october2022 – Fylde Council

Work Starting at Stanner Bank Toilet Block

Fylde Council — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 10:25:32 +0000

Work is about to begin on the refurbishment of the Stanner Bank toilet block, providing an eye-catching and modern convenience for visitors.

From Monday 31 October 2022, operations will commence to remove the existing concrete covering and damaged seating, to be replaced with a wooden pergola connecting the two buildings. The blocks themselves will receive a new rendering of Fylde stone, with improved landscaping around to make the surrounding area both more attractive and more accessible.

Work is anticipated to be completed in early December, until which point the lake-side footpath from Stanner Bank to the RSPB will remain closed to visitors. This will be concurrent with work being carried out on the on-site electrical substation by Electricity Northwest.

Cllr Roger Small, Chairman of Fylde Council’s Operational Management Committee, said: “The Fairhaven Lake and Gardens Restoration Project has seen months of wonderful improvements across the area, from the rebirth of the Japanese gardens to the renovation of the Isaac Dixon Boathouse, and we’re delighted to be able to announce that the Stanner Bank toilet block is next to benefit.”

For more information about Fairhaven, including the ambitious Fairhaven Lake and Garden Restoration Project supported through the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund, visit the Events page at Discover Fylde and follow the official Fairhaven Lake and Gardens Facebook page.

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.

Fylde Wins Big in North West in Bloom Awards 2022

Fylde Council — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 09:47:25 +0000

Fylde Borough has won 25 honours in the annual North West in Bloom (NWIB) competition and 14 It’s Your Neighbourhood Awards, thanks to the hard work of volunteers and operational staff.

The 2022 North West In Bloom awards saw St Annes on the Sea in Bloom win both gold medal and joint category winner for the Best Large Coastal Resort along with Most Improved Entry, following a 2-year break from the competition for the group.

The Fylde Sand Dunes Project received recognition for all their work with a Level 5 Outstanding Its Your Neighbourhood Award for the 6^th year in a row, and newcomers Blundell Road Senior Moments Hub were honoured with a Level 5 Outstanding, reflecting the work done by the group and volunteers to improve the well-being of those who attend.

Cllr Michael Sayward, Chairman of the Tourism & Leisure Committee, said: “This is a wonderful result, and it is delightful to see the dedication of our staff and volunteers rewarded with such a great number of awards. This recognition of their efforts is well-earned, and on behalf of the Council I would like to thank everyone who had a part in helping Fylde be so award-winningly beautiful!”

Below is the full list of this year’s North West in Bloom winners in Fylde:

2022 NWiB Discretionary Awards:

Most Improved Entry – St Annes on the Sea in Bloom

RHS Small Parks Local Authority Gold Award – Lowther Gardens & Ashton Gardens

School Award – Lytham Hall Park Primary School

Environmental Quality Award – Elswick Village Green

Kieran Moss Award for Bedding Displays – Lytham War Memorial Gardens

2022 NWiB Awards:

Best Urban Community

Gold Medal & Category Winner – Ansdell in Bloom

Best Small Town

Gold Award – Freckleton in Bloom

Silver Award – Bloomin’ Warton

Best Village

Gold Medal & Joint Category Winner – Elswick in Bloom

Silver Gilt – Weeton in Bloom

Best Small Accommodation

Gold Award & Category Winner – Queens Hotel, Lytham

Gold Award – The Eagle at Weeton

Best Small Tourist Attraction

Gold Award & Category Winner – Lytham Hall Kitchen Garden, Apiary & Garden Hub

Best Small Village

Gold Medal – Little Eccleston in Bloom

Best Large Coastal Resort

Gold Award & Joint Category Winner – St Annes on the Sea in Bloom

Best Small Coastal Resort

Gold Medal & Category Winner – Lytham in Bloom

Best Large Village

Silver Gilt Award – Staining in Bloom

Silver Gilt Award – Wrea Green in Bloom

2022 RHS: It’s Your Neighbourhood Awards

Level 2 – Improving

Wesley’s Community Garden

Level 4 – Thriving

The Links Pub, St Annes

Friends of Squires Gate Station

Friends of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Garden

Level 5 – Outstanding

Fylde Sand Dunes Project

Shepherd Road Allotments

Blundell Road Allotments Senior Moments Hub

St Nicholas Church, Wrea Green

Friends of St Annes Station

Friends of Ansdell & Fairhaven Station

Friends of Lytham Station

Friends of Newton Community Park

Park View 4 U

5 Year Award

Friends of Ansdell & Fairhaven Station

Highly Commended

St Annes Litter Pickers

North West in Bloom is the voluntary regional organisation that administers the Britain in Bloom competition in Lancashire, Chesire, Greater Manchester, and Mersey. Britain in Bloom is one of the longest running environmental competitions in the United Kingdom; since 1964, communities from across the North West have demonstrated their ability to create and maintain attractive environments that benefit residents and visitors alike. For more information, visit the North West in Bloom website.

