LANCASTER
CITY COUNCIL
Your District Council
Promoting City, Coast & Countryside
Matters Lancaster City Council’s Community Magazine
© Grimshaw Architects
Issue 36 • Spring/Summer 2019
Inside Win tickets to the Platform and Salt Ayre Leisure Centre – pages 10 & 13
Bringing history to life at our museums – pages 14 & 15
Powering up an electric future – page 17
Plotting the future of a new Eden
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Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2019
Your vote is your voice Lancaster City Council and parish council elections will be held on Thursday May 2. City council elections, for all 60 councillors, are held every four years so this is your chance to elect the people who will represent you until 2023. Councillors make decisions on a wide-ranging series of services for the community, including waste and recycling, environmental health, leisure and recreation facilities, planning applications, parks and public spaces. To vote in the elections you must be on the Electoral Register by Monday April 12. Contrary to popular belief you won’t be automatically registered just because you pay council tax, and please also remember that if you have moved house then you must re-register. You can check if you’re registered by phoning the elections helpline on 01524 582905, or by visiting Lancaster Town Hall during normal office hours. You can register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. For more information on voting, including registering for a postal vote, visit Lancaster.gov.uk/elections.
Election Myths busted There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding registration, but it is important to know the real rights and wrongs behind the process. • Paying council tax does not get you on the register of electors • If you are not registered you may find it difficult to open a bank account and it may affect your credit rating • Students can lawfully register at both their term time address and another address they are resident at outside of term time • Commercial companies do not have automatic access to your details. There are two versions of the register – the full and the edited. You are able to opt out of the edited version simply by ticking a box on the form that you receive annually, or on a rolling registration form.
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2019
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Morecambe gets set for a new Eden The Eden Project has unveiled its vision for Eden Project North, a major new attraction in Morecambe. The Cornwall-based environmental charity is working with Lancaster City Council, Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, Lancaster University and Lancashire County Council on the project, which is anticipated to open in 2022. Each of the organisations has contributed £250,000 towards the next stage of the project, which will see a detailed business plan drawn up to assess the deliverability and viability of the proposals. Alongside this, Eden International, the global arm of the Eden Project, will commission and engage the professional planning, design and financial expertise needed to develop the supporting business plan. The £1million pot from the four partners will build on a £100,000 contribution that was allocated in the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget. Central to the vision for Eden Project North is a series of pavilions inspired by mussels, which could house a variety of environments.
© Grimshaw Architects
The plan is for a destination that combines indoor and outdoor experiences, connecting people
with the internationally-significant natural environment of Morecambe Bay while also enhancing well-being. Its vision of a seaside resort for the twentyfirst century includes reimagined lidos, gardens, performance spaces, immersive experiences and observatories. Eden is working with Grimshaw, the architecture firm who designed its worldfamous Rainforest and Mediterranean Biomes, to create this unique structure for Morecambe with a focus on the marine environment. A prime site on the Morecambe seafront is the proposed location for Eden Project North. The area was formerly occupied by the Bubbles swimming pool and Dome theatre. Eden Project North will be designed to help the regeneration of the area socially, economically and environmentally. The circa-£80m investment will create around 500 jobs and attract an estimated 8,000 visitors a day during peak periods.
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Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2019
Everywhere you go, always take your water with you Latte levy aims to cut plastic waste
New drinking fountains have been installed at key locations as part of an ongoing drive to reduce single-use plastic waste.
Williamson Park has introduced a ‘latte levy’ in a bid to stem the rising tide of plastic waste.
The fountains have been installed adjacent to the public toilets on Market Street in Carnforth, Williamson Park and the Clock Tower on Morecambe promenade and provide both a bottle filler and drinking tap.
Customers of the park’s café will now pay an additional 20p to take away their hot beverage in a single use disposable cup. The move is part of Lancaster City Council’s commitment to reduce single use plastics and mirrors a similar initiative at Lancaster University To avoid the surcharge, customers are being encouraged to take their own reusable cups, or buy one when they visit the park. Other measures taken at the park to reduce plastic waste include the introduction of fully compostable ‘vegware’ and paper straws. The city council joined forces with the university last year to try and tackle the problem of singleuse plastics and coffee cups. As part of the partnership, a delegation of students from Lancaster University Students’ Union visited the park and Butterfly House on Friday to find out more about the work taking place.
