november2021 – Fylde Council

New political map for Fylde Borough Council

Fylde Council — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 00:01:27 +0000

The Local Government Boundary Commission is the independent body that draws these boundaries. It has reviewed Fylde to make sure councillors will represent about the same number of electors, and that ward arrangements will help the council work effectively.

The Commission has published final recommendations for changes in Fylde. It says residents should be represented by 37 councillors. This is fourteen fewer than current arrangements.

There will be 17 wards; one single-councillor ward, twelve two-councillor wards, and four three-councillor wards. This is four fewer wards than there are now. The boundaries of 19 wards have changed. Two, Medlar-with-Wesham and St Johns, will stay the same although St Johns will be re-named Lytham East.

Publishing the recommendations Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, said:

“We are very grateful to people in Fylde. We looked at all the views they gave us. They helped us improve our earlier proposals.
“We believe the new arrangements will guarantee electoral fairness while maintaining local ties.”

222 people and organisations made comments to help decide the new wards. Changes in response to what local people said include:

We are making changes to our draft recommendations for St Anne’s. In doing so, we are recommending ward boundaries proposed to us by St Anne’s-on-the-Sea Town Council.
Whilst we acknowledge and have taken into careful consideration representations we received about our draft recommendations for Freckleton, we are recommending that part of the parish of Freckleton join Newton-with-Clifton and Treales, Roseacre & Wharles parishes to form a Rural East Fylde ward.

The Commission has made further changes to its earlier proposals. Details can be found on its website at https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/north-west/lancashire/fylde

Parliament now needs to agree the changes. The new arrangements will then apply for the 2023 council elections.

Fylde_Final Recommendations Map

An interactive map is available at https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/24729

Ends

Notes to editors:
For further information contact the Commission’s press office on 0330 500 1525 / 1250 or email press@lgbce.org.uk
An interactive map is available at https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/24729
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is an independent body accountable to Parliament. It recommends fair electoral and boundary arrangements for local authorities in England. In doing so, it aims to:
• Make sure that, within an authority, each councillor represents a similar number of electors
• Create boundaries that are appropriate and reflect community ties and identities
• Deliver reviews informed by local needs, views and circumstances

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Free Christmas Parking in Fylde Returns!

Fylde Council — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 11:51:39 +0000

Fylde Council are delighted to announce the return of free parking on all council-owned car parks on the weekends leading up to Christmas, to help make your Christmas shopping experience all the easier.

The first free weekend, Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th of December, will coincide with Small Business Saturday, the campaign to encourage people to shop locally and support small businesses in their community.

For that weekend, and both of the following weekends (11th and 12th, 18th and 19th), all council-owned Pay and Display car parks will be free to use all day. Please note that outside of these free weekends, normal tariffs will continue to apply.

A full list of eligible car parks can be found here: Car Parks (fylde.gov.uk)

Fylde Council are also helping to tackle drink driving this festive season by reminding residents that parking tickets run over to the next day. Therefore, if you purchase a pay and display ticket in the evening, this will run through for the time paid to the following morning.

This helps avoid drink driving by giving people time to sober up in the morning before collecting their cars, and for anyone staying over in one of the hotels, it gives them a lie in and enough time for the alcohol to leave their system.

For more information on how to avoid drink driving, please visit www.drinkaware.co.uk

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Fylde Council is delighted to be supporting two new business ventures on the high street

Fylde Council — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 22:38:40 +0000

Newly opened Dawson’s Arts & Crafts Emporium and The Hop Shoppe, a craft beer bar and bottle shop, are among the latest businesses to have received funding from Fylde Council’s ARG Vacant Premises Grant.

Both are welcome additions to the high street ahead of the busy Christmas shopping period.

Michelle and Lee Dawson have revived empty shop premises on the Crescent in St Annes selling eco-friendly art supplies and gifts.

The couple moved over to the Fylde coast from west Yorkshire two years ago, where they had run a successful signage company.

They had originally planned to move their business to St Annes but when the premises became available and they realised that it had previously been an arts shop, they decided to change their plans and move into retail.

Dawson’s Arts & Crafts Emporium sells art supplies and gifts including body products, bath bombs, candles, mugs, Christmas decorations, stationery and greeting cards made in the UK.

The grant of £5,151 has been used to refurbish the property including plastering, rewiring and flooring.

Michelle explained: “We’ve sourced our products from small UK suppliers, many of them made at kitchen tables. We are really going for it in terms of supporting UK businesses and selling eco-friendly products that are biodegradable, compostable and ethically sourced.

“We are big believers in supporting the local high street and really want to encourage everyone to shop local – it’s better for the environment and it’s better for us all.’’

