march2022 – Fylde Council

Fylde Surges Into the Future With New Electric Charging Facilities

Fylde Council — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 12:32:52 +0000

Council-operated car parks in Fylde will soon be able to offer charging facilities for electric vehicles thanks to a new project funded by the Department of Transport’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV).

Four ultra-fast charging units have been installed on Fylde car parks: North Promenade, Wood Street, Pleasant Street, and Lytham Station. Though not yet operational, once fully commissioned and connected to electric supplies these units will be able to provide an 80% charge for electric vehicles in around 40 minutes.

Cllr Roger Small, Chair of the Operational Management Committee, said: “Fylde Council is proud to be bringing better facilities for users of electric cars to our beautiful borough. Electric vehicles are a greener, cleaner alternative to petrol or diesel cars, and our support for this project showcases Fylde Council’s commitment to our environment and our residents.”

The funding from OLEV is for the Lancashire-wide project led by Lancaster Council, with multiple Lancashire districts receiving an allocation to implement accessible electric charging, intended to make the switch to electric vehicles more attractive for taxi firms. The proportion of the funding received by Fylde Council was £98,206, with a further 25% contribution provided by EB Charging, the contractor commissioned to install and operate the system.

Once fully operational, which is likely to occur within the next 6-8 weeks, these charging points will initially be open for use by members of the public. As local taxi fleets transition to electric vehicles, these charging points will be restricted to their specific use as per the requirements of the funding, in order to encourage the industry to make the switch to cleaner modes of transport.

For the broader public, Fylde Council will soon be developing an electric vehicle infrastructure policy, which is likely to include an intention to install further public charge points across the Council’s car parks.

More information about car parks in Fylde can be found on the Fylde Council website: https://new.fylde.gov.uk/resident/parking/

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Fylde’s Community Alcohol Partnership Continues to Deliver in 2022/23

Fylde Council — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 09:13:10 +0000

The Fylde Community Alcohol Partnership has received additional funding to help further reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour throughout the area.

A revenue funded budget increase of £4,160, received via the Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner, has been allocated to the Fylde Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP) to extend the provision of educational services aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour caused by youth drinking within target areas.

Cllr Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, said: “Fylde Council and our partners have worked hard to deliver this vital project. We’ve seen such great results, and it’s wonderful that it will continue helping the young people of our borough and making our residents feel safe.”

The project was established in March 2021 with initial funding of just over £15,000 from the Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner, bringing together partners to form the CAP with the aim of helping address the increase in drinking culture amongst youths aged 11 – 19.

By engaging with local young people to find positive pathways such as volunteering and sports coaching for them to express themselves, the project has so far seen a 43% decrease in reported anti-social behaviour, with up to 170 young people engaging with the scheme monthly according to statistics provided by partners, Streetwise. This is accomplished by delivering targeted multisport sessions, youth engagement work, and diverting youths into other local provision, and runs alongside an educational element in partnership with schools.

Cllr Buckley added: “This top-up funding from the Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner to enhance the education side of the delivery will help to highlight the dangers of underage drinking and the effects it has on communities. The programme can now be extended into the next financial year which is good news for the youngsters involved and the community as a whole.”

To find out more about Community Alcohol Partnerships in Lancashire, visit the Lancashire County Council Website.

Historic Kirkham Buildings Set for New Lease of Life

Fylde Council — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 13:29:48 +0000

Two of Kirkham’s most historic buildings are set for an exciting new lease of life after Fylde Borough Council purchased both as part of the town’s £10m regeneration masterplan.

The authority has just completed the important acquisition of Hillside on Preston Street and the former Charity Girls School on Poulton Street.

Both buildings – which faced uncertain futures after lying empty for many years – will now be transformed as part of the Kirkham Futures masterplan which is designed to breathe new life into Kirkham’s historic town centre.

The Grade II listed Hillside – a former restaurant and popular wedding venue – will be converted into an innovative centre of excellence for teaching heritage-based construction techniques and eco skills.

The aspiration for the centre is to host a range of nationally important training and skills courses in traditional crafts, such as stonemasonry, joinery, woodturning, thatching and stained-glass techniques – potentially creating new jobs and attracting new talent to the area to train in an inspirational setting.

