I’ve been working with my team to roll out a programme of asymptomatic SMART testing since late 2020 and we have made huge strides in ensuring those that cannot work from home are regularly tested to keep their colleagues, customers and families safe.

For those who aren’t quite sure what SMART testing is – it’s a non-invasive lateral flow test for individuals who are asymptomatic – those who show no signs of having the virus. SMART stands for Sustained, Meaningful, Asymptomatic, Repeated and Targeted.

There are two main channels in which asymptomatic testing is taking place. SMART testing in the workplace is carried out at large private and public sector organisations after staff have been trained by the military to self-administer the tests.

Many key businesses in Fylde are taking part, which is really encouraging. Workplace testing for companies with more than 50 employees is being encouraged, but if it isn’t feasible, they can send staff to the community SMART testing sites, which is the second route.

Led by my team here at Fylde Council we have set up four hubs in different areas of the borough so those who cannot work from home can be tested regularly. This is open to key workers, community volunteers, vulnerable individuals and employees from other smaller local businesses.

These sites launched in February and initial reaction and take up is very promising. We have seen an increase in attendees each week and out of nearly 900 tests carried out we have had only two positive results.

This means that we stopped the chain of infection from asymptomatic individuals to other members of the community who could be more vulnerable.

People who are eligible for this type of testing are those that cannot work from home and aren’t having regular tests at work.

This includes public sector employees working in local government, charities and voluntary groups, private sector businesses providing key services such as taxi firms, water companies or waste management or education and childcare settings that aren’t covered by existing testing in schools.

I’m really proud of how quickly the team has moved to roll out and expand asymptomatic testing as it is a key element that will help us meet the four tests that are required before each relaxation of restrictions in the coming months.

As more and more sections of the economy reopen we will be ready to offer testing for people that need to go to work to ensure we can continue to pinpoint and isolate any asymptomatic cases.

It is really important that businesses allow employees to get tested regularly to stop outbreaks and, as well as keeping everyone safe, avoid large scale business disruption.

There is a clear road map back to doing the things we love, spending time with people we have missed and getting our economy moving again and, by working together to stop the spread of asymptomatic cases, we will arrive at our destination!

For more information about SMART testing sites in Fylde please visit: https://new.fylde.gov.uk/smart-testing-to-be-rolled-out-in-fylde/

Trilanco, which is a specialist equine, pet and agricultural products wholesaler based at Mill Farm Sports Village in Wesham, was one of the first companies to agree to regular testing at one of four SMART testing sites across the borough.

The company employs 110 people with approximately half of them working at Trilanco’s Covid secure headquarters.

Employees who regularly attend the site, mostly in the warehousing facilities, are tested every Monday at the SMART testing centre located in the neighbouring AFC Fylde Education Centre.

David Lee​, Chief Operating Officer at Trilanco, said: “We operate a Covid secure workplace but we are aware that asymptomatic infection is significant across the community.

“Being an early adopter of the SMART testing has really helped to improve staff morale and shows that our employees’ health and wellbeing is being given top priority.

“The reassurance that we haven’t got Covid in the team is huge especially for colleagues who are themselves in high risk groups or have family members that are higher risk.

“Smart testing is an important part of our Covid risk reduction approach, but we believe that the most effective risk reduction strategy is not to have staff on site if we can avoid it.”

Thanks to continuous investment in technology most of Trilanco’s office and sales staff have been working from home successfully.

For those on site, Trilanco’s Covid secure measures have included minimising risk in shared spaces by maintaining good social distancing behaviours, also handwashing and sanitising regularly.

The company has also encouraged colleagues in higher risk groups to work shift patterns which minimise their interactions with others.

David added: “Our teams working from home, as well as home schooling and going lockdown crazy, and those working on site everyday have been fabulous through all three lockdowns.

“It means that as a business we have stayed operational to support our customers who have been supplying farms, stables and the general public with animal medicines and everyday essentials throughout the pandemic. We have been supplying 500 customers every day on a next day basis.

“The levels of customer service we have continued to deliver have been exceptional and as a management team we can’t thank our teams enough.

“We know it hasn’t always been easy, but given the progress being made on the vaccination programme hopefully there is now light at the end of the tunnel!