Under the terms of the ARG Vacant Premises Grant, businesses locating to, or expanding into, vacant premises are eligible to receive 50 per cent of the set-up, shop fit, refit or branding costs at a value of up to £10,000.

Khyra Kershaw, who owned a jazz bar on Wood Street in St Annes for almost four years, took the opportunity to expand her business when neighbouring premises became available. She has used the £10,000 grant towards extensive renovations and new shop signage.

She has changed her customer offering from a jazz bar to a craft beer and bottle shop, which is due to open in December.

Khyra said: “We will be offering something completely different in the local area, it’s quite a unique concept.

“Each of the drinks available in The Hop Shoppe are sourced from independent businesses right here in the UK.

“There will be zero alcohol, vegan, organic and gluten free products – something for everyone.

“The grant has been a real bonus – and has made it possible for me to knock through from my original premises and expand the business.”

Cllr Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, is delighted to see more businesses taking advantage of the ARG Vacant Premises Grant.

She said: “It is absolutely wonderful to welcome two more fantastic businesses to St Annes.

“The ARG Vacant Premises Grant has really boosted our high streets in Kirkham, Lytham and St Annes and every single successful applicant has been an absolute pleasure to work with.

“I am particularly delighted to see that both Dawson’s Arts & Crafts Emporium and The Hop Shoppe are ethically sourcing products from companies that are committed to reducing their carbon footprint and supporting home-grown businesses.”

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South Fylde railway line improvement report submitted to Department for Transport

Fylde Council — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 15:46:22 +0000

A report commissioned to look at options to improve train services on the South Fylde railway line has been presented to the Department for Transport.

Fylde Council has submitted detailed findings which explore steps to improve local transport including the possibility of delivering half-hourly services between Blackpool South and Preston along with measures that improve the reliability and punctuality of the service.

The South Fylde line was reduced to a single track from the Kirkham West Junction in the early 1980s and the report recommends the construction of a dynamic ‘passing loop’ which would double the service from one train per hour.

The report also identifies a range of other measures to improve the service including upgrading the level crossings at Moss Side as well as considering the South Fylde Line as a ‘test bed’ for the affordable electrification of secondary railway lines.

In addition, the report also discusses a possible second phase of development including linking the South Fylde line to the Blackpool Tramway.

Among the benefits expected from the improvements are increased visitor numbers to the south Fylde coast, the use of sustainable, decarbonised transport and tackling deprivation through better access to education and job opportunities as well as encouraging new businesses and tourism.

If the Department of Transport decides to take the ideas forward, a further detailed report may be commissioned to assess which options should be funded and delivered.

Known as the South Fylde Line Strategic Outline Business Case, the 55-page report identifies a wide range of issues associated with transport and connectivity.

It was commissioned after Mark Menzies, MP for Fylde, and Scott Benton, MP for Blackpool South, successfully secured funding from Round 2 of the UK Government’s Restoring Your Railway Ideas Fund.

The report, which also includes making Moss Side a ‘request stop’, identifies key transport problems on the South Fylde line including low service frequency, unreliability, long journey times, lack of capacity at peak times and the need to change at Preston for longer train journeys.

It also recognises the high levels of car use in south Fylde, which causes congestion and parking pressures, as well as the wider impact of transport on employment, education, tourism and commercial development opportunities as well as on people’s health, the environment and local communities.

During the research, local residents, businesses, tourism bodies, rail industry representatives and public sector organisations were consulted for their views.

In a survey of Fylde residents and rail users, 84 per cent said they did not use the train service as often as they would like because of services being cancelled, punctuality and because trains were sometimes terminated before reaching their end destination.

Coun Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, said: “This report is the first stage of looking at how to improve journey times, reliability and punctuality along the South Fylde line.

“It identifies the transport problems, sets out the transport objectives and has shaped a phased package of improvements to public transport in the south Blackpool and south Fylde areas.

“The study also considers the wider impact of transport problems on society as well as Government aspirations to promote ‘levelling-up’ and net zero emissions by 2050.

“The completion of this report is an extremely positive first step and we have now presented these findings to the Department for Transport for further consideration.”

Scott Benton, MP for Blackpool South, said: “This project would make a real improvement to the transport network in Blackpool South and could double the number of trains which come into our stations.

“This will make it easier for people to travel here and boost our local economy, helping to create more investment and jobs. It will help drive more visitors into our tourism economy including through the station serving Blackpool Pleasure Beach, one of the country’s best and biggest tourism attractions.”

Mark Menzies, MP for Fylde, said: “Delivering a passing loop is crucial if we are to improve rail services on the South Fylde line.

“Doubling the frequency will help drive economic growth, making it easier for people to reach businesses across Fylde by rail, encouraging people out of their cars and onto the train.

