Battle to save high
school to go on
by David Skentelbery
THE battle to save Warrington?s Woolston High School from closure is to go on.
Hundreds of pupils and parents failed in a bid to persuade the controlling group on the borough council to change their attitude on the proposed closure.
They laid siege to the Town Hall, waving placards and banners, beating drums and chanting ?Save our School? as a meeting of the full council got under way.
But when a motion was put to the council by the opposition Labour group which would have committed the executive board to further formal talks with representatives of the school, it was, as reported exclusively in a special late edition of Warrington-Worldwide last night (Monday) defeated by 29 votes to 23.
After the meeting, representatives of the school vowed to carry on their campaign.
They won one small concession from council leader Ian Marks who said members of the executive board would be willing to hold informal talks with a small group from the school.
He stressed that no decision had yet been taken on the future of the school and said all the issues raised by objectors would be considered during ongoing consultation.
Despite pouring rain, the protestors kept up a noisy demonstration for the early part of the meeting. At times, the debate, was almost drowned out by chanting outside.
The Labour motion would have committed the council to formal talks with the school, further consideration of potential population increases and asking parents of two primary schools, St Elphin?s and Oakwood, if they wished to send their children to either Padgate or Woolston High Schools.
It pointed out that Cardinal Newman High and Sir Thomas Boteler High were both smaller than either Woolston or Padgate and were delivering a successful and comprehensive curriculum.
Coun Colin Froggatt, Labour, (pictured) accused the council of ?Orwellian double speak? in its argument for the closure. He claimed social housing to be built on the site of the former Bruche Police Training Centre would boost the child population in the Woolston area.
Coun Linda Dirir, Labour, said the closure would put hundreds of extra cars on the road at a time when the council was trying to encourage children to walk to school.
Labour leader Coun Terry O?Neill said the whole matter had been badly handled. The uncertainty was causing a big ?leakage? of pupils from Woolston High and from its feeder primary schools.
?They are suffering death by a thousand cuts,? he said. He told Lib Dem and Conservative councillors: ?You ought to be ashamed.?
But Coun Sheila Woodyatt, executive member for children?s services, said the consultation process was still ongoing and no decisions had yet been taken. All the issues raised by Labour?s motion would be considered.
She pointed out that parents of children at St Elphin?s and Oakwood primary schools already had the right to send their children to Padgate or Woolston and had chosen not to do so.
Projections were that by 2014 there would be 1,000 fewer pupils in the Padgate and Woolston areas.
Coun Marks said he could not support the Labour motion because its wording was inappropriate. But all the issues it raised would be considered before any final decision was taken.
Family raised ?1,400
in memory of Katie
by staff reporter
THE family of a care worker who died tragically two years ago have raised ?1,400 in her memory to benefit two day centres where she worked.
Katie Sudworth was a popular member of staff at both the Penketh and Gorse Covert day centres at Warrington.
Members of her family raised the money through a series of fund-raising events, including a sponsored cycle ride from Manchester to Blackpool and “Kick for Katie” – a sponsored Kick-Fit class she regularly attended.
Katie worked on projects improving the quality of life for people with a physical disability and the money will be used to buy sensory equipment to help both centres.
Roy Smith, the borough council’s executive member for community services, said: “Both day centres are tremendously grateful to Katie’s family for the donation. The new equipment will provide a fitting tribute to the good work Katie did while working them.”
Murals send out an
anti-violence message
by James Parr
YOUNGSTERS from across Warrington showed their support for action against terrorism and violence by helping international artist Mohammed Ali create numerous murals at the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Young People?s Peace Centre.
Almost 200 teens flocked to the Peace Centre to help create the murals in an event organised by Cheshire Police.
Mohammed Ali used his distinctive style of urban spiritual art to create the murals that displayed anti-terror and anti-violence messages.
DC Lesley Price said: “This was a really great example of community cohesion. It was the chance for young people to work together on an exciting piece of art.”
Chief Constable of Cheshire Peter Fahy, added his own personal touch to the murals before bringing the event to a close.
It is hoped that the artwork will be displayed across various places in Cheshire, including the Cheshire Police Head Quarters in Winsford.
Non-residents to be
barred from tip sites
by John Hendon
NON-residents of Warrington will be barred from using the borough?s three household waste and recycling centres, if proposals by Town Hall chiefs are accepted by councillors.
The ban will be enforced by the contractor operating the site working in partnership with the borough council.
It is considered to be ?best practice? and a similar ban is being introduced by neighbouring councils.
The existing contract for operating the three centres ? at Gatewarth, Woolston and Sandy Lane, Stockton Heath ? comes to an end on January 31 next year and a new contract has been drawn up to run from February 1 to the end of January 2013.
Another change proposed is renaming the centres ?community recycling centres? to emphasise the importance placed on recycling rather than disposal and there would also be stricter management to prevent commercial waste being dumped ? particularly rubble.
Increased staffing levels, particularly at weekends, are also proposed, together with restrictions on some recyclables being accepted to make best use of space available ? particularly at the small Stockton Heath site.
The contract also includes target for recycling that the contractor must achieve ? 40 per cent in 2008-9, 47 per cent in 2009-10 and 50 per cent thereafter.
If the targets are exceeded the contractor will receive an incentive payment – if not then the contractor must compensate the council.
The council?s executive board is being recommended to award the contract Environmental Waste Controls Ltd.
Aden picks up for
swimming trophies
by James Parr
WARRINGTON swimmer Aden Walker has been on the glory trail again as he scooped three medals and smashed his personal best time at an open gala in Blackpool.
Aden took the gold medal in the 100m backstroke and the 50m breaststroke, recording his personal best time of 51 seconds in the breaststroke.
He also picked up a bronze medal in the relay event.
Now Aden has two more open events in his sights, the first in Harrogate on November 10, and the second a day later in Birkenhead.
[ 06.11.2007, 17:44: Message edited by: DS ]
