Joy at windfall for wardens

Sep 11 2007 By Gurdip Thandi, Birmingham Mail

A PIONEERING warden scheme has been given a welcome funding boost to help improve the service.

Cannock Chase Council has received £25,000 from Staffordshire's Community Pride initiative for the project.

The Junior Warden scheme operates in primary schools across the Cannock district.

It provides an educational and personal development programme for young people and helps them learn about a variety of subjects, including tackling anti-social behaviour and safety in the home.

The campaign aims to have a significant impact on reducing anti-social behaviour among young people in the future.

It was tried out in Rugeley before being extended to the Cannock earlier this year.

The money will pay for an additional street warden for 12 months, meaning current street warden Kitty Leech will be able to dedicate all of her time to the Junior Warden scheme.

Coun Chris Collis, Cannock Chase Council's Safer and Stronger Communities leader, said: "It is fantastic that Kitty will be able to dedicate all of her time to the pioneering Junior Warden scheme.

"Not only does the scheme offer a valuable educational and personal development programme, but we hope in the future it will have a positive impact on the behaviour of young people.

"We are extremely grateful to Community Pride for this funding."

Community Pride is a Staffordshire-wide initiative supported by councils and the emergency services.

The initiative is also supported by the Cannock Chase Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.