“We need a more regular, more reliable service and that is precisely what these proposals will deliver.

“The conclusions of this business case support the passing loop scheme Scott Benton and I have been proposing and this is an important step towards making that a reality.”

The £65k report was funded by the Department for Transport with match funding from Community Rail Lancashire, which secured a grant through the Community Rail Development Fund, Lancashire County Council, Blackpool Council and Fylde Council.

The studies were overseen by a project group including representatives of local Members of Parliament, the Department for Transport, Network Rail, Northern Trains, Community Rail Lancashire, Lancashire County Council, Blackpool Council and Fylde Council.

An executive summary of the South Fylde Line Strategic Outline Business Case report is available online. https://new.fylde.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/20211118-South-Fylde-SOBC-Report-Exec-Summary.pdf

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Precautionary measures in place following confirmed Bird Flu case

Fylde Council — Mon, 15 Nov 2021 09:47:13 +0000

A case of Avian Influenza (otherwise known as Bird Flu) has been confirmed at a premises in Salwick, near Preston.

Avian Influenza is a disease which mainly affects birds, but on rare occasions, it can affect mammals including humans. Consequently, a number of precautionary measures are being put in place.

The response is being led locally by Lancashire County Council, Fylde Borough Council, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Animal and Plant Health Agency and the UKHSA (UK Health Security Agency).

A 3km and 10km Temporary Control Zone has been declared around the premises.

Temporary road signs will make people aware as they arrive and leave this zone. This control zone restricts access to locations where birds are kept and restrictions on the movement of birds.

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, Director of Public Health and Wellbeing for Lancashire County Council, said: “I want to reassure residents that the risk to public health from avian flu is very low.

“However, it is important that people do not pick up any sick or dead birds to avoid spreading the virus, which can affect humans in rare cases.

“If you do find any dead swans, geese or ducks or other dead wild birds while out and about, please report them to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77.

“I would also urge bird keepers to be vigilant for any signs of disease and report any suspected cases to their nearest Animal and Plant Health Agency office.”

People in direct contact with the premises have been contacted and offered appropriate preventative treatment.

Avian Influenza is primarily a disease of birds and the risk to the general public’s health is very low. However, anyone who is concerned should call NHS 111 or speak to their GP.

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said: “H5N1 avian influenza has been confirmed at a commercial poultry premises in Lancashire. We have taken swift action to limit the spread of the disease and any birds at risk of infection will now be humanely culled.

“UK Health Security Agency has confirmed that the risk to public health is low and the Food Standards Agency has said that bird flu does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers.

“We have declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone across Great Britain, so whether you keep just a few birds or thousands, it’s vital that all bird keepers take action to introduce higher biosecurity standards on their farm or small holdings.”

You can find the area covered by the zone online at: https://defra.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=8cb1883eda5547c6b91b5d5e6aeba90d

Find out more about Avian Flu at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu

You can read the declaration from Defra online at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1033355/tcz-declaration-ip6-fylde.pdf

Advice for people who keep birds is available at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu#biosecurity

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Have Your Say in the Fylde Residents’ Survey

Fylde Council — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 13:24:16 +0000

The pandemic is still with us but much of life is beginning to return to normal. Fylde Council would like to find out if residents’ experience of council services has been good, or if there’s a need for any improvements. This is an opportunity to say what works well and what more can be done to make the Borough continue to be an enjoyable place to live and work.

The survey will take no more than 2 minutes to complete and is made up of multiple-choice questions with an option to leave further comments.

The Leader of Fylde Council, Councillor Karen Buckley said: “Fylde’s residents have the opportunity to have their say at any time through our online survey. So far almost 5000 responses have been received since we started the residents’ survey. Whilst the survey asks for feedback on a range of services there is the opportunity to share anything you want and all feedback is used to improve the services we deliver across the Fylde.

“Right now your feedback will help us make sure we are delivering the right regulatory services in an efficient, courteous and helpful manner post-Covid. The 2021 survey will allow us to measure the impact these changes have had on the service that you receive and prioritise the areas where we can do better in the future. Please take time to have your say.”

Allan Oldfield, Chief Executive of Fylde Council said: “We always value feedback from residents and use it to improve our services and measure levels of customer satisfaction. It helps us if people who live in Fylde would give two minutes of their valuable time to share their views on how we are performing on their behalf. I would like to thank all residents in advance for their support and look forward to hearing your views.”

The survey can be accessed from our website here.

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Remembrance Day 2021

Fylde Council — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 13:18:13 +0000

Remembrance Sunday, which this year falls on 14 November, is a national opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life.

In 2020, Covid restrictions resulted in the cancellation of the traditional parades and services. Alternatively, residents were encouraged to pay their respects by displaying a poppy in their window, donating to the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal and observing a two-minute silence.

