june2022 – Fylde Council

Fylde Community Projects Fund 2021/22 Update

Fylde Council — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 08:17:34 +0000

Fylde Council’s Community Projects Fund has awarded over £14,500 in financial support to local voluntary, community and faith groups during 2021/2022.

The Fylde Community Projects Fund awards grants between £300 to £2000 for organisations which are based in Fylde or work exclusively with people who live in the Borough, funding projects which promote or enhance the environment, encourage cohesive communities, or promote the economy.

The Community Projects Fund comprises of two tranches: a larger fund for bids from £300-£2000, with bidding usually split over three rounds, and a smaller fund with bids up to £300. All applications must provide an equal amount of match funding in cash or in kind.

Councillor Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, said: “Fylde Council are delighted to be able to provide this wonderful opportunity for local groups to receive additional support in bringing their projects to fruition. The Community Projects Fund has helped numerous worthy causes since its inception, and I would encourage qualifying local organisations to apply; the process is simple and straightforward.”

The successful bids for the larger fund in 2021/22 totalled £11,302.97, including £2000 to the Laugh Live Love community group in Lytham for a new minibus, £1,800 to the AFC Fylde Community Foundation for equipment for teams at Kirkham and Weeton, and £2000 to the Friends of Lytham Hall for crucial improvements to the car park.

Bids for the smaller fund of up to £300 reached a total of £3,254.87, and included £286.87 to the 2nd Kirkham Scout Group for equipment for their wildlife group, £290 to the Friends of St Annes Station to provide a new nursery bed and raised planter, and £288 to pay for song sheets, binders and other equipment for the Connect Community Choir.

If you or someone you know could benefit from the Community Projects Fund, please visit our website for more information about the criteria and the application process: Fylde Community Grants – Fylde Council

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.

Time Running Out to Cash In £150 Energy Rebate Letters

Fylde Council — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 08:19:25 +0000

Fylde residents who have received their letter for the £150 Energy Rebate but haven’t yet redeemed it at the Post Office are reminded they have until 30 June 2022 to do so.

After this date, the letters will expire, and holders will no longer be able to claim the payment intended to address rising energy costs.

Councillor Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, said: “Fylde Council have been working in partnership with the Post Office to ensure that this relief reaches eligible ratepayers, but we are aware that not everyone who has received a letter has used it.

“I would encourage anyone who has yet to take their letter to their nearest Post Office to do so before the end of the month, making sure to remember the relevant identification, so that they do not miss out.”

The letters allow for households in Council Tax bands A to D to visit any post office and pick up a cash payment upon presentation of the letter and the specified proofs of identity.

The energy rebate payments were announced by the Government earlier this year as part of a package of measures to help people manage the rise in household energy bills, as well as the general increase in the cost of living.

Fylde Council Handyperson & Sanctuary Scheme Extended

Fylde Council — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 08:30:16 +0000

The Fylde Council handyperson scheme for those on lower income and sanctuary scheme to help victims of domestic violence will be continued for a further three years in Fylde.

Following an initial 12-month pilot scheme, councillors on Fylde’s Environment, Health and Housing Committee voted unanimously to fund the service for a further three years.

The handyperson scheme is targeted at lower income households, particularly older and disabled residents in their own homes who need assistance with repair, maintenance and home safety checks.

Some 94 applications were made to the handyperson service last year, with 91 successful referrals and 200 jobs carried out. Work typically involves the installation of minor aids and adaptations to maintain their independence in their own homes.

The Sanctuary service operates alongside the Handyperson Scheme and provides support to help victims of domestic abuse stay in their homes, such as added security measures and cameras for peace of mind.

Cllr Tommy Threlfall, Chairman of the Committee, said: “These are both wonderful services and I’m very pleased to see Fylde Council support for them another three years, helping those who need it most.”

If you or someone you know would benefit from either the handyperson scheme or the sanctuary scheme, visit the Fylde Council website for more information or call the Fylde Council Customer Service team on 01253 658658.

