The submission references the joint letter sent by Fylde, Wyre and Lancashire County Council to Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh, which called on government to consider an alternative northern connection before decisions are finalised on transmission infrastructure for the Morgan and Morecambe offshore wind projects.

The letter followed EnBW’s withdrawal from the Morgan project and drew on the Councils’ independent economic review, which found the alternative route could save up to £520 million and help unlock Hillhouse Enterprise Zone, supporting around 1,100 additional jobs and between £990 million and £1.7 billion in Gross Value Added.

The Council’s comments urge the Secretary of State to take this evidence into account before the current transmission proposals are locked in.

Councillor Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, said: “We have been clear throughout this process that decisions of this scale must be based on the fullest possible evidence. Our comments to the Secretary of State reinforce the case set out in our joint letter with Wyre Council and Lancashire County Council, and we will keep pressing government to look seriously at the alternative connection before it is too late to change course.”

Councillor Michael Vincent, Leader of Wyre Council, said: “This is a once-in-a-generation infrastructure decision. We owe it to our residents, businesses and future generations to ensure the right solution is chosen. We are therefore urging the Secretary of State to give full and proper consideration to the alternative northern connection before the current transmission proposals are locked in, so that we can protect communities, support energy security and maximise economic opportunities across Lancashire.”

For more information relating to the Irish Sea Wind Farms, visit our dedicated webpage.

Following a brilliant response last year, the awards are back to celebrate the everyday heroes who help make Fylde a healthier, more active and more connected place to live. Hosted by Fylde Council’s Health and Sports Development Team, the awards shine a light on achievements both on and off the pitch, from coaches inspiring the next generation to volunteers who quietly keep clubs and schools running week after week.

Councillor Jayne Nixon, Lead Member for Tourism, Leisure and Culture, said: “The Fylde Community Sports Awards are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the people and organisations who work tirelessly to make a difference through sport and physical activity. There are so many unsung heroes in our communities, and these awards are about making sure their contribution does not go unnoticed. I would encourage residents to nominate someone who deserves recognition.”

Winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony in November, bringing together some of Fylde’s leading sporting and community figures for a night celebrating the very best of the borough, with a shortlist revealed ahead of the big evening.

There are eight categories up for grabs this year: Coach of the Year, Club of the Year, Primary School of the Year, Secondary School of the Year, Young Achiever of the Year, Health and Wellbeing Award, Volunteer of the Year, and the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Nominations close at 11pm on Sunday 27 September. To nominate your sporting hero and find out more, visit our webpage.

Work begins on Monday 7 September with the St Annes Arts Arena Mosaic in the amphitheatre, created by artist Gary Drostle in 2005. Attention will then turn to the Mermaid Mosaics on the southern side of the Square, to ensure that the popular St Annes Artisan Market can go ahead undisturbed on Saturday 12 September. These two mosaics were commissioned by Fylde Council in 2003 as part of a redevelopment of the town centre and created by artist Stephen Charnock. Each phase of work is expected to take up to two weeks depending on weather conditions.

Tracey, who has spent over ten years restoring historic mosaics alongside a 30-year career in public art, has secured approval from both original artists to carry out the restoration, ensuring their vision is preserved for future generations. Small areas of fencing will be in place around each site while work takes place, though residents and visitors can expect no disruption to access across the Square.

Councillor Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, commented: “The mosaics have become a familiar feature in St Annes Square, adding colour and interest to the space. Restoring them now ensures they play their part in the wider regeneration work, complementing the major improvements already underway and supporting our long‑term plan to create a more vibrant, attractive and resilient town centre for the future.”

The restoration forms part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to protecting and celebrating the borough’s public art and heritage, following a £3.13 million investment in St Annes Square in 2025.

The impact was immediate, with town centre footfall in August 2025 reaching over 277,000 visitors, the highest August figure on record and an 8% increase on the previous year, surpassing even pre-pandemic levels.

The £3.13 million refurbishment of the Square, delivered upon the town’s 150th anniversary, has welcomed a fantastic range of activities in its first twelve months. Free Yoga in the Square sessions, live Kite Festival entertainment and the St Annes Music Festival all took place within weeks of the Square’s completion. October’s Fylde Fest: In the Square and November’s much-loved Christmas lights switch-on showcased the space’s versatility, while Fylde Fest: Spring into Life brought residents back to enjoy the Square as the warmer months arrived. Monthly artisan markets in partnership with Crafty Vintage and the popular farmers market have become regular fixtures, and the Square even hosted crazy golf during the AIG Women’s Open.

