july2022 – Fylde Council

From the Station to the Sea: Fylde Council Submits Bid to Round 2 Levelling Up Fund To Revitalise St Annes Town Centre & Promenade Gardens

Fylde Council — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 09:24:46 +0000

Fylde Council has submitted a £13.14 million bid to Round 2 of the Government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF) that if successful will help kick-start the regeneration of St Anne’s Town Centre.

The £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund has been established to invest in projects focused on town centre and high street regeneration, local transport, cultural and heritage schemes.

The proposals in Fylde’s bid will transform the public realm and connectivity from the Station Gateway to the Promenade, integrating the town centre and seafront and providing a linked, high-quality experience for residents and visitors alike.

Fylde Council’s LUF project forms a key element of the St Annes Masterplan, which has been prepared by experts in Seaside Town regeneration. The Masterplan aims to place St Annes at the heart of strategic development within the borough, recognising the investment in key infrastructure projects such as the £27m M55 link road and the construction of the new £12m St Annes Seawall at the Island site. The Masterplan is available to view at www.fylde.gov.uk/stannesregen

The bid shows strong alignment with the themes and ‘missions’ in the government’s Levelling Up White Paper, particularly in relation to transport infrastructure, health, wellbeing, and pride in place.

The LUF public realm and connectivity project will deliver:

An active travel link for cyclists and pedestrians, from the station to the seafront.
Improved public realm to encourage investment in the town, including: The Station Gateway; In the Town Centre and The Square; On the ‘pier link’ at St Anne’s Road West; Promenade Gardens.
A new flexible events space at the heart of the town centre.
Improved wayfinding, lighting and signage throughout the town.

The bid has been prepared in consultation with our key partners including Lancashire County Council, St Annes Enterprise Partnership, Mark Menzies MP and the wider residents and business community of St Annes.

Councillor Karen Buckley, Leader of the Council, said: “The St Annes Masterplan is a bold and exciting long term plan which seeks to secure the brightest possible future for the town centre and seafront. Our bid for £13.14 million will help kickstart our ambitions with specific projects that can be delivered in the coming three years. I’d like to express my thanks to all those partners who have contributed and supported our LUF application, as well as all those residents, businesses and other stakeholders who have engaged with us so far.”

County Councillor Aidy Riggott, Cabinet Member for Economic Development & Growth at Lancashire County Council, wrote in support of the bid: “The County Council is supportive of the Vision for St Annes as set out in the recently developed St Annes Masterplan. The bid and its proposal are fully aligned to broader Lancashire economic and regeneration activities and, importantly, will be integral to improving the lives and opportunities of local residents. As such, Lancashire County Council has allocated £500k match funding from its Lancashire Levelling Up Investment Fund, subject to approval of a final business case.”

Mark Menzies MP, Member of Parliament for Fylde, said: “I have been working with Fylde Council throughout the process of developing its masterplan for St Annes and am pleased to have reached the stage where a funding bid is ready for the first stages of that work.

“St Annes is a great place to live and work but continued investment is important. These proposals will enhance the town and help attract new businesses and development, and I am pleased to be supporting Fylde Council in its regeneration work.”

A decision on the Round 2 LUF application is expected to be communicated to applicants in Autumn of 2022. If funding is approved by the Government, project planning will start immediately, with the project to be completed by March 2025.

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.

Six Fylde Parks awarded the coveted Green Flag Award and officially recognised as amongst the country’s best parks!

Fylde Council — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 08:56:19 +0000

Fylde Council is celebrating after receiving Green Flag Awards for Ashton Gardens, the Promenade Gardens, Fairhaven Lake, Lowther Gardens, Lytham Memorial Gardens and Elswick Village Hall, placing them amongst 2208 UK winners to have met the high standard of the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

Cllr Michael Sayward, Chairman of Fylde Council’s Tourism & Leisure Committee, said: “After two years that have seen our parks and green spaces play a vital role for people through lockdowns as a place to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely, the news that six parks in Fylde have achieved the Green Flag Award is testament to the hard work and dedication of the teams that make them wonderful places which everyone can enjoy.