Shifting Sands Art Trail Extended to Easter 2023!

Fylde Council — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 08:38:09 +0000

Due to its continued popularity, Fylde Council are delighted to announce that the Shifting Sands art trail at Lytham Hall has been extended until Easter 2023.

These original artworks are accompanied by a fascinating exhibition of mid-century railway posters from the Lytham St Annes Art Collection, which illustrate the changing styles in art, holidaymaking, architecture, and fashion over the years, as well as the development of the urban and rural landscapes of Britain.

Shifting Sands in presented in collaboration with Community Rail Lancashire. For more information on the art trail and the exhibition, please visit the Discover Fylde website.

Fairhaven Lake Kiosk Update

Fylde Council — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 08:57:16 +0000

Earlier this year following a public consultation Fylde Council announced plans to build a new kiosk located at Fairhaven Lake. The current kiosk, which has been owned and operated by a local family since the 1970s via a long-term lease and sits upon Council owned land, is popular amongst residents and visitors alike.

The new kiosk was designed to deliver a modern and aesthetically pleasing building that would sit proud amongst the majestic scenery. Constructed from various materials, namely steel, it would provide residents and visitors a place to enjoy a beverage or ice cream whilst taking in the surrounding views of Fairhaven Lake and beyond.

The investment is part of a £25million regeneration scheme that saw improvements to the sea defences, and the new kiosk would further enrich the environment whilst future-proofing Council assets.

Regrettably, due to the complexities of the current market which has caused the cost of building supplies to soar, the scale and nature of the project can no longer be delivered in its present concept due to financial constraints. Since its initial conception, the build costs for this project have increased by 20% which the Council cannot justify.

The desire to continue with the project is great, and the Council is fully committed to delivering a new Fairhaven Kiosk in line with the original budget.

Cllr Michael Sayward, Chairman of Tourism and Leisure, said: “Factors out of our control have called for us to re-think our plans for Fairhaven Kiosk. We are still keen to progress with the kiosk and we are exploring all options that will complement and enhance the surroundings whilst delivering a cost-effective solution.”

Watch this space for further updates.

Discretionary Energy Rebate including Houses of Multiple Occupation

Fylde Council — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 08:55:30 +0000

Please note, submissions for this scheme have now closed

Fylde residents who live in Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) or those who pay their energy bills by card or cash meter will soon be able to apply for a one-off £150 payment through Fylde Council’s Energy Rebate Discretionary Scheme.

These residents, who would not have been eligible for a payment under the main element of the Energy Rebate scheme, will be able to apply online with appropriate supporting documents, after which payment will be made directly to their bank accounts.

The Energy Rebate scheme was announced in February 2022 as part of the UK government’s support package to assist the public with rising energy costs. The scheme laid out eligibility criteria for the main tranche of the funding, paying £150 to the majority of households in Council Tax Bands A to D, and included guidance to billing authorities on how to allocate the Discretionary Fund.

Previous payments from the Discretionary Fund have been allocated to various categories of household across Fylde who were ineligible for the main scheme, including those in Council Tax Bands E to H who receive Council Tax Reduction, and those in Council Tax Bands F to H where a disabled Council Tax band reduction was applied, to name a few.

Cllr Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council and Chair of the Finance and Democracy Committee, said: “I am pleased that Fylde Council are able to offer financial support for those who reside in Houses of Multiple Occupation whose energy costs are paid by the landlord. It has been a concern of mine that where coin meters are still in place there is no rebate to the tenants because the energy bill is not in their name. For other tenants in self-contained flats there are many who pay for their energy on prepayment meters and we know that these types of accounts charge the highest tariffs. It is important to get support to those who need it most which is why I have pushed this scheme which has the backing of members of the Finance and Democracy Committee. The cost-of-living crisis is affecting us all, and we at Fylde are committed to helping the most vulnerable amongst us.”

Residents in an HMO who are not directly responsible for their energy bills will be asked to provide a copy of their tenancy agreement, verifying their residence and the inclusion of their bills in their rent, along with a bank statement showing their current address. Those residents who pay by card or cash meter will also be asked to provide a bank statement, along with a copy of their tenancy agreement should they have one.

