Council is accused of
“hitting the vulnerable”
by David Skentelbery
ANGRY opposition councillors at Warrington have accused the ruling Lib Dem/Tory coalition of hitting some of the town?s most vulnerable and disabled adults with additional charges for non-residential care.
Labour group leader Terry O?Neill says the council?s executive has approved a ?1 million hike in charges, including, for the first time, a transportation charge for service users.
Coun O?Neill said: “In April, Labour introduced free bus travel for all pensioners across the town. In response the Lib Dems introduce travel charges that hit disabled adults.
“This decision will hit some of the most vulnerable people living across Warrington.
“The ruling Lib Dem/Tory coalition, not content with introducing travel charges for students, are now intent on hitting people, many of who are struggling to make ends meet, with additional charges.” The new policy will mean that after state disability benefits are taken into account a flat rate charge of 80p in the pound will be applied across the board along with a ?1.50 charge for transport costs.
Coun O’Neill added: “This is the charge, charge and charge again council. Labour will speak up for the most vulnerable in our community. We will not allow the Lib Dem/Tory coalition to quietly sneak through unpopular measures without debate.
“They have a black hole in their finances and they want the poorest and most vulnerable in our town to pay for their own shortcomings.” An officers? report to the executive board said Warrington could no longer sustain a free transport service to day care centre for elderly people. The council was already in a minority in not making a charge and flat rate charges varied from 95p to ?3.70 per journey.
Service users had been consulted and this had shown the majority would be content to pay the charges.
The executive board has agreed to make a flat rate charge of ?1.50 for assisted travel and to charge 80p for every pound of income remaining after disability related benefits and disability related expenditure has been taken into account.
At the same time, the council will launch a vigorous campaign to get more people to claim benefits to which they are entitled after hearing that Warrington has a comparatively low level of take-up compared with other North West authorities.
Drug dealers jailed
after police raids
by court reporter
THREE drug dealers, two from Warrington and one from Liverpool, have been jailed following Operation Crackdown ? the major police operation against drug trafficking in the Warrington and Halton areas last month.
The three men were jailed at Halton Magistrates Court ? where they each pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing in July to two counts of supplying heroin and ecstasy.
They wered Shaun Peter Cook, aged 32, of Redshank Lane, Birchwood, Stephen Johnstone, aged 34, from Grasmere Avenue, Orford and Jason Simpson, aged 36, from Reservoir Street, Liverpool 15.
The trio were among about 20 people arrested in dawn raids on July 12.
Cook and Johnstone were each jailed for 14 months and Simpson for 17 months.
Operation Crack Down was the largest drugs operation of its kind to be carried out by Cheshire Police to date.
Around 300 officers took part in the early morning raids at 30 properties in Runcorn, Widnes, Liverpool and Warrington. Officers arrested a total of 20 suspects as a result of the operation and all were subsequently charged with various drugs offences.
After the sentencing, Det Chief Insp Martin Cleworth said: ?Hopefully local residents will feel reassured by today?s sentencing, that people who have been caught supplying Class A drugs on the streets are being put behind bars.?
He said Operation Crack Down was an on-going operation in Warrington and Halton.
Mossland “restorers”
turn back the clock
by Terry Johnson
A GROUP of environment ?restorers? are turning back the clock hundreds of years at a key mossland site.
Warrington?s Risley Moss Nature Reserve is threatened by seedling Silver Birch trees, whose roots drain the ancient bog.
The colonisation by birches would be welcomed in many other areas – but unless nature’s reclamation is halted it will destroy the Warrington bog feature praised by botanist, David Bellamy.
A team of 12 Mersey Forest workers whose offices are based at the moss visitor centre have begun Operation Birch Removal, with chain saws and loppers.
They are led by Ranger Chas Purvis, who said: “Risley Moss is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and the mossland re-wetting project began back in 1976. It is important to remove trees from the mossland as they would jeopardise our efforts to re-colonise bog flora.
“This re-colonisation is crucial to restoring the site to its original peat bog state. It will help make the moss even more of a haven for wildlife”.
Paul Nolan, director of The Mersey Forest, added: “Our work is about more than simply planting trees. Woodlands need to be well-managed. Conditions must be put in place to allow wildlife and biodiversity to thrive and people must be encouraged to get involved with their green spaces”.
As well as the mossland area, Risley Moss is home to wildflower meadows, ponds and mature Oak/Ash woodland. It is a magnet for ?twitchers?, hoping for a glimpse of rare birds overflying the desolate wedge of land between Warrington and Cadishead.
The reserve is open to the public at week-ends and week-days (closed Friday) at Ordnance Avenue, Birchwood.
Help on hand
for carers
by John Hendon
PRESSURE on carers and disabled people is set to ease with launch of a new short-break respite service for Warrington.
St Helens-based Marie Brown, who has successfully established a respite service on Merseyside, is backing the Warrington project.
The local service starts on September 5 and will be available Tuesdays and Thursdays at Mayfield House, Warrington, 10.00am-3.00pm.
Disabled people and their carers can enjoy a ‘breather’ and meet similar people. Activities include games, crafts, cooking, day trips and week-end breaks.
Further details from Marie: 077650-77931 or Mayfield House, 01925-245090.
Vocal coach gears
for new pupils
by staff reporter
INTERNATIONAL recording artist-performer, Makuini, is preparing for a new-term intake of pupils from around Europe arriving at Woolston-based Kate Simmons Dance School, Warrington.
With her vocal studio nearing completion, Makuini will give students a full recording experience and finished CD master.
The Warrington-based vocal coach performed at the Cartier International with the Royal Grenadiers Band. She will appear on BBC Radio’s ‘Big Toe’ children’s show on Wednesday, August 23.
She has been invited to give a vocal class to a group of youngsters and to talk about her career as a performer and recording artist.
News in brief
Traffic chaos
THERE was traffic chaos in Warrington as a result of the M6 northbound carriageway being closed for several hours after a lorry carrying cooking oil overturned, spilling its load on the carriageway.
Street carnival
THE annual Scott Street Carnival takes place at Scott Street, off Battersby Lane, Warrington, today (Saturday).
Housing plan
DEVELOPERS have put forward plans for 10 houses and an office building, together with car parking and open space in Deans Lane Thelwall, Warrington.
Treasure hunt
A CHARITY treasure hunt will be held at Walton Hall Gardens, Warrington on September 10 in aid of the RSPCA animal centre in Slutchers Lane, Warrington.
Murder mystery
THE Burtonwood Amateur Music and Drama Society are staging a murder mystery at Burtonwood Catholic Club on September 21, 22 and 23. Details are available from 01925 226454 or 221614.
