Pickets on duty as
binmen go on strike
by David Skentelbery
BINMEN, street sweepers and other environment services workers employed by Warrington Borough Council staged a one-day strike in the ongoing dispute over new contracts.
Pickets were on duty at various locations and thousands of wheeled bins went unemptied across the borough.
Council chiefs described the action as ?a planned attempt to disrupt an essential service for local people.?
The council has asked the unions involved ? Unison, T&G and GMB ? to explain to local people what they want to achieve from the action.
Strategic director Environment Services Alan Stephenson said: “We are mystified. Despite numerous meetings, they have failed to give any explanation of what they want from us.”
Workers including refuse collectors, street cleaners, cemeteries and parks maintenance staff began a work to rule on Monday and were called out on strike yesterday (Wednesday).
On Monday, refuse collectors were instructed by the unions to return to their depot at lunchtime to clock off, take a break, then clock on again before returning to their round. This led to 2,000 out of 18,000 bins not being emptied.
Mr Stephenson said: “This was a planned attempt to disrupt an essential service for local people. We can only apologise to members of the public whose bins are not emptied. They should take the bins in, then put them out on the usual day the following week, together with up to three sacks of side waste.”
He said contingency arrangements are planned for next week to ensure that, where possible, bins are emptied on the normal day – whether or not the industrial action continues.
“Unfortunately, we cannot predict what disruptive action the unions may take next, so we would ask for the public’s patience throughout the period of the dispute.”
He said the council’s planned modernisation of the environment service would bring improved standards of refuse collection and street cleaning.
All workers in the environment service had already signed up to new contracts of employment, for which the majority had been awarded wage increases with the remainder having their pay protected at its present level.
Pub landlord campaigns
for village car park
by Lesley Wilkinson
A PUB landlord at Grappenhall, near Warrington is helping campaign for a new village car park after being forced to close his own car park to ?school run? parents.
Generations of parents have used the car park at The Rams Head Pub as a drop off point for St Wilfrid’s CE Primary School next door. There is a pathway from the car park to the pub.
But landlord Graham Dennett says they are causing chaos and affecting his business.
The 86 parking spots were often full – meaning pub customers could not get in or out.
He still allows teachers and dinner ladies from the school to park and allows the adjoining St Wilfrid?s church to use the car park on a Sunday.
Mr Dennett, who has been at the pub for three years, said he appreciates that parking is difficult in the village. He is working with Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council and others, to help find extra parking for visitors.
Parents are angry about not being able to use the car park and some claim they are boycotting the pub.
But Mr Dennett said his decision was taken for “business reasons” as the pub is always busy.
He claimed many parents lived within half a mile of the school and should follow the national advice to walk to school.
“Initially there were only about 20 cars using the site for the school run, but this has increased so the bays are often full and cars block the entrance and alleyways,” he said.
“We had to stop this as residents could not get out in the morning and other customers could not get in or out in the afternoons.”
Mr Dennett said people who walked children to school said the area was now safer as there were no cars trying to get into the pub car park.
Parent Craig Whittaker, of Grappenhall, who has two children at the school, criticised the pub for “putting beer sales over children’s safety.”
He said cars now have to park illegally in the village causing congestion.
“The school has used the car park for many years. The ensuing chaos is ridiculous, and will eventually end up with an accident as the street is so narrow with so many cars and no crossing for the children. Don’t forget these are primary school kids. It really is a time bomb.
“There is a sign at the front of the pub saying ‘Children Welcome,’ but this appears to only be if parents are spending money.”
Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council clerk Damian Boddy said: ?It is a very difficult problem and we are constantly looking for a solution, although this is not necessarily a car park.?
?1.4m Lotto winner
claims their prize
by staff reporter
THE winner of a ?1,411,571 Lotto prize at Warrington has come forward, Lottery operators Camelot have revealed.
But the lucky winner at present wishes to remain anonymous.
It was only on Tuesday that Warrington-Worldwide revealed that the ticket with the number 3, 21, 29, 35, 38 and 45, sold in Warrington in mid-September, had not claimed their prize.
A National Lottery spokesman said: ?We can confirm that the winning ticket has now been validated but at this time the winner wishes to remain anonymous. Unless the winner of a major National Lottery prize opts to take full publicity and signs an agreement to that effect, we are unable to release any further information about their win.
“We are delighted that the winner of this prize has now come forward and we hope that they will enjoy their win. It would have been awful if the ticket-holder had missed out on this substantial and life-changing amount of money. We would also like to remind all Lotto players to check their tickets every time they play!”