The application portal is now available here: Discretionary Energy Rebate including Houses in Multiple Occupation – Fylde Council

Queries should be directed to fyldeenergyrebates@blackpool.gov.uk

Fylde’s push for Lancashire Investment Zone

Fylde Council — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 08:32:38 +0000

Fylde Council has worked with Blackpool and Lancashire County Councils to put forward a bold bid to central government for investment zones.

Investment zones are a new government initiative that aim to attract investment and unlock development and economic activity. The upper-tier authorities of Lancashire and Blackpool were included in a shortlist of 38 local authority areas where the government is considering establishing the zones.

These investment zones have the potential to generate tens of thousands of jobs adding billions of pounds to the value of the economy of the area. The proposals put forward outline ambitious plans for a zone that would span Lancashire using a series of interlinked ‘enterprise corridors’ and employment clusters:

The North-South Enterprise Corridor would extend from as far north as Heysham, through central Lancashire and down into West Lancashire.
The East Lancashire Enterprise Corridor would cover sites from Samlesbury and across into Burnley, Hyndburn and Pendle.
The Fylde Coast Enterprise Corridor would cover areas across the Fylde, Wyre, and Blackpool coast.

Leader of Fylde Council, Councillor Karen Buckley, stated:

“As soon as the Investment Zones were announced I was on the phone to the Cabinet Member for Economic Development at Lancashire County Council to ensure Fylde sites were included so that we could attract investment and jobs to the area. Working closely with LCC and our MP, Mark Menzies, led to the inclusion of the Clean Energy Technology Park at Springfields and the Warton/Salmesbury Enterprise Zone in the bid to Government.

A further opportunity arose with Blackpool Council to extend the existing Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone to accelerate growth and benefit to our communities by unlocking employment land across from Queensway.”

She explains further that “The expansion of the Enterprise Zone forms part of the Fylde Coast Enterprise Corridor as outlined within the Lancashire Authorities Investment Zone Expression of Interest. Fylde Council has worked collaboratively with our partners at Blackpool and Lancashire to ensure strategic alignment of our key sites, and they are at the heart of an emerging pan-Lancashire growth plan.”

According to the government, the zones would seek to have planning flexibility to assist with their development and tax relief for businesses who relocate there. For developments in the early stages of planning, and to encourage new development to come forward, there will be a new faster and more streamlined consent to grant planning permission. Key planning policies to ensure developments are well designed will continue to apply, as will protections for Green Belt, heritage, flood risk, highway safety, and building regulations. All Investment Zones will have a mandate to boost growth.

For more information regarding investment zones see the government’s fact sheet: The Growth Plan 2022: Factsheet on Investment Zones – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

More information regarding the Fylde based enterprise zones which include Blackpool Enterprise Zone, the Clean Energy Technology Park, and Warton Enterprise Zone can be found on their websites:

Ends

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
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Vote for Fylde’s Parks in the Green Flag People’s Choice Awards!

Fylde Council — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 12:48:05 +0000

Voting is open for people across the UK to vote for their favourite green spaces, and Fylde has six Green Flag winners in the running.

Fairhaven Lake and Gardens, Ashton Gardens, the St Annes Promenade Gardens, Lowther Gardens, the Lytham Memorial Garden and Elswick Village Hall Gardens each won a coveted Green Flag Award in 2022, recognising the dedication of staff and volunteers required to achieve the standard required for the international mark of quality, and making them candidates for the Green Flag People’s Choice Awards.

Members of the public can vote on their favourite parks until 31 October 2022, with winners to be announced live at a virtual award ceremony on 15 November 2022.

Cllr Michael Sayward, Chairman of Fylde Council’s Tourism & Leisure Committee, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for people to really show their appreciation for the hard work and passion that goes into making our parks amongst the best in the nation. I would like to invite everyone who enjoys our green spaces to join me in voting for their favourite.”

To cast your vote, click on one of the links below:

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

Ends

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/

North Beach Wind Sports Centre Building Work Complete

Fylde Council — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 12:27:26 +0000

The North Beach Wind Sports Centre will soon be fully ready for use by local wind sports clubs and beach visitors, following the completion of building work on the site and planning approval.

The Beachcomber, the café at the heart of the redeveloped centre, has already enjoyed a fantastic first weekend of trading, having opened on October 8 following planning approval from Fylde Council. Work continues to finalise the last few details which will allow the Kite Surfing Club and Land Yacht Club to operate from the refreshed, modernised facilities, providing a headquarters from which residents and visitors can take full advantage of a beachfront described as one of the best for wind sports in the entire United Kingdom.

