Top Lock Community Day 2010

Top Lock Community Day

Local Cllrs and the MP join in the fun

Top Lock community day was formally opened by Lisa Nandy MP and joined by Cllrs Chris Ready, John Hilton and Ron Conway


Lisa paid tribute to the Top Lock committee who organised the event and spoke on how important community events like this were in bringing young and old together

in a joint statement the Local Cllrs said that it was so pleasing to see community spirit alive and kicking in top lock

Jean Fieldhouse the secretary of the committee said it was great to see the MP and all the Councillors attending the community day and lots of people attended and enjoyed the day we are hoping to have many more events throughout the year

All aboard for a tram trip into past - Features - Wigan Today

All aboard for a tram trip into past - Features - Wigan Today
the tram is now on display in Haigh Emporium in Aspull

Tributes to former council PR chief - News - Wigan Today

Tributes to former council PR chief - News - Wigan Today

Ask The Cabinet

WIGAN voters are to be given the chance to quiz their political leaders online.

The ruling cabinet is Wigan Council’s top policy-making body, making decisions every month on millions of pounds of public spending.
It consists of 10 senior councillors who are each “champions” for a major area of responsibility (known as their portfolio) such as children, older people or the environment.
Now its members – including leader Lord Smith and deputy Coun Dave Molyneux – are just the click of a mouse away.
The idea for the Ask the Cabinet website came from Coun Chris Ready, cabinet member for improvement.
He said: “We need to be more open and accessible to people. We are accountable for millions of pounds of public money and services and this new website gives people the chance to ask us questions about what we do and why we have taken decisions.
“People will be able to ask a general question about our policies or ask us to justify a particular course of action and we will give them an answer. We hope this is a good way to encourage more interest in the workings of the council.
Anyone using the site will see a description of which services each council member is responsible for, along with a photo of the councillor.
They can submit their question online and it will appear on the website along with the cabinet member’s reply.
To ask a question of the cabinet, visit www.wigan.gov.uk/askthecabinet

Town Hall Treat

THE newly-formed Frenchwood Court Residents' Group enjoyed a tour of Wigan town hall.

The Aspull organisation’s trip was made possible with the help of Aspull New Springs councillor Chris Ready and Aspull Forum chairman Ron Conway.
Secretary of the group Gwen Adamson said: “ We had a lovely day rounded off by a good meal at The Stables in Wigan. Thanks to Ron and Chris for organising the day and Arena Housing for the funding. At our very first meeting Coun Ready suggested the tour and he did the rest for us.”
Mr Conway said: “I took the day off work to support the residents and it proved to be an excellent day and I am really glad they enjoyed it.
“I would encourage all groups to visit the town hall.”

New Springs Seaside Trip

We're all going on a summer outing

NEW SPRINGS pensioners are getting ready for their annual seaside trip – after help from their ward councillor.

The Holy Family Church Hall-based Over 60s group, which meets every Wednesday, was facing a funds shortage, threatening the annual spring treat for the area’s senior citizens.
But now the coach to Southport and the catering arrangements are booked after Labour’s Chris Ready came up with a 250 donation from the ward’s Brighter Borough fund.
Coun Ready said: “This is always a very popular and important event and when I heard it may not happen, I was determined to help if I could.
“Many of these old people are effectively housebound and wouldn’t be getting to the seaside otherwise, so they really look forward to this great day out.
“I’m delighted to have been able to help because this is an organisation which I think is really important to its members.”

Chris is full of Life

Ince comes to Life

There’s a brand new one-stop shop in the heart of Ince, open for business and ready to provide answers to some of Life’s biggest questions.

It’s the very latest of the new local Life Centres to open up in communities across the borough in the last few months. These new customer service centres are proving to be big hits in their local areas, with busy and modern facilities in Marsh Green, Leigh, Abram and now at Higher Ince’s community and health centre.

Cllr Chris Ready is the council’s champion for customer services. He says: “Many people in our borough will be aware of the exciting Life Centre development in Wigan town centre, which will provide a 21st century contact point not just for the council, but other organisations such as the health service. Well it doesn’t end in Wigan!”

“The local Life Centres are community versions of the Wigan centre and they offer a one-stop shop for all public services,” adds Cllr Ready. “The council works for all the people of the borough and we’re committed to improving our customer service to make sure people get exactly what they need.”

Inside the building is a brand new information ‘hub’ where customers can get quick answers about how to access a wide range of council, health and other public services. Trained staff are on hand to help. There are one-to-one inquiry desks, computer terminals for internet use, a free-to-use ‘hot phone’ to help resolve any queries the Life Centre staff are unable to

The Ince Life Centre is open each weekday from 9am until 5pm. Local buses passing the venue include 32, 33, 132, 540, 593, 598, 630, 664 and 674 services.