The aim is to help reduce the amount of plastic waste that is needlessly thrown away every day. Further fountains will be installed in Happy Mount Park in Morecambe and Heysham Village, with a site in Lancaster city centre also being explored. With the installation of these new water fountains we’re providing people with more opportunity to help reduce the amount of waste we send to landfill.
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2019
Flood defence scheme is a wall to wall success Morecambe’s replacement wave reflection wall has officially opened and is helping to protect 11,400 homes from the risk of flooding. Funded by £10.8m central government grant-in-aid funding, the wave reflection wall defence has a design life of 100 years, taking into consideration climate change and sea level rise. Led by Lancaster City Council in partnership with the Environment Agency, the wall consists of 4km of reinforced concrete defences that will provide protection against a major flood event. Sympathetically designed to fit in with the local environment, the wall also includes a nod to late local legend Eric Morecambe - with the shape of his glasses engraved in an end section. In addition to protecting 11,400 residential properties, the wall also: ✓ Reduces the risk of flooding to 2,246 commercial properties; ✓ Reduces the risk of flooding to major highway and promenade infrastructure; ✓ Safeguards the local economy
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Plans approved for Caton Road flood relief scheme Plans have been approved for a major new flood relief scheme that will protect businesses along Caton Road. The project will see the construction of a new flood defence wall along the banks of the River Lune to prevent similar large scale flooding to that which occurred during Storm Desmond in 2015. Taking 15 months to construct, the new wall will significantly reduce flood risk to the area it protects from the current 1 in 20-year event to a 1 in 100-year event. For the most part the wall will be built on the landward side of the cycle path, with a few exceptions, and will continue to provide uninterrupted access along the paths in the River Lune Millennium Park. During the construction of the wall the riverside path will need to close, but an alternative temporary route will be provided. The new defences will help to safeguard more than 2,000 jobs and businesses which contribute £37.3million to the local economy.
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Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2019
Launch of the Lancaster Story A major new project to give the Lancaster region a stronger and more competitive advantage has been launched. The Lancaster Story is the culmination of intensive work by organisations and individuals from across the wider Lancaster community, who came together in 2017 to develop an exciting ‘place brand’ to attract investment, jobs, students, visitors and people to live in the area. The brand puts the spotlight on the Lancaster region as an area which celebrates its culture and heritage, energises entrepreneurial excellence and is the location of choice for businesses and people wanting to relocate. At its core is a strong narrative and cleverly articulated visual language that sums up the region’s key elements – connectivity, culture, history, future aspirations and community. Championing and leading the strategic promotion of the brand will be the Place Board, a partnership of local business professionals, entrepreneurs and representatives from the public sector. They will develop an exciting strategy for promoting the region and leading efforts to make the area more attractive to businesses, investors and visitors. A promotional video has been produced to showcase the Lancaster district in all its glory. It can be viewed on the new website Lancaster.uk.com and local people are being encouraged to share it far and wide to broadcast to the world our district’s unique story. The website also contains videos from the launch of the Lancaster Story, where you can hear from, among others, Si Bellamy from Eden Project International.
Alistair Eagles, CEO of Seatruck Ferries and chair of the Place Board said:
“I really love our region and honestly believe that we are entering an exciting new chapter in our history. The Bay Gateway has opened up a wealth of new opportunities and we now have some of the best transport links in the country, not only by road and rail but also by sea. Critical to our future will be attracting more businesses into the area and to do that we need to shout loud and proud about who we are and what we have to offer, to stand out from the crowd. I believe the launch of the Lancaster Story will do just that and drive real improvement and growth.”
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2019
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Tourism begins at home The leisure and tourism sector is key to our local economy, with the visitor market currently worth £477 million to our district and annually bringing in 7.5million visitors. The sector also plays a key role in economic development and regeneration, supporting more than 6,000 jobs locally. Supporting this important industry is one of Lancaster City Council’s key priorities. The sheer variety and contrast between the three main areas – Morecambe and the Bay, Lancaster Heritage City, and the Lune Valley – represents a huge opportunity in the promotion of the district. Lancaster’s Georgian architecture, development of the castle as a must-see attraction, and raising the profile of the city through initiatives such as the Lancaster Story present unique opportunities. Morecambe, with its award winning promenade and beaches, is also a vital part of the local economy and the ongoing regeneration of the resort will provide further opportunities to improve the town’s attractiveness to visitors. Local businesses have a strong role to play and the council is dedicated to helping support businesses to take our district forward and become both a competitive visitor destination and an attractive and vibrant place to live. Of course, it’s not just about bringing visitors to the district; it’s as much about providing facilities and opportunities for those of us who live here to enjoy a good quality of life and a place that we can be proud to call home.
