LOCAL councillors have launched an appeal for help from the community to save the annual Remembrance Day parade at Culcheth, which is under threat following a demand for £2,400 for local road closures.
The three Conservative Borough Councillors for Culcheth, Glazebury & Croft Cllrs Wendy Maisey, Valerie Allen and Carol Benson have called on the local community to save Remembrance Sunday and are looking for trained road marshalls, first aiders and volunteers to come forward to help out.
Their plea comes after Labour-controlled Warrington Borough Council announced last week that it will charge back £2,400 to the Culcheth branch of the Royal British Legion for traffic management for Remembrance Sunday commemorations in the village.
The huge bill comes after Cheshire Police announced in 2019 that it would no longer coordinate Remembrance Sunday commemorations from November 2020.
Cheshire Police has previously provided traffic management services which derived from the same legislation that the Police use in the event of an emergency such as a road traffic collision. Local authorities have the power to close roads for events such as Neighbourhood Weekender, the Tour of Britain cycling race and the Running Festival at the weekend.
The Warrington Tory Councillors have criticised the Labour-controlled Warrington Borough Council for their lack of planning.
Cllr Maisey said: “As I understand it, a decision was taken by Cheshire Police in 2019 not to ‘Police’ Remembrance Sunday commemorations. The forces traffic management powers derive from legislation that allows them to close a road in the event of a road traffic accident whereas local authorities such as Warrington have the powers to close roads for events as we saw for Neighbourhood Weekender and the Tour of Britain recently.
“Labour-controlled Warrington Borough Council has had a number of years to plan with Parish Councils for this eventuality but they have not engaged and have instead sprung a large bill on the Royal British Legion.
“I have spoken to representatives from our local branch of the RBL who are struggling to stump up the cash. Funds collected and donations received by the Royal British Legion are used to help veterans and their families.
“Had Warrington Borough Council engaged with Parish Councils such as Culcheth and Glazebury at the time the decision was made, we could have trained volunteers and been prepared for this. However, the Culcheth Branch of the RBL has to inform WBC if they’ll be proceeding with the procession today (Monday 27th) as this is the deadline that has been set to source traffic management.”
Cheshire Police have said they will continue to attend Remembrance Sunday commemorations to pay their respects.
Labour leader Cllr Russ Bowden said: The council is disappointed by the decision of Cheshire Constabulary not to provide support for traffic management duties – particularly given the significant rise in the Police Precept this year. In addition, unfortunately, the Royal British Legion has also indicated that it is unwilling to provide financial support.
“The council is holding regular discussions on these matters with the Police and Crime Commissioner, Parish Councils and the Royal British Legion and is helping to organise the events to ensure they are safe and secure. At this stage however, the council cannot commit financial support for traffic management arrangements and is asking other local partners to contribute, as we are unable to do so due to financial pressures.”
Meanwhile anyone who can assist is asked to contact Culcheth Royal British Legion Secretary Wayne Bibby at [email protected]
Anger and confusion over £2,400 “bill” for Remembrance Day parade
