Heyhouses Ward Conservatives

Community Governance Review - Consultation Begins

2009-07-28T09:55:00.002+02:00

Does Heyhouses Ward need another two Councillors? That will be the question that will put to residents in the coming months following a full review which was instigated by the Conservatives last night's Full Council Meeting.

Fylde Conservatives last night proposed a full consultation to review Community Governance across the whole of Fylde Borough. The consultation was instigated by an application from St Annes on the Sea Town Council to increase it's number of Councillors from 7 to 18. This request would require a Boundary Commission review and therefore it was seen as an opportunity to also review the size of the District Council whilst at the same time asking the Boroughs other Town and Parish Councils if they required any chances to their boundaries or structures.

Heyhouses Ward Councillor and Leader of Fylde Conservatives John Coombes said ' Conservatives have promised to review structures and Councillor numbers to ensure that the right level of representation is given to the residents of Fylde. With the current proposals for 18 St Annes Town Councillors, this potentially brings the number of elected Officials in St Annes alone to 39 Councillors including County Councillors, residents have a right to comment'

Opposition Councillors voted against the move and argued that the Council should 'Consult on having the consultation first'

Partnerships Portfolio Holder and Staining Parish Councillor Albert Pounder said ' this was a ridiculous argument and I was disappointed that opposition Councillors voted against giving residents the right to have their say - This was a classic Turkeys and Christmas scenario and I for one welcome a review which is 35 years overdue'

A number of light touch reviews have taken place since 1974 however these were just tinkering around the edges and not deemed to be wide ranging. The last review undertaken when Independent and Liberal Democrat Councillors were in charge sparked a furious response from St Annes residents who were again denied a St Annes Town Council. This led to a 3500 signature petition which brought about the new Town Council.

John Coombes added ' Both the Conservative and Labour Parties have stated that the future of
local decision making will be through Town and Parish Councils in the first instance. Both Parties have also made it clear that Town Halls will need to tighten their belts further from 2011 and Government has recently stated that Town Halls need to strongly consider the cessation of Non-Statutory services'

The review will start in earnest and will be completed in time for the 2011 local Council elections. Residents across the Borough will now be asked for their views on local representation including those in Lytham and Ansdell whom currently do not have Parish Councils.

Cllr Pounder added ' We will consider all the responses once collated and will bring the results back to the Full Council for a final decision, I hope that those who voted against this Consultation on Monday will then honour the will of the majority'

European & County Council Elections 4th June 2009

2009-06-03T13:54:00.002+02:00

The European and County Council elections are upon us. Heyhouses residents will be eligible to vote on Thursday at the Polling Stations as listed on your Polling Card. This will be either St Thomas' School or Hope Street Park. There are a total of 8 Conservative European Parliamentary Candidates to vote for and Councillor Fabian Craig-Wilson is the Conservative candidates for St Annes South.

After 28 years of labour control at County Hall Fylde needs a change which will bring about a change of funding priorities from the East of Lancashire back to the Fylde region.

The Conservatives are the only party that is capable of taking control, requiring just a handful of seats to take over. The Lib Dems are miles behind and would require almost 40 seats to come close - so remember not only to vote but to support the Conservative Party when voting as this is the only real way to guarantee a change for Lancashire. It's time for change - please remember to vote!

Closure of Footpath to allow demolition - Pilling Ave

2009-04-14T09:48:00.002+02:00

Residents around Waddington Road and Grassington will be aware of the plans to demolish the old New Fylde Housing Flats on Grassington Road. This work is about to commence and for your information a temporary road closure of the duel Footway/ Carriageway linking Pilling Avenue and Grassington Road at Heyhouses will start from 08:00hrs Monday 11th May 2009 to 18:00hrs Wednesday 11th November 2009

As previously mentioned this is to demolish old properties and redevelop the site, plans can be viewed by visiting the Councils one stop shop on Clifton Drive.

Friends Groups for Waddington & Hope Street Parks are now formed

2009-01-20T15:12:00.002+01:00

Last night I met with a great group of residents at Cllr Hyde's home regarding the setting up of a Parks Friends group for Hope Street Park. The upgrade of the Park could cost as much as £250,000, but funding is available to Friends Groups, hence the meeting. Hope Street is a fantastic Park which sadly has declined over a number of years. With Council budgets shrinking year on year the best way forward for Heyhouses Parks is for residents to form groups similar to that of Lythams Park View 4U, which has raised over a million pounds for the Lytham Park.

Detailed plans have already been drawn up for Waddington Park, and a keen group of residents have taken over the baton and are pushing the plans forward, they are keen to hear from anyone that is willing to help, and they can be contacted via the link in our "links" section. Funding has already started coming in towards the Waddington scheme, from Lancs County Council and Fylde Council Officers are helping both groups get organised and helping point them in the right direction.

The Hope Street group will meet again on the 3rd February at 6pm to discuss the appointment of committee members and keith would be keen to hear from anyone living close to Hope Street who would like to get involved.

Keith said "this is an exciting time for Heyhouses Ward, we are keen to make our Parks the best in Fylde. Residents have two great examples of what can be achieved at both Hove Road Park and Park View and I hope that those living close to Hope Street and Waddington Road will get in touch with me. We hope to kick off fundraising in the Spring"

Once official the Friends of Hope Street will set up a website to keep neighbours informed on their progress.

We Love Small Shops!! - Join our Campaign

2008-10-05T10:53:00.004+02:00

Supporting Small Shops
Small shops are at the heart of our high streets and town centres. They offer diversity and choice and provide a really personal service to their community.

Yet in many communities these independent retailers are under threat. They face a rising burden of regulation and tax, a daily battle against crime and violence, and competition from the growth of out-of-town shopping centres. It is estimated that 2000 shops close every year.

Join our campaign to support Britain’s small shops by signing our petition today.

In the Summer, Conservative MPs published a report which set out the challenges facing small shops and ideas for the way ahead. It concluded that we must stand up for small retailers and recognise the vital role they play at the heart of our communities.

So we are campaigning to promote and save our small shops. In particular we are opposing Labour plans to make it easier for more out-of-town development, by scrapping the so-called ‘needs test’. If implemented, this will further undermine small, town centre shops.

You can help save your local shop. Become part our campaign to keep small shops at the heart of our communities.

Mark Prisk MP, the Conservative Shadow Minister for Small Businesses - “If you value your local shops then join our campaign to help them. You can make a difference.”

“Cllr John Coombes added in Fylde we have prided ourselves on our shopping centres and our smaller retail centres such as Whalley Place and St Albans Road, but success runs the risk of all of us becoming complacent about their long term future which can lead to outside funding being diverted away from Fylde, our local campaign to get local retailers and business owners working together and with the Council should help strengthen our voice and ensure that we all have a part to play in developing a long term plan for our town centres“

“We also need to urge residents to shop local and to support local retailers. By walking around the corner to the local shops we are securing their future as well as saving the environment - buy local and buy British has to be the mantra during these difficult trading times“

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Sign our petition at

http://www.conservatives.com/Campaigns/Supporting_Small_Shops.aspx

Read the report and send your comments and ideas to the Office of Mark Prisk at mooren@parliament.uk or write to him at Mark Prisk MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A OAA
Write to the Government to say NO to scrapping the needs test. Address your letters to Hazel Blears, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, House of Commons, London, SW1A OAA

Download our poster via www.conservatives.com

Battle of Britain Memorial - Help raise money by simply shopping on line

2008-10-03T17:07:00.002+02:00

Help us to raise money towards the Fylde Battle of Britain Memorial by simply clicking on the link above before making any purchases on-line. Over 600 retailers are taking part in the scheme and will make a donation to the fund, at no cost to you, if you use the link above. We need to raise £80,000 to build a similar scheme to the one in the picture, which will be the only Battle of Britain Memorial in the North of England.

Tell us how best to help new mothers?

2008-09-22T13:31:00.002+02:00

Maria Miller, Shadow Minister for the Family, has launched an online survey to help with the development of our proposal to provide professional home support to new mothers in the first few days.

Maria said "We are looking at adopting the policy similar to that in the Netherlands called Kraamzorg.

Maternity nurses come into your home to provide practical and clinical support to help with the extra work that comes with the arrival of a new baby - for example, with breastfeeding, looking after older children and preparing meals"

Councillor John Coombes commented

"It is vital that we can asses the amount of help needed for young mums, especially when they may not have family living close by, there is a fine balance between Nanny State and providing a service so the feedback from this survey will be useful"

Copy this link into your browser to take part:

http://www.conservatives.com/tile.do?def=news.story.page&obj_id=146553

Council Publishes its 2008 Annual report

2008-09-19T15:50:00.005+02:00

The Council has always been keen to capture residents views via a multitude of methods. Listening day, State of the Borough debate and feedback through the website have been the key methods of gathering your feedback, combined with the regular newsletters distributed by Councillors. Recently however we have highlighted the fact that many residents are unaware of many of the good things driven forward in recent years by the Council and the background of some our the challenges being faced not only by the Council but the Borough in general.

As part of our drive to improve the information flow we have dramatically opened up access to committee meetings for residents, invested heavily in our website and have continued to invest in the Fylde in Focus newspaper. But there is still more to do! Below I have put a link to the Councils 2008 Annual Report (copy and paste into browser)This document is a small snapshot of some of the issues and facts affecting the Council this year. By being aware of such information along with the Corporate Plan and Community Plan residents can easily see what it is we are doing and why.

http://www.fylde.gov.uk/Category.aspx?cat=1914

we are keen to keep as many residents as possible up to date with current news and facts and hope that this document will be of use and help you understand better the working s of the Council. I would appreciate your feedback on the Annual Report

Conservatives welcome another Lib Dem defection

2008-09-13T14:45:00.003+02:00

Caroline Spelman has offered Marc Goodwin a warm welcome to the Conservatives after his defection from the Liberal Democrats.

Marc, who contested the High Peak seat for the Liberal Democrats in 2005 and was initially the PPC (Prospective Parliamentary Candidate) for Crewe and Nantwich in May, said he had been listening closely to what David Cameron had to say:

"Whilst the Liberal Democrats are going nowhere and drifting, I believe that the Conservatives are the Party of fresh, new ideas, appealing to people right across the country."

Caroline, the Party Chairman, said she was "delighted" at Marc's decision, and stressed:

"Under David Cameron's leadership more and more people are looking to the Conservative Party to deliver the changes our country really needs."

George Osborne, the Shadow Chancellor, described this latest Lib Dem defection as "further evidence" that the Conservatives are taking the lead on progressive issues such as poverty and the environment.

Cllr John Coombes added 'the Lib Dems are in turmoil and even the local Party activists in Fylde are fracturing, with the nasty and negative campaigning methods adopted by the Lib Dems it's no wonder! Based on recent polls and election failures it's no wonder that LibDem activists are joing voters and turning to the Conservatives - we are happy to welcome them. After helping with the recent by-election in Crewe & Nantwich is it good to see that our policies not only appealed to voters, but to the opposition candidates as well'

Home Grants and other benefits - Fylde OAPs not claiming

2008-09-08T15:26:00.003+02:00

The spiralling costs of energy bills is threatening to force almost 2.2 million pensioners into fuel poverty this Winter. The Council is keen to help as many Pensioners as possible insulate their homes and there are many free grants available for the over 70's.

The Energy Saving Trust has launched a new service to help people save money this winter just copy and paste the link into your browser:

http://estconsumer.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/estconsumer.cfg/php/enduser/doc_serve.php?2=August_webpage_bulletin

There are also 1.2 million pensioners who are not claiming the Housing and other benefits that they are entitled to. Just a quick telephone call to the Town Hall on 01253 658658 and the benefits team will be able to arrange a quick assesment of your entitlements. If you have a parent or grand parent over 60 then please urge them to contact the Council for advise on getting what they DESERVE!

TRANSPORT MINISTER IN TALKS WITH MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY ON TEST CENTRE CHAOS

2008-09-05T10:13:00.000+02:00

Representatives from the motorcycle industry met Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick today, to press the industry’s case for a six month delay to the introduction of new test procedures scheduled for the end of this month.

The Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI), the Motorcycle Rider Training Association (MRTA) and Riders Edge (Harley-Davidson rider training) were able to explain their concerns to Mr Fitzpatrick and senior representatives of the Driving Standards Agency (DSA). The call for a delay is also backed by the Institute of Advanced Motorists, the Motorcycle Action Group and the British Motorcyclists Federation.

The industry’s concerns are centred on the road safety risks to novice riders who in many cases will be forced to ride long distances in order to take a motorcycle test. There is also a strong business case to delay implementation of the new test.

The MCI’s Craig Carey-Clinch said: “The Minister was receptive and we had what I believe was a productive meeting. The discussion with Mr Fitzpatrick and the DSA was frank and constructive, and we must now hope for a swift decision to delay the new test procedure until more test centres are available.”

Echoing these comments, the MRTA’s Frank Finch said: As well as hearing our views about the road safety implications, the Minister was also receptive to the business arguments in that the industry faces a £40 million loss of revenue as well as significant job losses, should the new test proceed with too few multi-purpose test centres.”

On September 29th the motorcycle test is due to change, introducing new manoeuvres required under a European Directive. The DSA has chosen to implement the directive by concentrating motorcycle tests at about 60 planned multi-purpose test centres around the UK. Currently there are around 260 motorcycle test centres and the DSA plan, if it had been successful, slashes this number by 80%.

The motorcycle community call has been prompted by the fact that only 39 test centres, nationwide, will be opened ahead of the major changes later this month. There has been rising concern about the DSA’s inability to deliver the promised number of new test sites.

Unless action is taken, there is a real danger that the whole motorcycle test system will fall into chaos, with candidates in many parts of the country unable to secure a motorcycle test. More importantly, the motorcycle industry fears that longer journeys to fewer test centres will bring significant road safety risks. All good advice to novice riders tells them not to undertake long journeys in heavy traffic soon after taking their test, but to build up slowly as they gain experience. Some test candidates could face a journey of 100 miles or more in each direction, coupled with the stress of taking a test.

Craig Carey-Clinch added: The motorcycle industry, MRTA and training organisations are fully supportive of the new test, which should help to produce more competent and safer riders. But we believe that if the new test is introduced in a few weeks as planned, the motorcycle test system is likely to crash and administrative chaos will ensue, discouraging people from taking their riding test, and compromising longer term road safety goals.

Heyhouses Pensioners worse off under Labour

2008-08-29T14:32:00.002+02:00

LABOUR: FAILING ON Fairness for Fylde’s pensioners

How pensioners are treated is a key test of a society’s fairness.
The impact of Gordon Brown’s tax and benefit policies mean Labour is failing on this fundamental yardstick. In addition, new analysis by the Conservative Party reveals that the rising cost of living means over two million pensioners will actually be up to £100 worse off – even after the increase in Pension Credit. Fylde Borough has one of the highest levels of over 50’s in Lancashire and this ticking time bomb will need strong Conservative policies to avert many Fylde pensioners from ending up on the Bread Line in a period of their lives which they should be enjoying.

Labour tax on pensions

Gordon Brown’s disastrous tax raid on pension funds has slashed £100 billion off the value of Britain’s pension savings. Recently published Treasury documents reveal that Gordon Brown received warnings from civil servants that his tax hike would cut the income of private pension schemes by up to 10%. It cannot be right that Pensioners have to pay tax on their pension payments, Conservatives need to scrap tax on Pensions and Savings.

Pensioner poverty

Figures from Eurostat show that Britain’s pensioners are some of the most likely in Europe to be at risk of poverty. Britain is the fourth worst country in the EU on the at risk- of-poverty rankings produced by the EU. Only pensioners in Cyprus, Spain and Latvia are more likely to fall into poverty. This position has got worse since 1997.4 Pensioner poverty grew by 300,000 compared with last year, measure both before and after housing costs.5
There are 2.5 million pensioners living in poverty (living below 60% of median
income measured before housing costs – the official measure of child poverty) which is 100,000 more pensioners than in 1997.6

Labour’s benefit system – failing pensioners

Labour’s increased use of complex means testing of pensioners has resulted in reduced take-up of benefits.

Pension Credit

Between 1.2 and 1.8 million pensioners failed to take up their entitlement to Pension Credit last year.
Up to 1.2 million of those were living in poverty (below 60% of median income
measured before housing costs).

4 Eurostat, At-risk-of-poverty rate for pensioners, February 2006 (latest available); Eurostat, At-risk-ofpoverty
rate of older people by gender and selected age groups, February 1997.
5 DWP, Households Below Average Income, June 2008
6 DWP, Households Below Average Income, June 2008

4
Council tax benefit

Because of the complexity of the benefit system, between 1.7 and 2.1 million
pensioners are failing to claim the Council Tax Benefit they are entitled to.7
As a result, between £1.1 and £1.5 billion of Council Tax Benefit went unclaimed by pensioners last year.8

Housing Benefit

Take up of Housing Benefit amongst pensioners has fallen under Labour
Between £380 million and £770 million in Housing Benefit went unclaimed by
pensioners last year. 42% of entitled non recipients of Housing Benefit were living in poverty last year compared with 10% of those entitled to and claiming the benefit.

Council Tax Benefit

Take up of by pensioners has fallen by at least 12% amongst pensioners since 1997.9

Council tax burden on pensioners

For a typical pensioner, a third of the increase in the basic state pension since 1997 has been eaten up by higher council tax payments.
For pensioner couple, council tax is up £685 on a Band D home from 1997-8 to 2008-9, compared to the couples’ basic state pension going up £2,353. For a single pensioner, council tax is up £514 on Band D, while the single basic state pension is up £1,469.10

7 DWP, Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take Up in 2006/07, June 2008
8 DWP, Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take Up in 2006/07, June 2008
9 DWP, Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take Up in 2006/07, June 2008
10 Hansard, 10 January 2008, col. 730W. Figures exclude payments for 70+ year olds, winter fuel payments and the 2005-06 £200 one-off payment; pension.

5
New Conservative Party analysis reveals that over two million of
the poorest pensioners will lose nearly £100 thanks to rising cost
of living under Labour

Pensioners face soaring living costs

Labour’s taxes and rising cost of living mean that pension increases for poor
pensioners will be entirely eaten up by higher inflation. Thanks to the spread of means-testing, more pensioners are now dependent on Pension Credit.
Poor pensioners are entitled to a minimum level of income via the Guarantee Credit component of the Pension Credit. The level of the Guarantee Credit was increased by 4.2% at the beginning of this financial year.11
Pensioner inflation is now considerably higher than CPI inflation because pensioners spend a much higher percentage of their income on high-inflation goods, like heating, light, and food. For example, pensioners spend 23%12 of their budget on food, whereas the average household spends only 11%.13 Pensioners spend 13%14 of their budget on fuel and light, compared with 9%15 for the average household. Official figures, buried away on the Office for

National Statistics website, show that:
For a two-person pensioner household, the rate of RPI inflation was 5.2%.16
For a one-person pensioner household, the rate of RPI inflation was 5.6%.17
But the official rate for annual RPI inflation was 4.4 per cent over the same period.18

Pension Credit rise wiped out by inflation

This means that the Guarantee Credit rise will be entirely eaten up by higher inflation. In fact, in real terms, the value of the Guarantee Credit19 is actually being cut.
A pensioner couple will lose £98 this year, at current rates of inflation.20
A single pensioner will lose £90 this year, at current rates of inflation.21
There are currently 2,130,620 Pension Credit claimants, all of whom will be
affected.22

11 DWP, Proposed benefit rates 2008/09
12 ONS series CBXR. This is for a one-person pensioner household.
13 ONS series CZGZ
14 ONS series CBXY. This is for a one-person pensioner household.
15 ONS series CZHG
16 ONS series CZJI
17 ONS series CZIT
18 ONS series CZBH, Q2 2008
19 The Standard Minimum Guarantee of the Pension Credit for a single pensioner is currently £124.05 per week, or £9,846.20 per year. For a pensioner couple, it is £189.35 per week, or £6,450.60 per year.
20 For a two-person pensioner household, the rate of RPI inflation was 5.2 per cent. This means that the
Pension Credit is falling by 1.0 per cent in real terms this year (4.2 minus 5.2).
21 For a one-person pensioner household, the rate of RPI inflation was 5.6 per cent. This means that the Pension Credit is falling by 1.4 per cent in real terms this year (4.2 minus 5.6).
22 DWP Tabulation Tool, Feb 2008. Includes claimants who claim Guarantee Credit only, or both Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit

Concessionary Bus Travel - Council Funding fears are justified

2008-08-06T11:45:00.002+02:00

Lancashire District Leaders met yesterday at County Hall (August 4th) to discuss the costs relating to the Governments Concessionary Bus Travel Scheme. Although accurate figures are still not available, due to computer software problems the "estimated" funding shortfall is projected at £2.3 million. Some are predicting a total bill to Lancashire Council tax payers of up to £7 million. Yesterday saw this story break on Regional and national news and confirmed that Fylde Borough Council was right to see the traevl scheme as a "High Risk"

Cllr John Coombes said

"The take up of the free bus travel scheme for over 60's has been encouraging, but the slow implementation of software means we are still flying by the seat of our pants, when it comes to knowing just how much of a bill Fylde Council Tax payers could be faced with"

He added

"Bus operator records have shown a 90% increase in free travel to the Fylde Coast, this year, through the Preston Bus Terminal. This means that Fylde Tax payers will be expected to pay the return proportion of these particular bus journey's. This figure could be upwards of £200,000, equating to almost 5% on their Council Tax Bills

The Council has had to make unpopular decisions to try and keep Council Tax bills down whilst at the same time having available the funding to pay for the Bus Travel Scheme. It is unbelievable that a Government scheme should be paid for by local tax payers - the bill as it stands, threatens to squeeze further the Council's budget and put cash strapped residents under more financial pressure. With this bill now hanging over the Council I hope that residents will see why the funding for the pools had to be stopped for the time being.