“The “new normal” isn’t going to be the same but we are optimistic that as a business several of the changes we have made such as improved use of technology and some of the changes to our operating processes will help us grow and thrive in the future.”

Richard Hurt, Health Protection Practitioner at Fylde Borough Council, has led the project to get the four SMART testing centres up and running.

He said: “We are delighted that Trilanco has been one of the SMART testing early adopters, giving the staff and the management team the peace of mind that their team is not asymptomatically spreading the virus.

“Trilanco is doing everything possible to keep its people who can’t work from home safe. It means that they continue to operate successfully as a business and maintain their high levels of customer service.”

Fylde Borough Council’s SMART testing centres are:

• Monday – AFC Fylde Education Centre, Mill Farm, Kirkham
• Wednesday – St Cuthbert’s Church Hall, Church Road, Lytham
• Thursday – St Annes United Reformed Church, St George’s Road, St Annes
• Friday – Kirkham Community Centre, Mill Street, Kirkham

No appointment is necessary and the test is free of charge. It is recommended that attendees bring their smartphone and do not eat or drink 20 minutes prior to the test. Each of the testing centres is open from 9:30am – 4pm.

Representatives from Covid Response groups across Kirkham and Rural Fylde, St Anne’s and Lytham, three of the Mayor’s Covid-19 Hero award winners and young DofE participants, were invited to the online event.

Cllr Jacques thanked everyone for their continuing hard work and Cllr Thomas Threlfall, Chair of the Environment, Health and Housing committee, spoke about the life-changing work of the Fylde Community Hub which was launched in March last year to provide help for those in need during the pandemic.

Volunteers were asked to share their experiences and Holly Belshaw, who is a community worker at Light Church in Kirkham and set up the Kirkham and Rural Fylde Response team, was delighted to be part of the event.

She said: “We had already started to roll out a community support initiative in Kirkham and Wesham when we were contacted by the council to be part of the Fylde Community Hub.

“It made perfect sense for us all to link together to make sure every corner of Fylde was covered and we built a team of 45 volunteers in the weeks that followed.

“Looking back, the crisis really did ignite community spirit and people of all ages and backgrounds came forward to do their bit.”

DofE participants also stepped forward when the community needed them. From playing virtual board games with care home residents to delivering shopping, 301 young people carried out 2301 hours of voluntary work in 2020.

DofE Operations Manager, Lea Roberts, said: “It was fantastic to have DofE participants recognised for their volunteering contributions within the community of Fylde throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The DofE has proven to be a vital focus for the mental health and wellbeing of so many young people and adult leaders throughout the global crisis. We are exceptionally proud of our DofE participants who have gone above and beyond to support the vulnerable in our society and thank their DofE Leaders, parents and carers for supporting their efforts.”

DofE Gold Award participant Thomas Hewitt, who attends Kirkham Grammar School added: “I know how beneficial volunteering has been to me personally and I hope it has been to those who I have helped and met.

Volunteering during these most challenging of times has provided me with a focus, perseverance and shown how effective community-wide volunteering can truly be.

It has been a privilege to be just one of the countless young people who have volunteered with the Duke of Edinburgh Award during this pandemic. We are indebted to the many organisations who willingly take us on.”

 Volunteers Jon Byles Hardman, of Memories Made Photography, and Jon Boriss from Meridian Virtual Media, were named as Fylde Coast COVID-19 Heroes in 2020.

The pair, who are Freemasons, were recognised for their endless efforts to raise a smile while generating funds for the Fylde Foodbank.

From doorstep portrait photography in exchange for food bank donations to setting up virtual events for their fellow Freemasons and helping schools create special memories with socially distanced school leaver pictures, their help will be remembered by many generations in Fylde.

Jon said: “We felt very humbled to be named as Covid-19 Heroes as to us we were just doing what we could to make people smile during some very difficult times, so to be invited to this wonderful online event by the Mayor seemed surreal.

“Everyone has their own story to tell about how they have managed during the pandemic and we feel very proud to have been able to help so many people in lots of different ways.”

Drew Thompson, of Thompson and Hardwick Optometrists in Lytham, was another recipient of a Covid-19 Heroes Award for producing over 1500 face shields for critical workers during the difficult first wave of the pandemic.

