As part of Fylde Council’s exciting new weekly food waste collection service, indoor and outdoor caddies will be hand-delivered to over 10,000 Phase 1 households from w/c Monday 28 September to Friday 9 October. Tucked inside ten of those deliveries will be a golden ticket, each one unlocking a brilliant local prize – from a Fairhaven Lake adventure day out and a paddleboarding lesson to Lytham Hall tours, a padel tennis session for four at Ace Padel, vouchers for Beurre Patisserie and Ribby Hall, as well as a free garden waste bin subscription, resident parking permit, Marks & Spencer food hamper and afternoon tea for two at Staining Lodge.

Each caddy will also contain everything residents need to get started – including caddy liners, details of when their service begins and a full service information leaflet. Full FAQs are available at www.fylde.gov.uk/foodwaste for anyone who wants to find out more ahead of their first collection.

The competition celebrates the launch of a service that will transform how Fylde residents manage food waste, diverting it from landfill to generate renewable energy through anaerobic digestion, all at no extra cost to households.

Councillor Michelle Morris, Lead Member for Customer and Operational Services, said: “The arrival of the first caddies on doorsteps is a genuinely exciting moment for Fylde, and the golden ticket competition is our way of celebrating that with our community. We can’t wait to hear who our lucky winners are, and to see residents across the borough embrace this positive step for our environment.”

Residents can check whether their household is included in Phase 1 using the postcode search tool at www.fylde.gov.uk/foodwaste. Pre-launch letters were delivered in July with further details. Any household that believes they should have received a caddy but hasn’t by Monday 12 October is asked to get in touch at recycle@fylde.gov.uk.

View the terms and conditions here.

The Prizes

Ten prizes are available, one per golden ticket. The prize applicable to each ticket is stated on the front of the ticket. Prizes are as follows:

• Fairhaven Lake adventure day out (adventure golf and pedalo for up to 4 people)
• Fairhaven Lake paddleboarding lesson (one hour for up to 4 people)
• Lytham Hall (self-guided tour for up to 4 people)
• 1 hour padel tennis for 4 people at Ace Padel Lytham St Annes (rackets and balls included)
• Afternoon tea for two at Staining Lodge (valid for 12 months)
• £20 Beurre Patisserie voucher
• Free garden waste bin subscription for 2027/28
• Fylde resident parking permit (valid for 12 months)
• £50 Ribby Hall voucher
• M&S food hamper

Where a prize is provided by a third-party venue, it is subject to that venue’s own booking terms and conditions, including availability. Fylde Council accepts no responsibility for changes to third-party prizes outside of its control.

How to Claim

To claim your prize, email communications@fylde.gov.uk with your name, address and a photograph of your golden ticket. Claims must be received by 11:59pm on Saturday 31 October. Claims received after this date will not be accepted and the prize will be forfeited.

Eligibility and Conditions

1. The competition is open to residents of the Fylde household to which the golden ticket was delivered. The ticket is only valid for the address to which it was delivered.
2. One prize per household. Only one golden ticket will be accepted per address.
3. The competition is not open to employees or family members of employees of Fylde Borough Council.
4. Claimants must be aged 18 or over.
5. Prizes are non-transferable, non-exchangeable, and no cash alternative will be offered.
6. Winners may be asked to provide proof of address before their prize is released.
7. The winner agrees to have their first name and general location (for example, Lytham or Kirkham) shared across Fylde Council’s communication channels upon collection of their prize, unless they request otherwise at the point of claiming.
8. Fylde Council reserves the right to cancel or amend the competition if circumstances beyond its control require it.
9. Fylde Council’s decision is final in all matters relating to the competition. No correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcome.
10. Participation constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions.

Data Protection

Personal information provided when claiming a prize will be used solely for the administration of this competition and prize fulfilment, in accordance with Fylde Council’s Privacy Policy. It will not be used for any other purpose without your consent.

Now in its seventh year, the popular event will once again see families, friends and keen walkers take on the scenic route, starting at 1pm from the event lawn at Fairhaven and heading along the coastal path to Lytham Windmill and back, raising funds for BBC Children in Need along the way. There’s no need to pre-register, simply turn up on the day. Everyone who takes part will also be entered into a raffle for the chance to win an extra-large Pudsey Bear teddy!

The ramble was co-founded by Councillor Tommy Threlfall, Fylde Council’s Lead Member for Environment, and BBC Radio Lancashire presenter Graham Liver, whose partnership has helped the event grow into a real highlight of the Fylde coast calendar.

Councillor Tommy Threlfall said: “Graham and I started the River Ribble Ramble seven years ago, and to see it grow into this bigger and better event fills me with real pride. It’s not just a walk, it’s a chance for our community to come together and raise vital funds for such an important cause. I’d encourage everyone, whether you’ve walked with us before or are joining for the first time, to come along, get involved and be in with a chance of winning in this year’s raffle.”

