may2022 – Fylde Council

Platinum Jubilee Events in Fylde

Fylde Council — Tue, 31 May 2022 09:50:18 +0000

This year, Her Majesty the Queen will become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee after 70 years of service. To mark this momentous occasion, numerous events are taking place across the nation. Here are just a few of the celebrations occurring in Fylde over the next few days!

Little Green Fingers – June 1 – Ashton Gardens, St Annes, FY8 2AW

Learn how to be an eco-gardener at this celebratory potting event and plant your very own oak or lily of the valley – the Queen’s favourite flower – to mark the Platinum Jubilee and decorate the plant pot to brighten up your windowsill. Ideal for children aged 4 – 10, with a charge of £1 per child. 12:00 until 15:00. For more information or to book, call 01253 658469 or email rangers@fylde.gov.uk

St Annes Jubilee Carnival – June 2 to June 5 – Ashton Gardens, St Annes, FY8 2AW

Organised by the St Annes on the Sea Town Council, this spectacular event celebrates both the Platinum Jubilee and the 100th Anniversary of the St Annes Carnival with fun for people of all ages over four days of varied entertainment. Live music, fairground rides, food and drink, and much more, with free admission for all.

Platinum Jubilee Garden Party, Lytham – June 2 – The Station Pub and Grill, Station Square, Lytham, FY8 5PA

The Station Pub and Grill in Lytham will be hosting a garden party over two days, plus evening entertainment, in celebration of the Platinum Jubilee. Featuring live singers, kid’s entertainment, street food and an outdoor bar, as well as musical acts from 8:30pm. Call 0333 2348130 for more details.

Jubilee Beacon Lighting, Fairhaven – June 2 – St Pauls Avenue Car Park, Fairhaven, FY8 1EQ

Join us as we light the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacon at Fairhaven Lake! Enjoy live music from 6.30pm, weather dependent, with food and drinks from Blackpowder Gin and others. The ceremony begins at 9:30pm, with the beacon itself to be lit at 9:45pm. This event also marks the unveiling of the Fylde Flyer, Fylde Council’s new mobile tourism centre.

Jubilee Fun on the Farm – June 2 to June 5 – Ridgeway Farm, Peel Rd, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

Let the kids get close to nature with a visit to Ridgeway Farm over the bank holiday weekend. Petting activities and feeding opportunities (£1 per bag) will be available throughout the day, so your children can get to know the lambs, goats, alpaca, ducklings and many more. Interactive activities will be available in the beautiful orchard, as well as a free-to-use bouncy castle, subject to weather and a waiver being signed on entry.

‘A Reet Royal Do’ Mega Picnic Concert – June 3 – Lytham Hall, Ballam Road, FY8 4JX

In celebration of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Lytham Hall are proud to host ‘A Reet Royal Do’ Mega Picnic Variety Concert to commemorate 70 glorious years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. A fabulous evening for all the family, “A Reet Royle Do” is hosted by Britain’s Got Talent finalist Steve Royle, along with an all-star cast-Emmerdale’s Tom Lister, Beth Singh as Cilla Black, and Jimmy Love with his full Elton John tribute. The concert kicks off with a special performance from the Lytham Community Choir.

Platinum Jubilee Picnic, Fairhaven Lake – June 5

The Friends of Fairhaven Lake will be hosting their biggest Big Picnic yet celebrating the Platinum Jubilee. There will be circus skills, storytelling, music performances, donkey rides and lots more stalls and activities. Bring a picnic and enjoy a traditional day out at Fairhaven. Meet on the event lawn behind the Spitfire; small charges for some activities may apply.

For more information about these exciting celebrations, as well as other upcoming events in Fylde, visit the Discover Fylde website and follow our social media channels for updates!

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Improvements on the way for Blackpool Road North Play Area!

Fylde Council — Fri, 27 May 2022 12:59:03 +0000

Fylde Council are delighted to announce that the play area at the Blackpool Road North Playing Fields will be next to enjoy a thorough refresh of the surfacing, fencing and play equipment after the Tourism & Leisure Committee approved a capital expenditure of £125,000 for renovation.