The former Charity Girls School dates back to 1860. After closing its doors as a school, it became a community hall and latterly a (Lloyds/TSB) bank. It is now hoped it can be regenerated as a restaurant with scope for a much-needed community cinema.

Cllr Karen Buckley, the Leader of Fylde Council, said: “These wonderful buildings are key to Kirkham’s regeneration masterplan, so we are delighted to have been able to complete the purchase of both.

“This not only protects two much-loved local landmarks for future generations but enables us to bring them back to life through a range of new uses that will benefit both the local community and the visitor economy.

“A lot of hard work has been going on behind the scenes to deliver this ambitious masterplan for Kirkham so I am very pleased that, following the acquisition of these two buildings, local residents will soon see the regeneration work start to take shape.”

There is a widely recognised national shortage of traditional construction and trades skills required to restore and maintain England’s 5.5 million properties built before 1919. It is hoped the Hillside Heritage and Eco Skills Centre will help plug this gap.

Cllr Liz Oades, Kirkham ward councillor and Fylde Council nominated representative for the Kirkham Futures Project Board, said: “The Hillside Heritage and Eco Skills Centre is really exciting and has the potential to put Kirkham on the map by creating a nationally important training centre that creates green jobs, educates people about heritage and sustainable living, improves health and well-being and brings many people into the town.

“The renovation of these wonderful and historic buildings is really welcome news and I hope to see the work move quickly. Together with the street improvements planned it will see a welcome return to the vibrancy and vitality of our precious town centre.”

The Kirkham Futures masterplan is funded through Historic England’s High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HS HAZ) scheme, the Government’s Future High Streets Fund (FHSF) together with funding contributions from Lancashire County Council and Fylde Council and Kirkham Town Council

The project aims to re-energise Kirkham town centre by:

Restoring and repurposing key buildings
Improving the visual appearance of shops, streets and open spaces
Introducing diverse uses of buildings to create new opportunities for retail, residential, employment, training and skills
Encouraging new leisure and restaurant businesses to create a more diverse offer and enhanced evening economy
Supporting sustainable economic and cultural growth
Improving the health and wellbeing of residents through a range of cultural engagement programmes

Welcoming Fylde Borough Council’s acquisitions of Hillside and the former Charity Girls School, Historic England’s Tamsin Cooke said: “Grade II listed Hillside is a well-known feature of Kirkham’s town centre, so it’s fitting that these plans will see this lovely Georgian building put back to use as a national hub for training the next generation of craftspeople to maintain and restore our treasured historic places.

“We’re also thrilled about the purchase of the Grade II listed former Charity Girls School and the plans to transform this into a commercial venture and new community space. The heritage-led regeneration of Kirkham is certainly gathering momentum.”

Full architectural plans have been commissioned for the complete re-design of the interior and exterior of Hillside to create new multi-functional spaces, cafe area and workshops together with work to repair and restore the external fabric of the building.

An interim feasibility study, undertaken by Focus Consultants in 2019 stated: “The market analysis has identified a strong case for the Heritage and Eco Skills Centre, and it is clear the offer being proposed will meet an immediate and future demand for skills.”

Spring spruce-up for coastal gems as Fylde welcomes visitors back

Fylde Council — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 15:29:53 +0000

Two of the Fylde coast’s most important visitor hotspots are looking tip top ahead of the Easter holidays thanks to improvement works carried out by Fylde Borough Council.

More than 100 benches on St Annes Promenade have been painted, together with railings and bins, while flowerbeds throughout the town centre are now being filled with beautiful blooms ready to welcome visitors.

Railings and lampposts in Lytham’s Clifton Square – a popular place for outdoor diners and visitors – have also been spruced up while the Square itself has been professionally cleaned.

The work has been funded through the Government’s Welcome Back Fund (WBF). Fylde Council successfully bid for £243,500 from the fund which is providing councils across England with a share of £56 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to support the nation’s high streets following the Covid-19 pandemic.