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Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2019
Morecambe to benefit from share of coastal funding Plans to breathe new life into a former department store in Morecambe’s West End have taken a step forward with the awarding of £40,000 in Government cash. Lancaster City Council is working with the Exchange Creative Community Interest Company to develop proposals to refurbish the former Co-Op department store on Regent Road. The aim is to create a hub from which community led business and enterprise start-ups can operate, further helping to revitalise the area and the local economy. The plans have received a welcome boost with the news that the council has been successful in a bid for a £40,000 grant from the Coastal Revival Fund, which was set up in 2015 to help coastal areas bring community assets back into use.
The money will assist in developing a viable business plan that will in turn be used to submit further funding bids for external grants. The Coastal Revival Fund (CRF) was introduced in 2015-16 to help coastal areas bring at risk heritage and community assets back into economic use. This year each project was able to bid for up to £50,000 of funding to help identify a new role for iconic buildings and structures in need of restoration. For more information on the Exchange visit www.theexchangecic.co.uk.
Save time and do it online Have you visited us online recently? Like most other organisations we’re finding that people increasingly prefer to contact us, find information and request services via our website, rather than in person or over the phone. Whether you’re using a smartphone, a tablet, a PC, a Smart TV or indeed any device capable of viewing a web page, our website serves up a simple-to-use and easy-to-read experience. The website is one part of our drive to make it as easy and convenient as possible for people to access information and services from the city council.
You can also find out the latest information on our social media channels:
Lancastercc
@lancastercc
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2019
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Save the dates for Lancaster and Morecambe’s biggest festivals Lancaster City Council has launched an action-packed programme of events providing an at-a-glance guide to exciting things to see and do in the Lancaster district in 2019. May kicks off with Lancaster Food Festival and the Highest Point Festival will return to Williamson Park, promising to be even bigger and brighter than its first successful outing last year. During the spring bank holiday, lovers of ska and punk will want to head down to the Trimpell Club in Morecambe for the Nice & Sleazy Festival where a whole host of bands are lined up to perform across a number of days. Over the same weekend, the Ribble Vehicle Preservation Trust will be holding their Vintage Bus Display and Running Day at various locations in Morecambe. Halton’s Millfest debuts in the Lune Valley village in June, a month which will also see the arrival of Steampunks in Morecambe for A Splendid Day Out. July sees a tempting set of events taking place in Morecambe including Morecambe Music Festival and Morecambe Fringe with Morecambe Carnival adding a massive splash of colour to promenade in August. Nearby Heysham Village will be preparing itself for another invasion in July with its annual Viking Festival. During the August bank holiday, Morecambe’s awarding winning Vintage by the Sea will bring the school summer holidays to a fitting end followed by Heritage Open Days in September, the nation’s largest heritage and culture festival as venues across the district open their doors for free. November will be the month to wrap up warm and enjoy the delights of the two day Light Up Lancaster Festival whilst over in Morecambe, More Music will be celebrating its local community with the West End Lantern Festival which includes a magical lantern procession. The programme of events for Lancaster is available online at Visitlancaster.org.uk and those taking place around Morecambe Bay can be found at Exploremorecambebay.org.uk. Alternatively you can pick up copies of the programmes from the visitor information centres in Lancaster and Morecambe.