I will be joining forces with fellow Conservative Council Leaders to lobby Lancashire MP's and Government for a commitment to cough up the funding shortfall. Although I support the basic principles of the scheme, yet again it shows that the funding mechanism for this policy have been ill thought out. There is a consensus that the scheme may cost up to £7 million pounds, in the first year! A figure which would bring about swinging reductions in services across Lancashire unless Mr Darling commits to fund the total cost of the scheme.

Fylde Borough Council is caught between a rock and a hard place, Conservatives have more ambitious plans for the Borough but whilst this sword of Damocles is hanging over us we are unable to commit revenue funds to any new schemes.

Fylde Borough Council - Customer Service Bus

2008-08-05T16:52:00.002+02:00

Fylde residents will soon have access to their local council via a new service being introduced from 13 August. The Bus will be in Heyhouses Ward on the 27th August at Whalley Place shops from 10:00 until 12 noon.

Fylde Borough Council will be using the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) Community Engagement Vehicle to reach out into the community - starting in the rural areas.

This service is intended to give residents access to council staff, who will be on hand to provide information about council services and to listen to issues of concern to the local public. The bus will also offer eligible residents information about the Now Card for free bus travel.

The first bus service, based in Kirkham, near Morrisons, will be on 13 August 2008 between 10am and 12pm. Following this, the bus will be located in various places in Fylde every Wednesday throughout August and September. If the service is successful, it is hoped that it will become a regular feature in the Fylde.

Councillor Albert Pounder portfolio holder for Customer Relations and Partnerships, said: ”The council is determined to help the public get the information they need quickly and accurately. To this end the bus will complement our existing services delivered by our One Stop Shop and Call Centre. The new bus will offer specially trained staff who will aim to provide a top quality service at the first point of contact”.

Cllr Craig Halewood said "This is a great concept for residents in Heyhouses which has some of the highest numbers of elderley in St Annes on Sea. With the closure of all Heyhouses Post Offices it is great to see the Council bringing it's services to the community"

Cllr Keith Hyde added "I hope residents will get in touch with us and let us know if the service has been of use, if it is, I hope that the Council would support the funding for making it a regular service"

For more information about the new bus service and to find out when the bus will be coming to your local area log on to www.fylde.gov.uk

New Fylde Borough Council Forum - A new two way opportunity for residents to ask for the facts behind the headlines and Rumours

2008-07-21T11:47:00.003+02:00

Although there are many ways in which residents can find out information about their local area or about the decisions being taken that may affect them, very few either take time to look into the rumours and myths, beyond the chat with a neighbour over the garden fence or a with a friend in the local.

Heyhouses Ward Councillors have been keen to lead on keeping residents in touch through our regular "Heyhouses Harrier leaflet" or through this blog. We have been looking at other ways of getting the news out to you and we are pleased that the Council has began a trial period of an "open forum" for residents to ask both Leading members and Officers questions about the facts behind the headlines or the rumours in the street.

The forum is located at http://www.fyldelife.co.uk/forum/ Residents can create a profile and are encouraged to ask questions of the Council. The response will be "from the horses mouth" and should show residents that there is always another side to the story, which is often untold!

As this is a trail period we need residents to take part so that the Council can assess it's benefit at the end of the trial. Please let your Heyhouses Ward Councillors know what you think of this new service.

St Annes Square Wins another Award!

2008-07-08T18:23:00.000+02:00

St Annes town centre has collected yet another award - recognising the excellence of the public realm scheme, which has transformed the main streets in the town centre.

The gong is a prestigious Local Government News (LGN) Street Design Award and was presented to the Mayor of Fylde, Cllr Susan Fazackerly today (July 8).

The award, was given under category number one of ‘pedestrian environment, which looks at town centre schemes and at pedestrian priority solutions.

The judges chose the St Annes on Sea Regeneration Programme as the winner of the pedestrian environment category as they were impressed by the way the project reflects the heritage of the area, whilst providing a contemporary and appealing setting.

Laura Sharman, Editor of Local Government News, commented: “The work being carried out in St Annes on Sea is a great example of coastal town regeneration, and should inspire other local authorities looking to improve their local environment.

“This project has not only dramatically transformed the public realm, but it has also benefited the area and local community as a whole by acting as a catalyst for private sector investment.”

The award itself was established in 1986 and aims to reward innovation and good practice in urban street design schemes undertaken by local authorities. Over 100 entries were submitted in each of the seven categories.

Cllr Susan Fazackerley, Mayor of Fylde said: "Fylde Borough Council is delighted to receive this award, which is one of many that have recognised the quality of the regeneration taking place in St Anne’s which will be enjoyed by the public for years to come."

Cllr Roger Small, Cabinet Member for Development and Regeneration, added: "The Council is committed to ensuring our parks and public spaces are maintained to a high standard on a day-to-day basis.

“We also have an excellent track record at securing funding for regeneration to improve the public areas of the Borough. The current plans for work to restore Ashton Gardens and the War Memorial in Kirkham, as well as completed works to the War Memorial Gardens in Lytham, are just some examples of the care we take of our public spaces."

Regeneration work in St Annes is also set to continue, with proposals for future improvement including work to more town centre streets and the promenade

Get Your Kids into a Sporting Summer!

2008-07-01T17:00:00.000+02:00

Are your Children aged 8-17 years? Fancy something fun to keep you active and make new friends during the summer holidays?

Then why not take advantage of a whole host of FREE activities being offered by Fylde Borough Council this August?

Cllr Simon Renwick, Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism, said: “Fylde Borough Council is committed to our young people across the Borough and is demonstrating this with these free sporting activities at a whole host of locations. Sessions will feature a number of team sports from quick cricket to rugby and football to basketball, offering a chance not only to improve fitness but also develop new skills and make new friends.”

Sessions will be held for 8-16 year olds at the following locations:

Monday 4th, 11th, and 18th August:

· 1-3pm – Bridges Playing Fields, Warton * Staining Village Playing Fields * School Lane Playing Fields, Newton * Kirkham Youth Base.
· 4-6pm – Mornington Road Playing Fields, Lytham * Lower Lane, Freckleton * Hove Road Park, St Annes * Blackpool Road North Playing Fields, St Annes.
· 7-9pm – Park View Playing Fields, Lytham * Kirkham Memorial Gardens * Hope Street Recreation Ground, St Annes * William Pickles Park, Clifton.

Tuesday 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th August:

· 1-3pm – The Pavillion, Weeton Army Camp * Blackpool Road North Playing Fields, St Annes * Elswick Village Multi-Games Area * Waddington Road Field, St Annes.
· 4-6pm – Ashton Gardens, St Annes * Fleetwood Road Park, Wesham * William Pickle Park, Clifton * Lower Lane Multi Games Area, Freckleton.
· 7-9pm – Kirkham Memorial Gardens * Bridges Playing Fields, Warton * Hope Street Recreation Ground, St Annes * Hove Road Park, St Annes.

Wednesday 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th August:

· 1-3pm – Bridges Playing Fields, Warton * School Lane Playing Fields, Newton * Staining Village Playing Fields * The Pavillion, Weeton Army Camp.
· 4-6pm – Mayfield School Field, St Annes * Mornington Road Playing Fields, Lytham * Hove Road Park, St Annes * The Pavillion, Weeton Army Camp.
· 7-9pm – Lower Lane, Freckleton * Hope Street Recreation Ground, St Annes * Kirkham Memorial Gardens * Ashton Gardens, St Annes.

Thursday 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th August:

· 1-3pm – The Pavilion, Weeton Army Camp * Elswick Village Multi Games Area * Staining Village Playing Fields * Kirkham Youth Base.
· 4-6pm – Park View Playing Fields, Lytham * Fleetwood Road Park, Wesham * William Pickles Fields, Clifton *Ashton Gardens, St Annes.
· 7-9pm – Hope Street Recreation Ground, St Annes * Kirkham Memorial Gardens * Bridges Playing Field, Warton * Waddington Road Field, St Annes.

Fri 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th August:

· 1-3pm – Bridges Playing Fields, Warton * Staining Village Playing Fields * Waddington Road Field, St Annes * Blackpool Road North Playing Fields, St Annes.
· 4-6pm – Mornington Road Playing Field, Lytham * Hove Road Park, St Annes * Elswick Village Multi Games Area * School Lane Playing Fields, Newton.
· 7-9pm – Ashton Gardens, St Annes * Hope Street Recreation Ground, St Annes * Lower Lane, Freckleton * Mayfield School Field, St Annes.

High ropes offer challenging outdoor physical activity and offers the chance to take on exciting challenges as well as building new skills and friendships. A High Ropes course will also be at the following destinations from 1 – 6pm.

Tues 12th August Blackpool Road North, St Annes
Weds 13th August Bridges Playing Field, Warton
Thurs 14th August Youth Base, Kirkham
Tues 19th August Lower Lane, Freckleton
Weds 20th August Ashton Gardens, St Annes
Thurs 21st August Park View, Lytham

Participants aged under 13 require a signed parental consent form – leaflets have been delivered to all Fylde households or can be downloaded from www.fylde.gov.uk

For further details on these August events contact Clare Grant on 01253 658658.

The local YMCA are also holding a series of activities, for 12 – 17 year-olds, running daily from July 21 – 25 and July 28 – Aug 1. A full table of times and venues is detailed below.

The sessions will all be supervised by qualified YMCA Sports Development Coaches

Ashton Gardens St Annes Youth BaseKirkham Lower LaneFreckleton
Mon 21 July 1 – 3pm 4 – 6pm 7 – 9pm
Tues 22 July 1 – 3pm 7 – 9pm 4 – 6pm
Wed 23 July 1 – 3pm 4 – 6pm 7 – 9pm
Thurs 24 July 1 – 3pm 7 – 9pm 4 – 6pm
Fri 25 July 1 – 3pm 4 – 6pm 7 – 9pm
Mon 28 July 1 – 3pm 7 – 9pm 4 – 6pm
Tues 29 July 1 – 3pm 4 – 6pm 7 – 9pm
Wed 30 July 1 – 3pm 7 – 9pm 4 – 6pm
Thurs 31 July 1 – 3pm 4 – 6pm 7 – 9pm
Fri 1 August 1 – 3pm 7 – 9pm 4 – 6pm

Conservative Party Conference

2008-06-25T10:47:00.002+02:00

Highlights will include:

• A packed programme of speeches and policy announcements from members of the Shadow Cabinet.
• Lively debates with everyone invited to contribute.
• A key note speech from David Cameron.
• Over 350 fringe events hosted by leading political thinkers and commentators.
• A lively social scene, with parties, drinks receptions, dinners and more.
• An opportunity to help make a difference by volunteering some time at our Social Action project.
• Over 70 exhibitors including the NSPCC, O2 and the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
• A chance to meet a range of Party representatives including volunteers, councillors, MPs, candidates and CCHQ staff.
• Advice and help on all kinds of things from campaigning and membership to fundraising and websites.

How to book your tickets:

A 4-day pass costs just £68 for members (£35.50 for under 23’s) if you apply now – click here to reserve your place.

All Party Members are invited to attend – but if you're not yet a member, you can still attend if you join before 1st July.

For more information about this year's Conference, including advice on travel and accommodation, click here.

Bring Back Bendy Fruit! Euro rules are wasteful

2008-06-18T14:24:00.000+02:00

Conservative MEP and Chairman of the European Parliament's Agriculture Committee, Neil Parish, has welcomed moves by the European Commission to simplify the barmy EU rules on fruit which would allow bendy cucumbers and funny shaped fruit to once again be sold in British shops.

European Agriculture Commissioner, Mariann Fischer Boel wants to simplify and loosen up the rules of marketing fruit and veg and is proposing a widespread cull of the existing 36 marketing standards which stipulate quality standards on a range of products from apricots to watermelons. Among those to go would be the infamous "cucumber" quality standard which ensures that cucumbers can not bend more than 10mm for every 10cm of length. In their place, the Commission is proposing just ten standards which would continue the existing rules on fruits such as apples, pears and kiwis and vegetables such as tomatoes and lettuces whilst ensuring that other products met a basic set of standards.

The Commissioner is however reported to have already run into trouble in the Council of Ministers with 18 of the 27 member states understood to be opposed to any changes with the French, Italians, Germans and Spanish amongst those planning to block any loosening up of the rules.

Mr Parish said :-

"Finally the European Commission comes up with a sensible idea aimed at getting rid of frankly silly rules which are all about the shape and not the quality of the product and lo and behold the usual suspects line up to block it. Quite why the French, Spanish, Germans and Italians want to continue the unjustified ban on bendy cucumbers is beyond me.

"The new rules will still ensure that all fruit and veg is clean and healthy whilst allowing people to enjoy the diversity that normal production brings. The regulations as they stand are unnatural, wasteful and serve no practical purpose other than ensuring that fruit and veg looks good. The British government must now support the Commission and use its influence to make other member states see sense."

June 10th - New Park Plans Revealed, Clifton Primary

2008-06-05T09:55:00.002+02:00

The long awaited plans for the new look Waddington Park will be revealed on the 10th of June between 3 and 6 pm. The presentation hosted by Clifton Primary School will be led by Cllr Keith Hyde whom has been instrumental in getting this project off the ground.

Keith Said "Iam delighted with the scheme and the new Park Friends Committee made up of local parents is full of enthusiasm and raring to go, the local residents are fully behind the scheme, we will use the 10th to get the fundraising programme off the ground"

Residents from Heyhouses and Park Wards are invited to attend the showing of the plans and it is hoped that we can sign more people up to help with the project. The scheme includes areas for young and old alike, also incorporating a nature reserve area. Clifton County Primary School will also adopt an area on the Park to develop and maintain as part of the schools environmental awareness programme.

Keith added "This key area of the Ward will become a focal point for the whole community and teenagers will also have their own area to enjoy, I hope the community will come out to support our work"

Residents can also view the progress of the park at the Friends Group's own website www.makewaddywonderfull.org.uk

Global Warming - How could this affect the Fylde Coast?

2008-05-30T23:20:00.006+02:00

New United Nations projections for Global Warming and rising sea levels highlight the vulnerability of the North West and show just why all of us need to do more to conserve energy and reduce our CO2 emissions. Fylde Council has just been accepted by DEFRA as an area for investment for new Coastal Defence improvements. A 9 Million Pounds bid for urgent to the sea wall at Grannies Bay, is just the start of a long list of much needed improvements. This slide shows the impact that just a 1 meter sea level rise would have on the Borough.

A 4 Meter Rise in Sea Levels.
This projected 4 meter rise in sea levels shown here is a realistic projection by 2050 based on current models. The East of the Borough is most under threat and thought will have to be given to the potential threat to future development in these areas. Some coastal areas of the UK are already experimenting by removing sea defences and allowing old flood plains to absorb the incoming tides, could this be a possibility for the Peninsula in the future?

Potential impact of a 8 Meter Rise in Sea Levels. Significant investment has been made all along the North West Coastline from Morecambe down to Starr Gate in Blackpool, yet this slide highlights how difficult it is to protect the inland areas, Lancaster and Preston also being affected. Fylde however is the weak link in the Fylde peninsula flood defences, highly dependent on natural defences, which can withstand a high tide or two, but which would be ineffecive against a prolonged episode due to rising sea levels. The Government and MP's across the North West must increase their efforts to gain funding in light of these new projections and help lobby the Chancellor for additional funds towards Coastal Defence improvements along both sides of the Ribble Estuary.
A 10 Meter Rise in Sea Levels would seriously affect the lives of all Coastal areas around the UK. Here in Fylde we are already working towards reducing our energy usage, however, the Borough does have some of the worst residential energy and C02 emissions figures in the North of England. This is mainly down to the age and size of the homes in Fylde and the high % of car usage. The Fylde Low Waste & Energy project (FLoWE) will aim to reduce this usage by offering free advice on energy usage and grants towards home insulation. Whilst this work is ongoing, the Council must take on board these findings and continue to work with all it's partner organisations to help develop the best long term strategies for the Boroughs future generations.

European Parliament approves hypocritical tobacco subsidies

2008-05-23T11:46:00.000+02:00

Strasbourg, 20th May 2008 -- The European Parliament voted today to maintain EU tobacco production subsidies, contrary to appeals from the Conservative Party. Conservatives MEPs are vehemently opposed to tobacco subsidies in the EU, which cost taxpayers millions of pounds.

More than £200 million (293 million euros) has been set aside to pay tobacco premiums in the 2008 EU budget, and an additional £10 million (14,250,000 euros) has been earmarked for the Community Tobacco Fund. Direct payments to tobacco farmers, which were due to expire in 2009, will run until 2012 as result of amendments passed last month in the European Parliament's Agricultural Committee.

Sir Robert Atkins Conservative MEP, said:

"It beggars belief that whilst food prices are going through the roof, we are still directly funding tobacco farms around Europe. On the one hand the EU talks about cutting dependency on tobacco, then on the other it sanctions an extra three years of direct tobacco subsidies, whilst virtually all other sectors have moved to an area based payment.

"We spend £200 million on funding tobacco, yet only £30 million in the UK on tobacco awareness schemes. The CAP should be supporting healthy products, not something like tobacco. We end up not only having to pay to support its cultivation, but also the huge costs in treating its effects. I am amazed that the Parliament has missed its last opportunity to put a stop to this ludicrous system."

Launch of St Annes Library Friends Group

2008-05-21T22:40:00.003+02:00

Tonight I attended a very informative meeting to launch the 'Friends of St Annes Library Group' hosted at the County Councils Carnegie Library on Clifton Drive in St Annes. The Group is to be formed to help raise 30,000 pounds to refurbish the gardens surrounding the building, the plans have already been drawn up and their completion will help lift what is already an impressive building.

The evening was opened with a very informative presentation given by local historian Peter Shakeshaft. Peter's knowledge of the local area, the Library was deeply informative and even as a local lad was amazed to hear the stories of how our Town and Heyhouses Ward in particular were developed in the early years.

The Annual General Meeting of the new Firends Group will be held on the 18th June at 18:30 at the Library and all residents are welcome to come along. There is a small membership of just 5 pounds to join the group, I hope that this will be a good cause that residents can get behind.

Lancashire Local Meeting - 27th May, 7pm, Kirkham Community Centre

2008-05-20T16:03:00.000+02:00

The next meeting of the Fylde Lancashire Local will take place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday 27 May 2008 at the Kirkham Community Centre. The link to the agenda for the meeting is given below.

https://webmail1.fylde.gov.uk/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www3.lancashire.gov.uk/council/meetings/displayAgendas.asp?meetid=6479

Half Term - Planned Activities for Children across Fylde

2008-05-09T18:34:00.002+02:00

Activities planned for the May half term are as follows so please signpost your children and their schools to these events. There will be a leaflet to promote the being delivered around the appropriate locations in Fylde.

The Council and it's partners are keen to ensure that children of all ages have varied activities across the Borough, as we all know keeping the kids occupied during the holiday's can be difficult so we hope that there will be something for everyone in the programme below.

Mobile high ropes course and Archery
Weds 28th May 2008- Bridges playing field at Warton, 1-4pm
Fri 30th may 2008- Kirkham memorial Gardens, 1-4pm

Summer Sports outreach will be at the following locations around the area of Fylde.
There are some provisional dates for trips to Tower Wood over summer for young people to enjoy. (Outdoor activitiy centre in the lake district)These will be supervised trips and any parent can contact the Council for further details.