Green Loop Eco Makers Market Celebrates Sustainable Creativity on Saturday 25 June

Fylde Council — Fri, 17 Jun 2022 13:01:17 +0000

Fylde Borough Council’s arts development service has developed the ‘Green Loop’ project to raise awareness of sustainable making and craft. Over the last three months an artist in residence, Nerissa Cargill Thompson, has been working with local people to consider what goes to landfill and how some of this could be reused for as a material for art and craft. The project will culminate at the end of this month with a special eco makers market at Fairhaven Lake.

The Eco Makers Market will have a surprising and inspiring array of sustainable crafts on offer and opportunities for people to find out how they can create products which reduce waste. With products ranging from jewellery to homewares, visitors and shoppers can find handmade products which don’t cost the Earth.

The Eco Makers Market is being curated by Hopeful and Glorious who are known in Lancashire for promoting local handmade. The market will take place on Saturday 25th June and showcase handmade sustainable, green and eco creative products. Featuring the work of over 20 talented north-west makers, the outdoor market will be located next to Fairhaven Lake and the newly restored water-sports Centre. The market will run 11am to 4pm and will be free to visit.

Included in the market are a wide range of small creative businesses who are making a positive difference to the environment.

The Sewing Institute will be demonstrating some of the products and workshops they run from their base in Ansdell. The Sewing Institute offer a wide range of sewing sessions for people of all ages supported by qualified textiles teachers in a friendly and creative learning environment. They aim to support people to be able to sew at home and make eco products such as washable beauty wipes and reusable food bags.

Calluna Furnishings from Quernmore, near Lancaster, will be showing their wide range of furnishings and upholstery projects. Sarah from Calluna is an expert in taking well-loved furniture and giving it a new lease of life with new upholstery and gorgeous new fabric covers. Sarah says, “Lots of reusable, good quality furniture ends up in landfill every year but much of this could be reupholstered and repaired to look and feel much better than many brand-new products.”

String Effects from Pennine Lancashire take guitar strings that would end up in landfill and use these to create original and stunning new jewellery. With friends and family who worked in music, Karen from String Effects could see that it wasn’t possible to recycle guitar strings in the UK so with her interest in jewellery design she came with up the eco-friendly idea.

Pip Cottage from Accrington grow willow and create gorgeous basketry from their base in Accrington. Julie from Pip Cottage is an expert in willow weaving. Alongside her products she will be sharing information of a wide range of workshops that she offers for people to develop their own skills in weaving with materials that can be found in the home.

Thrift Design from Chorley take salvaged materials that would otherwise head to landfill and creates gorgeous pictures of British wildlife. From old clothes to sweet wrappers, Lucy from Thrift Design sees beauty in the colours and textures of salvaged items and combines these with her passion for the natural environment.

Alongside the makers, the Green Loop Project participants will be sharing the products that they have been developing from clean environmental waste materials such as plastic bottles and shopping bags.

Additional Background information

Fylde Borough Council’s arts development service have developed ‘Green Loop’ which is an art and environment project motivated by the desire to connect Fylde’s communities with the coastline. The project will provide meaningful volunteer opportunities & provide engagement opportunities and in doing so, it will offer local people opportunities to create deeper connections to the coastline so that it becomes more accessible to all, better appreciated, and better understood. The pandemic has forced many to be more creative, and to appreciate the natural environment. It is this acknowledgment across society that we wish to capture. It is our aim that Green Loop will bring together Fylde residents through this shared purpose.

Green Loop is comprised of three thematically linked strands: –

Using the local coastline as the stimulus, emerging artists have been working alongside professional environmental artist Nerissa Cargill Thompson and participants in a workshop programme to research, design, create, promote and retail a limited-edition, sustainable & ethically produced range of wearable or home accessories made from recycled plastic and waste found in the Ribble Estuary. Participants will retail their outputs at the Green Loop Eco Makers Market, showing how beautiful items can be made from recycled materials. Working with partner organisations Ribble Rivers Trust and Keep Britain Tidy invaluable support has been provided through the provision of ecology sessions and waste material sourcing activities.
An artist commission created by Nerissa Cargill Thompson to explore the environmental impacts of plastic waste through a series of artworks created both using and inspired by litter found in the River Ribble. Nerissa is collaborating with the local business sector to develop an exhibition trail to be hosted by the participating businesses, along Fylde’s high streets, bringing greater awareness of the human impact on the local environment looking at the legacy of such waste and alternative choices.
Green Loop Eco Makers Markets are curated by Hopeful & Glorious (https://hopefulandglorious.co.uk/) to promote local sustainable making businesses and provide a platform for the launch of the communities limited edition product range.