He said: “It was wonderful to meet the Mayor online and hear about all the amazing work everyone else had done.

“We all had one goal in mind – to make a difference – and seeing the ways that everyone responded was truly inspiring, it certainly made my weekend!

The Leader of Fylde Council, Councillor Karen Buckley closed the event after expressing her deep gratitude. She said: “In the face of seemingly impossible adversity these volunteers, and many others, stood up to be counted and we will be forever grateful to them.

“Together they formed the backbone of the Fylde Community Hub along with 14 members of council staff to ensure that everybody got the help they needed.

“While Covid took so much from our community, these people came forward to give back. Each will be remembered for their efforts for a long time to come.

“We have recently rebranded The Fylde Community Hub to create more awareness about it.

“Following the recent announcement that more people will be asked to shield in the coming weeks it is vital that as many people as possible know about how we can help so we can continue to support our residents.”

For more information about the Fylde Community Hub, call 01253 658448 or email listening@fylde.gov.uk.

With increased testing in the community and in workplaces through static and mobile testing sites, as well as SMART testing for key workers, we are finding and isolating cases and stopping the spread. The vaccination roll out has also been a remarkable success. Our infection rate and the number of new cases are falling week-on-week and we are all looking forward with optimism after a long and difficult winter.

When I look back on a challenging 12 months, there are some real chinks of light that have shone through and community spirit is at the very heart of every positive. The people of Fylde have worked together to bring case numbers down and support their friends and neighbours; everyone can say they have played a part.

Our teams at Fylde Council have excelled to ensure businesses were supported, both financially and practically.

The Fylde Community Hub, which was launched almost a year ago, has helped thousands of people when they needed it most. Providing food parcels, shopping assistance, medication supplies, a befriending service and a dog walking service are just some of the ways we have been able to help.

The delivery and the running of the hub could not have been achieved without the help of a number of local community organisations, including the Council for Voluntary Services and Fylde Citizens Advice Bureau, which ensured government funding reached the most vulnerable. Thanks go to Fylde Foodbank which has been unstinting in its support of vulnerable people throughout the pandemic and to the many volunteers for their hard work and their efforts.

In addition, an army of community-spirited volunteers have stepped forward to do tremendous work for those in need and have complemented our partner charities and organisations.

The Fylde Community Hub will continue to support our residents in the coming weeks and months and they can get in touch by either calling us on 01253 658448 or emailing us at listening@fylde.gov.uk.

With work well underway to start unlocking our lives and economy, we are looking forward to brighter days ahead.

The existing seawall which extends 660m round Pleasure Island, was constructed in 1935, and reduces the risk of coastal erosion and flooding to 252 residential properties and 42 businesses. It is one of three strategic headlands which are critical to maintaining healthy beaches, dunes and to reduce the risk of coastal erosion along Fylde Council’s frontage.

The existing seawall is at the end of its design life and is in poor condition, with frequent spalling evident, resulting in ongoing repairs and maintenance. Voids have previously been identified resulting in settlement of the promenade and slipway. The crest level is low and overtops during storms resulting in damage to the promenade, the flooding of two car parks, the swimming pool and fitness centre plant room, and flooding up to the door thresholds of the cinema, casino, amusement and restaurant complex.

The study area extends from Water’s Edge Café at the northern end, to the southern end of the Miniature Links Golf Course. The objective is to reduce the risk of flooding and erosion to businesses and to protect people’s homes.

The feasibility study is at an early stage, and a number of alternative options are currently being considered, depending on input and feedback from numerous stakeholders including residents, and businesses.

For the project to proceed a feasibility report will be submitted to the Environment Agency for approval in 2021. In line with Government guidance, the report will identify and consider various alternative options in terms of; technical viability, buildability, health and safety impacts, environmental opportunities and impacts (including carbon footprint). It will also include an economic assessment to compare the whole life cost of short-listed options, against their benefits. Following this assessment, a preferred solution will be identified which is likely to obtain approval for Government funding. It is however anticipated, however, that Fylde Council will have to make a substantial capital contribution. More importantly, it will require resident and stakeholder engagement and support.

Subject to approval of the feasibility report, completion of the detailed design and obtaining all necessary consents, licences and approvals, site works could commence as early as spring 2022.