Sports Outreach
Monday 4th, 11th, 18th aug
1-3pm- bridges playing field warton, staining village playing fields, newton-school lane playing field, kirkham youth base.
4-6pm- mornington rd playing field, freckleton- lower lane, hove rd park st annes, blackpool rd north playing fields
7-9pm- park view playing fields, kirkham memorial gardens, hope st recreation ground, william pickles park- clifton

Tues 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th aug
1-3pm weeton army camp-the pavillion, blackpool rd nth playing fields, elswick village multi-games area, waddington rd field
4-6pm- ashton gardens, fleetwood rd park wesham, william pickle park,-clifton, freckleton-lower lane multi games area
7-9pm- kirkham memorial gardens, bridges playing field- warton, hope st recreation ground, hove rd park-st annes

weds 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th aug
1-3pm- bridges playing field- warton, newton-school lane playing field, staining village playing fields, weeton army camp-the pavillion
4-6pm- mayfield school field, mornington rd playing field, hove rd park-st annes, weeton army camp-the pavillion
7-9pm freckleton- lower lane, hope st recreation ground, kirkham memorial gardens, ashton gardens

thurs 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th Aug
1-3pm- weeton army camp-the pavillion, elswick village multi games area, staining village playing fields, kirkham youth base.
4-6pm- park view playing field lytham, fleetwood rd park wesham, william pickles field-clifton, ashton gardens
7-9pm- hope st recreation ground, kirkham memorial gardens, bridges playing field-warton, waddington rd field

Fri 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th Aug
1-3pm- bridges playing field- warton, staining village playing fields, waddington rd field, blackpool rd north playing field
4-6pm- mornington rd playing field, hove rd park- st annes, elswick village multi games area, newton-school lane playing field
7-9pm- ashton gardens, hope st recreation ground, freckleton-lower lane, mayfield school field.
High Ropes

The high ropes will be at the following destinations

Tues 12th aug blackpool rd north 1-6pm

Weds 13th aug bridges playing field warton 1-6pm

Thurs 14th aug kirkham youth base 1-6pm

Tues 19th aug freckleton, lower lane 1-6pm

weds 20th aug, ashton gardens, 1-6pm

thurs 21st aug, park view, lytham, 1-6pm

Finally Proposed Tower Wood Trips. (each trip will accomodate approx 18 young people 11+)

Tues 5th August all day (returning at end of day)

Weds 6th Aug all day (returning at end of day)

Weds 27th Aug to Thurs 28th Aug (overnight residential away)

Section 106 - Fylde must use powers for local benefit

2008-05-07T13:22:00.002+02:00

Using Section 106 agreements to improve air quality. The case study below shows how by using section 106 agreements Fylde Council will be able to deliver on a number of Environmental Protection policies. Below is a case study relating to Greenwich Council. This study may be of use to Councillors, keeping in mind local concern over Blackpool Airport expansion plans and its' recent sale. Councillors at Fylde are presently being tasked with modernising our own policies in these areas, this process will shortly involve a number of public consultations relating to planning policy development.

Planning Policy
London Borough of Greenwich Council has experience of using planning agreements – under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. They have secured several developments where the community has benefited. It includes the provision of affordable housing and use of local labour.

The use of Section 106 agreements in relation to air quality is clearly stated in Planning Policy Guidance 23; Annex 1: Pollution Control, Air and Water Quality Planning Obligation:

“Where it is not appropriate to use planning conditions to address the impact of a proposed development, it may be appropriate to enter into a planning obligation under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Uses of Section 106 Agreements:

Improve air quality.
Make other environmental improvements before a development goes ahead or offset the subsequent environmental impact of a proposed development. In particular – the purchase, installation, operation and maintenance of air quality monitoring equipment or provision of other assistance or support to enable authorities to implement any necessary monitoring or other actions in pursuit of an Air Quality Action Plan” (PPG23, Annex 1)."
This guidance has been actively implemented by Greenwich since the first Low Emission Zone (LEZ) controls on the Greenwich Peninsular development. It also forms part of Section 106 legal agreements, signed on 23 February 2004.

Achieving air quality improvements through planning obligations is a big challenge. Through LEZ measures and planning guidance documents, Greenwich is standardising the process.

Greenwich Council’s Supplementary Planning Guidance
The council’s unitary development plan (UDP) contains specific polices aimed at improving air quality. These are:

Policy E6 seeks to minimise the impact of air pollutants and requires appropriate mitigating design solutions.
Policy E7 seeks the provision to mitigate against traffic and vehicle emissions.
To seek contributions for these policies in the UDP, a Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was adopted on 27 February 2008.

Annex 1 in the SPD sets out guidance for deriving planning contributions towards environmental health. A standard contribution will be sought of £100 per dwelling for residential development, and £10 per square metre for town centre and residential developments.

Supplementary Guidance Document (SPD) Model S.106
A model conforming to S.106 is currently being developed by air quality and planning officers. The aim is to standardise developer requirements to mitigate the effects of air pollution from their proposed development.

This model will state the particulars of the Low Emission Transport Scheme together with Low Emission Transport Controls.

The Low Emission Transport Scheme should aim to prohibit the most polluting vehicles within the development scheme while promoting the use of the cleanest vehicles. This will include provisions relating to:

The construction phase: that is, all heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and light goods vehicles (LGVs) – 3.5 tonnes and over – shall have emission standards equivalent to Euro 4.
The operational phase: that is, introducing a minimum standard of Euro 5 for 100 per cent of commercial vehicles by 1 January 2013 at the latest, with further target quotas for Euro 6 emission standard or clean vehicles.
Residential managed parking to ensure all vehicles are Euro 4 standard at the start of use. At least 50 per cent of vehicles to be Euro 5 by 1 January 2011 and 100 per cent Euro 5 standard to be achieved by 1 January 2013.
In addition to any monitoring required as part of the agreed code of construction practice, the developer shall agree with the local authority to contribute to the purchase, installation, operation and maintenance of monitoring air quality equipment. Or they need to provide other assistance or support to enable authorities to implement any necessary monitoring or actions in pursuit of the council’s Air Quality Action Plan.

Woolwich Town Centre Development
The case study below demonstrates what can be achieved through financial contributions with the implementation of low emission measures.

In 2006, the council received a major application to develop the Woolwich Town Centre. The plans for this mixed use scheme included 960 residential units, community and or office blocks, retail store, retail, food and drink units, 1,172 car parking spaces and cycle parking.

Successful negotiations between planners, air quality officers, the legal department and developers of the scheme ensured that the Section 106 agreement secured improvements in air quality within the designated Air Quality Management Area.

These low emission measures included:

provision of a car club
controls on parking permits
500 residential spaces with an annual charge of nil to £300 depending on Vehicle Excise Duty rating of the car
10 electric vehicle charging points within the residential car park
50 per cent of delivery vehicles and 50 per cent home delivery vehicles to meet Euro 5 rating by store opening and to be using bio-fuel. One hundred per cent within 5 years
£160,000 per annum for 10 years towards the council’s environment monitoring
10 per cent renewable energy commitment
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) 'excellent' rating
a combined heat and power plant
an auditing process on the implementation of these measures at five and 10 years after store opening.
The proposed completion date for Woolwich Town Centre development is 2010. During this time, other air quality mitigation measures, including a detailed construction method statement will be required.

What did we learn?

The main challenge that Greenwich faced in achieving air quality improvements through planning obligations was encouraging all key parners (environmental health, strategic planning, legal services and developers) to become involved and stay involved. One tip would be to start negiotiations and preparation as early as possible.

It is important that the developer knows what is required by the council to mitigate the effects of air pollution. The LEZ measures and the proposed Supplementary Guidance Document Model S.106 will help to standardise this process.

St Annes Parish Poll - 1st may 2008

2008-05-02T16:04:00.002+02:00

Residents from within the St Annes Town Council Boundary took the opportunity to vote on the 1st May 2008 over the issue of the proposed closure of St Annes Pool.

The only Question asked was:

"Do you demand Fylde Borough keep the St Anne's swimming pool open and operational" A simple Yes or No answer was required.

A total of 3,040 electors voted in favour of the question; 15 voting against and 3 ballot papers were classed as 'spoilt'. The eligible electorate for the poll was 21,641 which resulted in a turnout of 14.1%.

Although this has been an emotional issue the low turnout clearly shows that a significant majority (85.9%) of residents in St Annes on Sea either are not too concerned about the closure or are in support of the Councils actions and it's push to find a cost effective, long term future for swimming in the Borough.

It is vital however, that we do take notice of the 3,040 people, mainly parents with young children that took the time to vote. Councillors and Officers have been tasked with ensuring that there is no reduction in School Swimming and that we continue to explore the potential of local Hotel support in opening up their facilities to the local community.

I have personally taken charge of meeting with local business leaders to continue to find a possible solution to keeping the current pool open beyond the 31st July. Currently we feel we need to find over £13,000 per month to make this possible and I hope that the comments put forward in the LSA Express this week by Mr Tim Armit spark a revival in swimming in St Annes. The Council is continuing to monitor visitor levels to both pools on a weekly basis.

Response to comments raised at "Save St Annes" meeting on the 16th April

2008-04-24T15:48:00.003+02:00

St Annes Town Council hosted, but did not Chair a public meeting recently relating to a number of issues of local concern. A number of people have approached me since this meeting asking for advice and clarification of some of the points raised.

Although this was supposed to be a "Non Political" meeting I was surprised to see pressure groups from across the Borough in attendance and mainly Rural Opposition Councillors and Prospective Lib Dem candidates from outside St Annes taking centre stage. I hope that the people present saw through Cllr Hayhursts calls to vote Independent and the Lib Dem's calls for anti Conservative voting.

There was a number of issues discussed and I will try and give some feedback to the points raised:

The St Annes Pool obviously gave opposition Councillors an opportunity to knock the Council however, the advice given regarding the current pool site being earmarked in the Local Plan for Leisure, does not mean it has to remain a pool. The Council is still working hard to find an alternative proposal for swimming provision in the Borough, but it will not be on this site. The money raised from the disposal of the site will be ring fenced towards a new facility within the Borough.

There was also talk regarding another Parish Poll for a vote against the proposed Shelter Housing complex on St Davids Rd North. Again I feel this would be a waste of taxpayers money. It is interesting to know that a local Lib Dem Councillor was heard telling fellow Councillors that he agreed that "the facility was needed, just not in St Leonards Ward, It should be situated in Central Ward!" This new facility will have a Management Board made up of Councillors and hopefully some local residents that will ensure that the scheme is run effectively. I hope that in the near future the Council will be able to inform local residents, who will be accommodated at the project and the guidelines for the facilities operation.

Lib Dem prospective Candidate Prof Winlow addressed the meeting to talk about the Council asset stripping and "selling the family silver" I wish someone would have told him that it was the Independent and Lib Dem coalition that started the Town Hall re-generation project and that the asset disposal would fund it! Surely he must agree that having adopted this policy in 2003 Conservatives have to see the process through?

The debate moved on to the Democratic defciet within the Town Hall, again leading opposition Councillors making political statements, without informing the public present of the facts. Facts such as, on taking control of the Council in 2003 the Conservatives set up a Joint Executive Committee (Cabinet in all but name)This committee was comprised of 5 Conservatives and Hayhurst, Oades, Longstaff and Rigby all of these Leaders of Opposition groups. Consrevatives tried hadr for 12 months to make this committee work, however, certain individuals used their position to undermine the Council and deliberatley made the operation of the Committee difficult. Conservatives had no choice but to move to a single Party Cabinet - but we tried! I am 100% convinced that the same offer would not have been made to Conservatives, had the shoe been on the other foot.

Readers should also note that Liberal Democrats National Party Policy is to push for Unitary Authorities to replace the current two tier system. This therefore supports the Cabinet Structure of Governance. Lib Dem Councils across England operate the Cbinet system. At Fylde Conservatives had placed opposition Councillors in leading roles within the Council.

There were many negative comments made such as "residents should be urged to make Councillors lives a misery and work against them" and that "Mr Moor would head up the Civic Awareness Programme to help find Independent Councillors to fight Conservative seats"

I'am saddend that yet again by politicisation of St Annes Town Council and Iam duty bound to ask whether it is appropriate that Parish Precept funds are being used to support these meetings? Conservative Councillors have been working hard on many issues across the Borough, with the total support of many genuine interested groups.

Can I just add that comments were regarding the exclusion of the Chair of St Annes Town Council to the Swimming Summit - this statement is misleading. The portfolio holder was told that Cllr Oades was attending the Summitt as the representative of the Town & Parish Councils. I made it very clear that if this was the case then fine, however, if it was not, then all Parish Council Chairs should be invited. As no "decisions" were being made at this meeting, the attendance list was made up of those groups that could help formulate the Councils future plans for Swimming provision.

There was a discussion regarding parishes and again I believe an offer was made to help Lytham set up it's own Parish Council. For information Conservatives have been working to this end for over two years! former Conservative Councillor Ray Norsworthy Chairs the Lytham Forum, this group being made up of interested groups from across Lytham and Ansdell. The forum has has been working closely with Fylde Council to investigate the pro's and con's of having a Lytham Parish Council. They are keen not to repeat the weak models adopted by both St Annes and Kirkham Town Councils. Parishe Councils across Fylde work very well with Parishes taking responsibility for a number of services for their local areas - St Annes and Kirkham have shied away from these responsibilities in the past - Hopefully the new possibilities presented to parish councils, thanks to the implementation of "Differential Rating" may jolt the Boroughs two Town Councils into taking on some responsibility. Readers may be interested to know that the whole Differential Rating debate was borne out of the work done by the cross party joint committee in 2003 and the insistance of Cllr Hayhurst that the former system was "unfair and creating a rural/urban split" so often was this argument put forward by the Former Council Leader, that extensive work was done by the council with parishes to find a solution. The former system was unfair. Surprisingly Cllr Hayhurst does not play the Rural/Urban split card any longer.

I was surprised that the Town Hall project, although on the agenda was skirted over? Can I just lay one myth to rest once and for all. The Government finally announced in December 2007 that it was shelving any further plans for Local Government Re-Organisation. Therefore Fylde Council will continue for the forseeable future. With this in mind the Council has to ensure that as an employer it meets it's obligations regarding Staff working conditions. The current Town Hall cannot be used by the community, the new project will open the building up to all. With the Council developing it's plans for a "Classic Resort" the decision to conserve the Heritage of the town, including and finnancial benefit to the Tax Payer of modernising the Town Hall, should not be underestimated.

Finally Comments were made about the streamlining of the Customer Contact Points within the Council and in particular the closure of the Kirkham One Stop Shop. This closure was done as part of a modernisation programme for this service. A concern was made relating to "How will residents pay their Council bills"? The simple answer, at the Post Office! The Council is keen to support the Post Offices and the additional foot fall at the Kirkham Office, I'm sure will be welcome.

I hope that this item has put the record straight on a number of issues. It is so easy for residents to be mislead by people that should be telling them the truth on such important issues. Conservative councillors have always strived to be open about the decisions it makes and why, this blog shows that there is nothing to hide on any of these important issues. Residents just have to ask.

Ride Safe Rendezvous - Sunday 13th April 2008 @ Fairhaven Lake 10:30 to 5:00pm

2008-04-09T15:18:00.003+02:00

This week Councillor John Coombes welcomes back RideSafeBackSafe to Fairhaven Lake and Gardens. The event is run by the Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety and the key message is to promote road safety. The event attracts a large number of bikers and spectators. The event is open to all and last year attracted over 7,000 both regionally, nationally; as well as holiday makers and residents.

Councillor Halewood commented that “As a I am just in the process of taking my bike licence I am really pleased that this event is coming back to Fairhaven Lake again this year; it has a key safety message as well as being an excellent event for people, local and not so local to attend”

John Coombes added " Although this is a fun event there is a serious message attached to it - that of using your motorcycle safely and getting home as a result. Last year I decided to take the Institute of Advanced Motorcyclists (IAM) course through South Lancs Advanced Motorcyclists Group, I learned a great deal about road craft, which is a key element of the course. After falling off my machine in December and suffering a broken collar bone, it highlights why we two wheel fans have to respect the road!"

Cllr Hyde added ”Fairhaven Lake is great place to be, and this weekend is no exception with this exciting event for all ages.”

Fairhaven Lake has become the home for the RideSafeBackSafe event and Fylde Council hopes to build on it's success by increasing the event each year by inviting more local and National Motorcycle Clubs to come to the Fylde Coast to hold their events.

The event this Sunday includes:

An action-packed and informative bike show, featuring Maria Costello, the fastest woman at the TT.
Stunt performances by Dave Coates, Xtreme Trials Display Team, MPC Urals and Zero Gravity Freestyle Trials Team.
Entertainment Zone with live bands
Straightliners Drag Racing demonstration
New bikes
Trade stands
Information Zone
Fee bike park
Helmet park
Food stands

Relaxation of Planning consent for Microregeneration

2008-04-05T11:19:00.005+02:00

The Council is keen to ensure that it's policies are up to date and encourage local residents and buisnesses to use alternative sources for power generation. Following the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act 2006 and the Microgeneration Strategy 2006 the new Statutory Instrument became Law on the 6th April. The Permitted development Rights for microgeneration installations however, do not extend to Listed Buildings.
Fylde Council is keen to see Fylde become one of the Greenest Boroughs in the Country and through the change in local planning policy hopes that this relaxation of planning rules will help Councillors develop new local policies during the year.

Roof Mounted Solar Thermal and PV systems will be permitted unless the panels when installed protrude more than 200mm or if they would be placed on the principle elevations facing onto or visible from the highway in buildings located in Conservation Areas and World heritage Sites

Micro Wind due to legal technicalities the current Statutory Instrument does not cover Micro Wind. The noise concerns with this technology mean that compliance with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), or equivalent, will be a prerequisite for Permitted Development for both product and installer. Use of the MCS requires the Government to notify the European Union. This will take place as soon as the legal drafting of the new SI is completed. There is no way to determine how long this process will take, perhaps this Summer? The Council needs to consider these in particular as I feel there may be significant local intersest in turbines in particular as a possible source of residential energy in the future.

Biomass and CHP Boilers or Stove will also now be permitted in residential or commercial developments enabling residents to use green fuels. The only restrictions to consider will be if the flue exceeds 1 meter above th roof height or is installed on the principle elevation and visible from the road in Conservation Areas.

Ground Source, Water Source and Air Source Heat Pumps will be permitted.

The Future of Swimming in Fylde

2008-04-03T15:42:00.002+02:00

A meeting is taking place this week to discuss the future of swimming provision in Fylde. This wide-ranging discussion has been scheduled for a couple of weeks and will involve councillors alongside the local MP, members of the business community, the YMCA and Friends Representatives.

“Local people and businesses are now very focussed on swimming in a way that hasn’t happened before. This meeting is a chance to discuss a number of options, including the feasibility of another site, in an effort to ensure that local swimming continues but in a cost effective manner“.

“The Council is very much at the heart of these discussions and we are determined to do all we can, with both national and local partners, to ensure a satisfactory outcome for Fylde residents.”

The tough decision taken to review the future of the pools has been the right one as what it has now done is focus all aspects of the Community and the Council on finding an alternative solution.

Not surpisingly, Politcal opponents have taken the opportunity to launch a nasty campaign to undermine the whole "feasibility for a new future for swimming" in the Borough, by focusing on the closure and not telling residents about the Councils pledge to put all it's focus on finding an alternative long term, viable option. However, those people that have taken the time to dig further than the local newspaper headlines and scurrillous political leaflets, admit that the current facilities are not viable and that the Council is right to draw a line in the sand and to halt the £500,000 subsidy the two facilities swallow each year. The Heyhouses team hope that the meeting will bring forward a positive plan which everyone can support.

The outcome of the meeting will be made public and Fylde Borough Council will be consulting local people on the possible options being considered.

Audit Inspection Verdict on Fylde: Much improved, good value for money

2008-04-03T15:24:00.003+02:00

The annual inspection and audit of Fylde Borough Council has now been completed and compliments the authority in the continued improvement of services in areas it has identified as priorities and which the public say are important.

The report, carried out at every Local Authority, provides an overall summary of the Audit Commission’s assessment of the Council, drawing on details from an audit, inspection and performance assessment work. It says that since 2002/03 the extent of improvement at Fylde has been above the average of all district councils.

It particularly compliments the strong performance in environmental services, which has achieved its 40% target for recycling of household waste three years early and continues to improve. It also notes that the local environment is maintained to a high level, reflected in street cleanliness, green flags for local parks and the international LivCom award for Lytham.

Improved access to services through the contact centre and website is also praised, with the previous high rate of abandoned telephone calls addressed and significant increase in web traffic as well as increased functionality and improved user-friendliness via the web portal at www.fylde.gov.uk

Work undertaken directly and with partners to make a positive contribution to the wider community is also singled out as worthy. The Fylde is one of the safest in England and all community safety indicators in the lowest 25 per cent and the report notes the Council’s positive contribution towards keeping it that way.

