Town Hall bosses attack MP

TOWN Hall bosses at Warrington have attacked an MP who criticised their plans for the town centre.
Council leader Ian Marks and his deputy, Keith Bland, says Warrington North MP Helen Jones has misinterpreted their proposals for the town centre and Mersey waterfront, which are due to be put to the public later this year.
As reported by Warrington-Worldwide last month, Ms Jones launched an attack on the council, based on the findings of a survey she carried out among constituents.
This showed that 99 per cent of residents were opposed to more drinking establishments in the town centre and were also strongly opposed to more high-rise blocks of flats.
What they wanted, the MP said, was more affordable housing and homes for rent.
She criticised the authority for allowing more licensed premises while at the same time claiming they were concerned about binge drinking and anti-social behaviour.
But councillors Marks and Bland say the MP would have understood their proposals better if she had sought the council’s views.
They agree that the number of town centre bars is a problem – but point out that most of the licences were granted prior to 2005 when the council took over control from magistrates.
Last year, only three new licenses were granted and last month three existing licences were reviewed and their hours reduced.
The council chiefs say Ms Jones has also misunderstood plans for the Mersey waterfront.
High rise blocks will not be approved and the emphasis will be on homes for local people, with 50 per cent of them “affordable.”
The councillors say: “Affordable homes are a top priority for us. We now take a very robust line with developers, obtaining £1 million for new affordable homes.”
Pictured…council leader Ian Marks (top) and his deputy, Keith Bland.