Birchwood Park to earn £5m for borough council this year

WARRINGTON Borough Council is expected to receive a net income of £5 million from its ownership of Birchwood Park during the current financial year.
The forecast compares with a net income of £4.70 million last year and £3.20 million in the part year following acquisition of the business park in 2017.
Now a new business plan have been drawn up covering the next three years which council chiefs will be asked to approve on Monday – and which will aim to ensure the park carries on making money for the authority.
Deputy leader of the council Cathy Mitchell will present a report to the cabinet seeking approval of the document.
The council completed the acquisition of the park in September 2017 and now receives the income from rent paid by businesses on the park.
Birchwood Park was acquired for investment and economic regeneration purposes and it continues to provide a significant contribution to Town Hall finances to enable the authority to continue to provide services.
But it must be operated on a commercial basis and a key document to enable this is a business plan, which was approved in February last year.
It is now considered appropriate to develop a new business plan to reflect what has happened both locally on the park and economically since then.
The new plan reflects vision and direction for the park and a strategy for the council’s reason for ownership – financial income and economic growth.
Details cannot be made public to protect both the tenants and the council’s financial interests. This will be considered by the cabinet in private.
But Cllr Mitchell’s report stresses the need to take account of climate change.
Birchwood Park is very focused on the need to minimise the environmental impact of its activities.
No waste goes to landfill, all electricity used on the park is 100 per cent green energy, as buildings are refurbished energy saving measures are introduced and more energy efficient communal lighting is being installed.
In addition some 80 trees have been planted, electric car charging points installed, there is a free shuttle bus service to Birchwood station and Birchwood Park occupiers receive a 50 per cent discount on Warrington’s Own Buses season tickets.
Cabinet members will be recommended to approve the new three-year to ensure the park continues to be managed commercially and in the best interests of the council.