Cllr John Coombes, Leader of Fylde Borough Council, said: “External audit and inspection is an essential element of accountability for public money and how it is used. What this report shows is that, as a Council, Fylde is improving year on year in most areas. This conclusion, from an impartial source, reflects the hard work of councillors and staff and is very encouraging news for local residents as it tells them their money is being effectively spent.

“This report says the Council is offering residents value for money in service delivery and shows we care very much about the look and feel of our local community – and are delivering results in the areas that our residents have told us are important.”

The strong systems in place for performance management and the robust plans for improvements linked to corporate priorities are also noted within the report and the scrutiny function which analyses decisions made by the Council is also singled out as working well. The report goes on to compliment the Cabinet system, for its strengthening of governance arrangements and member accountability in decision-making, and for speeding up the process of change and improvement.

Cllr Keith Hyde, Chairman of the Councils Performance Improvement Scrutiny Committee said " Iam delighted that the Councils Scrutiny Processes have been seen as performing well. Opposition members have tried to criticise the work we have done adn this has been vindicated. With Local Councils from across England contacting Fylde and asking us to help them with modernising their own Commitee functions I am proud to say that yet again the tough decisions taken in the past have been the right ones - we might have had to drag some Councillors screaming an kicking into the 21st Century, but the residents will have a stronger, more accountable council as a result"

Financially, the report recognises that the Council has the financial capacity to deliver its plans owing to the updated Medium Term Financial Strategy; it also notes that external funding has been successfully used to address local priorities but does note the Council will face "significant financial pressure in 2008/09".

The report does note weaknesses in some areas, such as planning and benefits – but says that these are being addressed, resulting in improvements between April and December 2007. It also notes that, although vast improvements have been made in promoting equality and diversity, the number of Council buildings which are suitable for and accessible to those with disabilities needs improving.

Cllr Coombes continued: “The report clearly shows we are moving in the right direction, concentrating on the areas that matter to the residents of Fylde. Our next steps will be to take the actions recommended by the report and dedicate resources to ensuring any weaker areas are improved to offer residents even better value for money and quality services.

“Planning and Benefits are two areas singled out for further improvements and we have already begun to instigate an action-plan for this. The planning service is now fully staffed after a long period with limited numbers of personnel and the Benefits service has joined with Blackpool Council, who are well-known as strong in this area. Our joint working is another subject which is praised in the report, and which we are recommended to continue as it is working well to bring additional expertise into various areas of the authority.”

2008-04-03T14:47:00.002+02:00

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has provoked fury across Lancashire by
insisting the county is getting all the transport funding it needs – despite creaking roads across Fylde and a catalogue of unfinished projects.
Bumbling Mr Brown astonished Lancashire's leaders by claiming the county's transport network is getting BETTER and the area is getting all the funding it needs.

He denied Lancashire was losing out on funding to areas like London
– despite official Government figures revealing the capital receives
more than £300 a year more per person in transport funding than the
North West.

Official Treasury figures reveal in 2006/07, the North West was handed £276 per person in transport funding – compared to the £319 per person UK average and the whopping £614 per person funding enjoyed in London.

Mr Brown told the Lancashire Evening Post: "I don't think it is true to say that transport spending has been skewed to one particular area.

"In every part of the country we are spending (on) transport according to the needs of these different areas.

"We are doing a lot and we will continue to do a lot.

"Not every scheme can be accepted but large numbers of schemes have
been moving forward with a great deal of speed."

The Prime Minister made the claims during a questions session at 10 Downing Street.

He was asked by the LEP if government investment favoured London at
the expense of Lancashire.

He replied: "We are investing in every part of the country."

He said the government was making £724m available to regions with major transport schemes "this year alone", as well as investing a further
£672m.

He said: "So we are moving forward."

The claim stunned the county's transport campaigners and MPs.

Preston businessman Peter Mileham, the national president of the British Chambers of Commerce, was told that issues with the M6 through Lancashire were "a parochial problem" when he met Prime Minster Tony
Blair two years ago.

He said: "How the blazes can it be parochial when there are millions of people using that stretch of motorway every day?"

Aiden Turner-Bishop, from the Preston branch of the Campaign for Better Transport, said there were plenty of "simple things" which could be done to improve transport.

He said: "The Prime Minister says it is all done 'according to need', but who decides what our needs are?

"It should not be some civil servant in Westminster – give us the money and let people in Lancashire who know our needs decide."

Preston Chamber of Trade chief executive Nicholas Watson said that the transport links into the city centre were "crucial to the economic survival" of shops.

He said: "It was 50 years ago this year that the Preston Bypass became the first section of motorway in the country, and we are still waiting for those missing link roads to connect our city centre to that motorway."

Mr Brown's comments come just days after Lancashire County Council's ruling Labour leader Hazel Harding claimed there was a "north-south divide" in road funding.

She said: "We do not get necessarily what we ought to in terms of our share of the pot."

Fylde Tory MP Michael Jack, said: "If (Mr Brown) has the odd five hours maybe he would care to reach our part of the North West by driving along the M6 motorway."

But Preston's MP Mark Hendrick said: "Everybody is getting more.

"Investment is very significant.

"I find it a bit strange, coming from Hazel (Harding), an impression that Lancashire is not getting its fair share."

Thought it would be of interest to put this one on the Blog when Fylde's road infrastructure in particular is crumbling with a desperate need for many of the Rural Moss Roads to be upgraded and the local desire for the new M55 Link Road across the Moss in St Annes. It is also ironic that the PM's comments come within a fortnight of this Minster informing Fylde, Blackpool & Wye Councils that the Governmetn was not minded to support our call for a new motorway junction (the Blue Route) close to Jnc 4 on the M55. This new exit would be a welcome relief to the Singleton village area and would ease the building congestion problems being experienced by Fylde Coast residents trying to get to North Blackpool or Fleetwood. I agree fully with the Labour Leader of Lancs County Council that there is a north/South divide when it comes to getting our fair share of funding from Government.

Fylde Low Waste & Energy Project - Pledge your Support

2008-04-01T21:19:00.002+02:00

Residents may know, Fylde Low Waste and Energy (FLoWE) was set up some time ago by the Rt Hon Michael Jack MP to help every sector of Fylde Borough’s society to reduce energy consumption and in so doing reduce their costs while helping the environment. Hosted by Fylde Borough Council, in the year that the new Project Manager, Andrew Loynd has been in post, he has been involved with many initiatives, partiuarly with local schools (20 recently attended the FLoWE Schools Eco Conference held at Lowther Pavilion), instigated a process of improving the council’s efficiency through working with the Energy Saving Trust, small projects with Fylde’s LSP and recently started engaging with businesses through a letter included in the business rates.

FLoWE is now in the position to start directly working and benefiting the wider population throughout the Fylde Borough area, being led by a new website providing local information and a pledging scheme. For those who do not have access to the internet we have produced pledge cards that they can fill in and return to FLoWE and in return receive an information pack which will include all relevant information. It is intended that this site will evolve into a useful long-term community resource which will be supported by a series of regular (possibly twice monthly) roadshows spread across the Borough where people can come and receive specific energy efficiency advice and assistance.

To help in the development of this site, please could you firstly go to www.MyFyldeCred.co.uk and make a pledge of your own? If possible, please then forward the message below onto any contacts you have as individuals, businesses, schools and other organisations can all make their own pledges and obtain information that will benefit them.

If you have any suggestions for information that this site should include, please feel free to pass them onto Mr Andrew Loynd, Project Manager (FLoWE) and he will try to include them on the site

Over 60? Get your free bus pass NoW!

2008-03-26T14:32:00.002+01:00

Free bus travel is already available within Fylde Borough’s boundaries to people aged 60 and over as well as to eligible disabled people.

However, from 1 April 2008 a Fylde concessionary travel pass holder will also be able to travel free of charge on any local bus service anywhere in England after 9.30am on weekdays and at anytime of day on weekends and Bank Holidays.

If you already have a concessionary travel card you will not need to do anything to get your new NoW card as this will be automatically issued and sent in the post. The only exceptions to this are if you have a disabled pass, if you have not used your card, or if the photograph on file is not of suitable quality but you will be contacted directly in all these cases.

If you want to register for a card and are a new applicant, you can apply via the Council’s One Stop Shop at 292 Clifton Drive South in St Annes. Residents will need to complete the form and also supply a recent colour, passport-style photograph alongside proof of address (eg. utility bill) and proof of age (eg. birth certificate; passport).
Staff at the One Stop Shop will be able to check your application and send it to Lancashire County Council who will issue the pass via the post. Please note that cards will no longer be issued via Age Concern.

For further help and advice, residents can contact Fylde Borough Council on 01253 658658 or call the NoWcard helpdesk on 0845 0581096 or visit www.nowcard.org

Lib Dems Kick Off their General Election Campaign with a Flurry of Lies

2008-03-21T13:15:00.005+01:00

Unsurprisingly the Liberal democrats have taken the opportunity to link up with Local Anti Conservative Groups and Independent Councillors to Launch their General Election Campaign - the recent FOCUS leaflet put out Ashton Ward highlights two things. One, that Prof Winlow the Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate has taken to writing the misleading information being put out and Two, has taken on the role of Co-ordinating anti Conservative Groups across the Borough. Independent Councillors in Ashton Ward have joined forces in developing a joint website with Lib Dems, so proving that they are not Independent at all.

The Leaflet is deliberately misleading and shows just why Fylde Borough Council ended up as one of the most failing Councils in the Country after 12 years of Lib Dem and Independent Control. It has taken Conservatives over four years to turn the organisation around, having taken the tough decisions needed to secure the long term future of the Boroughs award winning facilities and services.

The Lib Dem leaflet states that Conservative Councillors did not protest at the Closure of the Pools, this accusation is a lie. All Conservative Councillors have been against the closure of the Pools, however after two years of attempting to involve the Private Sector without any success they agreed the pragmatic approach, that it would be more beneficial in the Long term to retain Kirkham pool for 12 months, thus allowing local Schools to continue School Swimming Lessons whilst the council involved as many National Organisations as possible to help with a feasibility study into a new Leisure Facility in the Borough. This facility if, purpose built, would be of more interest to a Private Sector operator. This would remove the half a million pounds per annum burden on the Council Tax Payer.

I personally met with some School Headmasters and parents regarding this issue and was told that if one pool could remain open then that would be better. Rather than shutting both Pools Conservatives found a way to retain one. The Council is also in consultation with the Six Hotels in St Annes which have Pools open to the public. I hope that these discussions will see the Hotels, following the Parkwater's lead in hosting swimming lessons. The Conservatives are also proposing to launch a new Leisure Card which will hopefully lead to reduced fee's for swimming and gym membership. Technology is currently being tested by Bracknell Forrest Council on behalf of the Local Government Association. If the trail is successful Conservatives are keen to see the card used to give local residents a Discount when using the Councils owned Pay and Display Car Parks.

As part of the Budget setting process we consulted with Local Chambers of Trade, asking them to comment on the budget and whether thought it was the right decision to reduce heavily subsidised facilities, opting for better, more flexible alternatives enabling the Council to direct it's ever reducing budget onto more urgent issues - they agreed that the Council needed more focus on Town Centre re-generation schemes, job development and tourism.

At that meeting was Mr Arnold Sumner the Chairman of St Annes Chamber of Trade - Mr Sumner also agreed with his colleagues. I was surprised, that the next day, he went out and set up the campaign to keep the St Annes Pool open - surely you cannot represent the Local Business Community one day and then go against that view the next?? Forgive me but would it be cynical of me to think that political interference has now infiltrated the St Annes Chamber of Trade? After the Conservatives have managed to attract over 9 million pounds of funding to St Annes in recent years, surely that by politicising the Chamber of Trade Mr Sumner threatens the good relationships that have seen partnership working the success it has been?

In their leaflet the Lib Dems have admitted that they would continue to waste 500,000 pounds per annum in keeping open under used and out of date facilities, rather than take the tough decisions to close or modernise them. AT LAST AN ADMISSION.

The Government CPA Inspection in 2003 almost led to the Council being taken over by whitehall Mandarins - The report was scathing of Lib Dem and Independents Councillors and their lack of conviction and their 'head in the sand approach to running the Council'. Their failure to take difficult decisions and plan ahead for fundamental items such as facilities maintenance was a prime example of how they managed to squander almost 12 million pounds of Council tax payers money. This money came from the sale of the Councils Housing Stock - it was wasted on keeping Council Tax levels the lowest in Lancashire. With no reserves left and buildings falling apart, Conservatives have had no option than to Re-structure and start again.

In their leaflet Cllrs Ford and Henshaw call for resignations - I agree with this sentiment entirely - Councillor Henshaw's financial advice has played a massive part in the Councils financial decline - They say in their leaflet that Conservatives ignored their suggestions, Rubbish!, their proposals were unrealistic, uncosted and did not stand up to the rigourous rules required to balance a Council budget. The Lib Dems ask for resignations, Henshaw should go, as should Cllr Hayhurst, the former Leader of the Council who steered his coalition to disaster.

The Lib Dem 'Lies in Focus' leaflet also mentions the new 'Open Spaces Maintenance' element now listed on Council Tax Bills. Since 1974 residents in Rural Parished areas have been paying twice for their open spaces upkeep. Once on their Fylde Council Tax bill and then again through their Parish Precepts. This is because Parish Councils (other than St Annes & Kirkham) have taken over the responsibility of looking after their own parks and open spaces, yet the Council only paid them back a small proportion of the Council Tax for doing it. Again Lib Dem and Independent Councillors have ignored Parish Councils pleas to rectify this injustice - the Conservatives consulted over two years with Parish Councillors and won overwhelming support for the standardisation of the Council Tax.

The line 'Open spaces Maintenance' on Bills in Lytham St Annes and Kirkham would simply be added to 'Parish Precept' line if those Parish Councils took on the same responsibilities as the other 13 Parishes in the Fylde. Conservatives have asked repeatedly for a Lytham Town Council to be started and for St Annes and Kirkham Town Councils to step up to the plate and do the jobs they were elected to do - both to date, have declined. St Annes Town Council raises 41,000 pounds from St Annes residents each year, their sole responsibility - Shepherd Road allotments. The Town Council has been taken over by pressure groups, with axes to grind, rather than representing St Annes residents. Readers will remember that some stood on a dual ticket at the last local elections, some Labour candidates others Lib Dems. The up and coming Coronation of Cllr Ford as the next Chairman of the Town Council will ensure that the Lib Dem's can use your 41K per annum for their own political means. I would suggest that unless the Town Council in St Anne's agrees to take over open space management this year, then a public petition should be started to disband it. The 41,000 could then be returned to Tax Payers.

I urge residents to look past the Political opportunism of the Lib Dems and think about all the things that have been done in the Town in recent years. Conservatives have big plans for the Borough and many announcements to come, will prove that some of the bitter pills taken today will benefit the long term health of the Borough in the long term.

Easter Bank Holiday Kick Starts the Fylde Bike Meet Season

2008-03-16T19:15:00.002+01:00

Most residents of St Annes on Sea will be aware of the succesful Fylde Coast Bike Meet which attracts hundreds of Motorcycles every Monday night to the Square. This Bank Holiday Weekend kick starts the Bike Meet season and Cafe's and Restaurnats in the Square can expect a large turnout this Bank Holiday Monday.

The meet was organised to try and attract additional business to the Fylde Coast in particular the many new shops and restaurants whom have set up their business in St Annes. I hope that all Fylde Coast Bike owners will turn out on Monday the 24th March - Lets hope it's a Great Biking Summer!!

View the BBC report on the Bike meet - copy and paste the following link into your browser:

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=8574626423182847807

New Dog Control Orders for Fylde's Parks and Open Spaces

2008-03-16T09:42:00.002+01:00

Conservatives members on the Cabinet have recommended to the Council that they agree to adopt the new Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. These new powers will require dog owners to keep their pets on a lead whilst exercising them on ‘public open space’ failure to do so could mean offenders facing a fixed penalty notice of ₤75.00. The failure to clean up after their Dog could also lead to a fine of up to ₤1000. A new team of Council Officers have been trained to deal with the public and issue penalties when appropriate for the following acts:

• failure to remove dog faeces;
• not keep a dog on a lead;
• not put, and keep, a dog on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer;
• permit a dog to enter land from which dogs are excluded;
• take more than a specified number of dogs onto land.

We are keen to ensure that we continue to fight 'Crime and Grime' in the Borough, but we need your help. The majority of dog owners act responsibly when out with their pet but, there is always a minority that brake the rules. If you have any concerns about a particular piece of land or highway that is constantly being fouled, then please contact one of us and we will ask for Officers to monitor the area.

Town Hall - The Facts & Future

2008-03-15T18:03:00.002+01:00

The future options relating to the upgrade of the Town Hall will be brought to Councillors in a few weeks time. Although the project had no financial bearing on this years budget decisions, what has come to light is a perceived change of view from local residents as to whether the current Town Hall building should be retained? Initial plans to demolish the current Town Hall met with public protest back in 2002, which led to the Council developing it's current plans. I Have spent many many hours in recent weeks talking, writing and emailing residents about the budget challenges and also assuring them that the Pool in St Annes has not been earmarked for closure so that the site can be used as a new site for either Town Hall or Travel Lodge Hotel.

What has become apparent from these exchanges with St Annes residents, is that perhaps many, may now well support the Council in a cheaper new Town Hall option? Although this would lead to the loss of the current old building, it would allow the Council to divert funds into a new modern, privately operated multi use Leisure Complex in the Borough?

The current Town Hall is one of the most environmentally unfriendly Town Halls in the Country in relation to it's energy efficiency figures. The annual heating and maintenance costs for Council accommodation is almost £591,000 pounds per year, the average running costs per square meter is £40 per meter more, than the average Town Hall. Much of the floor area cannot be used by staff, yet still needs heating and maintenance. By bringing all Council employees under one roof into an energy efficient, modern building the Council can release much needed revenue to spend on other local initiatives.

The modernisation of the current Town Hall buildings would cost almost double the cost of the £7 million new build and is clearly out of the question. The Conservatives also agreed that the project should not be financed through Council Tax increases (Revenue Budget), but from the sale of surplus assets such as buildings and land (Capital Asset's). It may be useful for readers to note that the use of Capital monies cannot be used to support Revenue Projects, such as the daily running costs of the Swimming Pools.

So with the above facts and figures in mind, we need to be sure that we are listening to residents views and that we spend their money wisely and with due consideration to the fact that, whenever we finally build a new Town Hall or Pool, we do so, ensuring that it is future proofed and will not become either a £591,000 or £433,000 financial burden to you the tax payer, each year.

How will Fylde Look in 2020? - The Council to Consult on Future of Planning & Future Development, it's Benefits and Challenges

2008-03-08T10:47:00.008+01:00

View the Poundbury Project on the Prince Of Wales Website

http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/content/documents/poundbury_pack.pdf

In the next 12 months one of the major challenges facing the Council will be the development of the Growth Point Bid of Neighbouring Authorities. To add to this,the update of National and Regional Planning and Housing Strategies, will place the Borough under an obligation, to meet the increasing demand for both Affordable and full market value housing, economic development and infrastructure improvements.

If development is to happen, then full Consultations must take place with Residents, the Business Community, Public Sector Partners and Voluntary Organisations. This opportunity to have your say and to help develop your understanding of taking the 'Long View' on the future benefits and pitfalls of growth within the Borough is vital. This will be no easy task for the Council, but the value of the excercise will be to ensure that the community is well informed and fully aware of how the Fylde may look for their Children and Grand Children.

The Poundbury Scheme in Dorset shows that new development, if managed and sympathetic to the immediate locality can enhance the local area. Fylde has many unique features, Lytham Hall, Fishermans Cottages in St annes to Period Terrace homes in Kirkham and the Rural Villages. Such architecture and layouts should be absorbed into any new developments to expand and enhance existing communities, not create new, yet distant ones. Development must assist the local community through examples such as road and local transport improvements, schools and improved health facilities, such as additional Dentists. Just as important new homes must ensure that exisiting local shopping centres benefit from their positioning.

There are many facets to this subject. Council Officers and Councillors are currently preparing for the event and once the various Local and Governmental Groups have been assembled a date will be set. I hope that this Consultation will be the catalyst to future policy formulation for the future needs of the Borough.

Fylde's Problems are not unique - Budgetary Pressures hit national News!

2008-02-27T14:18:00.004+01:00

Click on the link below or copy into your browser:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article3434377.ece

At this weeks Prime Minister Question Time Michael Jack asked the Gordon Brown, "Would he ensure that the monies given to small District Councils for concessionary bus travel was enough?? (Copy the link below into your browser and fast forward to the 50th minute)The Answer given was that the PM felt £275.000 additional funding given to Fylde to cover the National Scheme was adequate!.