Cllr Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, said: “It’s thrilling for the North Beach Wind Sports Centre renovation to be nearing its conclusion, and I was delighted to see a warm welcome for the Beachcomber Café on their first weekend of operation. This is just the exciting first step in the new centre opening its doors to the public. As Leader, I would like to thank all those officers and contractors involved for their hard work, the sports clubs for their energy and enthusiasm for the project, and our residents for sharing with us their views on the development and for believing in what it will bring to the community.”

Cllr Michael Sayward, Chairman of the Tourism and Leisure Committee, said: “To be able to offer such a comprehensive seaside sports facility for visitors and residents alike is a wonderful coup for Fylde. Our beaches already attract people from all around the world for events like the annual kite festival, and the new centre will only enhance this offer, as well as provide residents with a delightful unique amenity they can enjoy only a short walk away.”

The planning application for the development of the Wind Sports Centre was able to progress through to a decision following notification from Natural England that the likelihood of significant effect on the protected areas nearby was negligible. The approval was granted on October 5 2022. More information is available on the Fylde Council website’s Planning section here.

In addition to the facilities for the local wind sports club, the centre once fully operational will offer a hub for the Fylde Coastal Rangers to operate from, as well as a purpose-built Changing Places accessible bathroom.

If you’d like to sample a taste of wind sports before the full opening of the centre, St Annes Land Yacht Club will this weekend be hosting a Sand Yachting Regatta on Saturday 15 October and Sunday 16 October to mark the 60th anniversary of the formation of FISLY (the International Land and Sandyachting Federation). This will be taking place on St Annes North Beach, near the site of the new wind sports centre. Visit the St Annes Landyacht Club Facebook page for more details.

Fylde Active Community Heroes Revealed!

Fylde Council — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 12:09:23 +0000

Fylde people, clubs and organisations that go above and beyond to keep the community active were celebrated at a glittering ceremony on Saturday 1st October.

The Fylde Active Community Awards received a record number of entries and the winners were announced at the sell-out event.

Hosted by Fylde Council’s Sports Development Team, the champions of the 11 categories included representatives from across the sporting spectrum including, running, martial arts, football, bowling and gymnastics.

Sponsors from across the borough got involved to help organisers make it the best and most exciting awards ceremony yet.

AFC Fylde, Danbro, Dickinsons Solicitors, Excel Fostering, RS Fitness and Spago were all delighted to be involved.

The promotion of the awards was supported by marketing agency and creative partner, ICG and Streetwise Lancashire assisted with sponsorship and organisation of the evening.

Ian Brookes, Sports Development Officer at Fylde Council, said: “After a two year break due to Covid we wanted to create a wonderful evening to remember and, after months of hard work and determination, I am confident we did just that!

“We changed the name from the Fylde Sports Awards to the Fylde Active Community Awards as we wanted to broaden our reach and recognise groups and organisations that work to ensure people embrace all types of activities that will benefit their physical and mental health.

“We had a record number of entries this year from many different clubs, organisations and individuals and it was wonderful to see companies from across the area getting involved as sponsors.

“Here on the Fylde, we have a vibrant and successful sporting community – it is great to see the successes and achievements of all our winners officially recognised and applauded.”

The awards ceremony took place at Ribby Hall on October 1st with BBC Radio Lancashire’s John Gilmore as compere.

The winners of the Fylde Sports Awards go on to represent their district at the Lancashire Sports Awards.

Fylde Active Community Award 2022 Winners at the Award Ceremony

Winners of the Fylde Sports Awards 2022

Coach of the Year

Ana Blackburn – Fylde Coast Rhythmic Gymnastics

Club of the Year

Freckleton and Warton Running Club

Contribution to Active Communities – Individual

Amanda Jurin – Health Walks, Behaviour CHANGE Programme

Contribution to Active Communities – Group

AFC Fylde Community Foundation

Secondary School of the Year

Lytham St Annes High School

Primary School of the Year

Clifton Primary School

Young Achiever of the Year

Amelia Doran – Kaidokan Judo Club

Volunteer of the Year

Sue Sinclair – Crown Green Bowling

Active Workplace of the Year

HM Land Registry Fylde

Health and Wellbeing Award

Together We Can Do (TWCD) Supporting Disabled Adults

Lifetime Achievement

Gerry Gregoire