We can't keep our baby warm (From Warrington Guardian)

We can't keep our baby warm

A COUPLE in Orford say that Warrington Borough Council has ignored their pleas for central heating to protect their young baby from the cold.

But the borough council says that it has a list of almost 3,000 properties and that it must prioritise in favour of the most vulnerable.

Mark Johnson and Claire Norman, aged 24 and 27, of Poplars Avenue, said that during last week's cold snap their flat was freezing and that they were worried for the safety of their six month old baby boy, Jordan-Lee.

Mr Johnson said: "It's absolutely freezing, he has got chapped lips and when he is asleep at night you can see mist when he breathes."

He added: "We are having to wrap him up. We asked the council for a heater but they have not given us anything."

Phil Pemberton, assistant director of Golden Gates Housing, said: "The installation of central heating in this property will involve an upgrade from the present gas fire to central heating.

"This is on our current programme and will be carried out within the next 12 months in accordance with our business plan, which has been agreed with customers and the borough council. In the meantime we do have a policy of prioritising installations for vulnerable customers."

He added: "We currently have almost 3,000 properties, which are classed as non-decent, of which over 500 do not presently have central heating.

"We are in the process of securing additional funds from the Government to bring these homes up to the decency standard by April 2008, two years ahead of the government target."