Archived News page 7 of 7. (Scroll down to read if required)

Building Schools for the Future (BSF) funding approved (August, 2009) (Scroll down to read)

The government has confirmed that Halton has been given the go-ahead for £167 million of capital investment for Halton's BSF programme, with a further £13 million for ICT (information, communication and tecnology) in the schools. This is great news for Halton.

This means the Council can now commence the procurement process for the biggest school rebuilding programme in 50 years. Halton's BSF programme covers 11 schools, with the first planned to start in Spring 2011. As a governor of the Bankfield School, Phil Harris says ''This is great news for Bankfield and other schools across Widnes & Runcorn.''

In Widnes the proposals in brief are below.

The Bankfield High School will increase in size and will be a mixture of new build and remodelling on the existing site. The current Chestnut Lodge School for pupils with complex physical/mental needs will be re-located and rebuilt on the Bankfield School site. The Chestnut Lodge School age ranges are 2-16.

Sts Peter & Paul RC Catholic College. This will see places re-aligned to 1,350 places for 11-16 year olds plus 200 sixth form places. This will be a mixture of new build and remodelling on the existing site.

Wade Deacon High School will be remodelled and expanded and will be a mixture of new build and remodelling on the existing site. The Ashley School for pupils with cognition and learning combined with emotional and social difficulties will be relocating and rebuilt on the Wade Deacon site. The age range for Ashley is 11-16 year olds.

For further details see the Council's website or contact your local ward councillor. Some limited information is also on page 6 of the Web Links of this (Phil's) website.

Building Schools for the Future (BSF) funding approved (August, 2009) (Scroll down to read)

The government has confirmed that Halton has been given the go-ahead for £167 million of capital investment for Halton's BSF programme, with a further £13 million for ICT (information, communication and tecnology) in the schools. This is great news for Halton.

This means the Council can now commence the procurement process for the biggest school rebuilding programme in 50 years. Halton's BSF programme covers 11 schools, with the first planned to start in Spring 2011. As a governor of the Bankfield School, Phil Harris says ''This is great news for Bankfield and other schools across Widnes & Runcorn.''

In Widnes the proposals in brief are below.

The Bankfield High School will increase in size and will be a mixture of new build and remodelling on the existing site. The current Chestnut Lodge School for pupils with complex physical/mental needs will be re-located and rebuilt on the Bankfield School site. The Chestnut Lodge School age ranges are 2-16.

Sts Peter & Paul RC Catholic College. This will see places re-aligned to 1,350 places for 11-16 year olds plus 200 sixth form places. This will be a mixture of new build and remodelling on the existing site.

Wade Deacon High School will be remodelled and expanded and will be a mixture of new build and remodelling on the existing site. The Ashley School for pupils with cognition and learning combined with emotional and social difficulties will be relocating and rebuilt on the Wade Deacon site. The age range for Ashley is 11-16 year olds.

For further details see the Council's website or contact your local ward councillor. Some limited information is also on page 6 of the Web Links of this (Phil's) website.

Green Flag Awards increase again.  (July, 2009)

Halton now has 12 Green Flag Awards for its parks and nature reserves - an increase of two on last years record 10 awards. Halton is now ranked in the top 6 councils in England & Wales for the number of green flag awards achieved.

Cllr Phl Harris is the Council's spokesperson on parks and countryside and is responsible for driving forward the programme of improvements to the Borough's parks and nature reserves. Phil proposed an updated programme of improvements to last September's Executive Board,.as part of Halton's rolling programme of investment. Halton is committed to adding both cemeteries to its Green Flag sites.

Phil says ''These latest awards acknowledge that Halton's parks and nature reserves are among the very best in the country. They are an independent testimony to the hard work and commitment of Council employees, Friends of Parks groups and others.'' '' The Council's investment in parks and countryside has been an important part of the urban renaissance of Halton and there is more to come.''

Help for heroes. (June, 2009)

On 6th June (D-Day) Haltons Leisure Card discount scheme was extended to all serving members of the armed forces (including reservists) who are residents of Halton. The card provides discounts to a range of council leisure and cultural services all year round. Discounts include half price admission to all council-owned centres such as swimming and gymn facilities. The extension of the scheme to servicemen and servicewomen was proposed within the council by Hough Green Cllr Phil Harris, who is responsible for sports and leisure services.

Eligibility to the Halton Leisure card has previously been limited to those receiving certain benefits, which includes those aged over 60 and those with a registered disability. Over 1,800 people registered for a card during 2008.

Any member of the Army, Navy, RAF or a Reservist can apply on production of a current miltary identification card with proof of Halton residency. Admission to the scheme costs £2 and is renewable every 12 months.
You can register for a card at any of the Halton Direct Links, Council Leisure Centres, libraries, Upton Community Centre and the Brindley. For any further details phone 0303 333 4300 and ask for Bob Wheat/.