Council rebuffs claims Woolston Hub consultation is factually and legally flawed

CLAIMS that the consultation over the future of Woolston Neighbourhood Hub is “factually and legally flawed” have been rebuffed by Warrington Borough Council.

It follows an email from local resident Chris Kearney, an Electrical Engineer, who has been appointed Technical Advisor for the “Save Woolston Hub” campaign, providing evidence stating the consultation is factually and legally flawed.

In an email to the council, Mr Kearney wrote: “While I note the consultation has been extended to January 16th, the process remains procedurally hollow as the Council continues to withhold the technical data required for an “intelligent response.”
“As the appointed Technical Advisor for the “Save Woolston Hub” campaign, I am formally submitting the following evidence which demonstrates that the current consultation is factually and legally flawed.
1. Proof of Pre-determination (Ref: 2025/01767/FUL) The Supporting Statement for Planning Application 2025/01767/FUL (validated 18 Dec 2025) explicitly states that building works for the Hub would involve a “period of site closure for at least 12 months.” * The Conflict: As an Engineer, I know a 12-month repair timeline cannot be generated without a detailed Scope of Works. Why is this specific data being disclosed to the Planning Department and health partners while being withheld from the public consultation?
• Healthcare Risk: The document admits the closure “threatens [the surgery’s]ability to deliver its core contractual services.” This confirms a critical failure in the Council’s Equality Impact Assessment (EIA), which incorrectly recorded “neutral” impacts.
2. Disclosure of Existing Building Condition Reports (Insurance Compliance) The Council’s claim that it must spend £100,000 to “discover” the building’s condition is technically and financially implausible.
• To maintain liability and material damage insurance for a public facility, WBC is required by its underwriters to provide regular Building Condition Reports and Property Risk Assessments.
• I formally request the immediate disclosure of the reports provided to the Council’s insurers for the period 2020–2025. If the Council maintains these do not exist, please clarify how the building was insured for public use.
3. Governance and Conflict of Interest The impartiality of this consultation is now in question. The lead Cabinet Member, Cllr Jean Flaherty, is a former Director of LiveWire (2016-2018), and Cllr Tony Higgins held the leisure portfolio during the years maintenance was reportedly neglected.
• The Council’s persistent refusal to provide maintenance records pre-2024 creates a clear perception of a conflict of interest. It appears the Council is shielding current and former leadership from scrutiny regarding historical failures in ACOP L8 (Legionella) and structural compliance.
4. Engineering Feasibility I repeat my professional challenge: a “dry side” reopening is achievable via standard water system separation. The Council’s failure to provide a technical rebuttal to this proposal, while citing a 12-month closure in separate legal filings, confirms that the “reopening” option in the consultation is not being treated as a genuine possibility.
Immediate Requirements: To remedy this procedural failure, I formally request that the Monitoring Officer ensures the disclosure of:
1. The Technical Survey/Scope of Works that generated the 12-month repair estimate.
2. The Building Condition Surveys held for insurance purposes.
3. The Maintenance Logs (2018-2024) to allow for an independent audit of building neglect.
“I am copying in the Ministerial Envoys, as the systematic withholding of data that clearly exists—contrary to a unanimous resolution of the Full Council—raises the gravest concerns regarding the lawfulness of this process.”

In a brief response to the concerns, a Warrington Borough Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of Mr Kearney’s concerns, and we will consider these and reply to him directly. We believe that the consultation is fair and lawful and it will remain open for responses until 16 January.”
The Woolston Hub closed in July following an issue with Legionella in the water. Attempts to resolve the issue uncovered other problems with the roof and flooring of the building, with the council saying it would cost £3m to bring it back into use.
Meanwhile, members of the council voted unanimously to Save Woolston Hub.