This funding, which builds on the £50 million Reopening High Street Safely Fund (RHSSF), aims to help local authorities create and promote a safe and welcoming environment for local trade and tourism.

Fylde Council is using its WBF money in a variety of ways including the funding of improvements to town centres and financially supporting local business groups to create a range of events and activities that promote retail, hospitality and the visitor economy.

Cllr Karen Buckley, the Leader of Fylde Council, said: “Like many resorts and visitor destinations up and down the country St Annes and Lytham were hit very hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Fylde Council successfully won £243,500 through the Government’s Welcome Back Fund and I was determined that every penny would be spent to help our town centres bounce back.

“The work that has been carried out to repaint benches and railings along the Promenade in St Annes is wonderful – it is so great to see. It is really important the town looks its finest ahead of the Spring and, together with the other improvement work that is being carried out, both here and in Lytham, I am sure residents and visitors will be impressed.”

The painting work has been carried out by Fylde coast-based Rushworth Painting Ltd. Director Chris Rushworth said: “It has been a real joy to work on this contract. So many people have come up to our guys while painting the benches to say what a difference it makes.

“It has been a tough time for tourism over the last few years so we’re really happy to be involved in a project which helps improve St Annes wonderful Promenade ahead of the summer season.”

The work carried out in Lytham, which included power-washing Clifton Square and clearing weeds, has been welcomed by local business owners and tourism leaders.

Cllr Michael Sayward, Fylde Council’s chairman of Tourism and Leisure and owner of Attire clothing on Clifton Street, said: “Clifton Square looks fabulous and the cleaning work has made a real difference. The Square is such a focal point of the town, visited by thousands of people every week, so it’s important it looks its best. Lots of people have already commented how much better it looks.”

Damian Clarke, managing director of Stringers Department store and deputy chairman of Lytham Business Group, said: “I’m delighted the square has been cleaned and tidied ready for an exciting and busy Spring. We’re looking forward to the summer buzz and welcoming everyone back to Lytham.”

Together with the town centre improvement works, Fylde Council is using funding secured from the Welcome Back Fund to support local businesses in a range of ways. These include marketing campaigns to encourage more people to visit the Fylde coast, hosting free tourism seminars and promoting shop local schemes.

Government Announces Homes for Ukraine Initiative

Fylde Council — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 09:59:05 +0000

The Government has announced a new initiative to help Ukrainians fleeing the war find somewhere to stay in the United Kingdom.

The Homes for Ukraine Scheme allows UK individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to volunteer accommodation for Ukrainians and their immediate family members who have been forced to leave their homes.

Cllr Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, said: “Over 2.8 million people have now fled Ukraine because of the Russian invasion. Since the scheme opened, more than 120,000 British people have already registered to offer accommodation to Ukrainian refugees, demonstrating the admirable generosity that exists across our nation. I would urge anyone with the space to spare to open their hearts and homes to those whose lives have been ravaged by this dreadful war.”

Sponsors are expected to be able to provide a residential spare room or separate self-contained accommodation, fit for people to live in, for a minimum of 6 months.

The first phase of the scheme commences on Friday 18 March for visa applications from Ukrainians who have named people willing to sponsor them. Those people or organisations in the United Kingdom who do not already know someone fleeing Ukraine can register their interest in being a sponsor and will be kept updated as the scheme continues.

For more information and to register your interest in providing accommodation, please see the Government website at https://homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk/

If you cannot provide accommodation but would like to offer financial support, you can make a donation to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal on their website.

Fylde’s Mayor Plants Commemorative Tree to Mark Platinum Jubilee!

Fylde Council — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 10:20:59 +0000

The Mayor of Fylde has planted a tree in Ashton Gardens as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy national initiative to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.

On Friday 11 March – the 70^th day of the year – the tree and its accompanying plaque were planted to help create an environmentally friendly legacy that future generations will be able to enjoy, as part of the celebrations to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s 70^th year as ruler of the nation.

Mayor Elaine Silverwood said, “I am so honoured to have planted a tree in Ashton Gardens and to be involved with the Queen’s Green Canopy – a unique tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee. People from across the United Kingdom are being encouraged to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”

The tree is a stunning Quercus Ilex – Evergreen Oak – and is now sited proudly on the avenue of the Gardens, very close to the Cenotaph. Being Mayor of the Fylde has given me some incredible opportunities to represent our residents in such very special and momentous occasions.”

