MORE INFORMATION ON SEX OFFENDERS COULD BE GIVEN

PARENTS across the country could be told more about sex offenders coming into contact with their children.

It follows a successful trial of ‘Sarah’s Law’ in Warwickshire, which was launched in 2008 to protect more children from convicted sex offenders.

In the first six months of the trial, which also ran in three other areas of the country, more than 150 parents made inquiries. Of those, 10 were given the relevant information.

Home Secretary Alan Johnson said that early results of the scheme were “extremely encouraging” and the project had protected children.

‘Sarah’s Law’ was proposed following the death of eight-year-old Sarah Payne, who was murdered by a convicted sex offender 10 years ago.

Under the measures, families will be able to ask police if someone with access to their child has convictions or has been previously suspected of abuse.

Mr Johnson said results from the year-long pilot are still being evaluated and talks with police and children’s charities would take place before a final decision is made on extending the scheme nationally.

SWISS LINK TO AIRPORT

A SWISS investment firm looks set to become the new owner of Coventry Airport.

Airport Development Partners could be taking over the running of the business after more than two weeks of talks with the landowners Coventry City Council.

The move would safeguard hundreds of jobs – which have been under threat since the airport closed suddenly in December.

The deal could be finalised within the next few weeks if ADP successfully completes its 30 days of due diligence.

The firm, which is based in Switzerland but has mostly American shareholders, is a private airport investment and development firm that is dedicated to investing in regional airports across Europe.

ADP was one of several serious contenders bidding for the chance to run Coventry Airport.

The airport’s previous owners, West Midlands Airport Ltd, was wound up at London’s High Court after being served with a petition from HM
Revenue and Customs in
October over mounting debts.

About 70 jobs were lost when the airport closed, but hundreds more were said to be at risk if a new owner could not be found.

NEW COMMITTEE COULD SAVE RACING CLUB WARWICK

TROUBLED Racing Club Warwick is pinning its hopes on a new management committee to save it from closure.

Over the past 12 months the football club’s Townsend Meadow ground, in Hampton Road, has been riddled with problems.

They started in January last year when the club’s lease was wrongly withdrawn by Warwick District Council.

But after a club user sought legal advice it was proved that the district council should not have taken the lease away.

Despite being told they could stay at the site for the next eight years, members fear increased costs of rents and rates could close the club down.

And on-going work to accommodate a cadet force, who also use the site, has left only half the club useable and management paying for the use of temporary changing rooms.

Last week a meeting between the club and town and district councils took place to try and help the club get back on its feet.

Derek Maudlin, town clerk at Warwick Town Council, said: “We understand Racing Club is very valuable to Warwick and we want to help the club as much as we can.

“At this meeting we proposed that we would cover the cost of hiring portable changing rooms for the rest of the financial year.

“This would be on the condition that the district council agreed to waive the rent arrears until the end of March.

“I’m not sure of exact figures but the changing room cost is £1,240 and the rent arrears are around £2,000.

“We also want to set up a management committee in the next six weeks.”

The district council has agreed to set up a management committee but said it would not commit to waiving rent arrears.

Andrew Jones, deputy chief executive of Warwick District Council, said: “Racing Club Warwick is quite happy for both the town and district council to set a management committee that would plot the way forward.

“We’re hoping the first meeting will be taking place pretty soon, hopefully within the next two to three weeks.

“What I have said to Derek is it is a good idea to review the rent situation, but it would be unfair for me to commit to anything like that at the moment.

“First we’ll see what the situation is like once this committee is set up.”

The management committee would oversee day to day activities, but not get involved with governing the club.

Mr Maudlin said the response was not “as positive as the town council had hoped for” and would be reporting back to a town council meeting on February 8.

Warwick Racing Club was originally formed in 1919 and offered football opportunities to men returning from the First World War.

It is now home to four football teams, a boxing club, the Royal British Legion and business networking club Warwick Probus.

John Shaw, chairman of the Warwickshire branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “At least we are getting together now and talking about the future of the club.

“It’s been four months since the club has been in this situation and we need to move it forward.

“The club is used for all sorts of activities which is why it’s important it remains open.”

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