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Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2019
New Season at the Platform Fans of live music will be treated to a wide-ranging mix of folk, rock and blues in the new season at The Platform in Morecambe, alongside the usual legendary bands and tributes. A strong folk offering includes one of the genre’s most iconic acts, The Unthanks, who will be taking to the stage in May. Also featuring from the folk world are Magna Carta, Scottish band Mànran, Merry Hell, The Kilkennys and Mairi Campbell. The Slambovian Circus Of Dreams, who hail all the way from Sleepy Hollow in New York, has been called the ‘hillbilly-Pink Floyd’ and will be performing in June. If you’re looking for something a little different, you might fancy The Stars From The Commitments, which features original cast members and musicians from the award-winning and Golden Globe and Oscar nominated film. Sixties star PJ Proby brings his farewell tour to Morecambe, with special guests Wayne Fontana and The Revolvers. You can get three sixties We have two tickets to give away bands for the price of one when Dozy, Beaky, for a show of your choice at the Mick and Tich, Cupid’s Inspiration and The Platform (subject to availability). Foundations come to town. To be in with a chance of winning, There are two family shows during the summer simply answer the following holidays including The Walrus and The Carpenter, question: which includes an afternoon puppet workshop The Slambovian Circus Of ahead of the performance, and Pirate Pearl and Dreams are from which New The Big Blue Monster for ages 3+. York village? On top of that there will be high quality tributes Send your answer by email to to the likes of: Led Zeppelin, John Lennon, communications@lancaster.gov.uk Genesis, Kate Bush, AC/DC, Elvis Presley, Blondie, along with your name and Santana, Michael Jackson and more. telephone number or post the With numerous community events and the answer and your contact details to annual, free lunchtime concerts in late spring, Communications Team, Town Hall, the Platform season offers something for Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PJ. everyone. For the full line-up and details, The deadline for entries is check the listings on page 11 or Friday 3 May 2019. visit Lancaster.gov.uk/platform.
Competition
@theplatformlcc MUSIC | COMEDY | DANCE | THEATRE | CABARET CHILDREN’S SHOWS | COMMUNITY EVENTS
/Morecambeplatform
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2019
WHAT’S ON
at the Platform 2019 April 5: Mànran, 8pm, £16 6: Hats Off To Led Zeppelin, 7.30pm, £18 (14+) 12: The Stars From The Commitments, 8pm, £25 (16+) 13: Hue And Cry, 8pm, £20 19: An Audience With Cannon & Ball, 7.30pm, £20/£18
11: Cloudbusting: The Music Of Kate Bush, 7.30pm, £16 15: PJ Proby – Farewell Tour With Wayne Fontana, 7.30pm, £25 17: Sonja Kristina & The Norman Beaker Band, 8pm, £15 (14+) 19: Promenade Concert Orchestra, 3pm, £16/£14 (under 16’s free) 21: The Rutles, 7.30pm, £20 (14+)
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Details correct at time of going to press. Please check with the venue before making a special journey.
22: Dozy Beaky Mick & Tich – Cupid’s Inspiration – The Foundations, 7.30pm, £22.50 28: Bootleg Blondie, 8pm, £18 (16+) 29/30: Catch the Wind Kite Festival
July
24: Merry Hell, 8pm, £12
5: Stephen Dale Petit And Band, 7.30pm, £14
25: New Jersey Boys, 7.30pm, £17.50
6: Grimethorpe Colliery Band, 7.30pm, £21
29: Big Country – Electric Show, 8pm, £25 (16+)
9: The Slambovian Circus Of Dreams, 7.30pm, £18/£16/£10
June 20: Gary Gibson As John Lennon, 7.30pm, £18 (14+) 22: Morecambe Comic-Con, 12pm, £6/£4 (under 5’s free) 26: Malone Sibun Band with Chris King Robinson, 7.30pm, £14 (14+)
May 3: Magna Carta, 7.30pm, £19.50 4: John Coghlan’s Quo, 8pm, £18.50 (14+) 9: The Unthanks, 8pm, £20 10: A Tribute To Genesis With The Carpet Crawlers, 8pm, £17 (14+)
1-2: A Splendid Day Out – Steamageddon, 10am-5pm, £2 (under 12’s free) 7: The AC/DC Experience, 8pm, £16 (16+) 8: Tipitina, 8pm, £12 14: The Raymond Froggatt Show, 7.30pm, £16 15: Northern Soul Live: Angelo Starr & Lorraine Silver, 7.30pm, £20 (14+) 16: The Kilkennys, 7.30pm, £20 20: Mairi Campbell, 7.30pm, £16 21: Tupelo To Vegas: A Tribute To Elvis, 7.30pm, £15
12: Jacqui Dankworth & Charlie Wood, 7.30pm, £19 13: Morecambe Rides Again Scooter Rally, 10.30am-2pm, Free 14: Freestage Live, 12-4pm, Free 20: Rock Back The Clock, 7.30pm, £18 (14+) 26: The Real Thing, 7.30pm, £24.50/£22.50 27: Oye Santana, 7.30pm, £20
Tickets available online at: lancaster.gov.uk/platform or call the box office on: 01524 582803
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Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2019
Council Tax set to rise Lancaster City Council’s portion of Council Tax is to increase by 2.99%. In real terms this means households will pay an average (based on a Band D property) of an extra £ 6.59 a year – or 12p a week – to the city council from April 2019. As 80% of the district's homes are in the lowest bands (A to C) the actual increase will be even lower than 12p a week for the majority of households. While as the billing authority Lancaster City Council collects Council Tax, it only receives around 13% of the total bill to spend on its services.