The approved contractors Kompan Ltd have produced a beautiful new design incorporating areas themed around the sea, the local airport and a football pitch, with swings, carousels, play panels and springers on new safety surfaces and enclosed in a colourful new fence. The project is aimed to be completed by Autumn 2022.

Councillor Michael Sayward, Chairman of the Tourism & Leisure Committee, said: “The Blackpool Road North playing fields are a valuable and beloved community resource, and it has been our pleasure to work with local residents and groups to develop this masterplan. Several play areas across Fylde have been able to benefit from upgrades and safety improvements, and I’m very happy to be able to add the Blackpool Road North play area to the list.”

The renovation project is just one result of several years of close work and discussion between Fylde Council officers, elected members, St Anne’s Football Club and the Friends of Blackpool Road North Playing Field to develop a wider site masterplan agreed with the local community.

Significant drainage works have already been undertaken to replace the collapsed culvert and install two new lateral drains, and in addition to the play area improvements the masterplan also seeks to address car parking, general circulation, landscaping, and club house facilities.

Work Commencing on North Beach Wind Sports Centre

Fylde Council — Fri, 27 May 2022 12:56:23 +0000

Work will soon commence on the redevelopment of the North Beach Wind Sports Centre as a hub for visitors and residents to enjoy wind activities on the St Annes seafront and as a base for existing Windsports clubs.

Beginning 30 May, a programme of renovation will see the building become host to a new café to provide refreshments to the public and provide a space for local community wind sports clubs, the Fylde Council Rangers and dune staff, and visitors on the beach.

Cllr Michael Sayward, Chairman of the Tourism & Leisure Committee, said: “We are really looking forward to seeing the revamped Windsports Centre given a new lease of life and become a hive of activity at North Beach.”

“The centre is due to be complete by late July/early August meaning there will be plenty of the summer season left to enjoy the offering here, and we look forward to welcoming residents, visitors, community groups and more.”

The café will form the beating heart of the new design, providing refreshments to the public as well as catering to and working with community clubs such as the Kite Surfing Club and Land Yacht Club to provide dedicated space for education and support. The centre is already booked to host the Land Yacht Euros competition in 2023.

Amongst the new amenities intended to appeal to local community clubs will be a designated ‘common room,’ hot showers, toilet facilities and a workshop/garage area for storage and repairs of equipment. A Changing Places Toilet facility will also be installed and made available for public use as part of Fylde Council’s corresponding capital scheme and commitment to accessibility for all. Clubs have already expressed their excitement about being able to provide training and introductory sessions for new members and interested visitors of all ages and abilities.

The Fylde Rangers and dune staff will be based from an annexe, linked into the rest of the structure with a deck area, providing space for events to be held for the public and with plenty of opportunities to promote the beautiful sights and attractions of the Fylde beach and dunes area.

The development of the North Beach Wind Sports Centre was approved by the Council’s Capital Investment Reserve, and it is anticipated that the free use of the facilities and upkeep of the building will be made possible by the income received from the café operation, making the enterprise sustainable.

Safe beaches, Seaside Awards, and water quality: a clarification

Fylde Council — Wed, 25 May 2022 14:05:13 +0000

We’d like to clear up some confusion regarding the beaches and water quality here in Fylde.

The Environment Agency provides an annual classification of water quality, but daily fluctuations in water quality can and do occur. Where these are influenced by factors such as the weather or tide, the EA makes pollution risk forecasts (PRF) at sites where it is possible to do so. This lets bathers know when a temporary reduction in water quality is likely, so you can make an informed decision before deciding whether to bathe on a given day.

You can check the bathing water quality at St Annes beaches, as well as over 400 beaches across the UK here: Bathing water quality (data.gov.uk)

Recently published data widely circulated by Business Waste does not give a realistic picture of bathing water quality in St Annes. The data does not use the formally adopted method for rating the quality of bathing waters in England and the rankings published by Business Waste should be treated with caution.