Residents of all ages and abilities are welcome to join in on Sunday 1 November, with the walk taking place rain or shine. Donations can be made in cash on the day, or online through the event’s JustGiving page. Fylde Council would like to thank everyone who continues to support the River Ribble Ramble and looks forward to welcoming even more walkers to this year’s bigger and better event.

The free event brings together inspiring local organisations searching for enthusiastic volunteers, giving residents the chance to explore roles that fit their interests, skills and availability. Whether you’re retired and looking for purpose, keen to build new skills, or simply want to give something back, there’s a volunteering opportunity waiting for you in Lytham and beyond.

Visitors can enjoy complimentary tea, coffee and cake while chatting with organisation representatives in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, the perfect setting to ask questions and find out more about the causes that matter most to them.

The Lytham fair is the latest in a series of volunteer events taking place at venues across the borough throughout 2026, as Fylde Council continues its commitment to strengthening communities and celebrating the incredible voluntary sector that makes this area such a special place to live and work.

Councillor Chris Dixon, Lead Member for Social Wellbeing, said: “Our volunteer fairs have already connected so many residents with meaningful and rewarding opportunities, and we’re delighted to bring this event to Lytham this autumn.

“Volunteering transforms lives, not just for the people receiving support, but for the volunteers themselves. We’d encourage anyone who’s curious about giving something back to come along, enjoy a slice of cake, and see what’s possible.”

Organisations interested in hosting a stall should email community@fylde.gov.uk to register their interest.

At a meeting on Tuesday 22 September, members agreed a new £400,000 capital scheme addition for 2026/27, funded entirely by the Environment Agency’s Regional Area Programme Delivery Mandate, to fund detailed design and technical development work on the seawall’s 660-metre headland stretch, from the mini golf site to the View Café.

The preferred approach will see a durable concrete overlay applied to the existing seawall and promenade, paired with a smart new sea outfall and storage system to manage wave overtopping, offering stronger flood and erosion protection for 510 local properties and businesses against even a 1-in-200-year storm event.

Specialist contractor VolkerStevin Boskalis Westminster (VBA) has been appointed, through the Environment Agency’s Beach Management Framework, to carry out the design and early contractor involvement work, backed by a £350,000 contract.

Councillor Thomas Threlfall, Lead Member for Environment, said: “This is fantastic news for St Annes. Our seafront is the heart of the town, and this funding means we can finally move forward with a practical, deliverable plan that will protect 510 properties and businesses from flooding and extreme weather for generations to come. I want to thank Council officers and the Environment Agency for their hard work and continued partnership in protecting our coastline.”

Design work will get underway in the coming months, with a further report to follow before any future construction phase begins.

The move follows concerns raised by the community about the cumulative impact of licensed premises in a specific area of Lytham and represents a thoughtful compromise that protects the town’s character without placing unnecessary barriers in the way of local businesses.

Rather than introducing a blanket Cumulative Impact Policy, the Council’s Licensing Committee carefully considered the evidence and resolved that the existing policy should instead be strengthened, encouraging future applicants in the area to include additional safeguarding measures in their operating schedules, alongside closer working between planning and licensing teams. Officers then prepared a revised draft policy and ran a full consultation between April and May, inviting views from residents, businesses, town and parish councils and other responsible authorities.

Councillor Chris Dixon, Lead Member for Social Wellbeing, said: “This is a great example of the Council listening carefully to what residents and businesses told us, and finding the right balance.

“Lytham is such a special place, and this updated policy means we can protect that character while still supporting the businesses that make the town so vibrant. I’d like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation and helped shape this outcome.”

The updated policy is now in place and will guide how future licensing applications are assessed across the borough, giving communities greater confidence that their concerns are heard while supporting a thriving local economy. It’s another example of Fylde Council listening to residents and taking practical, proportionate action to keep our neighbourhoods safe, welcoming places to live, work and visit.

Members meeting on Tuesday 22 September agreed changes to Part 3 and Part 5d of the Constitution, paving the way for the Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026, which come into force on Saturday 31 October.

The new national scheme means that only certain kinds of planning applications will be able to be considered by the Planning Committee, with the rest having to be determined by officers. To make sure local voices are still heard, the Council has built in a clear “gateway” process: every week, councillors will be sent a full list of relevant applications, giving them the chance to flag any that they believe should go before committee. While applications will still only be able to go to the committee if they meet government criteria, ward councillors will be able to make their case in person that an application should be decided by members.

Councillor Gavin Harrison, Chairman of the Planning Committee, said: “These changes are something the Council is being forced to adopt following a Government decision, not something we’ve chosen ourselves. We’ve tried as hard as we can to protect local democratic accountability – for example, by building in the ability for ward councillors to call in applications and appear at the Gateway Test, which goes further than many other authorities have done.