Park View Playing Fields Drainage Improvements

Fylde Council — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 09:42:55 +0000

Fylde Council’s Tourism and Leisure Committee has recommended that an additional £25,000 be allocated to the Park View Drainage Improvement Scheme in order to significantly upgrade the drainage system, making the fields better for the public and mitigating flood risk in the wider area.

The Queen Elizabeth II Park View Playing fields, a public open space in Lytham St Annes owned by Fylde Council, has proven a highly popular location for football and other field games but occupies a low-lying site which leaves it at frequent risk of surface water flooding.

The new proposal would bring the total funding for the improvement scheme up to £65,000, ensuring that a high-quality system can be implemented. The proposal must now be approved by the Council’s Finance & Democracy Committee.

Councillor Michael Sayward, Chairman of the Tourism and Leisure Committee, said: “The playing fields at Park View are an immensely popular local amenity, and we want to ensure they’re in the best possible condition for all who use them. The additional funding to this project will let us further increase the capacity of the pumps and follow best practise in water management to keep the surrounding area protected from flooding.”

The existing drainage system comprises a series of land drains which channel water into a submersible pumping station, which then in turn pumps the surface water into Liggard Brook. Given the age of the system and the frequency with which the northernmost pitches flood, it was proposed that the pump be reconstructed and upgraded, with a new raised outfall into the brook. In addition, a shallow natural-looking drainage channel known as a swale will be built into the landscape to assist with soak away of surface water, and a bund be established from the currently existing backfilled ditch to provide additional storage capacity.

The proposal will bring the total allocated funding up to £65,000 over three years, and contingent on approval from the Finance & Democracy Committee, works are expected to begin in mid-to-late July, with a predicted completion date of late August. These works are to be carried out during the football off-season to minimise disruption to football fixtures training.

For more updates about this and other improvements in Fylde, follow our social media channels below and sign up to the newsletter!

Lytham Hall Nominated New Home of Lytham St Annes Art Collection

Fylde Council — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 09:30:33 +0000

Lytham Hall’s Long Gallery has been nominated by Fylde Council’s Tourism & Leisure Committee to be the new home of the Lytham St Annes Art Collection, following a detailed review of potential venues by officers and elected members.

The new proposal recommends the Finance & Democracy Committee approve an addition of £65,000, to be met in its entirety from the Capital Investment Reserve, to create a safe and secure dedicated space. This would further ensure that the display of the Art Collection within the Long Gallery would meet the exacting Spectrum standards required for museum-level accreditation. An additional funding of £10,000 annually will be recommended to full Council to allow for the ongoing resourcing and facilitation of the project.

Councillor Michael Sayward, Chairman of the Tourism & Leisure Committee, said: “Lytham Hall is a treasured asset of not just Fylde but the entire nation, and while all the venues investigated had much to recommend them, we could not help but be impressed by the Long Gallery’s fantastic potential and the opportunity to showcase the Lytham St Annes Art Collection in a Grade I listed historic attraction. After the proposed works are complete, the Art Collection will be safer, more secure, and far more accessible to the public, and it is my firm belief that it will be eligible for museum accreditation.”

Fylde Council’s Corporate Plan 2020 / 2024 lists as two of its corporate priorities the pursuit of museum accreditation for the Lytham St Arts Collection, and the exploration of options to display the Collection with partners. Once approved, the new proposal would be a bold step towards achieving these goals while also underscoring the Council’s interest in working with Lytham Hall to enhance and preserve the Grade I listed asset.