The Council wish to notify all who are potentially affected at an early stage. Whilst we would like the opportunity to host exhibitions and have face to face engagement, due to current Covid-19 restrictions, the options for the scheme will be posted on the Discover Fylde website, for all to view,  comment on, and ask questions.  They will also be displayed on sign boards at the entrances to the Pleasure Island Promenade.  The aim will be to determine the preferred option in the next few weeks and months, for submission to the Environment Agency later this year.  This approach, however, will continually be reviewed in line with the Covid-19 restrictions at the time.

Councillor Roger Small, Chair of the Environment, Health and Housing Committee said: “This is a very exciting next stage on our coastal defence works, following on from Church Scar and Fairhaven. We are confident that the Environment Agency will look favourably on this proposed scheme as we have delivered prior ones both on time and on budget. It is important that residents see these proposals in advance so they can make comments and suggestions. This is a valued part of the process as new ideas and suggestions can form a part of a finished scheme.”

The scheme has it’s own dedicated webpage which can be accessed at www.discoverfylde.co.uk/stannesseawall

People that aren’t showing any symptoms of Covid-19 that need to leave home to work as part of an essential service, vital infrastructure or community group can be tested weekly at one of four strategically placed hubs.

Since training for the centres started on Monday 1st February over 400 people have taken part in the programme and will return each week to ensure they aren’t asymptomatically spreading the virus.

This includes supermarket staff, taxi drivers, teachers, nursery nurses, emergency services staff and those from larger employers within the local areas.

Swabbing and processing takes place onsite and the results are available within the hour. Six new jobs have been created with staff being trained by the military to deliver the testing.

Richard Hurt, Health Protection Practitioner at Fylde Borough Council, has led the project to get the four testing centres up and running.

He said: “The reaction to these local SMART testing sites has been fantastic and we have already seen more people than we expected to at this early stage.

“We’ve worked with a number of large employers in the area who have committed to sending staff for weekly testing and it is hugely encouraging to see so many other people taking individual responsibility and coming along to get tested.

“I would urge everyone that is eligible to take part in this testing to do so as it will help drive cases down long term.

“We are hoping that many people will recognise the benefits of getting involved in local testing efforts to reduce the spread of the virus in workplaces and local communities.

“This is just one of the ways Fylde Council is leading the local fight against Covid-19.”

The centres are located across the borough here:

• Monday – AFC Fylde Education Centre, Mill Farm, Kirkham
• Wednesday – St Cuthbert’s Church Hall, Church Road, Lytham
• Thursday – St Annes United Reformed Church, St George’s Road, St Annes
• Friday – Kirkham Community Centre, Mill Street, Kirkham

No appointment is necessary and the test is free of charge. It is recommended that attendees bring their smartphone and do not eat or drink 20 minutes prior to the test. Each of the testing centres is open from 9:30am – 4pm.

The three main symptoms of Covid are a high temperature, a persistent cough or a loss of smell or taste.

But there are other symptoms that have been reported by people who have tested positive, such as a persistent headache and diarrhoea.

Up to a third of people have no symptoms at all, but are still infectious.

Lancashire’s three directors of public health are calling on anyone who is worried they may have coronavirus to book a test through the NHS website.

They are being backed by the Lancashire Resilience Forum, which brings together public bodies including Lancashire’s councils, police, fire, and health to lead the county’s response to the emergency.

Councillor Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Borough Council, said: “In recent weeks it has been all too apparent that some people aren’t displaying the classic COVID symptoms.

“Many people have tested positive with symptoms such as headache, aches and pains, and conjunctivitis, to name but a few, so it is really important that people get tested if they feel unwell.

“By identifying cases we can continue to drive down the spread of this virus while the vaccine is being rolled out.

“Our teams here have worked incredibly hard to ensure that testing sites are in convenient locations across the borough and, as well as our permanent site at Fairhaven Road car park we have also organised mobile testing units in Kirkham and Freckleton on selected dates throughout February.

“Together we can reduce the spread of this awful virus and look forward to more positive times ahead.”

Residents can book a free test by calling 119, book online at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or through the government’s NHS Covid app: www.nhs.uk/apps-library/nhs-covid-19

When booking a test, if the person doesn’t have the classic symptoms, they should simply say they don’t.