“From 29 July to 5 August, Fylde Council will also be taking part in Love Parks Week, giving people the chance to celebrate the fantastic efforts of everyone involved in making Fylde’s green spaces so amazing.”

Commenting on the news, Keep Britain Tidy’s Accreditation Manager Paul Todd said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making these six sites worthy of a Green Flag Award.

“These are vital green spaces for the community in Fylde. This award is testament to all the hard work of staff and volunteers, who do so much to ensure that the parks maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

A full list of Green Flag Award-winning parks and green spaces is available here. For more information about Love Parks Week, follow our social media channels and visit the Love Parks Week website here.

Views Sought at St Annes Seawall Coastal Transformation Display

Fylde Council — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 11:33:48 +0000

Fylde Council is unveiling major plans to redevelop the St Annes Coastline at a one-day public exhibition to be held at the Town Hall in St Annes on Monday 1 August between 15:00 – 19:00.

The project team comprising staff representing Fylde Council, the designers Jacobs UK, and the contractor Volker Stevin will be at hand to lead visitors through the project and answer any queries they may have.

Cllr Thomas Threlfall, Chair of the Environment, Health & Housing Committee, said: “This is a vital project to better defend our residents and businesses against the effects of changing climate, and I’m pleased that people will be able to contribute their views. I would encourage everyone to have their say, whether in person or online.”

The purpose of the project is to provide better flood and erosion protection to over 500 properties and businesses over the next hundred years by providing a £12.1m new seawall around the Island Site. The existing ageing 90-year-old structure is nearing the end of its design life and is at increasing risk of overtopping and structural damage.

The opinions and suggestions received by residents following the public exhibition will be used, alongside the continuing engagement on an individual basis with local businesses and organisations affected by the works, to inform the final design.

For those unable to attend on the day, the display boards will be available for viewing each weekday at the Town Hall up to and including Monday 8 August 2022, from 09:00 – 17:00.

The display boards, with the opportunity to comment, will also be available digitally at www.fylde.gov.uk

New Public Conveniences Coming to North Beach

Fylde Council — Thu, 14 Jul 2022 13:22:19 +0000

A new modular toilet facility is to be built at St Annes North Beach, providing permanent public conveniences to visitors, following the awarding of a contract to Danfo UK Ltd by Fylde Council’s Operational Management Committee.

The North Beach area, located in St Annes located Clifton Drive North, has become increasingly popular in recent years for visitors and motorhomes, and with the upcoming North Beach Wind Sports Centre certain to draw kite-surfers and land yachters in number, it was decided that permanent public toilets would be required to properly serve the area.

The Operational Management Committee voted to approve the budget of £150,000 for the new block, as well as the implementation of the standard usage fee of £0.40p in line with other Fylde Council owned public toilets. Originally it had been considered to award the contract to Healthmatic Ltd., but with the set-up of their new UK-based manufacturing facility, Danfo were able to provide a revised quote before the decision on the delivery had been made, offering better value for money to the local taxpayer.

Cllr Roger Small, Chair of the Operational Management Committee, said: “As a Council, we’ve been very pleased with the services Danfo have provided in cleaning and maintaining our public conveniences across the Borough. This new contract will provide both excellent value for money for our residents and a much-needed facility for our welcome visitors.”

Danfo already supply cleaning, maintenance and cash collection services for other public toilets across the Fylde area and provided both the new modular unit by the Splash Park facility as well as the ‘pods’ in numerous other public toilet blocks throughout the borough.

Stay connected with Fylde Council’s social media and news for more information about when these new toilets will be available. For a list of council-owned public toilets, their locations and opening times, visit the Fylde Council website.

Budget Boost for Stanner Bank Toilet Refurbishment

Fylde Council — Thu, 14 Jul 2022 13:17:14 +0000

An additional £20,000 has been recommended by Fylde Council’s Operational Management Committee to fully realise the refurbishment of Stanner Bank public conveniences into an accessible and welcoming new amenity.

The original approved 2022/23 Capital Programme included a budget of £58,000 for the refurbishment of the toilet block to improve accessibility and renovate the structure in keeping with the improvements taking place across the heritage park as part of the Fairhaven Lake and Garden Restoration Project.

