Mark Smith

1 week ago | runcornandwidnesworld.co.uk | Mark Smith

In a strongly-worded joint statement, Labour’s Halton Council leader Cllr Mike Wharton, council community safety chief Cllr Andrea Wall, and Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner Dan Price said Reform MP Sarah Pochin had made a string ‘incorrect and critical’ outbursts about the town, but had not provided evidence for any of them. But Mrs Pochin has hit back, accusing them of ‘arrogance’ and of ‘dismissing’ local people's concerns.

1 week ago | runcornandwidnesworld.co.uk | Mark Smith

The World reported earlier this year how the council was one of 30 around the country to be granted exceptional financial support (EFS) in order to stabilise its finances. EFS is not a bailout, but a loan from the Government's Public Works Loans Board (PWLB), which will have to be paid back over the next 20 years. The LDRS understands that the council will pay a £10 million loan back at a rate of £500k a year over 20 years. But it will also be required to pay interest on that £10 million.

2 weeks ago | runcornandwidnesworld.co.uk | Mark Smith

Cllr Hill also claimed the local primary school had seen falling pupil numbers as a result of more HMOs. (Image: Google) Councillors in an area of Widnes fear it is being 'destroyed' after plans for another controversial shared housing scheme were put forward. A planning application has been lodged to convert a property in West Bank into a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). An HMO has individual bedrooms but some shared facilities, such as kitchens and bathrooms.

2 weeks ago | runcornandwidnesworld.co.uk | Mark Smith

Graham Moore, who stood for the English Constitution Party (ECP) at the May 1 election, finished last out of 15 candidates - picking up 50 votes. But he now alleges that number did not tally with what he felt he should have received. He now wants the result to be declared void. The High Court is the country's top civil court and anyone is allowed to ask it to make a ruling on a matter - a process known as 'petitioning the court'.

2 weeks ago | runcornandwidnesworld.co.uk | Mark Smith

Russ Thornton, a resident at the complex at Maritime Quay, contacted the World to share pictures of overflowing communal bins on the site, which he said had been an ongoing problem 'for months'. The images show overflowing skips and bins, waste, bin bags and boxes strewn on the floor.