The final instalment is due to be paid on 16^th December 2019 and will leave the Council debt free for the first time since March 2008.

Karen Buckley, Deputy Leader of Fylde Council and Chair of the Finance and Democracy Committee said: “I am delighted that the hard work of all our budget holders and the direction that we have taken as a Council since the beginning of this decade has resulted in Fylde becoming debt-free. The revenue support grant from Central Government has reduced to nil during this time and alternative income streams have shifted the risk from Whitehall to the local authorities. Here at Fylde we have managed this risk extremely well whilst protecting the services that our residents expect and provided investment in the borough at the same time. “

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is making available £1.35 million to create new pocket parks or renovate existing parks that have fallen into disrepair where it can be shown that physical changes could have a significant positive impact on the local community and address a specific local need. This funding will help put communities and their partners in control of the management of green spaces of value to them; and contribute resource towards improving the condition of these spaces to ensure they are in good condition.

Grants will be paid to the appropriate principal local authority that is supporting the application (funding will be paid using powers under section 31 of the Local Government Act 2003) so that it can be released to the community in order to deliver the project.

Cllr Karen Buckley, Deputy Leader for Fylde Council and Chair of the Finance and Democracy Committee said: “Here at Fylde Council we would be delighted to support the initiative and help our community groups bring to life the pocket parks, whether it be to replace play equipment or create a new green space. I invite existing groups to get in touch with our Parks Team to explore their ideas.”

Deadline for applications is December 31^st with up to £15K available for new parks and up to £25K available for the renovation of existing parks. Communities are strongly encouraged to obtain match-funding towards the grant awarded and it is expected that applicants provide evidence that match-funding of a minimum of 30% of the grant amount has been secured. This is in addition to the grant and not part of the grant. Match funding can take the form of financial support, materials or labour. You should set out clearly what you consider to be the value of any match funded labour.

The Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “Communities are at the heart of everything we do. They are where we live, work and play. Parks and green spaces are a hub of many communities. Neglect of these precious spaces can create a detrimental effect on the local people and environment. I want to ensure we revitalize those spaces helping strengthen our communities and making them more resilient.

Our parks and green spaces have been at the heart of our communities for hundreds of years, giving respite and relief in an increasingly busy world.

Protecting and enhancing these much-loved spaces forms a key part of this Government’s ambition to level up all our regions through the creation of thriving and resilient places in every part of the country.

The benefits of green spaces – no matter their size – are well-known. Even some of our smallest ‘pocket parks’ help to shape local identity, help people overcome social isolation and create a sense of belonging in the places we call home.

Parks also offer people from all walks of life and all parts of our society somewhere to come together, enjoy each other’s company and take advantage of the opportunities that accessible, free and attractive open spaces can provide.

We launched the original Pocket Parks Scheme in 2015, focussing on supporting those in the most deprived areas.

This created over 80 eye-catching new pocket parks for families and whole communities to enjoy.

Last year, we shifted the Pockets Parks scheme up a gear with Pocket Parks Plus funding 198 new and renovated parks.

We know we can do even more and that’s why we are launching Pocket Parks to help communities transform unloved, neglected or derelict areas into new green spaces.

I’m excited to see this pioneering scheme grow and look forward to hearing from communities across the country about their creative plans to shape and improve their neighbourhoods for generations to come.”

If you would like to know more about the funding or apply, please click here.

In winter, GPs see more people suffering from breathing complications and, according to the British Lung Foundation, there are almost 80 per cent more respiratory admissions to hospital in December, January and February than March, April and May. It all adds pressure on the health system which leads to delays.

Cold weather can trigger a flare-up of symptoms for people who already have conditions that affect their breathing. This is due to the dry air which causes the fluid lining of the throat to dry up which can lead to irritations and swelling. Cold weather also increases the production of thicker and stickier than normal mucus which can cause blockages in the respiratory system and also increases likelihood of colds or other infections.

Dr Ben Butler-Reid, a Blackpool GP and clinical director for NHS Blackpool and NHS Fylde and Wyre Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), said: “Winter is a difficult time for the NHS and the best way we can make sure services don’t get swamped is to make sure those who could experience flare-ups in their condition are prepared and prevent themselves needing hospital admittance.”

People with respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or severe asthma, can be particularly prone to the effects of cold weather, becoming shorter of breath and coughing more than usual.

