Liberal Democrat Finance Spokesperson Councillor Ian Marks has written to the Warrington Guardian in response to last week's coverage of Warrington Borough Council's commercial investments.

Dear Editor

Last week your paper contained several items about the Council's £200m investment in the HUT Group. This was a result of an article on the front page of the Financial Times and in several other national newspapers.

Cllr Barr responds to a letter recently published in the Warrington Guardian

Gary Bebbington (WG 12.08.21) has revealed his prejudices and his political affiliation with a typically unfair attack. It is simply not true that the Liberal Democrats did not hold the Labour led Council to account over the Redwood Bank and Together Energy deals. We opposed both and have continued to criticise them. But the decisions, for good or ill, have been made and Council officers must make the best of them.

Five years ago, Lymm Parish Council succeeded in getting the Star Inn in Statham registered as an Asset of Community Value. This gave it some legal protection against any planning permission for another use.

Parish Councillor Selina Kirkham says: We are now submitting an application to have this status renewed because it lapsed after five years. The status doesn't prevent the granting of permission but it provides a hurdle to give the community time to organise to save the pub if needed.

Time is running out to respond to the Warburton Toll Bridge Consultation - there are only a couple of days left until the deadline on Friday 20th August. You can read Cllr Graham Gowland's comprehensive response below, and if you scroll to the end there is a template to assist you in preparing your own submission.