St Annes Town Council has delivered its own wonderful programme with Sounds in the Square live music sessions, Sensations in the Square, and the popular Steps in the Square series featuring Zumba, Salsa and Line Dancing. The weekly biker meetup continues to be a firm favourite, drawing visitors to the Square and supporting our local cafés.

Councillor Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, said: “It has been wonderful to see the Square become such a vibrant part of our community over the past year. From live music and dancing to markets and festivals, residents and visitors have truly embraced this fantastic space.

“This is exactly the kind of investment that makes a real difference to our town, and we look forward to welcoming even more people to enjoy everything the Square has to offer.”

Residents and visitors can look forward to an exciting programme of events continuing through the summer and into the autumn.

Upcoming events

• St Annes Artisan Market — Second Saturday of each month, continuing from Saturday 8 August.
• St Annes Kite Festival — Featuring a brand-new art trail from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 September, bringing children’s artwork to life in local shop fronts, alongside live entertainment in the Square.
• Christmas Lights Switch On — Saturday 28 November.
• Sounds in the Square — Free live music every Wednesday, 1-2:30pm until 30 September.
• Steps in the Square — Free dance sessions every Tuesday, 12-1pm from 8 to 29 September.

Visitors can look forward to five flying arenas on the beach, including a special evening of illuminated kite flying on Friday, plus a fairground, food and drink stalls, and an artisan market showcasing local producers in the Promenade Gardens. One arena will sit outside the dog control zone, so four-legged friends can enjoy the action too. The event is free to attend and suitable for all ages, weather permitting.

The fun will also spread into the town centre, thanks to a colourful new art trail bringing 15 shop windows to life with kite designs created by pupils from Heyhouses Endowed C.E. Primary School, Mayfield Primary School and St Thomas’ Church of England Primary School. Community art studio Durose Studios has hand-painted the children’s artwork onto windows across St Annes, and families following the free self-guided trail can hunt for hidden letters for the chance to win a prize.

Councillor Jayne Nixon, Lead Member for Tourism, Leisure and Culture, said: “There’s so much to look forward to this year, from illuminated kites lighting up the night sky to our brilliant new art trail bringing colour to the town centre.

“The Kite Festival is one of our most-loved events and a real showcase for everything Fylde has to offer, so I’d encourage everyone to come down, enjoy the spectacle on the beach, and take some time to explore the town centre too.”

The festival continues to grow in popularity each year, drawing thousands of visitors to the Fylde coast and giving a welcome boost to local businesses.

Find out more about the St Annes International Kite Festival here.

Earlier this month, the boating lake was drained which allowed it to be de-silted and enabled an investigation to determine the ongoing water loss issues. The works included inspection of more than a mile of joints within the concrete base and targeted repairs to those joints using methods similar to previous maintenance undertaken in earlier years. Approximately half a tonne of bitumen was used to strengthen and replenish deteriorated joints before the lake was refilled using seawater pumped from the beach.

While the repair works were completed successfully, the subsequent refill operation demonstrated that the underlying issue is more significant than originally anticipated. Despite being refilled, water levels reduced rapidly over the following week, indicating that water is not simply escaping through isolated joints but is likely seeping through wider areas of the ageing concrete structure itself. Engineering observations suggest that the lake’s nearly 100-year-old concrete base has become increasingly porous in places, allowing significant water loss.

This means that further short-term patch repairs are unlikely to resolve the problem. Repeating the recent refill exercise at the next available high tide window in August would therefore carry a significant cost and operational commitment, with little prospect of achieving a different outcome. For that reason, the Council has decided not to undertake another refill attempt at this stage.

To permanently address the issue would require a much more reliable and resilient engineering intervention, which would come at a substantial cost. Initial assessments indicate that options could include installation of a specialist liner system, sprayed waterproof membranes, comprehensive joint renewal, or other construction techniques designed to create a new watertight structure within the existing lake. Any long-term solution would also need to consider the provision of storage and maintenance facilities should boating activities be reintroduced in the future, alongside improvements to the lake’s water supply arrangements.

The original infrastructure used to top up the lake has become increasingly ineffective due to changes in beach levels over many decades. As part of any future scheme, the Council will therefore need to assess alternative methods of maintaining water levels and investigate whether additional measures, including overtopping or water management facilities, may be required.

The Council will now prepare a detailed options appraisal to establish the most appropriate long-term future for the site. This work will examine both the feasibility and cost of the water retention lining options for the boating lake, alongside alternative uses that could attract external investment and complement wider regeneration ambitions for St Annes seafront.