I believe we need another £300,000! What was worrying about his answer was, that the Prime Minister did not answer Michael's question, which leads me to believe that Fylde will not receive a refund should an overspend occur. This means that Concessionary Bus Travel will now have to become a "High Priority" service for the Council at the expense of local residents both in monetary terms and through a reduction in their local services.

https://webmail1.fylde.gov.uk/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_5170000/newsid_5176600/5176654.stm?bw=bb%26mp=wm%26news=1%26bbcws=1

Where Does all my Money Go!!??

2008-02-22T18:36:00.004+01:00

Ever wondered where all the various taxes you pay end up and why?? Council Tax is being abused more and more by Government to plug it's own gaps - Copy the link below into your browser to view:

http://www.mymoneywenttowhitehall.com/lga/core/page.do?pageId=1

Fylde Borough Council On Line Poll - Would/Should you Pay More?

2008-02-19T20:47:00.005+01:00

As the debate rumbles on regarding the current financial plight of the Council a number of key issues and messages are starting to become very clear. Firstly the lack of understanding regarding the amounts of money the Council raises through Council Tax, every letter, email and face to face discussion I have had on the budget highlights the misconception that Fylde Borough Council collects and keeps ALL the tax it raises each year. All are shocked that of the average Band 'D' total of £1300.00 we collect, only £160.00 stays within the Fylde, the rest going to County Hall, the Police and Fire Services.

Secondly most fail to realise where the the £11 million of revenue budget is spent each year. For example in simplistic terms, we pay almost £8 million in wages and pension costs, £1.2 million in waste collection and cleansing services and another £1 million in parks, open spaces and other Cultural Services related facilities. After the £433,000 spent subsidising the two pools, the amount left leaves approximately £500,000 to cover a whole miriad of issues across Fylde.

The District proportion of Average Band 'D' Council Tax retained in Fylde is on average £35.00 less than other Lancashire District Councils. Should the Council be allowed to raise it's Council Tax above the 5% capping limit, without fear of Government Capping and Penalties to ensure the retention of the Boroughs 'non-statutory' facilities and to respond to local wishes?

Although the Council is unlikely to run the risk of breaching the cap, it would be interesting to know whether residents would support a significant rise in the Fylde element of their Council Tax? I have asked the Council to run a Poll on the homepage of it's website to guage your views. Please copy the following link into your browser to take part:

http://www.fylde.gov.uk/index.aspx

Lack of Financial Support from Government puts the Councils Budget Under Pressure

2008-02-17T10:11:00.008+01:00

During the past few days I have received many letters and emails relating a whole host of much loved facilities in the Borough. The Budget is again concentrating peoples minds on what should and should not be given funding this year. Cabinet members and Officers are working flat out, involving County Council, Parish Councils, Ministers and the MP to try and fight for the future of our local amenities.

Below I have put together some extracts from those letters and emails to try and assist the reader to understand some of the many issues facing the Council this year and why drastic actions are having to be considered:

Dear Sir

I am in agreement with yourself about Fairhaven Lake and the Pools, However, unfortunately the up-keep of such things are becoming to much for the council to afford. The reason for the article in the newspaper recently was to highlight the fact that the Council is getting less and less money from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Darling each year. The Council spends nearly £11 Million pounds a year on carrying out it's legal responsibilities. You will pay probably around £1300 per year in Council Tax? But, just £160.00 of that comes to Fylde Borough Council, the rest going to The County Council, the Police and the Fire Service. The Council has been commended for the high levels of service and has won national awards for parks, waste collection, beach cleanliness and last year Fylde was recognised as having the cleanest streets in the North West of England. We are in the top 25% of Councils in the Country in respect of Value for Money. There is no waste in the Town Hall, just subsidy.

From all the houses in Fylde (29,500 of them) we raise just £160.00 to spend, we also receive a Government Revenue Support Grant of £5 million pounds. With this money we have to pay the staff, clean the streets, cut the grass, clean the beach and look after Parks and Gardens. These are just some of the jobs we use this money for. The problem Fylde (and all the other councils in the Country) is having, is that, prices are going up and the councils spending money going down.

So the first thing the council has to do is prove to the Government that we can manage our money well (they call it Value for Money) when planning our spending for the next year, we have to look at what things are losing money first. This is why facilities such as the Swimming Pools come up first each year, as they lose the most money. The Pools in St Annes and Kirkham are subsidised by Council tax payers to the costs of almost £450,000 pounds each year. This shortfall has to be paid by Council Tax Payers like yourself each year. The amount of subsidy/shortfall is after all the people have paid to go in to Swim and the running costs are paid for. The pools require another 180,000 swims each year, to break even. The Council is happy to provide such facilities, providing residents use them. After last years Gazette campaign to keep them open we were very clear that if everyone used them just twice a year then they would be safe, the fact is less people are swimming this year than in 2007. We need to look at ways of turning that around!

The same applies to Lowther Theatre which again costs tax payers £73,000 a year in subsidy. That is why Councillors decided to apply parking charges to the car park to help minimise the drain on the tax payers limited money. Hopefully this decision will now help secure the Theatre.

The Councl has to decide what it's priorities are each year for limited funding.

Below is an email I sent to the newspaper recently to try and explain why Councillors have to make hard decisions about saving money and how. I hope this helps you understand the pressures a little better??

STATEMENT:

Below are a list of the external pressures on the budget that FBC has to find from current budgets without Government Funding or being able to raise Council Tax above 5%. A 1% rise on the Fylde element of the Council Tax raises £43,000 pounds

Increase of Diesel Fuel this year equating to £130,000 to run the Councils fleet. Of this amount almost 82% is tax!

Cut in Government Grant meaning a real terms increase of just £10,000 - reducing for next two years.

Concessionary Bus Travel - Government Grant has been given - However - any shortfall has to be paid for by Fylde Council Taxpayers. FBC have a duty to pay for the return bus fare for a visitor to Fylde to return home anywhere in England. Based on past take-up we believe the bill could reach £250,000 more than the budget allowance this year.

Government Savings Target (Gershon Savings) have set FBC are target of reducing it's spending by £300,000 per annum for next 3 years. This is a "You Must Deliver" target. This one target alone has put the Pool in St Annes under threat.

Current Government/Unions national pay negotiations will have a serious impact. Government has set 2% Unions are holding out for 4-6%

Propping Up of the Lancashire County Council Pension fund is costing FBC £78,000 more this year. The Plundering of Pension Funds by Gordon Brown has meant that Pension Funds are failing to meet their donors demands. The Fylde Council is no different.

Government Policy on Job re-evaluation. This scheme has added an additional £200,000 pounds the Councils wage bill. This again is a policy agreed between Government and the Unions. Euqal Pay legislation which needs to be considerd will also increase the financial burden.

Government Capping Rules that Councils aren't allowed to raise Council Tax more than 5% for next two years. Fylde Borough Council would be able to keep Kirkham pool open if it could raise council tax by a minimum of 8.2% this year. It would take another 8% increase to retain the Baths in St Annes. If we made a decision to break the capping rules, then the Government could force us to re-bill at a cost of almost 100,000 pounds. They could also set our budget priorities for the next three years.

Landfill Tax. The extra cost of sending Fylde GREEN/Black bin waste and Trade Waste, will cost up to £200,000 per annum more each year from this year due to new Government Taxes on Waste.

The Lancs County Council review of Planning Permission for Sand Extraction on the Beach at St Annes put's a massive question mark over the receipt of almost 150,000 pounds of income each year. The loss of this operation would have devastating implications for the Councils operations.

The list above are the main significant considerations but they are by no means all of them! De-criminalised Parking Enforcement, Stray Dog Collection, Smoking Ban Enforcement etc are just another small sample of new National Legislation requirements that have been passed onto the Council without sufficient funding. The worrying point that has been missed by Councillors and Residents on this issue this year, is that any budget proposed including the subsidy to the Pools will have to be a standstill budget - no money will be available to invest in many of the other priority areas across the Borough, such as Gardens, Pathways, CCTV, Economic Development, Fly Tipping and Building Enforcement.

Here are just some of the external pressures driving the debate on this years budget. "Residents should be outraged that these taxes and savings are now being passed onto them through Council Tax rather than Central Government funding - Fylde Council is recognised as being in the top 25% of Councils in England delivering Value For Money for the services they deliver, the Governments poor management of it's own budgets is threatening to put our proud record in jeopardy".

I must stress that no final decisions have been taken at this stage and the debate will start at the Cabinet meeting on the 15th Feb. Until then the Council will be putting together the final figures.

Should Council Tax Rise to Save our Pools?

2008-02-16T11:54:00.000+01:00

I would not be understating it if I said that, the recent Cabinet meeting which started this years budget setting process, was the lowest point of my time on the Council. Since 2007 we have tried hard to reduce the Councils budget gap in the face of sweeping Government cuts, uncontrollable cost increases and an increase demand for more resources within the Council to deal with issues such as future housing development and economic growth. I am proud of the fact that as a Council we are now recognised as being in the top 25% of most effeciently run Town halls in the Country. Unfortunately when the Government does not recognise this fact and uses it's one size fits all policy to cap Town Halls at levels below 5% then front line services are put under threat.

To save Kirkham Pool the Council needs to raise Counci Tax by just 8.2% in total, to save St annes pool the rise would have to be a further 9% This 60p per week rise would secure the future of the pools for the forseable future and would enable to Council to continue investing in our top performing services. I would happily ask the Council to support such an increase if public support was there to accept it, however, my dilemma is two fold. Firstly why should you have to pay more? why should Fylde's residents be expected to find nearly 500,000 pounds more each year to help subsidise the Governments priorities? You have already paid this money once! Secondly by raising Council Tax by 13% above the capping limit we run the risk of incurring a 100,000 pounds re-billing charge and the Government imposing a budget on the Council which would without doubt see the pools close.

I fully support the pools protests, but would urge participants to aim their criticsm towards the Government and to send a message that as local taxpayers it is their democratic right to support their Council in raising Council Tax to save our pools. In the next two weeks Councillors and Officers will be working flat out to find a possible solution. I would personally appreciate your written views in support or not, of raising Council Tax above the capping limit, this feedback would be invaluable, should I need to take our case for these actions to Ministers in the coming weeks.

Flood Advice for Heyhouses Residents

2008-01-21T12:41:00.000+01:00

The area is experiencing a significant amount of rainfall with blocked drains and gulleys creating problems. The Council does not supply sandbags but below is some useful advice:

SandBag Advice

Although the council does have a very limited quantity of sandbags they are for emergency incident use only and as such we are unable to issue any to the public or businesses.

Anyone requesting sandbags can however purchase a small quantity of sand from a builders supplies merchant and strong plastic bags (similar to the blue recycling paper bags or plastic "rubble" bags). The builders supply merchant can for a small fee deliver the sand and plastic bags to there address. They should fill the bags with sand to form a sloppy sausage (this will be the best for sealing in awkward places) they will not work very well if the bag is solid. The plastic bag will help keep the sand dry and lighter and the sandbag can always be reused.

The Council is also working with Government Office North West and the Environment Agency to get some information on the Councils website to inform residents were to go to report blocked drains or roads that are flooded. There are also plans to publish the Councils Emergency Contingency plans and I have asked that the information that we have available regarding potential flood risk areas be published. You can use the link on this site to report highway faults also. Hope this is of use.

Fylde needs growth - but it must be managed - Letter to the media.

2008-01-17T09:56:00.001+01:00

I felt it necessary to write to the Lytham St annes Express this week regarding the innaccurate article relating to the number of homes to be built in the Fylde Borough. You would be interested to know that population figures recently published show that the Fylde's population will grow from 77,000 to 90,000 by 2020 without any new migrants into the area, the Children of today will need homes tomorrow!! The 20,000 homes for Fylde that you have wrote about is grossly inaccurate with just over 4000 homes being proposed in Fylde the rest being spread over Blackpool,Wyre and other Lancashire Districts. I would appreciate a chance to try and put the record straight.

Speaking with fellow Coastal Council Leaders resorts such as Fylde are experiencing a massive trend of people selling up inland and retiring to the coast - limited house building does not stop this - just drives up house prices as many moving here from more Southern areas can afford to pay way over the going rate to secure a property.

Government Policy insists that new Infrastructure must be funded from new residential and commercial development and fortunately we have a fantastic template of how 'not' to deal and negotiate with large developments from the lessons learned by the former opposition led Councils mistakes with Cypress Point. Our policy is Infrastructure First, development later. The same Independent/Ratepayer and Lib Dem led Council also adopted the policy of reducing the impact of building in the Fylde by increasing densities on sites, this led to the proliferation of apartment blocks and the loss of some beautiful character buildings - Conservative members are determined to scrap this practice where possible.

Criticism of developers is not helpful as a large proportion of Fylde's residents live in homes of less than 20 years of age, thanks to those developers - perhaps organisations such as Defend Lytham see everyone whom lives in a new house in Fylde as, to quote one 'Rural Councillor' as 'unwanted migrants probably from Blackpool or East Lancashire!'the Chairman of Defend Lytham as the wife of Fylde's MP Michael Jack could be accused of not taking into account the needs of entire local population and that a perceived nimbi attitude towards Lytham especially, could be seen as in serious conflict with the responsibilities of her husband who's job it is to represent all Fylde's residents! (In the MP's defence in his public utterances he has at all times recognised the needs of the population within the constituency he represents) New development needs to be spread across the Borough and the Governments current policy that homes should be built where possible within or surrounding existing towns and villages, that doesn't mean that Fylde Council members agree with it.

The Council's officers and Elected members are working hard to develop a long term vision of how the Fylde will look in years to come - a similar vision philosophy, to that of when we made difficult decisions in the face of public opposition on policies such as the Blackburn Home, St annes Town Centre re-generation and Ashton Gardens Lottery bid. Schools, jobs, GPS and Dentists are some of these very big issues and Fylde Council are already talking with the County Council about such issues. Ultimately the Governments failure to manipulate the population to purchase homes in the city regions has led to Fylde's current problems and we will be lobbying both the Local Government Association and Ministers to ensure we get the funding for the vital services we need.

Jobs are also key - the Fylde's dependence on a small number of large employers is dangerous and the Council needs to ensure that the right conditions are made available to encourage new businesses to the Fylde Coast - the expansion of Whitehills has been criticised recently, again It would be useful to hear the thoughts of all those people who are employed there, bought a new car or shopped at B&Q. Again the Councils decision to release this land for commercial development was opposed at first but now we must all be able to see the benefits?

I have mainly spoken in favour of new development and the opportunities that it can bring - however, I am not in favour of development for developments sake! Where a real need has been identified, whether present or future then surely we as a Council must act and take those difficult political decisions, that for almost two decades, elected members have shied away from?

Please visit the links below to hear recent discussions:

http://www.fylde.gov.uk/GeneralL.aspx?id=SXBD1A-A78234F9

Read the Draft North West Strategy. This document shows the complexities of new Planning Legislation and the Governmetns plans for Development of all types. Fylde Councillors have to try and keep up with the shifting sands policies to ensure Fylde Borough is not missing out on much needed investment:

http://rpg.nwra.gov.uk/uploads/rpg_docs/rp_kMqZ_Submitted_Draft_Regional_Spati.pdf

LCC M55 Link Road Working Group - 6th Nov

2007-12-06T10:27:00.000+01:00

Lancashire Local Fylde
Heyhouses M55 Link Road Working Group

Notes of Meeting held on 6 November 2007
Office of County Councillor Bernard Whittle, County Hall

Present:
County Councillor Bernard Whittle, Chair
County Councillor Tony Martin, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development
County Councillor Joyce Stuart
Councillor Brenda Ackers
Councillor David Chedd

In attendance:
Steve McCreesh, Highway Consultancy, Environment Directorate
Ray Worthington, Public Transport Policy, Environment Directorate
Tony Donnelly, Local Plans, Fylde Borough Council
Paula Fodor, District Partnership Officer, Fylde

Apologies:
County Councillor Tim Ashton
Jim Robson, Area North Manager, Highways

Steve McCreesh informed the meeting that the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development had authorised the preparation of Compulsry Purchase and Side Road Orders to enable acquisition of the necessary land and rights of access for the southern section. Property Group had opened negotiations with the landowners. This would be reported to the next meeting of Lancashire Local Fylde on 27 November 2007.

Members were updated on a meeting of officers from Fylde Borough Council, Lancashire County Council and Lancashire County Developments Ltd, which took place on 15 October. It was agreed at this meeting that the two authorities would progress work on a study to assess what level of development in the area would be needed in order to necessitate the development of the road and to fund it. This would relate to the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment which would provide a picture of all the potential sites, brownfield and greenfield, for housing development in the borough. This was to be completed in early Spring 2008.

Tony Donnelly informed the meeting that Kensington Developments was expected to submit a number of planning applications before the end of the year. Kensington had publicly stated that if approval was given to the applications, it would provide the funding to build the road. It was agreed that the situation was far more complex than this and any decision made by Fylde Borough Council members would subject to being called in by the Secretary of State or Government Office North West. It was agreed that at present it was important to carry on with the design stage of the work.

Members discussed the current design for the road. The design called for the new road to be built alongside the current road. This was advantageous as it meant that a good foundation could be provided making the road more sustainable and it wouldn’t disturb the ecology of adjacent ditches. It was agreed that when staff resources allowed, the design would be re-visited to ensure that it was delivering best value.

It was agreed that Tony Donnelly would initiate a second meeting of officers when the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment was completed. The Lancashire Local Fylde working group would meet again in six months (April 2008) to monitor progress.

Police & Community Together - PACT Meeting 7th Nov 7PM

2007-10-22T14:55:00.000+02:00

The next PACT meeting for Heyhouses will take place on November 7 at 7pm at the Pavilion on Hope Street Park.

Local Police Community Safety Officer and Ward Councillors will be in attendance and would welcome members of the public to air their views about community policing matters.

In recent weeks residents from the Ward have contacted Councillors regarding the perceived increase of youth nuisance, drink related disorder and other youth related issues. The PACT meetings are an opportunity for the local community to come together to discuss locals concerns in a relaxed atmosphere.

Your Ward Councillors are keen to gather as much evidence as possible regarding Policing issues in the Ward so that we can ensure that the Police are targetting the right areas with the limited resources they have.

Waddington Park - The Plans Arrive!!

2007-10-07T11:30:00.001+02:00

Councillor Hyde's long running quest to see the upgrade of Waddington Park is now nearing a reality!! Keith has been working hard behind the scenes with park designers and the 'Friends of Waddington Park' in developing a plan of what the Park could look like and how and where, external funding can be sought. Working with Lytham Parks Friends Group ParkView4U Keith has now got a masterplan ready to present to Heyhouses Residents.

Keith said ' it has taken a long time to get these plans in place - now the hard work begins! we need over 100,000 pounds in the first instance for drainage of the field then we can start puttign together a facility that all residents, regardless of age, can use and be proud of'

The Friends Group still needs more volunteers!! interested residents should contact Keith.

Half Term - Sport Outreach for Heyhouses Kids

2007-10-07T11:21:00.000+02:00

Following the Summer Holidays successful Sports Outreach sessions the Council has put together a programme for young people across fylde to take part in organised Sporting acitivities during the next Half Term Break. The highlighted sections are the sessions in Heyhouses Ward, The Programme is as follows:

Monday 22nd October
1pm to 2.30pm Bridges playing field, Warton & Hove Rd Park,St Annes
3pm to 4.30pm Staining Village playing fields & Kirkham Memorial Gardens

Tuesday 23rd October
1pm to 2.30pm Kirkham Youth Base Mayfield School
3pm to 4.30pm Freckleton, Lower Lane Park View

Wednesday 24th October
1pm to 2.30pm Ashton Gardens & William Pickles Park, Clifton
3pm to 4.30pm Weeton Army Camp & Blackpool Rd North Playing field

Thursday 25th October
1pm to 2.30pm Newton-school Lane playing field & Hope St Recreation ground
3pm to 4.30pm Mornington Rd Playing Field Elswick Village multi-games area

Fri 26th October
1pm to 2.30pm Staining Village playing fields Freckleton, Lower Lane
3pm to 4.30pm Bridges Playing Field, Warton Kirkham youth Base

The sessions are free - kids just need to turn up and take part!

Council Matters - October

2007-09-29T13:54:00.000+02:00

After the Summer Holidays, the pace of life in the Town Hall soon gets back to normal! The theme for September has been very much re-development and investment across the Borough. I was thrilled to be invited to the opening of the new Haven Road outlets and as I stood in the gallery marvelling at the art on display I must admit a immense feeling of achievement on behalf of the Council and it’s partners in its determination to find a way of getting the Councils art on public show. This project has highlighted just what can be done when a common vision is agreed.