The Queen’s Green Canopy is a national initiative patronised by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales that everyone across the United Kingdom can get involved in, whether as individuals, businesses, or community groups. If you’d like to get involved, visit the Queens Green Canopy website here: The Queen’s Green Canopy (queensgreencanopy.org)

New Parishes, Changing Boundaries: Community Governance Review

Fylde Council — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 15:03:05 +0000

Fylde Council is consulting with residents regarding proposals to set up a new parish council in Lytham, a new parish council in Ansdell, and several boundary changes between existing parishes as part of a community governance review.

“Neighbourhood governance”, or “community governance”, is the term used to refer to local representative bodies covering a smaller area than a district or a borough. Town and parish councils are examples of neighbourhood governance and are the first level of local government. They empower communities by giving them a democratic voice and a structure for taking community action, as well as by providing some local services.

Cllr Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, said: “The only areas in our borough without a town or parish council are Ansdell and Lytham. Parish councils are the authority closest to the people and can be a strong voice for the community. The consultation seeks views on whether Lytham and Ansdell should be parished and, if so, whether each should have their own parish or be joined together. The remainder of the review considers boundaries between councils and whether they should change. Amending these to align with substantial physical and geographical features will create strong, clearly defined boundaries, and clear up anomalies such as small groups of buildings being split between two parish councils.”

The proposals for consultation under this review are:

Proposal A1: A new parish council for Ansdell.
Proposal BW2: A boundary change between Bryning with Warton and Ribby with Wrea.
Proposal BW3: A boundary change between Bryning with Warton and Westby with Plumptons.
Proposal E1: A boundary change between Elswick and Little Eccleston with Larbreck.
Proposal L1: A new parish council for Lytham.
RW1: A boundary change between Ribby with Wrea and Westby with Plumptons.
WP4: A boundary change between Westby with Plumptons and the presently unparished area.

Government guidance states that community governance should be reviewed every ten to fifteen years, with the last review in Fylde occurring in 2010.

Restoring Lytham Green

Fylde Council — Tue, 08 Mar 2022 15:30:15 +0000

Improvement works will commence this week to restore the sloping gradient of Lytham Green.

The works which are fully funded by Cuffe and Taylor will remove the ‘step’ in the middle of the green which impacts on many activities and regular users. The area of the green where the slope will be restored previously had sports and recreation pitches built into the original gradient, the work will make the site safer for all users as well as improving disability access.

The project is being carried out by BPG Contractors Limited on behalf of Cuffe and Taylor and will commence on Wednesday 9th March. It is expected to take around four to five weeks to complete the work which includes removal of the grass and re-establishing the ground to create a continuous soft gradient. The area will then be protected while the grass re-establishes.

Councillor Michael Sayward, Chair of the Tourism and Leisure committee for Fylde Council said: “Lytham Green is a treasured and deeply beloved attraction of the borough and has long been a source of great delight for residents and visitors alike.

“This work is essential in ensuring the area can continue to be enjoyed safely for many years to come and does not need to be funded by our residents.”

FAQ’s regarding the works can be found here.

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For more information regarding this press release please contact the Communications and PR office on communications@fylde.gov.uk or call 01253 658659

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Twitter: @fyldecouncil
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St Annes regeneration Masterplan seeks your views on the vision for the town

Fylde Council — Tue, 08 Mar 2022 15:23:53 +0000

The St Annes Town Centre and Island Masterplan continues to successfully progress following the recent business webinars hosted by experts from Building Design Partnership Ltd (BDP).

BDP, the agency appointed by Fylde Council to lead the consortium responsible for the development of the Masterplan will now host a public consultation exhibition to gather further feedback on the proposals and ideas for the project going forward.

The Masterplan will guide the sustainable development of St Anne’s town centre and the
Island site and is aimed at delivering the council’s vision for St Anne’s as a high-quality and sustainable coastal resort.