Christopher Jackson, respiratory nurse specialist at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It is important those who have a long-term respiratory condition understand their self-management plan and where and when to seek further advice or support.

“People with respiratory conditions should ensure that they have a supply of their inhalers and they are using them correctly. Those with COPD whose condition could get worse should have access to ‘rescue medication’ and review this with a health care professional.”

If you have a lung disease, below are some tips about how you can fight the impact of the cold and keep your lungs as healthy as possible throughout the winter months.

Keep warm

Firstly, it is important to keep warm by wearing layers of clothing when it is cold. This may sound obvious, but is something people too often forget or don’t plan for.

Keeping the home warm is also crucial. The optimum room temperature is 21 degrees in the living room and 18 degrees in the bedroom. It is better to make sure the bedroom is nice and warm before going to bed to ensure you stay comfortable throughout the night.

Keep active

Staying active and doing some light exercise can also be extremely helpful by keeping the blood circulating and the body warm.

Appropriate exercise is generally good for strengthening lung health at any time of year. If you have a lung condition, your doctor will be able to advise you of a suitable level of exercise for you and local places where you can do this if you can’t do it in the home.

Plan ahead with your medication

Those on medication should carry it with them and people who have been prescribed bronchodilators (medication to help people breathe) should use them half an hour before leaving the house to prevent the cold weather causing a sudden tightening of the airways when they are out.

Get your flu vaccination

There are often outbreaks of flu in periods of cold weather, so anyone with a lung condition should contact their GP to take advantage of the free flu vaccine they are entitled to, if they haven’t already.

If your symptoms become severe, get in touch with your GP or call 111 if you feel you can’t wait.

Notes to editors:

This press release is issued jointly by the Fylde Coast Clinical Commissioning Groups and Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

A video interview with Christopher Jackson and Dr Ben Butler-Reid is available here: https://youtu.be/uvweHEQ6nYs

For further information about this press release please call the CCG communications team on 01253 951349.

• NHS Fylde and Wyre and NHS Blackpool Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) are the organisations responsible for planning and buying health services in the area to meet patients’ needs. This is known as ‘commissioning’.
• Led by family doctors (GPs), the CCGs serve a population of more than 300,000 people across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. The majority live in the urban towns of Blackpool, Fleetwood, Thornton, Poulton-le-Fylde, Kirkham, Garstang and Lytham St Annes, but a significant proportion live in rural villages.
• The CCGs receive a set amount of money from the government and are committed to spending this wisely for the benefit of local people.
• Giving you more choice is a priority of the modern NHS. More information is available at https://www.fyldecoastccgs.nhs.uk/local-services/patient-choice/
• The NHS Constitution sets out your rights as an NHS patient: nhs.uk/choiceintheNHS/Rightsandpledges/NHSConstitution/Pages/Overview.aspx
• There are many ways to get involved in health service developments, including joining our Influence membership scheme or your practice’s patient participation group.
• For more information about the CCGs and how to get involved, visit https://www.fyldecoastccgs.nhs.uk/

You can also access our services 24/7 at www.fylde.mycouncilservices.com where you can make payments, report any issues such as missed bins or fly tipping and much more.

In an emergency the council can be contacted on 01772 436756. If you have a housing emergency you can contact Progress Housing Group on 03333 204555 and for social care emergencies contact Lancashire County Council on 0300 123 6720.

Payments of Housing Benefit will be paid out a little earlier to take account of the Christmas post and the Council office closure.

If your normal payment is due on Friday 20th December payments will be released as follows:

• Cheques – Posted out Wednesday 18th December 2019
• Bacs Payments – Released Wednesday 18th December 2019

If your normal payment is due on Friday 27th December payments will be released as follows:

• Cheques – Posted out Friday 20th December 2019
• Bacs Payments – Released Friday 20th December 2019

Please allow a minimum of 2 working days for Bacs payments to reach your account.

May we take this opportunity to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!

The terms of the operator’s licence require the operator to comply with all statutory obligations relating to the sand extraction. At the council’s request, the operator has agreed to cease sand extraction for the present.

Once the issues regarding the licence and the planning permission have been resolved, the council will evaluate whether, and in what form, sand extraction from St Annes beach might continue. That evaluation will take into account the ecological impacts of the activity as well the importance of the extracted sand for construction in Lancashire and the wider region. Any resumption of sand extraction would be in full compliance with all relevant regulatory regimes and after obtaining all necessary consents, a process which is likely to take a significant amount of time to determine.