Should the Finance & Democracy Committee approve the proposal, Fylde Council, Heritage Trust for the North West, and Lytham Hall would then move forward in partnership to establish appropriate responsibilities for the operation of the gallery and for the items on display. The proposed completion deadline for the works is March 2023.

For more information about this and other developments in Fylde, follow our social media channels and sign up for our newsletter below.

New Lights Brighten Fairhaven Lake Evenings

Fylde Council — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 09:24:03 +0000

Beautiful new heritage lighting posts and lanterns have been installed across Fairhaven Lake and Gardens to give visitors more time to enjoy the amenities in the winter months, while preserving the character of the park.

The new lamps replace the older poles previously in place around the grounds and offer brighter, more plentiful LED lighting coupled with a traditional Victorian wrought iron style which fits perfectly with the existing and newly renovated facilities.

Councillor Michael Sayward, Chairman of the Tourism and Leisure Committee, said: “As we enter the final stages of the Fairhaven restoration project, these wonderful new lamps will help visitors make the most of all that the enhanced lake and gardens have to offer, even once the days draw shorter. My sincere thanks to the contractors and officers who helped install these lighting fixtures, as well as everyone involved in the wider project.”

The many improvements to the lake and grounds have been made possible through the Fairhaven Lake and Garden Restoration project, supported through the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery fund. This exciting project is nearing completion, with recent months having seen the renovation of the Water Sports Centre, the reintroduction of the Japanese gardens, the RSPB Fairhaven Lake Visitor Centre, and much more besides.

To keep up to date on the latest amenities and events at Fairhaven, visit the Events page at Discover Fylde and follow the official Fairhaven Lake and Gardens Facebook page.

Fylde Council reminds food businesses to focus on food safety standards following World Food Safety Day

Fylde Council — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 14:44:18 +0000

Fylde Council is reminding food businesses to focus on food safety and that our team is here to support businesses improve standards and keep consumers safe.

Food safety officers inspect food businesses to check that they follow food hygiene and safety laws so that the food is safe to eat. They give the business a rating from zero (urgent improvement required) to five (hygiene standards are very good).

Inspections cover food hygiene and safety. The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) helps consumers choose where to eat out or shop for food by giving them clear information about the businesses’ hygiene standards.

Nationally, there are estimated to be around 2.4 million cases of foodborne illness a year, and common food poisoning bacteria include Campylobacter and Salmonella. Two million people in the UK live with a food allergy, 600,000 people have coeliac disease, and others have food intolerances.

Food safety risks can be reduced by food businesses taking action on cleaning, pest control, food safety management and addressing food substitution issues which can cause risks for people with allergies and intolerances, and other vulnerable persons.

Cllr Tommy Threlfall, Chairman of the Environmental, Health and Housing Committee, said: “Good health is the result of good food, and good food safety makes great business sense. As we’re returning to business after COVID it’s even more important that we continue to focus on food safety standards in Fylde.

“We have information to support food businesses improve where necessary. We’re here to maintain food safety standards and we’re reminding businesses a visit from a food safety inspector can happen at any time.”

Michael Jackson, FSA’s Head of Regulatory Compliance said: “Many food businesses already meet good standards of hygiene, and we know this is important to consumers who want to feel confident that the food they choose won’t make them ill.

“Food safety issues like food poisoning and incidents of undeclared allergens, can cause unnecessary suffering for individuals, as well as impacting on their families.  We work in collaboration with Fylde Council who support businesses and help them understand the regulatory requirements.”

The FHRS rating shows how well the business is doing overall, based on standards found at the time of inspection. The ratings can be found online and on stickers which are displayed at business premises.

You can get food safety advice, register your food businesses, make a complaint and more at https://new.fylde.gov.uk/business/food-safety/. More information for small businesses on food safety management procedures and food hygiene regulations is available on www.food.gov.uk.

Fylde visitors urged to ‘Take it, Don’t Leave it’

Fylde Council — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 11:27:31 +0000

Visitors to Fylde are once again being asked to Take It, Don’t Leave It as the borough gears up for a busy summer of fun in the sun.