Keep up to date with the latest Fylde Council news by following us on social media or subscribing to our newsletter. Any new information will be posted directly through these channels, so if you are following us, you’ll be the first to know. 

• Sign up to our newsletter  
• Follow us on Facebook  
• Follow us on Twitter 
• Follow us on Instagram

The Prize

One winner will receive a one-night stay for up to four people in a Bell Tent with wood-fired hot tub at Stanley Villa Farm.

The stay is valid until 31 October 2026, subject to availability, and excludes Fridays, Saturdays, and all school holiday dates. The prize is provided directly by Stanley Villa Farm and is subject to their own booking terms and conditions.

How to Enter

Entry period: Saturday 1 August to Monday 31 August 2026 (inclusive).

To enter, complete the Fylde Council Resident Survey at https://ow.ly/Wmn950XIo1J and provide your email address in the field at the bottom of the survey. Entries submitted outside of the entry period will not be accepted. Entries submitted without a contact email address will not be accepted.

Selection Process

All eligible entries will be entered into a prize draw. One winner will be selected at random after the entry period closes at 11:59pm on Monday 31 August 2026.

Winner Notification and Prize Collection

The winner will be contacted via the email address provided within 7 days of the draw taking place. The winner must respond within 7 days of notification, or their prize will be forfeited and an alternative winner chosen. Booking of the stay must be arranged directly with Stanley Villa Farm using the voucher provided. Prizes are non-transferable, non-exchangeable, and there is no cash alternative.

Eligibility and Conditions

1. Entrants must be residents of the UK and aged 18 or over.
2. This prize draw is not open to employees or family members of employees of Fylde Borough Council.
3. One entry per person. Duplicate entries will be disqualified.
4. The prize draw is free to enter; no purchase is necessary.
5. Late entries will not be accepted.
6. The winner agrees to have their first name shared across Fylde Council’s social media channels and Residents’ Newsletter upon collection of their prize.
7. Fylde Borough Council reserves the right to cancel or amend the prize draw if circumstances beyond its control require it.
8. The draw is final; no correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcome.
9. The overnight stay is subject to Stanley Villa Farm’s own terms and conditions, including availability and any site rules. Fylde Council accepts no responsibility for changes to the prize outside of its control.
10. The stay must be booked and taken before 31 October 2026. The prize excludes Fridays, Saturdays, and all school holiday dates. No extensions will be granted.
11. Entry constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions.

Data Protection

Your email address will be used solely for the administration of this prize draw and winner notification, in accordance with Fylde Council’s Privacy Policy. It will not be used for any other purpose without your consent.

Keep up to date with the latest Fylde Council news by following us on social media or subscribing to our newsletter. Any new information will be posted directly through these channels, so if you are following us, you’ll be the first to know. 

• Sign up to our newsletter  
• Follow us on Facebook  
• Follow us on Twitter 
• Follow us on Instagram

When Places Leisure took over from the YMCA as an agent for Fylde Council in April, the decision was taken at this time to close the centre to allow essential maintenance work to take place.

Due to the age and condition of the building, investment and repair works had always been anticipated. However, as detailed surveys and investigations were undertaken to inform the planned programme of works, additional structural issues requiring immediate remediation were identified. As a result, the works are more extensive than originally expected, meaning the building will need to remain closed for an extended period while they are completed.

Specialist contractors and consultants have spent recent months assessing the building in detail and considered all options to reopen the facility safely whilst meeting the necessary insurance requirements. Their advice is clear: attempting to reopen the building with short-term fixes could cause further issues, prove costly, and lead to repeated partial or full closures. The effective way to deliver the modern leisure facility our community expects and deserves is to move directly into the full refurbishment programme.

This is a once‑in‑a‑generation investment that will transform the site into a modern, high-quality leisure destination in St Annes, including:

• A fully modernised pool environment designed for accessibility, sustainability and long-term community use
• A state-of-the-art first floor gym overlooking the sea, offering a bright, modern fitness space
• A contemporary studio for classes and group activities
• Spa facilities and an exciting indoor splash pad for families
• Modern new changing facilities, including improved accessible provision
• A welcoming café and vending area

The Government has now announced that Fylde Council will become part of a new authority in 2028 covering Fylde, Wyre and Blackpool. Many residents have understandably raised concerns about what this means for local investment. By pressing ahead with the full refurbishment now, Fylde has secured the project while decisions remain in local hands – reducing the risk of delay, maintaining momentum and protecting a valued community asset.