The work in the Square is now reaching it’s conclusion and the opening of new outlets in previously deserted premises is bringing a buzz back to the area. The announcement of the return of the Open Golf Championship in 2012 and it’s potential 170 million earning potential for Fylde should not be underestimated and I will be leading the charge for the Council to secure additional funding for improved infrastructure across the Borough.

Continuing the modernisation theme I was delighted to get a glance at the first ‘draft’ plans for the new Town Hall elevations and although more work is needed before the final plans come before Councillors for approval, I can see the new Civic Buildings playing a central role in community events in future years. Work will start in Spring 2008.

Modernisation however does not just apply to building programmes it also encompasses Council policies and working methods. Residents should recieve shortly a recruitment questionnaire inviting them to take part in the Local Strategic Partnerships citizens panel. Members of the panel will be invited to the Councils annual State of the Borough debate in October where we will seek residents views on how the Council should review it’s priorities and where the limited supply of money should be spent in future years. As I said in my previous article – we are developing policies today for tomorrow. This event will help reinforce the information gained at this years listening day event which was well supported by residents across the Borough.

Finally, what about the future? With ever increasing pressures from the lack of Central Government funding, I can see no long term future for small Local Councils such as Fylde, unless, we continue to explore opportunities of working with neighbouring authorities in partnership. Fylde is a leading Council in delivering high quality services at a fraction of the cost of similar sized Authorities. Fyldes Councillors are now leading the charge for a ‘Vision for the Fylde Penisula’. For the first time in decades Councillors from Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde have started working together to develop a long term vision for our Coast and Rural hinterland, I hope that these policy discussions will deliver long term improvements for the 310,000 people living on the Fylde Coast

Ashton Gardens Tree Removal Programme

2007-09-29T13:45:00.000+02:00

As you are aware the work to restore the Gardens is about to start. As part of this project the Council has been working up a project to restore Ashton Gardens Historic Buildings and Landscapes. Part of the project will involve the removal of a considerable number of sycamore weed trees from within the gardens.

This is a normally accepted practice in the restoration of historic parks and gardens landscapes. This has been made perfectly clear in the bid documentation since 2000 and through the extensive consultation process undertaken with the community.

There are a number of reasons for removing the trees from within Ashton Gardens namely –

Ø The trees identified are in poor condition.

Ø We are looking to restore historic views and vista’s.

Ø We want to diversify the plant collection and establish a diverse range of understorey plant species within the gardens. The current canopy cover prevents this from being achieved.

Ø The gardens feels closed in and very oppressive, from a community safety point of view .We want to create an open and inviting landscape to encourage more people to use and walk through the gardens.

The works are enabling works prior to the start of the main restoration project and will involve the removal of 110 trees which are generally in a poor condition. The total number of trees within the gardens numbers 700 and the soft landscape element of the project will involve a certain amount of replanting.

The proposals have been developed by Bertram Hyde who are specialist historic landscape restoration consultants and one of the most respected landscape architects practices in the country.

Finally, there may be a need to remove further trees from within the gardens however this won’t become apparent until we have removed the identified trees. The work will be carried out in successive phases to ensure the best of the existing trees are retained and to minimise the risk of potential damage to good trees as the tree works are taking place.

Detailed plans will be displayed in the Park and residents should note that the Council put aside several thosand pounds in this years budget for new tree planting across the Borough.

Stand Up - Speak Up - Your chance to have your say

2007-07-22T19:36:00.000+02:00

The Conservative Party has launched it's Stand-Up, Speak-Up campaign. The aim of the Consultation is to invite residents views on a whole host of issues affecting them to try and help develop the parties policies of the future. You do not have to be a Conservative Party supporter to take part, the only qulaification you need is to have a desire to help play your part in ensuring that the many issues Britain and the Fylde today are addressed. Visit the web address below and help us make a differnce both locally and Nationally.

http://standupspeakup.conservatives.com:80/

Lancashire Locals Discuss New M55 Link Road - 24th July

2007-07-20T08:58:00.000+02:00

The debate relating to the funding and future of the much needed Heyhouses/M55 Link Road is to be discussed on Tuesday the 24th of July at the Community Hall in Elswick. Everyone is invited to attend and take part in the discussion. You can copy and paste the follwing link into your web browser to view the meeting agenda.

https://webmail1.fylde.gov.uk/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www3.lancashire.gov.uk/council/meetings/displayAgendas.asp?meetid=5506

Heyhouses WArd Councillors are pushing hard for the Queensway housing development to be allowed by Ministers so that this new development can fund the link from the end of Kilnhouse Lane to Cypress Point and over the Moss. The portfolio Holder Roger Small and FBC Officers have recently met with Ministers in Westminster to discuss Fylde's infrastructure challenges.

Heyhouses Kids Can Get Sporty this Summer!!

2007-07-14T09:31:00.000+02:00

Fylde Borough Council has announced the dates for it's popular sports outreach programme for Kids in Heyhouses Ward this Summer. The events are free of charge and enable kids between the ages of 12 and 16 to get qulaified training and supervision for a number of sports.

The events will be based on Hove Road,Hope Street Parks and Waddington Parks every day between the 30th July until the 24th August. If you would like further information just ring 01253 658658 or visit www.fylde.gov.uk

How's Heyhouses Health??

2007-06-24T11:09:00.000+02:00

Click on the link below to take a quick tour of the 'State of Residents Health' in Fylde and Heyhouses:

http://www.communityhealthprofiles.info/profiles/hp2007/lo_res/30UF-HP2007.pdf

Support for New Communities Bill - More Powers for Town Halls?

2007-06-24T10:37:00.000+02:00

There has been much talk in recent weeks about how to involve local people in deicisions affecting them. The entire philosophy depends on how much responsibility MP's are prepared to relinquish down to County and Town Halls. This is a step in the right direction, however we will watch this process carefully to see whether this new policy will really come to real powers and funding returned to Town Halls.

Story:

The government has backed plans to transfer some powers from central to local government, giving more control to councils.

Local government minister Phil Woolas said the government would support Conservative MP Nick Hurd's Sustainable Communities Bill.

The bill was passed unopposed by MPs in its third reading the Commons, although Woolas urged for government amendments instead of a Tory "compromise".

It had received cross-party and community backing but faced early opposition from the government.

Woolas raised "serious concerns" over the original content of the bill, describing it as a "centralising measure".

But he told MPs on Friday: "I genuinely believe the bill we have been debating will change the relationships in British politics.

"I am proud to have been the minister that helped it through Parliament."

The legislation is aimed at helping tackle "ghost towns" affected by poor transport and derelict shops.

It will see "action plans" developed to help sustain these communities.

"When it comes to shaping the future of the communities we live in, we must accept local people know best. We must give them greater power over decisions," Hurd told MPs.

Under the original bill, which builds on the Local Government Bill, Whitehall departments would be required to work with councils in making decisions.

And town halls would have been given powers to inject cash into what residents considered priority areas.

But the Tory compromise would have seen councils identifying these priority areas and recommending the transfer of funds to the secretary of state.

Hurd said that this would help businesses and local services.

The original bill would also have seen citizens panels set up to ensure community involvement and steps taken to ensure all sections of society - particularly ethnic minorities, older people and the disabled - had a say in decision making.

Hurd added: "There will be a disappointment if there is a feeling out there that the government is diluting this bill."

Liberal Democrat Julia Goldsworthy stressed the need to move "this issue forward".

"Ultimately if we do not, we are going to see nothing but raised expectations," she said.

Update - Week commencing 25th June

2007-06-24T10:12:00.000+02:00

The new emerging document that deals with housing and development policy is called the Regional Spatial Strategy. This new document sets out the number of private dwellings that must be built in the Fylde Borough over the next five years. The new figure is 341 new homes per annum. The Council will have a significant task on their hands to find enough available land to meet this demand, after such a long period of stagnation in the house building market, this in the main being due to the Governments Moratorium on new house building, which has been in place for a past three years. Potential sites for new homes in the Ward could be the Moorland Road site or a re-submission of the previous applications for the former Greenwoods Farm site at Queensway.

On another note, the recent application relating to a licence to sell alcohol at the proposed late shop on Moorland Road has been withdrawn again. The hearing which was scheduled for Monday the 25th has now been cancelled.

Please note that the next meeting with Ward Beat Officer WPC Joe Jackson will be the 4th July at 7pm in the Pavilion on Hope Street Park

Ashton Gardens Gets Final Go Ahead!!!

2007-06-19T15:35:00.000+02:00

Fylde Borough Council is delighted to announce the news that it has received a resounding “yes” from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the restoration works to Ashton Gardens.

Following the initial application and grant of £1.436 million, the Council was required to draw up a detailed plan of how the money would be spent – this has now been given the green light and work will commence towards the end of this year.

Cllr John Coombes, Leader of the Council, said: “A lot of work has been done by the Council in conjunction with specialists in both building restoration and landscaping to ensure we have got this far. We have also had a lot of input from members of the community on what they want to see the Gardens look like and how the money should be allocated.

“As a Council we have an excellent track record on development projects, including the St Annes Square regeneration and I for one am very excited about the potential of Ashton Gardens as a top-flight attraction for visitors and local people. This bid is about people – all people – and it is about restoration and development which celebrates the past and creates a future heritage for the community to be proud of.”

Peter Fellows, Casework Manager for the Heritage Lottery Fund North West, added: "Ashton Gardens is a terrific example of a formal Victorian parkland in a classic British resort town. It is clear that local people are passionate about this gem of a site which continues to be enjoyed by thousands of visitors to the town each year. Today's news is a green light to strengthen the historic qualities of the Gardens and bring visitor facilities up-to-date to ensure the park can be enjoyed by generations to come."

One of the key projects will see the re-siting of the old Ashton Institute to a position between the main gatehouse buildings on St George’s Road. This will form a magnificent entrance to the park, drawing on inspiration from old photos and postcards of the park in its heyday; it will have a natural stone courtyard to the front and there is a plan to turn the building into tearooms.

Historic railings, which were removed for the war effort, will be reinstated on St George’s Road and Clifton Drive North to return a greater sense of grandeur and quality to the main entrances. And improvements will be made to the playground equipment, woodland walks and paths, ponds and horticulture, including the stunning rose garden.

Head of Parks Darren Bell, who prior to joining Fylde was responsible for the £4million restoration of Corporation Park in Blackburn, said: “The aim is to bring people back into the park through a mix of building restoration and improved planting and infrastructure repairs, as well as stronger marketing. The creation of a post of Head Gardener, coupled with effective management of the tearooms, could see events such as theatrical performances and band recitals similar to those held in the café at Blackpool’s Stanley Park in future.”

Back in the Saddle

2007-06-16T12:44:00.000+02:00

It has been a hectic few weeks since the local elections and this week the Councol and Cabinet met to finalise committee memberships. This now enables both the Heyhouses team and the Council in general to knuckle down to the job in hand. Both Keith and Myself are continuing in our previous roles and Craig will be playing a key role on the Councils Overview and Scruting Committees. I have asked Keith and Independent Councillor Kiran Mulholland to lead a review panel of the Councils Overview and Scrutiny work to ensure that we are able to respond quickly to the ever changing demands of Governmetn Policy, especially funding!

The issue of lack of funding for Concessionary Bus travel has raised it's head again recently with Lancashire County Council asking District Councils to help fund 'susbsidised contract routes' in the Borough. These are the routes that have fewer passengers and are only made viable by subsidy. If this proposal was to go ahead Fylde Borough Council would be expected to find up to 200,000 pounds from the Council Tax payer to keep these routes running. This is the equivalent to 5% on your Council Tax bill! The question is should Council Tax payers be expected to pay this money or should it come from Government or by increasing bus fares on these routes? Your feedback would be useful.

In the Ward, residents have raised concerns about the state of some of the Wards Shop precinct forecourts, I have been chasing LCC about this issue and below is a copy of thier response. We will now have to try and approach landlords to see whether we can co-ordinate everyone working together to make these pavements safer for you.

Information from Andrew Burrows, Lancashire Highways Dept:

Substantially Singleton Avenue is private forecourt.

Whalley Place is substantially (and unusually) adopted highway almost up to the shops, the area around the shops would not normally be expected to be adopted highway; there is a 2m strip in front of the shops under a 'veranda' that is probably private, otherwise mapzone shows the area in front and to the sides of the shops as adopted. A lady fell on a pothole recently just on the highway side of the boundary in front of the Spar shop, the pothole has since been repaired. I looked at this footway last week to consider whether it would be suitable for inclusion within a footway resurfacing programme, however, I concluded that patching and a footway slurry seal, should monies ever be available, would be a more suitable option rather than wholesale resurfacing, it is generally untidy, not hazardous. I did not see that any trip hazards were present.

A problem for pedestrians here is that the large adopted area at the side of the shops is heavily parked on by cars.

With regard to approaching private landowners and individuals regarding works off the highway, may the time of the current highway staff is fully taken up managing their own networks with none to spare, and therefore, it is not currently a practical option.

So that's how we stand at present on this issue.

Finally there will soon be announcements on the new Town Hall extension and the refurbishement of the current building.

We will continue to update the blog regularly from this week and please keep in touch with us on any issues that you feel we could help the Ward.

Conservatives Retain all Three seats in Heyhouses

2007-05-05T10:15:00.000+02:00

Polling Day 2007 is over, Conservative candidates in Heyhouses have been successful in retaining their seats despite a push from Labour and the Liberal Democrats. The results were as follows:

John Coombes 821 votes ELECTED

Keith Hyde 792 votes ELECTED

Craig Halewood 699 votes ELECTED

Anne Smith (Lib Dem) 643

David Meldrum (Labour) 332

Total Ward Electorate 3664
Ballot papers returned 1413
Turnout 38.56%

Conservatives retained control of Fylde Council with a total of 27 out of the 51 seats.

May I take this opportunity on behalf of Keith, Craig and Myself to thank all those residents that supported us on Thursday and just say that the team will now continue to work hard for the ward during the coming term to ensure that we keep on improving the quality of life for all residents.

On a secondary note, a number of issues have been raised during the campaign and the team are now sifting through them all to ensure that we get urgent action. The monthly ward surgeries will start up again now and the Police PACT meetings will continue on the first Wednesday of each month, 7pm at Hope Street Pavilion.

24 Hours to Polling Day - Independent Candidates leaflets are factually inaccurate!

2007-05-02T09:42:00.000+02:00

With just one day left before Heyhouses residents go to the polls I thought it might be useful to clarify some issues raised in an Independent opposition candidate leaflet. I was passed the leaflet by a resident as Mr Chedd was the former Heyhouses Candidate. Mr Chedd who lives in the far corner of Elswick, withdrew from the Heyhouses election to fight Park Ward instead. Mr Chedd was sponsored by the Leader of the Opposition Paul Hayhurst, and his leaflet was no doubt written by Cllr Hayhurst as it is riddled with halve truths, inaccurate statements and peddles some long standing myths. I was surprised that he had such a interest in the Ward with Mr Chedd living on the outskirts of the Borough. The first point to clarify is that Fylde Independents are a group a party. They vote together, have group meetings, a website and have all signed up to the 'Non Co-operation' policy. This policy means that they do not attend meetings with the Councils Chief Executive or Leader and they do not vote at any meetings of the Council. This therefore makes their appointment pointless?

The link road pledge in the leaflet is very interesting. Cyprus Point was built when Independent and Lib Dem councillors ran the town hall (1991 - 2003) If they would have used the planning regulations better, whether through compulsory purchase or section 106 agreements then the M55 Link Road could have been built years ago. The ₤800,000 pounds paid by developers towards the road has always been held by Lancs County Council, not Fylde.

Council Tax Payers Money:

The alleged ₤300,000 pounds spent on consultants has been funded through the withdrawal of the annual maintenance budget on the Town Hall. The new modernised Town Hall and new back office facility will be at zero cost to taxpayers. A Conservative pledge.

The payment for early retirement of the former Chief Executive was a one off payment to his Local Government Pension fund. Independents made 5 senior officers redundant in 2001. As part of their package Independents agreed to annual pension enhancements for life for the 5. This now costs Fylde taxpayers ₤250,000 every year!!! We scrapped the pension enhancements rule on day one!

The costs of his temporary replacement was funded through the savings made by keeping two senior posts vacant. The interim Chief Executive enabled Conservatives to implement modern ways of working and to turn many internal operations around. This has been at no cost to the taxpayer.

Mr Chedd claims that ₤29,000 is spent on 'Spin Doctors' Iam assuming that he means the communications officer? Fylde shares the information officers with Blackpool Council. Their job is to issue press releases, develop public information leaflets and help keep the information on the Councils website up to date. Independents have pledged to scrap this post. This would mean no website, no information for residents, ourinformative press stories for the local papers. This would make Fylde Council insular and open to accusations of being out of touch and not listening, a return to Cllr Hayhursts days in power!

The wage bill. This is a favourite of Cllr Hayhurst! After four years he still cant get his head around the fact that when Conservatives won the contract to provide waste collections services for Wyre Borough Council we took on some of their staff!! This award winning contract has enabled to massively reduce costs to Both Fylde and Wyre Councils. The additional wage costs are paid for by the client, Wyre, not Fylde residents. Fylde Council has been recognised as being one of the most efficient, cost effective Councils in England! A Conservative product.

The Allowances of Councillors. Every Council has an Independent Review Panel which legally has to review Councillor allowances each year. The panel is made up of a local vicar, former County Council Finance Director and a local business leader. Fylde Councils allowances are some of the lowest in Lancashire and England. The Leader of the Council receives an allowance of ₤6000 per annum. To put it into perspective, I believe the Leader of the County Council receives ₤42,000 per annum, Blackpool ₤27,000 and Wyre ₤17,000. Fylde Council needs allowances to be at a level that enables a broader cross section of candidates to be able to afford to stand, as there is a significant financial cost to all Councillors elected, many investing on average up to 30 hours per week into Council commitments. Just for the record every Councillor on the Council claims his or her's full allowance, I'm sure Mr Chedd will do the same!

Council Tax in Fylde is the second lowest in Lancashire. Conservatives have raised Council tax by an average of 4% each year since 2003. Between 2001 and 2003 Independents raised your Council tax by 32%!! whilst still allowing facilities such as pools and public toilets to fall into disrepair. Fortunately Conservatives have now managed to turn this around using a combination of small Council Tax increases and internal savings to find much needed investment.

Swimming Baths. The statement made by Mr Chedd is untrue. Every year the Councils budget considers all income and all expenditure. The facilities that are off greatest costs to the taxpayer, such as pools are always flagged up for potential savings, along with reducing staff, Councillors, street sweeping, grass cutting etc etc. At no time in the past have Conservatives ever considered closing a pool. Kirkham baths were only closed temporarily due to engineers identifying a high risk of electrocution from faulty wiring - Would Mr Chedd have left the baths open?? God help us.

Parking. This has been well covered recently. The Lancashire County Council run scheme, Parkwise will be reviewed by Conservatives when the contract ends in 2008. Our manifesto pledge is to bring about a common sense approach to off street car parking rules. Recent reviews of the scheme have reduced fare charging times, making parking times more customer friendly.

Cabinet decision making. I have covered the cabinet system in previous blogs. Mr Chedd is probably unaware that his mentor sat on the prototype Cabinet, the executive committee for 12 months! Independent Councillors made up 3 of the 7 seats on this committee. They weer only taken off when the 'non-cooperation policy' started to affect the working of the Committee and Council. 95% of Councils now operate the Cabinet System, with just 42 Councils left in England using the outdated committee meeting structure. Conservatives will introduce a voting record log for all Councillors so that residents can see how many times Councillors have voted. There is one Independent Councillor in particular, that in my 8 years of being on the Council, I have never seen vote 'for' or against' anything????

Equitable Taxation. Cllr Hayhurst is strongly opposed to this as Elswick would see residents Parish Precepts rise by almost ₤20,00 a year. This is due to the fact that Elswick has some of the most modern sporting and community hall facilities in the Borough, these facilities service just a small handful of local residents yet are being paid for, at present by residents from across the Borough, Heyhouses doesn't even have a community hall!! The potential of Equitable Taxation is supported by 10 of the 14 Parish Councils in the Borough.

I hope that this update has clarified the facts behind this misleading leaflet. I would urge Mr Chedd to check his facts if he is going to put his name to such documents as people might think that he is only interested in perpetuating the non-cooperation policy rather than representing the residents of Park Ward. I for one hope, that, should he be successful at the polls, that he isn't another Hayhurst clone, hell bent on disrupting the continued progress of the Council, rather than getting the job done.

Elections 2007 - Issues on the doorstep

2007-04-28T15:56:00.000+02:00

This week has been a busy one for Keith, Craig and myself. We have spent the week on the doorstep talking with residents about issues in general. It is always difficult not to be drawn into the state of the country in general and in particular Blairs Britain!!!