Councillors support
criminal records check
by David Skentelbery
COUNCILLORS at Warrington have backed a move to encourage all members of the borough council to volunteer for a Criminal Records Bureau check.
The motion was put to a meeting of the council by Labour leader Terry O?Neill and Coun Mike Hannon ? and was welcomed by council leader Ian Marks.
Coun Marks said: ?It?s perhaps surprising this has not been raised before and anything that improves the perception of child safety has to be a move in the right direction.? The motion noted that the role of a modern councillor was wide and varied could involve contact with children and vulnerable adults.
A CRB check would enhance public confidence in the integrity of council members.
Coun Marks said many councilors already had a CRB check.
However, he stressed that the legal advice was that councillor did not have to have a check to perform their normal duties. Neither did school governors ? many of who were councillors.
He added: ?It?s my understanding that people are only able to be put forward for checking if the circumstances warrant it.
?Also my understanding is that requests for clearance are place-dependent so just because you have check for one establishment, doesn?t mean you have clearance for another.
?But our view is that anyone who thinks it appropriate, should put their name forward for checking. In particular it should perhaps be a requirement for Mayors to be checked because of the nature of their role.?
Help on hand to
quit smoking
by John Hendon
MORE than 1,000 people in Warrington quit smoking last year ? and health chiefs have clinics across the borough to help others kick the habit.
Next year, new legislation banning smoking in all enclosed public places and places of leisure comes into force and Warrington Primary Care Trust is anxious to ensure that local smokers are ready.
They point out that second-hand smoke is a killer, with an estimated three people a day dying from second
-hand smoke inhalation.
Just 30 minutes exposure to second-hand smoke is enough to reduce blood flow to the heart and the risk of a stroke is almost doubled.
However, support for people wishing to stop smoking is available.
The Stop Smoking Service has clinics throughout Warrington with daytime and evening appointments available. The help and support line is on 01925 843713.
Businesses interested in becoming smoke-free can obtain a workplace pack.
For more information contact 01925 443319 or for free information on signage, posters and guidance on going smoke free contact the ?Smoke Free England Information Line? on Freephone 0800 169 1697.
Free jabs to protect
against pneumonia
by Lesley Wilkinson
HEALTH bosses at Warrington are offering a free vaccine to combat the risk of pneumonia.
Warrington Primary Care Trust (PCT) says it achieved a record 76 per cent uptake of flu jabs among the over 65s last winter and hopes to be equally successful with the pneumonia jab.
The pneumococcal vaccine (or pneumo jab) protects against pneumococcal infection which can cause diseases such as pneumonia, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and meningitis. The bacteria that causes pneumococcal disease is spread by coughing, sneezing or close contact with people.
Elderly and those with some serious health conditions are most at risk.
Kerry Broadhead, PCT assistant director, health improvement for adults, said: “Having the flu jab has become an annual routine for a large number of older people but we believe that many have yet to take advantage of the free pneumo jab which, unlike the flu jab, most people only need once every 10 years.”
It is free to people who meet certain criteria including those over 65 and people with serious health conditions including kidney disease, heart problems and long-term liver disease.
For further information about immunisation people are advised to contact their GP practice, pharmacist or ring NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
MP’s warning on
identity fraud
by Lesley Wilkinson
PEOPLE in Warrington are being urged to protect their “identity” in a bid to help combat the rise in identity fraud crime.
MP for Warrington North Helen Jones is warning people to protect their identity from fraudsters.
She has signed a Parliamentary motion in support of National Identity Fraud Prevention week.
It aims to raise awareness of the crime and inform the public and businesses of the steps they should be taking to protect themselves. The campaign is backed by groups including police, Crimestoppers, the passport service and the UK’s Fraud Prevention Service.
Figures show that one in four people may have been affected by identity fraud and the Home Office estimated it costs the economy ?1.7 billion a year. Research shows that almost all households throw out sensitive material and 48 per cent had thrown away everything a fraudster needs to steal a person’s identity.
The MP said: “I urge everybody to get identity fraud wise before it is too late. Too many people are still putting themselves at risk from this growing problem.
“Victims face a miserable time getting their identity back with many hours spent dealing with the consequences. My advice is to take note of the police advice and ensure you don’t hand your identity on a plate to fraudsters.”
She advises people to keep personal and confidential items secure, check financial statements for any unusual transactions and regularly obtain a copy of their credit report from credit reference agencies.
Other steps the MP highlights are ensuring their mail is re-directed when they move home, not to give out personal information to unauthorised people and ensuring they shred forms containing personal information.
House fire
A HOUSE in Densham Avenue, Longford, Warrington was badly damaged by fire. Fire experts are investigating the cause.