A few clicks later on the website, they can then choose the option which says: “My local council or health protection team has asked me (or someone I live with) to get a test, even though I do not have symptoms”.

Targeted rapid testing for people without symptoms, aimed at key workers, is being launched in Fylde In February.

Support is available for people who need to stay at home after a positive test. Find out more at www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment

Read about the other symptoms on the World Health Organisation website here: https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_3

Dates for Fylde mobile testing units:

Rawstorne Sports Centre (Freckleton):

• Tuesday 2nd
• Wednesday 3rd
• Thursday 4th
• Monday 15th
• Tuesday 16th
• Wednesday 17th
• Monday 22nd
• Tuesday 23rd
• Wednesday 24th

William Segar Hodgson Pavilion (Kirkham):

• Friday 5th
• Saturday 6th
• Sunday 7th
• Friday 12th
• Saturday 13th
• Sunday 14th
• Thursday 25th
• Friday 26th
• Saturday 27th

From Monday 8th February, people that aren’t showing any symptoms of Covid-19 that work as part of an essential service, vital infrastructure or community group can be tested weekly at one of four strategically placed hubs.

This includes supermarket staff, taxi drivers, teachers, nursery nurses, emergency services staff and many more and will give everyone peace of mind that they aren’t asymptomatically spreading Covid-19.

The centres will be located across the borough here:

• Monday – AFC Fylde Education Centre, Mill Farm, Kirkham
• Wednesday – St Cuthbert’s Church Hall, Church Road, Lytham
• Thursday – St Anne’s United Reformed Church, St Georges Road, St Anne’s
• Friday – Kirkham Community Centre, Mill Street, Kirkham

Swabbing and processing takes place onsite and the results are available within the hour.

Richard Hurt, Health Protection Practitioner at Fylde Borough Council, has led the project to get the five testing centres up and running.

He said: “We are delighted to be adding another service that will help us in our local fight against Covid-19.

“I would urge everyone that is eligible to take part in this testing to do so as it will help drive cases down long term.

“The community SMART testing programme is aimed specifically at key workers and community groups and I would encourage these people to attend the testing stations on a weekly basis.

“We are hoping that many people will recognise the benefits of getting involved in local testing efforts to reduce the spread of the virus in workplaces and local communities.”

No appointment is necessary and the test is free of charge. It is recommended that attendees bring their smartphone and do not eat or drink 20 minutes prior to the test. Each of the locations will be open from 9:30am – 4pm.

A small number of salons are continuing to operate across the borough, particularly attracting customers from younger age groups where the virus is most prevalent, according to recent data. 

The council has issued a number of penalties to Sunnydays tanning salons in St Annes and Freckleton. 

Cllr Tommy Threlfall, Chair of Fylde Council’s Environment Health Housing committee, said: “We are still aware the COVID rate in Fylde is higher than other parts of the country and this is of great concern. People who continue to go against the laws should expect to be fined appropriately. Due to the incredible risk to the others, laws have been put in place to protect you and the NHS. We are asking for the public’s support.  

“Visiting a tanning salon is not a reasonable excuse to leave your homes. The ‘close contact’ premises are closed for public health reasons.   

“By visiting a tanning salon unlawfully, customers are putting the family they live with, the person they are permitted to exercise with, their support or childcare bubble and their work colleagues at risk. 

“If your family or friends are visiting tanning salons, please encourage and educate them not to do so, so we can move on, protect the NHS, save lives and not delay the time when these premises may operate lawfully again.” 

Insp Mick Jones of the Fylde and Wyre Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We are all in this together and we will support Fylde Borough Council in their activity to crack down on businesses which flout the regulations and continue to do all we can to keep people safe. 

“If people see illegal activity taking place we would encourage them to take down details of times, dates, vehicle registrations and descriptions of the individuals involved and report it to police on 101 or online at https://doitonline.lancashire.police.uk.” 

It has been widely documented that around one in three people with Covid-19 do not show any symptoms and may be feeling perfectly fit and well. 

A recent workplace testing exercise in Fylde using lateral flow tests revealed 21 people tested positive, all of whom were unaware that they were infected.