AFTER a seven-year stint Lymm village’s PCSO Phil Redshaw has bid a fond farewell following a funding cut by the parish council.
PCSO Redshaw has been a familiar face in the village along with PCSO Daren Dennis but has now moved on after Lymm Parish Council withdrew the £40,000 funding a year they paid towards a second community support officer.
PCSO Dennis will continue as the PCSO for Lymm and PCSO Redshaw will move onto another area within Warrington.
Commenting on his departure PCSO Redshaw said “I have loved looking after Lymm for the past 7 years and have enjoyed serving and protecting the Lymm community. It has been a privilege getting to know you.
“I hope that I have been able to make a difference and know that I move on leaving Lymm a safer place for you to live and enjoy. Thank you.”
The decision to cut the funding was met with criticism by local borough Cllr Kath Buckley who said: “Thank you Phil. I cannot thank you enough for all the hard work you have put in for our village. You were fantastic with regard to training the Burford Lane residents on the speed gun etc. You will be a sad loss to the village. So short-sighted to let you go.”
Commenting on the decision previously, Chairman of the Parish Council Resources Committee, Cllr Ian Marks said: “Lymm Parish Council has funded an extra PCSO for many years. Councillors appreciate the work they do and their role in helping police officers. However, there is only one other Parish Council in the whole of Warrington that funds an extra PCSO. That is Great Sankey which is nearly twice the size of Lymm. All other Parishes appear to cope with just one PCSO funded by Cheshire Constabulary.”
