administering community leadership.
The group will agree a final draft strategy for presentation to the executive board, including priorities and responsibilities for action arising from the strategy.
Subsequently the group will oversee and monitor progress on the action plan.
The Sustainable Environment and Reneration Scrutiny Committee says climate change is now recognised as a significant global issue requiring urgent action by central and local government.
Already, the council’s corporate plan (2006-2010) 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.
Restaurant can
sell take-away food
by John Hendon
PLANNING chiefs at Warrington have agreed to lift a ban on the sale of take-away food at a Thai restaurant in Stockton Heath.
The Tammarin restaurant in Victoria Square will now be able to sell take-away meals.
Stockton Heath Parish Council had opposed the relaxation of planning condition.
They argued that the restaurant was close to a very busy junction and although parking spaces were available nearby they were almost permanently occupied. Any increase in use of the premises would add to current traffic problems, put more pressure on limited parking and increase litter in a conservation area, they said.
But planning officers said although a condition preventing the sale of take-away food had originally been imposed, to protect the character and amenities of surrounding properties, take-away food had already been sold from the premises and had not been detrimental to the area.
There would be no changes to the external appearance of the building and the nearest dwellings were about 50 metres away in East Avenue They also believed the proximity of the police station would deter anti-social behaviour.
Householder loses
extension appeal
by staff reporter
AN appeal against Warrington Borough Council’s decision to refuse planning consent for a first floor side extension at a house in Silverdale Road, Warrington has been dismissed by a Government inspector.
The inspector decided that although the proposal would not have a harmful impact on the house itself, the site was on a corner plot and the proposed extension would protrude beyond the building line of houses in St John’s Avenue. This would narrow the appearance of the street at the junction and result in the extension being obtrusive and overdominant.
Personal circumstances and the appellant’s desire to increase accommodation did not outweigh the harm caused to the street scene.
A council spokesman said: “In this case the Inspector has agreed with the council’s assessment of impact and concluded that relationship and juxtaposition with neighbouring houses justifies objection and refusal.”
