Council “mean spirited”
over cancelled fireworks
by Lesley Wilkinson
WARRINGTON Borough Council has been accused of being ?mean spirited? over its decision to cancel a popular community firework display.
Angry members of Birchwood Town Council condemned the borough after being told of the decision.
They had been told the annual Birchwood display had been cancelled following a reorganisation of the borough?s Parks and Green Spaces services and to meet new savings targets.
New event management and public safety measures meant that many high cost events had to be withdrawn.
Coun Chris Fitzsimmons, leader of Birchwood Town Council described it as “a very mean spirited act.”
Chairman Coun Pauline Nelson said members were upset the event had been cancelled and, as they had received only late notice, there was no time for the town council to make alternative arrangements for Birchwood residents.
She said: “The cancelling of the firework display means that there will be pockets of our community that will be socially excluded from enjoying Bonfire Night celebrations.
?Not everyone can afford to go out and buy fireworks; the display used to be free to the whole community. It was a well organised event where people could enjoy fantastic fireworks in a safe, family friendly environment.”
Members said they previously understood that although the bonfire would not be held, there would still be a community firework display. They criticised the borough council for not providing the public event, at a time when the fire service is urging people to go to public bonfires to reduce risk of injury.
In fact, all Warrington’s community bonfire events – at Orford, Woolston and Birchwood – have been scrapped.
Dave Stamp, head of Parks and Green Spaces, said: “Unfortunately, the combination of severe budget pressures, together with increasingly onerous event management and essential site and public safety measures have resulted in these high cost events being withdrawn.”
Residents in protest over
housing office closure
by Lesley Wilkinson
MORE than 200 residents have written letters objecting to the proposed closure of the Grasmere Housing Office, Warrington.
Their case is backed by Warrington North MP Helen Jones and Poplars and Hulme councillor Brian Maher.
Coun Maher said: “Golden Gates had sought the views of local people on this issue but they simply ignored them, in the most cavalier of fashions.”
He said the borough council?s executive board was set on agreeing the proposals to close rent offices and were not interested in the views of the public.
“Their attitude makes a mockery of the consultation they promised and is a disgrace,” he added.
The MP said that following her recent surgery in the area she felt there was considerable support for keeping the office open.
“If Golden Gates conduct consultations they should, at the very least, be prepared to consider the views of those who take part in that consultation. It would appear that the majority on the Golden Gates board did not like the answer they got from local people and so chose to ignore it,” she said.
Peter Mercer, chief executive of Golden Gates Housing said: “The GGH board – a third, of which, are customers – agreed unanimously to close the Grasmere and Greenwood office after full and meaningful consultation with the customers concerned.
?It is one element of a major realignment of our resources and we are confident that the alternative methods we are providing will enable us to continue delivering first class, cost-effective services.?
Soccer team for the
homeless kicks off
by David Skentelbery
A SOCCER team which includes vulnerable homeless youngsters, ex-drug users and ex-offenders has kicked off its first season – thanks to a ?6,386 award from the Football Foundation.
Whitecross Warriors lost its first game in the Warrington Sunday League division four 9-1.
But the establishment of the side is being seen as a bold step towards helping youngsters from under privileged parts of the town overcome their difficulties.
The cash bonanza was awarded to a local project, A New Beginning, to establish the new club.
Through regular structured exercise and the discipline afforded by healthy sporting competition it is hoped team players will reconnect with their local community. Over the period of the next two years the team will be hoping that competitive success attracts local sponsorship to continue the project in the future.
The Football Foundation is dedicated to revitalising the grass roots of the game, constructing modern football facilities, developing football as a force for social cohesion and as a vehicle for education in communities throughout the country.
Funded by the FA Premier League, The Football Association, Sport England and the Government, the Football Foundation is the nation’s largest sports charity with a ?45m budget going straight into the heart of football.
Paul Thorogood, chief executive of the Football Foundation said: “We warmly congratulate A New Beginning and the Liverpool FA for their hard work and dedication in securing this award.
“Football has a unique ability to help build confidence and give people direction. I am delighted projects like this one benefiting from Foundation cash and I look forward to seeing how the Whitecross Warriors progress on and off the pitch.”
New Beginnings chairman Dianne Lowe said: “We are thrilled to be able to support the aims of the Football Foundation through the award of this grant.
“Sport is a critical element supporting social cohesion and whatever the results on the field, both the Whitecross Warriors and Warrington itself are already winners.”
Family history buffs
gather in town
by staff reporter
FAMILY history enthusiasts from across the region will gather at Warrington for a major conference on Saturday, October 14.
The 30th anniversary conference of the Liverpool and South West Lancashire Family History Society will be hosted by its Warrington group at The Gateway in Sankey Street.
During the day there will be presentations on The Houghton Family of Hale and Warrington, by John Dolan, archivist of the Independent Methodist Connection, a look at the GRO Indexes and other records, by Peter B Park and a history of RAF Burtonwood by Pete Boardman, historian of the Burtonwood Association.
A buffet lunch and afternoon tea will be served, and there will be a society bookstall, display by Warrington Library and Museum, the Kings Liverpool Regiment, the South Lancashire Reimental Museum and various groups from the society.
Further details are available from Joe Griffiths on 01925 755469 or email [email protected]
Services for vulnerable
to be safeguarded
by Lesley Wilkinson
SERVICES for the elderly and vulnerable people, which currently cost ?38 million a year in Warrington, should be safeguarded following a review.
But there may be charges for some services, which are currently free, and loans rather than grants may be offered for some adaptations.
Rising costs and increasing demands have prompted the review, which will be considered by Warrington Borough Council’s Executive Board on Monday October 9.
Executive member for community services Coun Roy Smith said: “We must be constantly vigilant that we are providing care to the most vulnerable people in Warrington.
“Unlike some authorities nationally, we are not proposing to cut back our services to the most critically in need but instead are looking creatively at how we can spread our resources most effectively and safely.”
Last year councillors requested a review of eligibility for care services as part of the council’s financial planning process.
A series of alternative measures have been recommended to ensure resources are targeted at those most in need. Suggest
ions include interest free loans or charges on property rather than grants for some adaptations to homes for disabled people.
A consultation programme on charges for day care services, which are currently free, is also being considered to bring them in line to similar services.
Changing the face of
town’s leisure facilities
by Lesley Wilkinson
AN innovative project aimed at changing the face of leisure facilities in Warrington, by combining them with schools, is to be considered by Town Hall chiefs on Monday.
Warrington Borough Council’s executive board will look at proposals to combine school and leisure facilities on one site, for use by both adults and children.
It will consider a recommendation that centres of excellence in sport and fitness are developed in partnership with extended schools.
The Orford Park Project is expected to be one of the flagship developments, with a new William Beamont High School on the same site to provide community sports and leisure facilities.
This will replace the existing Fordton Leisure Centre, which officers say, in line with other leisure centres, needs substantial investment to bring it up to standard.
The proposals will look at dual use sites at Broomfields, Great Sankey and Birchwood, with partnership arrangements put in place with other schools across the borough.
Executive member for community services Coun Roy Smith said: “I feel there is now a real way forward for these centres in helping people of Warrington to get fit and stay healthy.”
Barn Dance
A BARN Dance and buffet is being held at St Benedict’s Social Centre, Orford Lane, Warrington, on Friday October 13.
The event is organised by Warrington’s St Joseph’s Family Centre and music will be provided by the popular group, “Fiddlesticks.”
Dancing is from 7.30 pm until midnight, and tickets at ?5 are available on the door or by telephoning the center on 01925 635448.