Ambitions for the future 73% Lancashire County Council
The city council has approved its Council Plan for 2018-2022. The plan, called ‘Ambitions’, sets out the council’s priorities for enhancing the economy, the environment, neighbourhoods and the wellbeing of the district’s communities. It sets out a strong vision for the district to thrive as a vibrant regional centre in the north west of England.
13% Lancaster City Council
It demonstrates the council’s commitment to making the most of the district’s many attributes as a great place to live, work and visit, and sets out four ambitions: ✓ A thriving and prosperous economy ✓ Clean and safe neighbourhoods ✓ Healthy and happy communities
10% Lancashire Police Authority
Excluding parishes, of the remaining bill, the majority goes to Lancashire County Council (73%), with precepts from Lancashire Police Authority (10%) and Lancashire Combined Fire Authority (4%) Lancashire Combined making up the rest. Fire Authority
4%
✓ A smart and forward-thinking council The plan summarises how the council will achieve these ambitions and looks to take an innovative and creative approach to delivering excellent, accessible services that create strong conditions for growth so that businesses thrive and jobs are created. This includes developing more commercial opportunities to generate income to fund services, and working more closely with businesses, residents and organisations to pursue opportunities.
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2019
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Salt Ayre goes from strength to strength Have you visited Salt Ayre Leisure Centre recently? The largest sports and leisure centre in the Lancaster district, Salt Ayre has reinvigorated itself in recent years and offers a wide range of indoor sport and leisure activities all year round. Indoor and outdoor facilities include Energy indoor soft play, XHeight indoor climbing, swimming pools, a large indoor sports hall, fitness studio, a brand new state of the art 100 station gym, functional training room, state of the art immersive cycle studio and a 1,500m cycle racing circuit. The swimming pool is the largest in the area and is suitable for everyone, with a main 25m pool, learner pool, spa pool and waterslide, making it great fun for all the family. Throughout the week there are dedicated sessions of lane swimming, children’s activities and float sessions. Highlights include: • X-Height Indoor Climbing is the ultimate indoor climbing challenge with 18 exhilarating walls. Suitable for all the family (5 years +). • Gravity outdoor thrill tower is the first in Europe and features six possible descent options including zip line and free fall. Are you brave enough to jump from the 19.5m apex, ‘The Drop’? • Jump, climb, slide, swing and explore at Energy, an impressive 26ft multi-level structure featuring a tube slide, dangly snakes and a four level spider tower. • Tranquil Spa and Beauty offers a stunning complement of therapeutic and rejuvenating face and body care treatments. If you’re looking to recharge or relax, Tranquil Spa can provide you with the perfect haven. For more information on what Salt Ayre has to offer visit Lancaster.gov.uk/saltayre.
Competition We have a family package comprising four tickets for Energy, swimming, XHeight and Gravity (worth over £100) to give away to one lucky reader. To be in with a chance, simply answer the following question: How high is the tallest drop on Gravity? Send your answer by email to communications@lancaster.gov. uk along with your name and telephone number or post the answer and your contact details to Communications Team, Town Hall, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PJ. The deadline for entries is Friday 3 May 2019.