Last year, the Take It, Don’t Leave It awareness campaign resulted in an increase in volunteers collecting rubbish and a significant decrease in the amount of litter left on beaches and in towns.

The focus of this year’s efforts is to reduce the amount of plastic left on the coast, in towns and in Fylde’s beautiful rural areas.

From bottles to beach toys and nappies to baby wipes, most litter contains plastic and, if it is taken into the sea by the tides, it can have a devastating effect on marine life.

Tracey Hope is the lead coordinator for an army of volunteers who give up their valuable free time to collect litter every day throughout summer and she is also one of Fylde Council’s Environmental Enforcement Officers.

She said: “I set up a community action group after seeing the amount of litter left behind by visitors. This sits on the Facebook group, Tossers in Lytham St Annes and is now developing, with more and more areas being covered both on the coast and inland.

“While most people do pick up after themselves, there’s a minority who leave their rubbish behind and that can really mount up.

“Last year Fylde Council supported us with the Take It, Don’t Leave It campaign, which had a hugely positive impact. Not only did we see a reduction in the amount of litter in the borough but our group more than doubled in size, and continues to grow.

“I joined the team at the council earlier this year and I am really enjoying my role as it allows me to do everything I am passionate about both during my working day and during my free time.

“Rubbish isn’t just unsightly; it can also be very dangerous to marine life. Dolphins have already been spotted in local waters this year and if litter is carried into the sea with the wind or tides it can be fatal for them, which is devastating.

“I am delighted that we are relaunching Take It, Don’t Leave It and, with the summer holidays just around the corner, we look forward to welcoming responsible visitors to our award-winning beaches, stunning rural areas and towns.”

Fylde Council has invested in additional bins and increased refuse services throughout the season and its enforcement, rangers and refuse teams work hard keep the borough clean.

Allan Oldfield, Chief Executive of Fylde Council, explains: “We are extremely lucky to have an army of voluntary litter picking individuals and groups in Fylde.

“In addition, we have lots of other coastal care groups working under the Keep Britain Tidy umbrella, and the work they all do is invaluable in helping our teams tackle litter left by visitors.

“Last year’s awareness campaign was a huge success and we want to replicate it with videos, social media messaging and publicity throughout the summer to really drive the message home.”

The ‘Take it, Don’t Leave It’ campaign launches on Thursday 16^th June 2022 and will run throughout the season.

Look out for the ‘Take It, Don’t Leave It’ message appearing across Fylde and keep an eye on the Council’s social media pages to see how you could get involved.

Keeping Sea Defences Clear

Fylde Council — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 11:57:33 +0000

A programme of sediment and weed removal has begun to ensure the new sea defences at Fairhaven and Granny’s Bay are maintained in optimal condition for decades to come.

Contractors from Great Oaks Tree Services will be working diligently over the next few weeks to clear and clean the coastal defences with the use of an air spade, keeping the defences fit for purpose and pleasant to look at.

The £21.8m hard sea defences were completed in July 2020 and protect properties in the area from flooding and coastal erosion. The pre-cast concrete steps are set with gaps known as expansion joints between each section, to allow for the concrete to expand and contract as temperatures change without causing structural damage. Over time, these gaps can accumulate sand, sediment, and weeds, which must be annually removed to preserve the integrity of the sea defences.

Councillor Roger Small, Chairman of the Operational Management Committee, said: “The coastal defences at Fairhaven are a vital investment for the safety of Fylde residents, and it is important that we keep them in tip-top condition. I have been impressed by the work performed by our contractors so far, and the stretch of sea wall already treated is weed-free and looking wonderful.”

As the coastal defences are situated on the edge of the ecologically significant Ribble & Alt Estuary, which has several national and international designations, the use of chemicals to remove the weeds has been ruled out, and the works are instead being completed using an air spade. This powered tool uses a high-speed jet of air to loosen and displace soil, weeds, and other deposits which may compromise the defences, without causing damage to the concrete or introducing potentially harmful chemicals to the habitat.

The works programme is anticipated to take approximately three weeks, ensuring the defences are clear and clean for the summer.