CLAIMS that Labour is “letting down Warrington” have been made by Cllr Bob Barr deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats on the borough council.
He says the Labour group promised a lot when they came into power two years ago and is “failing” what should be one of the most successful towns in the North West.
“They promised a transparent and accountable administration. Yet they use procedural rules to refuse to answer questions,” he said.
“Their own group is in meltdown, with a storm of briefings against each other and they lack discipline. A key member of the executive board has been suspended from the Labour Party (Cllr Hitesh Patel), because of complaints by a colleague on the council,” he added.
The lack of vision, he said, was demonstrated in a “weak” advert for a new chief executive which described Warrington as “’Big enough to cope.” He complained the town should aspire to more than “coping,” and said the positive legacy left when Labour took power is going to waste.
Cllr Barr (pictured right) said: “They inherited a town with vision, ambitious plans and keen investors. They have ended up with a planning service in disarray. They have failed to revive the short-term fortunes of the town centre, which they promised to do. They have no coherent plans for health, education or social care or, frankly, any other important issue for Warrington.
“They allow their new young councillors to waste time in council meetings putting fatuous motions in favour of motherhood and apple pie, so they can insult the government.”
He claimed that Labour has done well locally on the back of national politics. He said Liberal Democrats wanted to work with the current administration for the benefit of the town.
He said: “Sadly, their weak leadership, the infighting and the lack of any coherent policy are making this difficult. So, we will be speaking out for Warrington from the opposition seats on the council and concentrating on a positive agenda for our great town.”
But deputy leader of the council Mike Hannon (pictured left) hit back at the “unfounded claims,” saying the council had “stagnated” during five years of Lib-Dem control, when officers were in “total control.”
He added: “These claims have no foundation. We inherited a stagnated town centre where one senior retailer said more had happened in just a few months of Labour control than five years of the previous regime.”
Cllr Hannon said Warrington was now at last back on the map in the north west with new investment opportunities taking place on Omega and at Times Square, which had been “dormant” under the previous administration.
Other investment included the rebranded Hatters Row in Horsemarket Street, which now had 100 per cent occupancy and a reserve list.
“Things are at long last moving forward after five years of inactivity during the last regime.”
He added it would not be appropriate to comment on the suspension of Cllr Patel as it was undergoing an investigation by the regional group.
Labour letting town down claim
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
8 Comments
I see the kids are back in the playground. I think that all the parties have the “ostrich syndrome”. They might have fanciful ideas about what THEY want for the future, but they completely ignore what the Residents want or need and cut back on all Community activities regularly.
It is time that they started working for the town and the people, instead of sitting back, taking the money and letting others make the decisions. The Bridge Foot farce being just one example.
Is it any wonder that people don’t bother voting when there is nothing or no-one worth their vote.
Trouble is that not voting means more of the same old ostrich syndrome and those who are elected allow themselves to be led around by the ones who contributed in no small way to the Bridge Foot farce and the many other debacles which besmirch life in Warrington. I cannot believe I am saying this, but Bob Barr is right in a way. Labour have such a large majority that they could have made great strides to the promised “transparent and accountable administration” but instead they failed. As for the much criticized planning department, no wonder it’s in disarray, the same old faces are still doing what they always do.
Pot and kettle spring to mind! All of our Councillors need to focus on what the residents want and not take off on fanciful schemes. The Town centre is a disgrace and in need of major investment. Is it any wonder that shop premises are empty and people go ealsewhere to shop. It’s not good enough to harp on about the past we need people with vision to look forward. Why are we advertising for a new Chief Executive Officer? We need to save that expense by abolishing the post as other Councils are doing. The last occupant was a disaster and who is to say that a newcomer will be any more use. The Council should prioritise items that will be of benefit to the residents. Across the Town we see filth and litter and our drains blocked. Simple things that need attention but the vehicles that used to pound our streets to do this work are nowhere to be seen. We can live in hope that our Councillors will listen but I will not hold my breath!
There is a statutory requirement to appoint a Head of Paid Service – Chief Executive. Councils are not abolishing the post of Head of Paid Service (Chief Executive), as to do so would be illegal, but rather sharing the role with another local authority. In the case of WBC, the Administration have decided that they want WBC to have its own Chief Executive, and in the meantime have appointed an Interim until a permanent appointment is made. I am on the selection committee and have already input my views on the remuneration package offered, certain payments previously paid will no longer be paid. With regards to the performance of a Chief Executive, that is the clear responsibility of the Leader of the Council and his Administration.
Simply not true to say that WBC must have a Chief Executive. It must have a HEAD of paid service but that can be one of the other Directors thus saving a large sum of money for the council tax payers. Other Councils are taking this course of action. Once again Councillors are not listening to its residents!!!
Why go to the expense of paying an interim Chief – surely one of his the deputy/assistants could have filled in on a temporary basis, even if they had recieved a raise in pay during the duration then it will still have saved money.
If they wished to they could have put themselves forward for the permanent position and if successful abolish one of the deputy/assistant posts without a need for paying redundancy
they have to find work for there friends
why is the interim chief undertaking a restructure of senior managers?? You would think the new person heading wbc would be best placed to do this???? unless the deal has already been done????? At the heart of everything must be the people of this town and not ego trips for the people in power