Councillor Jayne Nixon, Lead Member for Tourism, Leisure and Culture, said: “I know how much this closure has affected residents, and I want to acknowledge that directly. We apologise for the disruption this has already caused and for the further wait it will now mean for people who use and love this facility. But this major multimillion pound investment will deliver a long-term future for St Annes Swimming Pool & Gym, providing the modern, high‑quality facilities our community deserves.

“Moving directly into full refurbishment is the safest and most efficient way to get this right, and we’re determined to deliver a superb leisure centre for St Annes while ensuring the project stays in local hands as we approach Local Government Reorganisation.”

Dan Walker, Business Development Director at Places Leisure, said: “”We remain committed to providing high-quality leisure facilities that are welcoming and accessible to everyone in the local community. Working in partnership with Fylde Council, we will ensure that the investment works at St Annes Swimming Pool & Gym are delivered efficiently and effectively. We are optimistic about the future and the positive impact these improvements will bring.”

Fylde Council will continue to work closely with Places Leisure to finalise the programme and will keep residents updated with insights and sneak previews as work progresses of the superb facility coming to St Annes.

Work on Kirkham Baths will not be affected by this programme – the two refurbishments are running concurrently. For the latest updates on both projects, visit https://new.fylde.gov.uk/swimming-in-fylde/.

The works will see paving lifted and re-laid across footway and frontage areas, planters and landscaping features carefully repaired and block paving between properties and planters reinstated, all designed to make the street safer and easier to navigate for everyone, whether popping to the shops or enjoying a stroll through the neighbourhood.

All businesses and properties on Orchard Road will remain fully accessible throughout the works and will continue to operate as normal, with no full road closures during the construction period, so residents can keep supporting their favourite local shops without any disruption.

To allow the team to carry out the works safely and efficiently, on-street parking along Orchard Road will be restricted, with temporary traffic management measures in place to keep everyone moving safely through the area. Visitors are encouraged to make use of nearby public car parks instead, with St Annes Square, Wood Street, North Promenade and, at weekends, the Town Hall car park all offering handy alternatives just a short walk from the shops and cafes.

The Orchard Road project forms part of the wider St Annes Improvement Projects, funded through the Council’s capital programme, and reflects our ongoing commitment to keeping St Annes looking its best while making sure it stays safe and accessible for all who use it.

Councillor Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, said: “Orchard Road is a much-loved and well used part of St Annes, and it’s important that everyone can move around it with confidence. These repairs will put right issues that have built up over time, restoring the area to the high standard our residents rightly expect. We thank the community for their patience while we deliver these improvements.”

Residents can expect to see the difference these works make as they progress, with further updates along the way. Find more information about the St Annes Improvement Projects here.

The Community Projects Fund, which allocates £20,000 annually, has enabled transformative projects throughout Fylde, ranging from sports initiatives to environmental improvements and cultural preservation efforts.

Among the standout projects, St Annes Cricket Club has received £2,000 towards a solar panel installation, helping the club cut its carbon footprint while securing a more sustainable future. The Creators Hub CIC has also been awarded £2,000 for a new workbench, accessible toilet and storage space for costume making, supporting creative talent right here in Fylde. Meanwhile, When Broken We Rebuild has secured £1,500 to set up a much-needed miscarriage and baby loss support group, offering comfort and connection to families going through unimaginable loss, and Memory Café Kirkham has been awarded £1,500 towards refurbishing its venue, creating a warmer, more welcoming space for people living with memory difficulties and their carers.

Further awards include:

• CN Sports FC Panthers U12’s – £1,000 for football kit, building an inclusive team where every young player feels valued
• Elswick and Inskip Girls Under 8 Football Team – £1,000 for training kit and coats
• LSA YMCA Phoenix U11 Girls – £700 for winter training coats
• Weeton St Michael Parochial Church Council – £650 for a robot mower to support churchyard volunteers
• Atletico Warton – £620 for sporting equipment to meet growing demand
• Roots to Branches Forest School CIC – £300 for a shed for their children’s area
• Friends of Newton Community Park – £300 for new planters
• Grow Kirkham and Wesham Station – £300 for platform planting materials, timber, stones, plants and signage
• Shedquarters Weeton Barracks – £300 for a disc sander and hand tools to run their six-week woodworking course

Councillor Chris Dixon, Lead Member for Social Wellbeing, said: “It’s brilliant to see such a fantastic range of projects benefitting from this funding, from sports clubs and youth groups to environmental and wellbeing initiatives. Every one of these grants will make a genuine difference to the people involved, and it’s a privilege to support the incredible work our voluntary and community groups do.”

Local voluntary, community and faith groups interested in applying for future funding can find detailed information about eligibility criteria and the application process here.