Although the bathing water quality was affected at St Annes North recently, the advice against bathing was temporary. The Environment Agency makes daily predictions of pollution risks in our bathing waters during the bathing season. These inform the public of increased pollution risk through signs displayed at the bathing waters. These warnings are short-term pollution events that have clearly identifiable causes which are not normally expected to affect water quality for more than approximately 72 hours.

The bathing water quality at St Annes Pier, which has again been awarded the Seaside Award for 2022 by Keep Britain Tidy, has been consistently classified as ‘good’.

The criteria to achieve the award includes consistent bathing water quality, litter management, and the availability of life-saving equipment. The full list of criteria to achieve the award can be found here: Seaside Award Criteria (theseasideawards.org)

Whilst we continue to work with our partners at the Environment Agency and United Utilities to improve the water quality at St Annes North, we would also like to proudly shout about the fantastic beach we have at St Annes Pier, which is recognised annually with the prestigious Seaside Award.

The achievement of the award is made possible by the continued hard work of both Fylde Council employees as well as the fantastic groups of volunteers who are out daily helping to clean up our coastline.

Statement: St Annes North bathing waters

Fylde Council — Fri, 20 May 2022 13:41:22 +0000

Councillor Thomas Threlfall, Chairman of the Environment, Health and Housing Committee said:

“We are aware of several reports that have been issued this week explaining that St Annes Beach has been deemed unsuitable for bathing.

“We would like to ensure that it is made clear that the affected beach was that at St Annes North, and that the BBC North West Tonight segment that explained that it was the beach ‘from Lytham to Blackpool’ was factually incorrect.”

“The bathing water quality at St Annes Pier has consistently remained ‘good’, once again receiving a Seaside Award for 2022 for cleanliness by Environmental Charity Keep Britain Tidy.

Councillor Threlfall added:

“At the most recent meeting of the Environment, Health and Housing Committee, bathing water quality in St Annes was discussed and it was recognised that St Annes North had been classified as satisfactory for the previous 3 years. Fylde Council and the Environment Agency (EA) share concerns with regards to the lack of improvement with respect to St Annes North. However, the bathing water quality at St Annes Pier is noted to be good, as has been the case for the last several years. Fylde Council continues to work closely with both the EA and United Utilities (UU) to understand the reasons for the classification for St Annes North and further testing is scheduled to determine why, and how we can look to improve the quality here.

“Findings will be brought to the next Committee meeting in June, and we will look to implement proactive improvements by working closely with our partners. We have invited United Utilities to discuss these issues”.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency added:

“We would like to reassure concerned members of the public that the coastal bathing waters in St Annes meet bathing water quality standards. Recently published data widely circulated by Business Waste does not give a realistic picture of bathing water quality. The data does not use the formally adopted method for rating the quality of bathing waters in England and the rankings published by Business Waste should be treated with caution.

“In 2021, 99% of bathing waters met the minimum standard of Sufficient, with 94.7% meeting the highest standards of Good and Excellent.”

“The EA’s Swimfo website allows bathers to check information on over 400 bathing waters in England.”

Background briefing:

Each year, Defra publishes the annual classifications for designated bathing waters in England. The classifications give an overall assessment of water quality based on data provided by the Environment Agency and are produced according to the Bathing Water Regulations.
Bathing water classifications provide an overall indication of quality at designated bathing waters, allowing people to see trends and make comparisons between locations.
Bathing water classifications for 2021 can be found here – Bathing water classifications 2021 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The 2021 Bathing Water Classifications are based on data from 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021.
The EA’s Swimfo website allows bathers to check information on over 400 bathing waters in England. Search Swimfo or go to https://environment.data.gov.uk/bwq/profiles/
An annual classification gives an overall assessment of water quality, but daily fluctuations in water quality can and do occur. Where these are influenced by factors such as the weather or tide, the EA makes pollution risk forecasts (PRF) at sites where it is possible to do so. This lets bathers know when a temporary reduction in water quality is likely, so they can make informed decisions before deciding whether to bathe on a given day.

St Annes beach to fly Seaside Award with pride this summer

Fylde Council — Fri, 20 May 2022 10:58:05 +0000

Environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy has announced the winners of the prestigious Blue Flag and Seaside Awards for Summer 2022. Fylde Council are delighted to say that St Annes beach has met the high standard required to receive the Seaside Award.