“It’s a significant change, and we’ll be keeping the new process under close review after 31 October. I’d like to thank Council officers for their work in putting these arrangements together.”

The updated arrangements will apply from Saturday 31 October, and existing safeguards around openness, fairness and member conduct in planning matters remain firmly in place.

This six‑week consultation, running from Friday 18 September to 5pm on Friday 30 October, sets out how Fylde must respond to increased housing requirements set by the Government. National policy requires all councils to review their Local Plans and plan for the number of homes mandated through the Government’s standard method.

The draft Local Plan includes a requirement for 6,656 new homes, a figure imposed nationally and not chosen locally. If Fylde does not update its Local Plan by December 2026, national policy will deem existing housing policies out‑of‑date, leaving the borough with no defence against speculative development. By focusing 90% of new homes in the four most sustainable strategic locations and avoiding any strategic release of Green Belt, the Council aims to protect Fylde’s countryside and distinctive character while meeting these mandatory targets.

Councillor Gavin Harrison, Chair of the Planning Committee, said: “This stage of the Local Plan is about applying careful scrutiny to how Fylde responds to national housing requirements. We are required to plan for higher numbers set by Government, and the draft plan aims to manage that pressure in a way that protects Fylde’s character and directs development to the most appropriate locations. I encourage residents to review the proposals and tell us what matters most to them.”

Councillor Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, added: “The Government has increased the housing numbers that every council must plan for, and this review ensures Fylde complies with those rules. It’s vital that residents have their say on how these mandatory requirements are handled locally. This consultation is your opportunity to influence the plan before it goes any further.”

All representations will be passed to the Secretary of State as part of the examination process. Residents are asked to read the Privacy Notice before commenting.

The digital plan, evidence base and online response form are available at www.fylde.gov.uk/2042.

The Fylde Saltmarsh project, part of the wider Our Future Coast programme, has made the shortlist for the CIRIA Biodiversity Challenge Awards 2026. The project focused on restoring vital habitats following construction of the Fairhaven sea wall, using innovative nature-based solution techniques to strengthen the saltmarsh and provide natural coastal protection for years to come. Residents have also played a hands-on role through citizen science initiatives, helping to monitor and care for this unique stretch of coastline.

The CIRIA awards celebrate projects across the construction and development sectors that go above and beyond to put nature at the heart of their work, and being shortlisted places Fylde among the country’s leading examples of biodiversity-led coastal protection.

Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Thursday 5 November, with a short film about the project also set to be showcased to guests and on CIRIA’s digital platforms.

Councillor Tommy Threlfall, Lead Member for Environment, said: “The saltmarsh at Fairhaven is a fantastic example of how we can protect our coastline while creating a richer, wilder environment for local wildlife to thrive. To be recognised nationally for this work is brilliant news, and it’s a real credit to everyone involved, including the residents who’ve taken part in our citizen science programme along the way.”

Ellie Brown, Our Future Coast Programme Manager, added: “We are delighted that the Fylde Salt Marsh project has been recognised nationally. It is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team and their fantastic volunteers, and a fitting recognition of the positive impact this project is having on our coast.”

Our Future Coast is funded by Defra as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes which is managed by the Environment Agency. The programmes will drive innovation in flood and coastal resilience and adaptation to a changing climate.

For more information about the Our Future Coast programme, visit https://thefloodhub.co.uk/ourfuturecoast/

The free, family favourite in Promenade Gardens, first built in 1912 as a boating pool beside the Grade II listed bandstand, was closed this summer after surface cracks turned out to run far deeper than first thought. Investigations found water had worked beneath the historic structure after decades of use, weakening the layers below and creating a safety risk for children. Rather than patch over the damage and risk failure again, the Council chose a thorough repair that tackles the problem at its root.

The Executive Committee has now approved £86,284.35, funded from the Capital Investment Reserve, to complete the five-stage repair carried out by specialist contractor GJN & Son Ltd – removing the damaged material, rebuilding the base and finishing with a fresh coat of paint carefully colour-matched to the pool’s classic blue. The work comes with a 10-year warranty, giving real confidence in its lasting quality.

Councillor Jayne Nixon, Lead Member for Tourism, Leisure and Culture, said: “This paddling pool has been bringing joy to St Annes families for well over a century, so it was vital we got this repair right rather than rushing a quick fix that wouldn’t last.

“I’d like to thank our officers and contractors for their hard work getting to the bottom of a genuinely tricky problem, and I’m really looking forward to seeing children splashing about here again.”

With the final stages of curing and testing needing to be completed properly, the pool will now stay closed over winter and reopen fresh for the start of the 2027 season – giving families a fully restored, long-lasting attraction to look forward to next year. The repair reflects the council’s wider commitment to protecting Fylde’s seafront heritage for future generations.