We have been busy completing highway fault logs, reporting lighting columns that are not working and getting new bins issued to residents that have not yet been issued with them. We have also reported a number of streets Haymarket, Curzon, Whalley Place and Holmefield Road that we think need a little more attention when cleaning. We were also glad to see that the Council had a sweep of the back streets clearing away some large items which had been dumped.

There has also been a number of complaints about the state of the forecourts at Singleton Avenue and Whalley Place Shops. Many elderly residents have either tripped or fallen on the poor surfaces and have asked us to get some repirs done. The forecourts are the responsibility of the Shop Keepers up to a certain point. We have forwarded these comments onto Lancashire County Council Highways department to see if the can liaise with shopkeepers to plan these repairs.

Policing, or apparent lack of it has also been high on the agenda. There is a PACT meeting this Wednesday, the 2nd, at Hope Street Park Pavilion at 7pm. Ward bobby WPC Jo Jackson will be there to hear your concerns.

I will have to send our apologies on this occasion, as this is the night before Polling day and we will be out and about finishing off our campaign. Please keep the emails coming and we hope you will notice the jobs requested being done within the next 7 days.

Can Fylde residents afford the Lib Dems? - Press release

2007-04-27T10:55:00.000+02:00

Conservatives call for a fairer deal for Fylde – not new taxes

The growing cost of living is one of the biggest concerns to local residents across Fylde, with rising council tax bills and utility bills.

Hard-pressed families and pensioners face worrying new taxes under new town hall tax plans being considered by Gordon Brown in Whitehall. With council taxes having already risen by the equivalent of 4 pence on income tax since 1997, the Prime Minister-in-waiting is planning to squeeze householders even harder through regular council tax revaluations, higher council tax bands and new bin taxes.

In addition to this, Liberal Democrats are lobbying the Government for a new local income tax, as well as proposing long-term plans to move to a 1 per cent yearly house price tax. The Labour Government is currently trialling such a house price tax in Northern Ireland from April.

But Fylde Conservatives have warned that these new taxes would do nothing to tackle the problems of local tax bills rising year-on-year above inflation.

New analysis has revealed the fact that a working family in Fylde could end up paying £1918.00 in local income tax, compared to the current average council tax of £1,221. Alternatively, a 1% house price tax would mean a yearly tax bill of £2165.00 on the average home in Fylde.

John Coombes, Leader of Fylde Conservatives explained, “there is a lot of speculation in the press in recent months about how council tax could change – with the real threat of a new house price tax, council tax revaluations or higher council tax bands. Only Conservatives are opposing these plans vigorously. But the Liberal Democrat policy of allowing councils to levy top-up income taxes on pay packets isn’t the answer. It would do nothing to tackle fiddled Whitehall funding, not stop civil servants instructing councils to introduce new laws without giving them the cash to pay for it. Instead of just replacing one soaring tax with another and robbing Peter to pay Paul, we need a fairer deal for the Fylde Coast.”

Senior Liberal Democrats have admitted that many homes would pay more under local income tax. “If there are two full-time earners in the house, there would be more tax” with the new tax starting to bite for families with combined salaries “in the mid £30,000s” (source: Vincent Cable MP cited in The Evening Standard).

John Coombes added, “families and pensioners who have saved and improved their homes face the threat of soaring tax bills, without any improvements in their local services. Just because house prices have risen doesn’t mean that local residents can afford higher local taxes. Law-abiding, decent people are already struggling to meet the rising cost of mortgages, utility bills and local taxes. These Lib-Lab plans for new taxes just aren’t welcome on Fylde’s doorsteps.”

Conservatives have pledged to cancel the Government’s plans for a council tax revaluation and will abolish the powers of council tax inspectors to enter people’s homes.

Letter of response to planning concerns raised by Defend Lytham - Conservative Candidates vision.

2007-04-26T18:12:00.000+02:00

Mrs Alison Jack
Chairman
Defend Lytham
PO BOX 202
Lytham St Annes
FY8 9AD

Dear Mrs Jack,

Thank you for your recent letter on behalf of Defend Lytham, which raised a broad range of issues of concern to your steering group.

Most of the issues of concern you raise relate to the Council’s role as Local Planning Authority. The first point I have to make is that in this role the actions and decisions of the Council are constrained within a comprehensive legal framework with its foundation in the Town and Country Planning Act 1947, which has been developed extensively since this time by various governments.

Within this national legislative framework the Council’s current stance (which is one of the strands of your enquiry) is communicated through the extant Development Plan Documents, i.e. the Local Plan, the Lancashire Structure Plan, which are gradually being subsumed into the Local Development Framework (LDF). These are all public documents and can be accessed through the Council’s website and other public library facilities.

These local policy documents are also influenced by a number of regional policy documents sanctioned by the North West Regional Assembly (NWRA) – the Regional Spatial Strategy, the Regional Housing Strategy, the Regional Economic Strategy and the Regional Transport Strategy.

You may be interested to know that, subject to the outcome of the local election next week, I am the Lancashire Districts representative on the NWRA Board and Councillor Fiddler is the Lancashire Districts representative on the NWRA Regional Planning Board, so we now have a direct route of influence to the future development of these significant policy documents.

Although planning policy does not change overnight it is a dynamic landscape which responds over a period of time to the social, environmental and economic expectations of our society through a process of public consultation defined within the legislative framework I referred to above. You will appreciate therefore that it is essential for the Council to ensure that its Members, who are delegated to make decisions on planning matters are fully informed and up to date on the relevant policies and processes. We have special rules in our Constitution which require all such Members to undertake a minimum amount of training on these matters.

Before I move on to the seven specific questions raised in your letter I would point out that the role of the Council in balancing the needs and aspirations of our diverse communities is not always straightforward. However, our basic desire is to do the best we can in a changing world for our local communities. Recently we have been convinced of the need to work with other councils on the Fylde coast on a number of strategic issues, such as economic development, tourism, housing and transportation, which affect this area. Our joint approach to these issues will give us even greater influence on the future development of regional strategies on behalf of communities in Fylde.

To address your seven issues:

The continuation of the current housing moratorium is dependent on the position taken by the Secretary of State later this year in confirming or otherwise the relevant content of the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS). The final draft of this document makes provision for increased housing development across the Fylde coast. This Council will need to review its housing policies in response to the RSS when it is confirmed. This process will be subject to public consultation;
We are currently commissioning a piece of work to update the data from the 2003 Fordham Housing Needs Survey. This will be used to inform the review of housing policies referred to above. For information there are at present almost 4000 people waiting to be found suitable housing registered with Fylde’s RSL’s. In the Conservatives 2007 election manifesto there is a pledge to explore means of delivering quality ‘Green’ starter homes as an opportunity for young people to get a step on the housing ladder;
The Grimley’s study, instigated by the Conservative Group, is designed to inform the Council’s long-term approach to the allocation of employment land in the Borough. The second stage of this work is about to be commissioned. The output of this will be used to inform future economic development policies of the Council and the Core Strategy and other Development Plan Documents within the LDF;
The planning principles applied during the creation of the LDF will be based upon current planning policy guidance, local environmental, economic and social issues and the principles of sustainable development. This said, it would be the Conservatives intention to retain as much commercial land as possible with a view to retaining and attracting new jobs to the Fylde;
Community involvement in the planning process is much broader now than at any time in the past. One of the elements of the LDF is a Statement of Community Involvement, which, itself, has been subject to several rounds of public consultation. Another key element of community engagement during 2007/08 will be the review of the Fylde Community Strategy by the Local Strategic Partnership and the development of the Sustainable Communities Strategy. We have ensured better communications with Parish Councils since taking over control of the Council in 2003 and have concentrated on better training for all Councillors to enable residents to have better representation;

Planning applications and appeals are dealt with, necessarily, on an individual basis. The final decision on the process of hearing appeals rests with the Planning Inspectorate, although they will clearly consult with the Local Planning Authority in arriving at their decision. It would be our intention to ensure that where large scale applications are concerned we would push for local hearings where the potential decision of the Councils Development Control Committee was considered to be at odds with that of the local electorate.

The recent outcome of the Aegon and the Wareings (Wrea Green) appeals indicate that it is planning related issues which are important in determining appeals and not the method of consideration of the appeal. However Conservative Councillors need to be in touch with their electorate on contentious planning issues and in future it will be our policy to ensure that we are able to attend meetings with concerned residents when discussing such matters;
The protection of local heritage is important to many local communities. It is often possible to achieve this alongside new developments (within town centres) which are driven by socio-economic factors and aspirations. An important element of control over the ‘proliferation of new pubs and wine bars’ (which you infer in your letter is not wanted) is the manner in which the Council develops and applies its licensing policies. Again, this is a subject on which elected Members making decisions on behalf of the Council are specifically trained and I am sure that every Councillor would have at the heart of their decision, the best possible outcome for the community as a whole.

I hope that this response has gone some way to answering your questions? May I close by saying that in the past four years the Council has come a long way in modernising its internal workings, particularly ensuring that residents have been given an increased role in the decision making processes of the Authority. We now allow Public Questions at full Council meetings, have installed a ‘Community Outlook’ Scrutiny Committee which enables residents to request items of local concern to be investigated by the Council and finally we have expanded the popular Borough wide Listening Day event to include an annual State of the Borough debate.

We are all very privileged to live on the Fylde Coast and it is every Conservative candidates pledge to ensure that the Borough continues to prosper, whilst at the same time protecting its heritage, open spaces and economy, for the benefit of both present and future generations.

By working together, I am sure that we can deliver this pledge.

Yours Sincerely

John L Coombes

Leader, Fylde Conservative Group

The 23rd of April is Englands St Georges Day

2007-04-22T13:05:00.000+02:00

Monday is St Georges Day! We have been keen to ensure that residents get behind Englands National Day. You can get some great ideas for parties and information about our Patron Saint etc by visiting www.stgeorgesday.com

Lets get the flag flying across Heyhouses!

North Houses Lane - Accident Waiting to Happen!

2007-04-21T19:36:00.000+02:00

As you know we have been out and about in the Ward recently talking with residents. Yesterday we went onto Division Lane to check the progress on Fly Tipped waste. As already reported this has been cleared away. Whilst standing at the end of the Lane it became apparent just how much traffic was using the Moss Road, this also highlighted (as if we didn't already know) that the road is inadequate for the volumes of traffic using it and that drivers travel at break neck speeds along it!!

I know we have tried lobbying LCC, MP, the papers, North West Regional Assembly etc etc to get something done, but I am convinced that a debate needs to be had regarding the future of this road should the funding not be found to upgrade the road. It would be useful to have residents feedback on the following:

1. Should speed bumps be installed?
2. Should the road be made one way only? (IE just taking the traffic out of town)
3. Should it have more pull In's?
4. Should it have lighting on the pull-In's?
5. Should the speed limit be reduced to 30mph?

There is almost 800,000 pounds sat in the LCC coffers waiting to be spent on removing the Goose neck which appears in the picture, however, what about the rest of the road?? With funding for new road building only being able to come from new housing developments it may be some years before Lancs CC get the money to do anything at all.

This road is a vital link for the Town and Ward and the pressure needs to be taken off Heyhouses Lane as soon as possible. Let me have your views.

Fly Tipped Waste Removed from Division Lane

2007-04-20T15:14:00.000+02:00

As earlier reported the problem of fly tippers is at the top of our agenda. Myself, Keith and Craig have been out this morning on Division Lane and were pleased to see that the rubbish dumped at the top of the road has been removed. The Moss area is now being closely monitored by the Council, Police and Environment agency with a view to catching tippers both on the Moss and on the rural back roads in Fylde.

We are still in the process of our walk about the Ward meeting as many residents as possible on the run up to the elections. Many of the issues being raised have been easy to deal with and the Manifesto pledges have recived wide support so far.

Many concerns are related to the roads in the ward, following up on a recent article in the Motorcycle News I am hoping to get a demonstration from a company claiming to have developed a quick and cost effective way of repairing pot holes and subsidence. I hope to get them to come up to Heyhouses to run a demo of the process for Councillors and County Council officials. I will keep you posted. Give me some suggestions of your most hated roads in the Ward.

We are keen to keep the dialogue going so please keep using the blog to keep us informed of your concerns in Heyhouses.

Fylde Conservatives Launch 2007 Election Manifesto

2007-04-19T21:36:00.000+02:00

Fylde Conservative Group – Election Manifesto
May 2007

· We will introduce a Countryside Ranger Service. The Ranger will protect the Fylde’s countryside and natural resources, promote green tourism, and help educate the Boroughs young and old alike on the benefits of the countryside and on going ‘Green’

· We will deliver additional Rapid Deployment or mobile CCTV surveillance units. We will adopt a zero tolerance approach across the Fylde on environmental crime and nuisance makers.

· We will deliver a policy on quality green starter homes to allow the young people of Fylde to Live and work in the Borough. We will make Fylde’s planning policies work for the good of the Fylde not Labour’s National Priorities.

· We will make Fylde a national and international destination for visitors. We will invest in the visitor economy by promoting the Fylde as a venue for large events, recognition of our quality beaches, visitor accomodation, shopping and countryside. We will continue to build on the success of the Fylde’s Golf Coast programme.

· We will undertake a ‘bottom-up’ review of current parking enforcement and work towards bringing the control of on-street and off-street parking under the direct control of Fylde Council rather than the County Councils Parkwise scheme. We will inject common sense back into parking enforcement with a yellow card scheme and an locally elected appeals panel.

· We will deliver Quality Services. By working with neigbouring authorities we can ensure ‘value for money’ for Fylde’s taxpayers. We will keep Council tax low, and divert resources into facilities considered ‘high priority’ by residents across the Fylde.

Statement

Conservatives are the only party in Fylde to present a manifesto for the Borough. This borough wide manifesto will also be enhanced by local Ward manifesto’s ensuring that both Coast and Countryside will see noticeable improvements, if Conservative Councillors are given the opportunity to represent residents in Towns and Villages across Fylde.

At these elections Conservatives are fielding a team of candidates across the Borough, which, if successful, on the 3rd May will bring together a team which will be truly representative of the diversity within the Borough. By having such a team Fylde Council can continue to build on the progress which has been experienced since the Conservative Party regained control of the Council in 2003, after twelve years in opposition.

The six key manifesto pledges listed are presented to the residents of Fylde after a broad consultation with residents. The six policies are general in their language and summarise what the Conservatives will deliver for Fylde.

The Quallity Services pledge gives a guarantee to residents that Conservatives will continue to look at innovative ways of improving services and facilities whilst keeping the demands on Council Tax realistic. In 2003 we inherited a Council which was graded ‘weak with uncertain prospects for the future’ by Government Inspectors. We have set a target for re-inspection during 2007/08 with an aim of receiving a grade of at least ‘Good with good prospects for the future’ Alot of work has been done during the past four years to turn the Councils fortunes around and I believe that we deliver this pledge.

Independents withdraw from Heyhouses Election update

2007-04-13T18:23:00.000+02:00

The election period is now well under way, Keith, Craig and myself have been out and about knocking on doors and listening to residents concerns. We have already reported issues with empty properties, litter and poor road surfaces. many of the issues that fall under the responsibility of Fylde Council should be addressed within 7 days. We will keep an eye on it.

Today we learnt that the Independent Candidate placed in Heyhouses by Leader of Fylde's Opposition group (Cllr Hayhurst) has withdrawn his candidature for the Ward and decided to chance his arm in Park Ward instead! This leaves Labour and Lib Dems challenging for the three seats in the Ward.

We have been interested to hear your views whilst out and about. Canvassing has also enabled us to explain the real facts behind the Cabinet system, sand collection and some other inaccurately reported issues in the local media. The common comment from you has been 'now that makes sense, why don't the papers report the real facts?' unfortunately this is beyond our control, yet we hope that the regular newsletters and now this blog will help keep you up to date.

We have also been keeping an eye on the policies and arguments being put forward by our opponents. The Lib Dems seem to be pushing the skewed argument about Cabinet Governance in Fylde and how they will change it for the better!! a few points that you need to be aware of really.
1. The Conservatives already have opposition Councillors chairing committees, Development Control committee, Community Outlook and Planning Policy Scrutiny forums. So their claim that they will give opposition members a role, is exactly what we already do!
2. Lib Dems and Labour want Regional Government and Unitary Authorities. Conservatives opposed both in the recent Government white Paper on local Government reorganisation. The reason for mentioning this is, all Unitary Authorities exceed 80,000 residents within the local Authority Boundary, Blackpool for example has 130,000 residents. The Local Government Act 2000 states that any council with over 80k residents, must operate under the cabinet system! therefore, the Lib Dems and Labour support this structure!!!
3. As already mentioned once a Council reaches the 80,000 residents mark then it has to move to cabinet. For Independents and Lib Dems to say they would scrap the system is short sighted and potentially short lived. New housing policies have indicated that over 12,500 homes will need to be built on the Fylde Coast Region in the next few years. Fylde currently fluctuates between 75 & 76,ooo people within the Borough. If these housing numbers are imposed by Government, then we will be very close to the 80k mark. This again would mean that the Council would have to move to the Cabinet.

Privately many long standing opposition councillors have agreed that the Cabinet is the best way forward, with many of the most vociferous ones against it recently in the papers having actually been a member of the Executive Committee the predecessor of the Cabinet for a year!!! I think, heaven forbid, if the Independents and Lib Dems formed a new controlling coalition after May 3rd, that they would not deliver on their promise and would keep a Cabinet. Based on the feedback from on our canvass, I think that another public consultation would deliver a vote in favour of progress and vote to stay with the cabinet system.

Any thoughts?

Nominations have closed for May 3rd Elections

2007-04-04T16:06:00.000+02:00

Today at Noon was the last chance for candidates to submit their nomination papers for the District and Parish elections to be held on the 3rd May. Heyhouses was always going to be a hotly contested seat with both myself and Keith being seen as senior Councillors with the Town Hall. The nominations are:

3 Conservatives: Coombes, Halewood & Hyde
1 Liberal Democrat
1 Labour
1 Independent

It is interesting to see that the Independent Candidate has been placed by the Leader of the Opposition. I think that putting forward candidate from the furthest corner of the Borough, Elswick is not only a sign of desperation on the Oppositions behalf, but also proves that the Independents are not about representing people in their Wards, it's about getting seats and playing politics. Labour have also struggled to find candidates for these elections with just 10 candidates Borough wide, not surprising really as they are not exactly flavour of the month!!
Finally the Lib Dems and Independents, both have pledged to work together to try and unseat Conservatives. The Labour Candidate for Heyhouses is the 'official' Independent candidate for the Town Council seat in St Leonards Ward??

We know that many of the Independent Candidates in Fylde are actually, Lib Dem or Labour supporters at the General Election, why they don't have the courage of their political beliefs locally I don't know?

Anyway that is hot off the press. Rest assured your Conservative team will fight hard to ensure that Heyhouses continues to have a strong Conservative voice on Fylde Council. Please let us have your thoughts and feedback on any issues in the coming weeks.

Keep an Eye Open for Fly Tippers!

2007-04-03T11:45:00.000+02:00

Heyhouses Ward Councillors are urging residents to keep an eye open for suspicious vehicles on the Moss. A recent spate of Fly Tipping has turned the Green Belt into a Fly Tippers paradise, with Fridges, TV's, Rubble, Household Waste and Carpets being just some on the items being dumped.

We have asked the Council Streetscene Team to try and get it cleared ASAP and to work with Blackpool Council to ensure that they clear their area.

Division Lane marks the end of Heyhouses with Blackpool, much of the rubbish behind me is in Blackpool's patch. Many Heyhouses residents use the Moss Road and we are urging them to make note of vehicle registration number and vehicle types and report them to the Council or Police ASAP.

Conservative Councillors have pledged additional funding for a mobile CCTV unit for the Borough. Manned by specially trained officers, Fly Tippers will be caught on camera and then taken to court. But we really need you to help catch and deter them.

You can use the link on the blog to email us with your info or to contact the Town Hall directly.

Conservative Cabinet Supports Free Postage for Overseas Troops & Families

2007-03-25T17:24:00.000+02:00

Press release relating to the recent Cabinet meeting held at Fylde Town Hall on the 14th March 2007.

Fylde Cabinet Supports Free Postage to British Forces based Overseas

At its meeting last week Fylde's Councils Conservative Cabinet agreed to support a proposed motion being put forward to Government by Tewkesbury Borough Council. The motion is aimed at reinstating the free postal service for the families of British Forces personnel stationed overseas.