Councillor Thomas Threlfall, Chair of Fylde Council’s Environment, Health and Housing Committee, said: “It’s our great privilege to receive the Seaside Award this year, and it’s thanks to the dedication of the volunteers and staff who keep our beachfront clean and beautiful that we’ll be proud to fly the flag. We ask that visitors leave nothing but their footprints, so that everyone can continue to enjoy the sands.”

Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said: “The success of St Annes in reaching the high standards demanded is testament to all those who have worked so hard to protect and improve our blue spaces – from beach managers and volunteers to residents and businesses. The huge commitment needed to maintain marvellous beaches worthy of these awards cannot be underestimated.

“People who visit a beach flying a Blue Flag or Seaside Award can be assured the beach will be clean, safe and meet the highest environmental standards, as well as international bathing water quality standards.”

The Blue Flag and Seaside Awards are aimed at improving the quality of England’s coastline and promoting the country’s best beaches.

Blue Flag is an international award managed by Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education. It is only presented to well-managed beaches with excellent water quality and environmental education programmes, while Seaside Awards are presented to the best beaches in England and celebrate the quality and diversity of our coastline.

Among the criteria beaches are assessed against are:

Safety and services, such as first aid, lifeguards where necessary
Environmental information including displaying details about local eco systems
Water quality – Blue Flag beaches must meet the ‘excellent’ water quality standard as set out in the EU bathing water directive and Seaside Award winners must meet the ‘sufficient’ standard.
Environmental management, including litter and waste.

Ends

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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New Fylde Mayoral Team for 2022/2023

Fylde Council — Fri, 13 May 2022 12:28:05 +0000

New Fylde Mayor Ben Aitken is ready for his term as the first citizen of Fylde as a capstone to his illustrious career as a councillor.

The Ansdell representative was officially installed as successor to Councillor Elainer Silverwood on Wednesday 11 May 2022 at the Annual Meeting of the Council. This year saw a welcome return of the full ceremony and celebration to the Lowther Pavilion in Lytham after last year’s split venues due to coronavirus restrictions.

Councillor Aitken declared as his chosen charities Trinity Hospice, the 1st Lytham Scout Group at St Cuthbert’s Church, and Fylde Citizens Advice Bureau, and hopes to be able to raise a wealth of funding for them throughout his term.

Newly appointed Mayor, Cllr Ben Aitken, said: “It’s a great honour to be Fylde mayor, and I look forward to meeting lots of people in what is a very special year for events. These are all great causes and I hope we can raise lots of money for them.

“Trinity does wonderful work, as does the Citizens Advice Bureau, and I helped extend its outreach service which is now available once again at the Town Hall. My children thoroughly enjoyed being involved with the 1st Scout Group and we hope to help it raise funds for rowing boats it wants to take out on Fairhaven Lake.”

We would also like to take this opportunity to welcome the remaining members of the new Fylde Mayoral Team:

Mayoress of Fylde

Ms Bernadette Nolan

Deputy Mayor of Fylde

Cllr Alan Clayton – Medlar-with-Wesham Representative

Deputy Mayoress of Fylde

Mrs Helen Ementon

We are very excited for the next 12 months and look forward to sharing any great news stories. Keep up to date with the Fylde Mayoral Team by following them on Facebook @FyldeMayoralTeam

For more information on the chosen charities and community groups, please follow the links below:

Trinity Hospice:

https://www.trinityhospice.co.uk

Fylde Citizens Advice Bureau

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/local/fylde

£150 Energy Rebate Letters On The Way

Fylde Council — Fri, 13 May 2022 12:24:26 +0000

Fylde residents eligible for the £150 Energy Rebate who did not sign up for Direct Debit will from next week start receiving letters showing them how to claim.

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.

Councillor Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, said: “Fylde Council are working in partnership with the Post Office to ensure that this relief reaches eligible ratepayers as soon as possible. The first stage of the scheme to refund all direct debit payers in Bands A to D is complete and now we want to make sure the second stage of reaching all those who don’t pay by direct debit is done quickly and conveniently. As soon as you receive a letter, please take it with the relevant ID to your nearest Post Office to claim your money.”