This year we welcome the return of the parades and gatherings, where our communities can join together to mark these momentous occasions. Remembrance Day services will take place across Fylde on Sunday 14 November.

Services across Fylde are always well attended and will take place as follows:

St Annes
Assemble at the Pier car park on North Promenade at 10:30am and proceed (route St Annes Road West and Clifton Drive North, returning via Garden Street and St Annes Road West) to the memorial at 10:38am. Fylde Council’s civic party will be led by Councillor Elaine Silverwood, Fylde Mayor.

Lytham
Assemble at the Assembly Rooms at 10:30am. Procession to move off at 10:45am to the war memorial via Dicconson Terrace, Henry Street and Queen Street (returning by reverse route). The civic party will be led by Councillor Cheryl Little, Fylde Deputy Mayor.

Kirkham
Assemble on Orders Lane at 1:30pm and move off at 1:45pm. The service of Remembrance will commence at the Cenotaph at 2:00pm. The procession will return to the Community Centre at approximately 3:00pm where refreshments will be served.

Wesham
Assemble at the War Memorial, Station Road/Weeton Road at 10:45am. Following the Act of Remembrance, refreshments will be served at Wesham Community Centre.

Staining
Remembrance Service conducted by Revd. Jim Crawford at St Luke’s Church, starting at 9:30am, before moving on to the Memorial at Jubilee Gardens at 10:30am. A short service will be hosted by Cllr Jayne Nixon to encompass the last post and 2 minutes silence at 11.00am.

Ribby with Wrea & Westby with Plumptons
Remembrance Service at St Nicholas Church, Wrea Green starting at 10:00am, before moving to the Wrea Green War Memorial.

Councillor Elaine Silverwood, Fylde Mayor, said “We are all very grateful that this Remembrance Sunday we are able to gather together and show our deepest gratitude and respect to all the men and women who have lost their lives or have suffered protecting their country and loved ones in all Wars.”

“For those who leave never to return. For those who return but are never the same.”

For a list of temporary road closures for Remembrance Day parades in Lytham, please click here

For a list of temporary road closures for Remembrance Day parades in St Annes, please click here

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St. Anne’s on the Sea Launch into Christmas

Fylde Council — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 15:12:51 +0000

We are at that time of year once again when the town square and several adjoining streets will be alight with festive colours and decorations, generating a wonderful seasonal glow to our town. The town welcomes all the community to join us for the festivities on Saturday 20^th November 2021 in St. Anne’s Square to watch the festive lights turn on in time for Christmas. This year our lights will be on for an extra week. We hope this will extend the festive season and benefit our traders.

The festivities are organised and run by the Community and Neighbourhood Group (CAN) of St. Anne’s on the Sea Town Council. The fun will commence around 12.00 noon with Christmas music hosted by Emma Louise Jackson. Local performers will take to the stage from 2.00pm until 5.30pm. Those presenting their amazing talents include Paul Dobie, Peter Anthony, Steve Canavan, Elsa, Anya and Olaf from Frozen.

Santa will this year visit our shopping areas at Alexandria Drive at 11.30am, Whalley Place at 12.30pm, Headroomgate Road at 1.30pm or St. Alban’s Road at 2.30pm. He will then return to the Town Centre for the Switch On.

At 5.30pm The St. Anne’s on the Sea Town Council Chairman Gavin Harrison and Deputy Mayor of Fylde Councillor Cheryl Little will switch on the lights. Town Crier John Spencer-Barnes, Councillors and special guests will also be in attendance.

Our lights and infrastructure have once again been upgraded with new decals and the ability to turn all the lights on in unison. It should be some spectacle.

At approximately 5.35pm Churches Together will hold a Crib Blessing at the amphitheatre in the Town Centre. The event organised by St. Thomas’ Church will include a short procession, music and unveiling of the nativity crib.

So please put this date in your diary, bring the family down to the town square / satellite shopping areas and join us for what is sure to be a heart-warming start to the Christmas Season.

Town Council Chairman Cllr Gavin Harrison:

“I’m delighted to be part of this traditional community switch-on event, it’ll be great to see the lights shining more brightly than ever this year. There’s something for everyone, with talented local performers compered by the fabulous Emma Louise – my thanks to them all for contributing to what I know will be a great family day out in our wonderful town. Santa will be visiting the local shopping areas before putting in an appearance at the big switch on, so if you see him, do give him a wave and say hello. I’d also like to thank the CAN Team of councillors and officers have worked really hard to bring this event to the people of St Anne’s and I look forward to seeing you all on the big day.”

For more information, please check our website – www.stannesonthesea-tc.gov.uk or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/events/571423667504234