Cllr John Coombes, Leader of Fylde Borough Council and a former Soldier said ' The Cabinet had no hesitation in supporting this lobby to Government, the British Forces Post Office (BFPO) service is a vital link and moral booster to both Military personnel as well as their families'

Families and friends of forces families have to pay the normal postage fees for sending parcels overseas to loved ones. Fylde has a particular place in it's heart for the Armed Forces with having Weeton Barracks located within the Borough, the Barracks has always palys a vital role as a staging camp for soldiers embarking or disembarking from active service. The former Queens Lancashire Regiment was also granted 'Freedom of the Borough'

Cllr Coombes added 'With British Forces and their families being expected to serve all over the world, many in hostile theatres, the least the Government can do is stump up the cash for the postage of parcels, I am sure this decision will receive broad support, I look forward to signing the document on behalf of all elected members as well as the residents of Fylde'

Ends

No If's No Butt's!!

2007-03-03T13:29:00.000+01:00

Ward Councillors today met with residents at their mobile Surgery at Whalley Place shops, several residents came along to speak with both John and Keith regarding issues in the Ward. Afterwards we went along to the gates of the DWP site on Moorland Road and Heyhouses Lane to look at the problems being created due to the sites non-smoking policy. The picture says it all!! We will again contact the Streetscene department at the Town Hall to request that they again speak with DWP site Managers.

The with new 'No Smoking in Public Places' laws are about to come into force in June we are going to ensure that the Town Hall has in place a robust policy to ensure that these scenes are not repeated across the Ward. Lets us have your thoughts.

Conservative Councils are more efficient!!

2007-02-27T21:36:00.000+01:00

A recent article in the times has made comment on what many of us already know about Conservative led Councils:

'Tory-led councils continue to outperform others, according to Audit Commission research. They are more efficiently staffed, quicker to adopt “best practice” in general and more successful at holding down the costs of long-term private sector contracts in particular' (Editorial, The Times, 26 February 2007).
<http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/leading_article/article1438294.ece>

The noticeable turn around of Fylde Councils fiscal controls have received praise from the Audit Commission. We are recognised as having some of the lowest corporate management costs within English authorities, whilst still being able to offer quality services such as our Waste collection and Environmental Services. Fyldes streets were recently recognised as being some of the cleanest in the North West of England.

Letter to the Editor - New Fylde Independent Group (FIG)

2007-02-22T13:30:00.000+01:00

Dear Editor

New Political group in Fylde - Fylde Independent Group

Internal feuding and a bitter power struggle has led to the demise of two long standing political parties in Fylde's Town Hall. The Independent and Ratepayer Groups have been forced to reform under a single banner after 7 Independent Councillors distanced themselves from their Parties 'Non Co-operation policy' within the Town Hall. An internal struggle for the Leadership of the Ratepayer Group has also seen a meltdown of the long standing organisation. The newly constituted group, to be led by Opposition Leader Paul Hayhurst has pledged that it if elected it will scrap the Cabinet system brought in under the Conservatives in 2005 and return the Council to the former committee structure, even though just 5% of Councils in England still operate what is considered to be a cumbersome and outdated method of delivering local services.

Leader of Fylde Conservatives Group John Coombes said 'many residents are not aware of the fact that almost 50% of the Independent Group have resigned since 2003 due to their unease at it's negative stance and in particular the behaviour of it's Leader Cllr Hayhurst. The new Fylde Independent Party has just two goals one, to oppose Conservatives and two to un-ravel four years of progress. Residents need to realise that there is no such thing as an Independent Candidate in Fylde'

Cllr Roger Small Deputy Group Leader added 'This is a public interest issue that has gone unnoticed by the press, when former Deputy Independent Group Leader Cllr Mullholland jumped ship we realised that the Independent cause was in crisis. This is an important issue on the build up to Local Elections and Fylde's residents need to understand fully the implications that such a negative political policy will have on the Council's continued improvement'

In the aftermath of the 2003 Comprehensive Performance Inspection Fylde Council was branded a 'weak council with uncertain prospects for the future' . Many of the official reports criticisms were levelled at the former Independent led Council and cited, lack of Political Leadership, poor committee structures, internal feuding and hostility towards Council Officers, the reluctance of members to take difficult decisions, the list goes on.

Cllr Coombes added 'Fylde is now seen as an innovative, forward looking Council, the Cabinet system does need time to bed in but surely 95% of the Councils in England can't be wrong? it would be a tragedy to see the Councils strong progress wrecked by the Independent Party's single negative policy'

ENDS

Update on Issues raised at Singleton Mobile Surgery

2007-02-17T18:23:00.000+01:00

Just thought I would update you on the status of the comments received from residents visiting our Ward Surgery two weeks ago. If you have any further comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact either myself or Keith.

From Streetscene Manager:

When I visited the site I saw some bins just inside the gates.
They are conveniently sited for people to use but I think some of the staff there are deliberately not using them as they are unhappy with the new restrictions on smoking.

The dog wardens have checked Hope St Park
There are:
- 11 signs for dogs off lead and fouling.- Paving slabs with the no dog symbol on both gate entrances to the play area.- 3 dog bins in the park.They will step up patrols in this area.

From Housing/Planning Director

3. The DWP have been contacted and agreed that smoking will be brought back within the boundaries of the site in designated areas. Consideration has been given to the new regulations and to health & safety for workers and as such the designated areas are outdoors at a reasonable distance from any doors/windows to buildings. The location of the designated areas within site allows for the appropriate disposal of cigarette waste as it will become the responsibility of the cleaning contractors. They are finalising details of the designated areas and so the move should be imminent.

4. This has been reported to Emma Bolton (Anti-social Behaviour Co-ordinator, Community Safety) who will liaise with the Community Beat Manager for the area and take the appropriate action using their powers which include the possibility of confiscating the bikes. CW&P powers relate to any noise nuisance caused, so we are liaising with Emma to check if any further support is needed from us. (relating to mini motos on Wildings Lane)

5. Streetscene removed several deposits of waste along Wildings Lane last week. Warning signs about fly tipping are to be affixed at points along the bridlepath. Items dumped in the sluice have been reported to Environment Agency who are responsible for their removal. We will continue to patrol the area to secure evidence about any future perpetrators so that we can take enforcement action.

6. The damaged fencing to the plot of land at the rear of Ridgeway Court is a piece of herras fencing (similar to that used on building sites) which has been bent, and has been reported to the land owner for his attention. We are chasing up.

We hope you find this of use?

Regards

John, Keith & Craig

The Cabinet Recommends the 2007 Budget for Fylde

2007-02-15T13:39:00.000+01:00

On Wednesday night the Conservative Cabinet met to discuss the budget for 2007/08. The Council has worked hard over recent months to reduce costs, embark on joint ventures with other Councils and to pinpoint priorities whilst not being forced into reducing services. A difficult task. The process has involved all Councillors through the Overview & Scrutiny Committees. The budget shortfall was £841,000. There was also a recommendation to adopt a system of local Council Tax raising and spending to ensure that residents could see focused improvements in their area. This was called nicknamed "Equitable Taxation". Although the scheme received majority support from Parish Councils, the Cabinet felt that more work needed to be done with both St annes and Kirkham Town Councils and with the Lytham Forum to work on transferring the same responsibilities to them as operated by other Parish Councils in the Borough. Cabinet recommended that the Council continues to work on ET to this end.

The £841,000 worth of savings were found mainly from removing long standing vacant posts and increased revenues from a variety of operations on council owned facilities. The ultimate goal is for the Council to be able to not only balance the books, but to also be able to invest six figures sums each year in improving all of the Councils facilities. As already reported in previous blogs the previous Lib Dem, Independent and Ratepayer Coalition had one policy, to keep Council Tax levels the lowest in Lancashire, which they did. Although in principle this sounds a worthy cause, if they would have used incremental increases to the same level as Rossendale District Council, this year we would have had almost £2 million pounds of additional funds to invest in town centres, parks, swimming pools etc etc. Food for thought!

On Monday I attended the Lancashire Leader and Chief Executives meeting hosted in Lancaster Town Hall. At this meeting we discussed the challenges we were all facing with funding for concessionary bus travel. It was reported that the bus companies had had a bumper years and that the 14 Councils of Lancashire could receive a share of the £1.8. million pound over target receipts received. This would be approximately £60,000 for Fylde Council. With this in mind the Cabinet agreed to invest this money in Revenue Growth items listed in priority order. They were:

£25,000 to the Fylde Community Projects Fund. This will be matched by the same amount from the LSP. This scheme should see over £100,000 being raised towards local projects this year.
£10,000 for Information, Communication Continuity. Disaster recovery etc.
£8,000 for the removal of Spartina Grass from the Amenity Beach. The Council is going to hold the line just before the Beach Terrace cafe. The loss of the beach at St annes would be a disaster.
£8,500 for new Highway and Park trees.
£3,000 for the Boroughs entry to Nations in Bloom.
£4,000 for low level security lighting on Fairhaven Lake.
£1,500 to kick start a review of on street car parking restrictions in St annes town centre.

The Capital programme was discussed in depth and it was decided to divert funds from some Government priorities to Local ones. By doing this we were able to find £147,000 to spend on capital projects within the Borough. These were:

£12,000 to promenade Lighting in St annes. This amount enables us to upgrade the style of lighting columns from standard ones to Victorian.
£22,000 towards X2 Skydome CCTV cameras and Posts. These will be moved around the Borough to monitor areas of Low Level crime.
£15,000 for investment on youth issues and/or facilities.
£55,000 towards a full refurbishment of the Lytham Cenotaph Gardens.
£8,000 for a new fence for Newton Village playground.
£5,000 for new playground equipment for Newton village.
£5,000 for Willam Pickles Park, Newton village.
£25,000 towards the start of the refurbishment for Warton Sports Pavilion.

The current commitments which the Cabinet also agreed to continue supporting are:

£60,000 for Kirkham Memorial Gardens. (A total of £200,00 will be spent over next 2 years)
£30,000 on car park improvements. (surfacing, lighting etc)
£645,000 for the Heritage restoration of Ashton Gardens.

Many of the Parish bids have been on the books for years and as a result the facilities have declined year on year. The plan is over the next two years to fund these one off Parish Schemes and then to hopefully have the Parish Councils at a stage where they can budget for their long term upkeep. The facilities in the un-parished areas fall into our new planned maintenance programme.

In short we hope that the Council will adopt this budget on the 1st March as it is a budget for improvement and stability, based on need not politics!

Heyhouses Harrier update

2007-02-13T22:56:00.000+01:00

The 10th issue of the Harrier is now being distributed across the Ward with feedback already being received regarding graffiti and issues relating to possible new roamer bus routes. The team have already started chasing up these requests and will report back in due course. We have already started getting the issues raised at our last ward surgery addressed and we hope that residents will now being seeing the results.

The Dog Warden has also been tasked with a high visibility campaign on Hope Street and Waddington Parks, so if you have any concerns relating to dog fouling, whether on a park on pavement please let the Town Hall know by calling 658658. We are also keen to see back alleys kept clean and clear and the new environmental powers given to Councils could see residents receiving on the spot fines for putting bins out early or leaving large items in our back alleys. Again if you have a particular concern or know of anyone leaving rubbish in your back alley then please let us know.

Finally, there has been much fuss relating Concessionary Bus Travel. Lib Dem's have accused the Council of diverting the funds elsewhere and not using the full grant for free bus travel for the over 60's. This is absolute rubbish! The facts is that the Council has always had a grant for OAP's for free bus travel. This grant was in the region of 300,000 pounds per annum. The old scheme being administered through Age Concern Fylde. At the last General Election Labour introduced a preliminary scheme increasing the 'within Boundary scheme' to a wider one which enabled free bus travel within Borough Boundaries and a 50 pence flat rate on cross boundary travel, the Government added an additional 483,000 pounds to the original grant, therefore a total of approx 783,000 per annum. As as at January the bus usage figures show that all this money will be spent on the reduced fares scheme, with perhaps more having to come from the Council as a subsidy. The shortfall may continue to widen and each month the figures change. The bottom line is - Council Tax revenue will have to be used to plug any shortfall, we believe that this is wrong, the Government should give us more! Far from squirreling the money away we have allocated all that we have been given.

Next years scheme, the National Free Travel scheme, we all applaud. There is however a massive risk to Fylde's Council Tax payers. The current proposal will see the local Councils having to pay for all bus journeys started within their boundaries, no matter how much these bus journey's cost. For a visitors destination such as Fylde this could cause meltdown. How can we afford to pay for the return journeys of all the people visiting our Borough for either day trips or holidays? it could run into hundreds or thousands of people per week! How can a Government even begin to administer and fund such a scheme? and how can a small Authority such as Fylde be expected to bare the cost of the scheme if funding fall's short? We will be lobbying the Local Government Association in the coming weeks to highlight the potential risks to Council tax payers.

The Cabinet meets on Wednesday evening to finalise recommendations for the budget to Full Council. A lot of work has gone into the budget this year and we are confident that it will be well received by Heyhouses residents. Keep an eye on the blog for the details.

The Election Starter Gun is Fired!

2007-02-11T14:20:00.000+01:00

This weeks local Paper has seen Opposition Independent, Ratepayer and Lib Dem candidates start their campaign for the May elections. A Lib Dem campaign guide which was printed for the last Local Council elections instructed Lib Dem candidates to 'lie shamelessly and stir endlessly' and I can see that Fylde's Lib Dems are still using their National Parties guidance! The Lib Dems, Ratepayers and Independent Groups on Fylde Council formed the previous administration of the Council for 12 years. At the end of their term the Council's finances were destroyed, building's dilapidated, Council Staff the worst paid in Lancashire, Government Inspectors brought in to manage the Housing Department and Residents disenfranchised and ignored across the Borough.
On the first Monday after the May 2003 elections the Council started it's Government Inspection, Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) At the end of the week long Inspection Officials gave a damning report on the Councils performance. The grade given was 'weak with uncertain prospects for the future' The only saving grace for the Council was the fact that a new Conservative Administration had been formed and Inspectors were willing to give us time to prove that we could turn the Council around.
It later transpired that the Council was just a whisker away from suffering the humiliation experienced by Rossendale Council in East Lancashire. Their fate was that all senior Council Officers were removed and Councillors sent home. Whitehall Officials were brought in to bring Rossendale back into the 20th Century. AT Fylde the Conservatives were given the task of delivering the turnaround. In 2006 our last CPA related inspection of Environmental Services classified our service as 'Good with promising prospects for the future' a 180 degree turnaround in just 3 years! This continued improvement is what makes the May elections so important, a recent 'Risk Assessment' within the Town Hall found that in the view of Councillors, Staff and Inspectors the biggest Risk to the Council's continued improvement was the re-election of a Independent, Ratepayer and Lib Dem Coalition. The Coalition has vowed to overturn many of the 4 years of policy changes made by the Conservatives, returning the Council to the outdated 1974 mindset and a structure which will see the Fylde yet again isolated within Lancashire and on the brink of Whitehall takeover.

over the next 12 weeks I will use the Blog to counter some of the misleading stories in the press and keep Heyhouses residents informed of the facts. I hope that you will sign up to our email alert service and hope that you will keep us up to date with any concerns or suggestions you may have.

Week Commencing 29th January 2007

2007-02-03T20:08:00.000+01:00

Monday. Another busy week again with this years Budget now taking precedent. This year the Council has a funding shortfall of 880, 000 pounds. The Council is determined to find the savings without reducing front line services or raising Council Tax above 4.95% The Equitable Taxation policy will be put forward as a possible option not only to help balance the budget but to also enable Parish & Town Councils greater flexibility when planning their own precepts. The Equitable Taxation exercise has shown that since 1974 residents in Rural villages have been paying twice for their services, whilst those in Urban cores such as Kirkham and Lytham St annes have been under charged. However this funding re-balancing will ensure that those Urban areas see ring fenced funding for parks and open spaces enhancements in their areas.

Tuesday. Lancs District Leaders & Chief Executives Meeting. Preston Town Hall. Today the Leaders Group met to discuss the Government White Paper of Local Government Re-organisation. Our bid has been submitted on the lines of an enhanced two-tier bid.

Saturday. Today myself and Keith were joined by PC Jo Jackson and the chaps from Blue Watch from St annes Fire Station for our monthly Mobile Ward Surgery, this month held outside the shops on Singleton Ave. Residents cam along to discuss local issues and were given an opportunity to request a free smoke alarm fitting in their homes. These pioneering surgeries have been of great use to all organisations involved.

Issues raised with Councillors included: Dog fouling on Hope Street Park, the lack of benches for Bowling clubs, discarded cigarette butts from DWP smokers on Moorland Road, mini motorcycles on Wildings Lane and a Boundary fence behind Ridgeway Court. We hope to find solutions to all these concerns as soon as possible.

Public Access to Council Committees

2007-01-20T14:52:00.000+01:00

I have asked for the Councils agenda papers to be amended to highlight the fact that residents are able to attend both Full Council and Committee meetings of the Council. Conservatives were keen to open up access to the public and this was one of the main reasons for installing a Community Outlook Scrutiny Committee to enable residents to put forward issues for discussion by elected members. As part of our re-vamp of Full Council meetings we also initiated a Public Questions slot to enable residents to put forward a written question to be answered at the Full Council meeting. Residents are also allowed to speak at Development Control and Licensing meetings on applications that affect them.

I would urge residents to keep an eye on the Councils website for dates of meetings. All are welcome!

Weekly Update 15th 19th Jan

2007-01-20T14:40:00.000+01:00

This week has been a busy one within the Town Hall with the week starting with Human Rights Training on Monday morning. The course was intended to inform Councillors of the current and emerging legislation coming out of Strasbourg, residents will remember that such issues in the past had to go to the European Court of Justice for consideration. Human Rights legislation has now been absorbed into the UK legal framework.

Monday evening I attended a cabinet pre brief and then Chaired the Conservative Group meeting.

17th Jan. In the morning myself and the Chief Executive of the Council met with a representative from Government Office North West (GONW) The meeting was to discuss the Councils Improvement Agenda and track our progress in our quest for a 'Good' CPA re-inspection.

In the evening I chaired the Cabinet meeting.

19th Jan. This morning I attended the North West Regional Assembly meeting held at the JJB Stadium in Wigan. The agenda included items on Natural England, NW European network and updates on the work of scrutiny groups. You can view items on www.nwra.gov.uk

Friday evening was the Annual Conservative Association Dinner held at the Lindum Hotel, St annes with guest speaker Den Dover MEP

New Team Member for Ward committee

2007-01-13T16:02:00.000+01:00

This week saw the arrival of a new recruit to the Heyhouses Ward Conservative Committee, Mr Craig Halewood. Craig has a keen intrest in politics and will be helping Conservative candidates with campaigning on the run up to the May elections. Craig has lived on the Fylde Coast all his life and is about to move into St annes, he works at BAE Systems in Warton.

Keith Hyde has been working with Groundworks this week on the consultation for Waddington Park and has also led the budget setting process in the Town Hall by considering budget bids.

I was invited to speak on Wednesday night at the Civic Awareness seminar held at Lytham YMCA.. Conservatives as well as other political groups groups were invited to speak about how their respective groups operated within the Town Hall. The Conservatrives are the only group to hold regular meetings to dicuss local issues raised in their wards.

The Conservatives have launched a recruitment campaign this week to find District candidates for Rural Wards. If you know anyone who may be intrested in becoming a Conservative Councillor please get them to contact the Fylde Conservative Office on 01772 671533. Thanks!

Week Commencing the 8th January

2007-01-09T11:34:00.001+01:00

This week sees the return of regular meetings of the Council. Today the Cabinet has met informally to discuss the draft agenda for 17th of January meeting.

The Conservative Group on Fylde Council also met this evening to discuss issues that have arisen over the Christmas Period.

In the Ward the Consultation exercise initiated by New fylde Housing regarding potential development on a small section of Waddington Park has started. The Consultation will be carried out by Groundwork Lancs West. They will be contacting a cross section of residents within the park area to float plans and register concerns. Councillor Keith Hyde has been working closely withe Council Officers and the friends of Waddington Park on this project.

Getting Started!!

2007-01-07T23:46:00.000+01:00

Well It's day one of the the Heyhouses Ward Blog. I will try to give an up to date report of my work as your Ward Councillor and as the Leader of Fylde Borough Council. I will use the blog to inform you of issues that affect you within the Borough and Nationally and to also give a more in depth review on some of the news and letters in the local media.

I hope that you will sign up to my e-mail alert scheme, which will send you useful information, such as issues to be discussed in the Town Hall, Ward fund raising and Social events and how Government policies may affect you, your families and friends. This service will be in addition to Heyhouses monthly Ward Surgeries and our quarterly Heyhouses Harrier leaflet.

You will have to bare with me as I familiarise myself with the technology! I hope you will find this trial useful, I look forward to hearing from you in the future.