The consultation will be open to the public and will take place at the Town Hall, St Annes Road West, Lytham St Annes, FY8 1LW on the following dates and times:

Monday 14th March: 10am – 5pm (St Annes Town Centre)
Tuesday 15th March: 10am – 7pm
Wednesday 16th March: 10am – 5pm
Thursday 17th March: 10am – 7pm
Friday 18th March: 10am – 5pm
Saturday 19th March: 9am – 12 noon (in St Annes Town Centre)
Sunday: CLOSED

The exhibition will also be open the following week, Monday 21st March – Friday 25th March from 10am – 5pm each day.

Councillor Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council said: “This is an exciting step forward in the project and I would encourage as many of you as possible to come along to the consultation sessions and have your say on the proposals.”

“The project team need to gather as much information as possible and following the successful webinar events with local businesses we now need to know your thoughts on the future plans for St Annes and the Island site.”

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For more information regarding this press release please contact the Communications and PR office on communications@fylde.gov.uk or call 01253 658659

Facebook: @fylde
Twitter: @fyldecouncil
Sign up to our newsletter: https://new.fylde.gov.uk/sign-up-to-our-newsletter/

Fylde’s Tourism and Hospitality Sector To Join Forces To Plot Comeback

Fylde Council — Tue, 08 Mar 2022 15:00:14 +0000

Fylde hospitality and tourism businesses will come together to discuss how best to move forward following the Covid-19 pandemic.

The hugely important sector was left devastated by lock downs and restrictions put in place in the wake of the global Coronavirus outbreak.

But as part of Fylde Borough Council’s drive to support local business – and backed by the Government’s Welcome Back Fund – a new Hospitality and Tourism Sector Seminar is being held at Ribby Hall Village on Tuesday March 15.

The interactive event, between 10.30am and 3.30pm, is free to attend and open to all Fylde Borough businesses operating in the sector.

Hosted by John Barlow, of Hub62 training consultancy, delegates will be given an insight into the future of hospitality excellence, how they can help drive change and tips on how businesses can stay at forefront of the UK’s customer and visitor experience.

Areas covered include:

Hospitality 2022 – the future of the Hospitality and Tourism sector
Pandemic impact on the customer experience
Re-mapping the customer journey
Customer profiling and exceeding expectations
Tourism and Hospitality sector insights including the workforce crisis
Creating your future vision of excellence

John Barlow said: “Local businesses will get up-to-date practical strategies from the seminar that super-charge their delivery of the customer experience along with sector updates about future best-practice and an insight into ever changing customer expectations.

“Attendees will be supported to action plan key top tips for their teams that will boost repeat business and recommendations going forwards.”

In addition, Fylde Council have launched a pre-seminar Hospitality and Tourism webinar hosted by John Barlow which is available on the Council’s YouTube channel www.youtube.com/user/fyldecouncil

Fylde Borough Council successfully bid for £243,500 of funding through the Welcome Back Fund which is providing councils across England a share of £56 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to support the safe return to high streets and help build back better from the pandemic.

Fylde Borough Council is using the money to support improvements to town centres, and financially supporting local business groups who are creating a range of events and activities that promote the visitor economy and encourage people to return to our town centres and high streets.

Cllr Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Borough Council, said: “The hospitality and tourism sector suffered more than most during the pandemic. It is a fundamental part of the Welcome Back Fund that help and support is given to this sector, which is the reason behind arranging this first seminar.

“The event will give these businesses the opportunity to come together and share their experiences, the challenges of bringing customers back safely to hospitality, to look at developing best practice as well as tapping into a wealth of knowledge on how the sector can bounce back.

“In addition, the Council has partnered with some amazing supportive organisations who have a plethora of incentives for re-skilling and encouraging individuals of all ages and skill levels to enter this sector, a sector I trained within and during harder times returned to. The enjoyment being of service to others, testing at times it may be, is very rewarding and the opportunities to lead to better and bigger things are vast.”

Places at the seminar, which will be held in the Rowan Suite at Ribby Hall, are limited to two delegates per business.

To book email invest@fylde.gov.uk and please state your name, business name, post code and telephone number.

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