Loading ...Achievements of the Lib Dem-led Council from 2006 – 2011
UNDER OUR LEADERSHIP:
Warrington achieved high status in the NW and took a leading role in Regional organisations such as the Cheshire & Warrington Sub-region Management Board and the Local Enterprise Partnership.
Warrington was 9th for employment & 6th for earnings in the country and top town in all the North of England. (Centre for Cities report 2011)
Warrington was easily top town in the ‘Happiness survey’ (NW Wellbeing Survey 2009)
UNDER OUR LEADERSHIP:
- Blue bins were introduced and recycling went up to 43%.
- The Contact Centre / One Stop Shop was opened in the town centre.
- Parks were regenerated: old fashioned park keepers introduced; Friends Groups set up and Green Flags achieved by seven parks.
- The Look of the Borough scheme was started to give each ward a face lift.
- Plans for regeneration of Victoria Park and Bank Park were put in hand; a £200m development for Bridge Street and the Market; and a ‘Waterfront’ masterplan.
- The Council became committed to carbon reduction and signed the Nottingham Declaration
- Neighbourhood Management was introduced and the first Community Hubs were set up at Woolston and Culcheth.
- The Omega development was revived after years of delay under Labour.
UNDER OUR LEADERSHIP:
The Council housing stock was transferred to GGHT with strong tenant support, bringing investment of £500m over 30 years and saving £millions a year previously levied by the Government. Labour had blocked this happening for decades.
Shelter’s report on affordable housing found Warrington 4th best in the country & top in North West
A scheme to help first time buyers with their mortgages was started with Lloyds Bank.
UNDER OUR LEADERSHIP:
- £30m of efficiency savings were achieved with substantial savings on procurement.
- Perks like first class travel for members and officers were stopped.
- Balanced budgets were set each year with lower Council tax rises than under Labour.
UNDER OUR LEADERSHIP:
Warrington schools were 5th highest in the country for Key stage 2; 12th highest for GCSE; and top for Primary attendance. Our Family Support Model was nationally acclaimed
A Youth Café in Time Square was organised as first step towards a Youth Zone in the town centre; business and voluntary groups encouraged to take the lead.
UNDER OUR LEADERSHIP:
- The Parr Hall was refurbished at long last and started attracting leading artists.
- The Museum was upgraded and a National award won.
- The annual half marathon was started.
- The Orford Park project was funded and achieved after 20 years empty talk from Labour! This will be the main Olympic legacy outside London.
UNDER OUR LEADERSHIP:
Warrington Council won Beacon status for Dignity in Care and became one of 12 best performing councils out of 152 for adult social care.
Our Drug & Alcohol Action Team was No 1 in country out of 149 and our Revolving Doors project (reducing youth re-offending) became a national model.
Warrington was one of the councils ready to take the lead in setting up the new Health & Wellbeing Board; incorporating public health into council management; and establishing GP Consortia.
UNDER OUR LEADERSHIP:
- The crime reduction scheme ‘Arcangel’ was set up with the Police to curb Town centre drinking and violence. There was a 15.7% reduction in violent crime and 12.6% reduction in all crime in 2010 over 2009. The scheme was awarded Home Office exemplar status.
- PCSOs were employed across the town.
- A new licensing policy was introduced to the limit number of drinking places setting up in the town centre.
- Our Youth Offender Team was the highest achiever in the Region for 2009.
UNDER OUR LEADERSHIP:
The Council had excellent relations with management, staff and unions.
A highly competent senior management team was recruited and we introduced a leadership development programme.
We worked with the Unions to bring in equal pay and staff restructuring. The Total Rewards Package we negotiated is described now by the Unions as ‘… unique to Warrington and the ultimate document of modernisation which makes Warrington the employer of choice.’
The Council achieved ‘4 star excellent’ rating for 3 years.
UNDER OUR LEADERSHIP:
- Warrington became a leading venue for office location and top of NW league table for ‘Gazelles’ – fast growing small & medium businesses.
- Highly successful business conferences were held at the Parr Hall
- A Recession Recovery Task Group was set up to help businesses cope with the credit crunch.
Under our leadership Warrington became one of the most successful towns in the North West.