The 20,929 eligible households across Fylde that had by Friday 25 March signed up to pay Council Tax by Direct Debit have already received their energy rebate payment, and these letters will be sent out in two batches to all 7,531 eligible households within the next two weeks.

Details of discretionary schemes for those in other Council Tax bands, or who are otherwise exempt, are still being developed. Make sure to follow Fylde Council on our social media channels and sign up to our newsletter for the latest news.

Changing Places Toilets Scheme to Bring Better Accessible Facilities to Fylde

Fylde Council — Thu, 12 May 2022 09:05:06 +0000

A new capital scheme has been approved to install Changing Places Toilet facilities at three locations across the Fylde, offering larger accessible public conveniences for people who require additional equipment and room to use them safely.

The capital scheme is funded by Fylde Council’s successful application for the Changing Places Grant in 2021/22, providing a grant of £108,000 to be supplemented by an additional £12,000 from the Council for a total of £120,000 to cover the estimated cost of establishing these facilities in three locations.

The first of these new Changing Places Toilets will be installed at the North Beach Windsports Centre, which itself will be undergoing significant renovation and improvement in the coming months. Two more facilities are planned to be located at Lowther Gardens and Kirkham Town Centre, and specialist support will be provided by Muscular Dystrophy UK to ensure that the new facilities meet the requirements of their users.

Councillor Roger Small, Chair of the Operational Management Committee, said: “It’s our firm belief that Fylde should be accessible to all, regardless of the complexity of their needs. The introduction of additional Changing Places Toilets alongside standard accessible facilities is warmly welcomed and will help ensure the comfort and dignity of all our residents and visitors.”

Over 250,000 people in the UK need larger facilities to help them get out and about, enjoying the day-to-day activities which many of us take for granted. To use a toilet in safety and comfort, these people need to be able to access a Changing Places Toilet, which has additional equipment such as a height adjustable changing bench and a ceiling hoist, as well as extra space for carers.

At present, there are only two publicly accessible Changing Places officially registered with the national campaign: one at The Ormerod Home Trust on Headroomgate Road, St Annes, and one at Jubilee House in Lytham, both of which are only open during the working week. The YMCA St Annes Pool and Gym on South Promenade, St Annes, also allow members of the public to use the facilities available during their opening hours.

To read more about the Changing Places campaign, including opportunities to get involved and an official CPT map showing facilities in your area, visit the Changing Places website.

Refill and Reuse Your Plastic Bottles at Fylde’s Hydration Points

Fylde Council — Thu, 12 May 2022 09:04:02 +0000

A wall-mounted hydration point has been installed at the St Annes Promenade Monument public conveniences as the first in a series of six new facilities for the public to refill water bottles free of charge.

Originally proposed as part of the Council’s plastic-conscious approach to reduce the prevalence of single-use bottles and the corresponding disposal or littering across Fylde, these plans were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the removal of coronavirus restrictions, the Council’s Environmental Health and Housing Committee voted to proceed with the pilot scheme with a view to extend and expand the project, subject to its success.

Three more wall-mounted hydration points will be the next installed, one each at the Ashton Pavilion conveniences, the Lowther Garden conveniences, and the Market Square conveniences in Kirkham. Two free-standing units have also been ordered and one each will be installed at Fairhaven Lake near the RSPB centre and at Lytham Green near to the Bath St car park. These locations were chosen both for their popularity with visitors and for the presence of pre-existing water supplies.

Councillor Thomas Threlfall, Chair of the Environmental, Health and Housing Committee, said: “The installation of these hydration points follows recommendation from our Carbon Neutral Working group, aiming to help protect our environment by reducing reliance on single-use plastic bottles, and is one they and I both unanimously support. By providing these facilities for people to refill bottles, Fylde Council can help keep our beach and seafront free of litter and help reduce the total carbon footprint, making it a win both for Fylde and the wider world.”

The total expenditure of £13,500, covering the purchase of the units directly from the supplier and their installation by Danfo, was approved from the existing approved 2021/22 capital programme budget.