Cllr Roger Small, Chairman of the Operational Management Committee, said: “The programme of renewal across Fairhaven has brought numerous improvements to the landscaping and buildings, including the renovation of the operational boat house, beautiful new heritage lighting, and the rediscovery of the Japanese gardens.

“It’s only fitting that these dated public conveniences also be renovated, ensuring that Fairhaven Lake and Gardens are fully accessible to all visitors and residents.”

The design proposal would utilise the grass sloped area to the rear of the toilets, joining the lakeside through the centre of the two buildings by removing the covered seating area and erecting a new decorative wooden pagoda. The path from the car park would be modified to cater for disabled access, and planted borders alongside the path would address the current lack of landscaping.

Following the procurement exercise, the original budget allocation been found insufficient to deliver the stepped approach to the public conveniences, create appropriate disabled access to the lake from the middle car park and tarmac the area around the toilet block.

Subject to approval from the Finance and Democracy Committee and pending contractor availability, the project is anticipated to commence on site from early August 2022, with an estimated completion of September 2022.

Local In Bloom Groups Get COVID Cash Boost

Fylde Council — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 10:01:24 +0000

The In Bloom groups across Fylde have received additional one-off payments from Fylde Council’s COVID funding to assist the post-pandemic return of the volunteer groups.

Payments totalling £13,250 have been made to the twelve local organisations, whose hard work to keep the towns and villages of the borough beautiful was impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and the inability to fundraise.

Councillor Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, said: “As a Council, we recognise these groups are a priority in the local community, and we’re delighted to be able to provide this payment to help ease their welcome return. The value their efforts bring to our streets and green spaces alongside our staff is enormous, and their volunteers are a credit to Fylde.

“During the pandemic it has been difficult for the groups to hold coffee mornings or other fundraising activities so I hope the grants will make up for that and provide a further boost to the wonderful floral displays which we all enjoy.”

Fiona Boismaison is the Chair of St Annes in Bloom, who received a one-off payment of £2,500 from this COVID funding in June. Fiona was excited to discuss the possibilities for investment provided by the funding: “This payment is hugely beneficial to us and helps give us a lot more flexibility, as fundraising is great fun but can take a lot of time and energy. Our committee have already met to discuss how best this money can be invested, and we’re hoping to put it towards something extra special!”

If you would like to pitch in, contact your local In Bloom group to talk about volunteering opportunities.

Next Stage of Fylde Council’s Household Support Fund Announced

Fylde Council — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 11:09:07 +0000

Vulnerable residents across Fylde are soon to receive additional financial assistance from Fylde Council through the Household Support Fund.

Fylde Council have received £270k in funding from Lancashire County Council, and a one-off payment of £90 will be made to each household where a person of pension age and in receipt of Council Tax support is resident.

The funding left after this payment will be used to support vulnerable residents through Citizens Advice with essential costs such as heating and energy. A further bid has been submitted with the aim of allowing Fylde Council to continue working more widely with Citizens Advice Fylde, Age UK, and Fylde Foodbank to help those most in need.

Cllr Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, said: “I’m proud that Fylde Council have voted to provide this much needed assistance to the most vulnerable members of society. The rise in the cost of living has affected us all, and these payments – along with the additional support for our valued local partner agencies – will help ease these hardships.”

The Houshold Support Fund originated in September 2021 with a £500 million fund to help vulnerable households across the country with essentials during the winter period. Fylde Council received £150k in this tranche through Lancashire County Council, which was distributed through small payments to support vulnerable households meet daily costs such as food, clothing and utilities.

In May 2022, the Government announced that the Household Support Fund grant had been extended once again to offer additional support to vulnerable households. Lancashire County Council have distributed to Fylde Council a further £270,000 of funding to be used in supporting the elderly, to complement the support for families and individuals provided through Lancashire County Council’s £4million free school meal voucher scheme over the school holidays from April to September.

The £90 payments will come in the form of a letter with a code which can be scanned at the Post Office to claim the cash payment, to a maximum of one letter and payment per household where a pension-age resident is in receipt of Council Tax support.

Councillors on Fylde Council’s Environment, Health and Housing Committee unanimously approved the scheme funding in June, and the proposal has now been approved by the full Council as of 4 July 2022.