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Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2019
Lancaster City Museum brings history to life Housed in Lancaster's former town hall, Lancaster City Museum has been delighting audiences for nearly a century. Opened in 1923, the museum contains fascinating exhibitions that chart the history and archaeology of the city from the Romans to the present day. Among the highlights is the Roman Tombstone, a memorial dating from c.100 AD, which depicts a mounted cavalryman in action with a decapitated barbarian at his feet. The museum also displays the wonderful Anglo-Saxon Lune Valley carvings, models charting the development of medieval Lancaster and information on Georgian and Victorian Lancaster, such as the famous Gillows furniture makers. Learn as well about Lancaster Castle and its role in dealing with crime and punishment in the area. In addition to the permanent displays, there’s also a changing programme of temporary exhibitions and events throughout the year so there’s always something new to see. The City Museum is also home to the King’s own Royal Regiment Museum. From 1680 the King’s Own served all over the world and was involved in almost every major campaign. It has also served in some of the lesser known campaigns such as in Abyssinia (Ethiopia) in 1868. The Regimental Museum was established in 1929 and a permanent display tells the history of the regiment. Five of the Regiment's Victoria Crosses are displayed in the museum.
Forthcoming exhibitions 5 April – 7 July Lancaster and District Art Society 19 July – 14 September Charlie Holt: Urban Palimpsest 19 July – 7 September David and Hannah Davies: @80: Hannah Smeds Davies, textile artist, and David Martin Davies, artist 20 September – 3 November Andy Farr: The Twisted Rose and Other Lives
To find out more, including opening times, visit Lancaster.gov.uk/museums or follow Facebook.com/ lancastercitymuseum.
Entry to Lancaster City Museum is FREE.
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2019
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Explore the district’s maritime past Head down to St George’s Quay to explore Lancaster’s rich maritime history. Lancaster Maritime Museum covers the city’s maritime trade,the history of the port, the Lancaster Canal, the fishing industry of the Lune Estuary and the history of Morecambe. Enter the world of Lancaster's merchants, shipbuilders and sailors, and learn about Morecambe Bay's fishing tradition, busy tourist trade and the perils of crossing the sands. There are plenty of hands-on things to do as you explore the collections, with fun activities for children to follow and challenges to complete. The museum occupies two historic buildings on St. George's Quay, the city's main 18th century harbour. The former Custom House of 1764, designed by Richard Gillow, contains displays on the history of the Port of Lancaster, including Lancaster’s early role in the infamous slave trade. On the ground floor there are displays on the local fishing industry. In the adjacent warehouse are displays on the Lancaster Canal and the ecology of Morecambe Bay. Several preserved vessels are also displayed, including the 'Sir William Priestley' and 'Coronation Rose'. When you’ve finished browsing the exhibits don’t forget to stop off at the friendly café for a bite to eat. In addition to the permanent collections, the museum hosts a changing programme of exhibitions.
Forthcoming exhibitions 9 March – 28 May Making a splash! Memories of Morecambe’s Super Swimming Stadium 11 May – 1 September Barging Past: Lancaster Canal Bicentenary exhibition 7 September – 3 November Images of Lancaster past and present 9 November – 23 February 2020 Down by the riverside Visit Lancaster.gov.uk/museums or Facebook.com/ LancasterMaritimeMuseum for more information and opening times.
Entry to Lancaster Maritime Museum is FREE to residents within the LA1 to LA6 postcode areas.
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Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2019
You’re hired – apprentices reap awards Congratulations are in order for a Lancaster City Council apprentice, who has picked up a prestigious national award. Fiona Finnigan beat off stiff competition from 43 other entrants to be crowned building skills apprentice of the year at the annual Apse apprentice awards. Fiona joined the council in November 2016 as an apprentice joiner, joining the council’s flourishing apprenticeship programme. The programme, which has successfully trained 38 apprentices since 2013, is an integral part of the council’s commitment to investing in the future and ensuring a regular flow of new ideas and ways of thinking. It offers the opportunity for successful applicants to train and develop into a role, acquiring a recognised qualification, whilst working and earning a good wage that’s above the statutory rate for apprentices. At the end of the apprenticeship they move into a permanent role at the council and many have gone on to progress within their departments, complete further qualifications or been promoted. Due to the diverse nature of the services the council provides, apprenticeships
have been undertaken in a range of areas including painting and decorating, plastering, vehicle maintenance, IT, business administration, arboriculture, customer services, marketing and communications, joinery and human resources. Fiona is far from the only apprentice to reap the awards of joining the council as an apprentice and prove her credentials. Georgia Parish, who works at Salt Ayre Leisure Centre, was runner up in the Best Business Contribution Awards at Lancaster and Morecambe College, providing further proof of the programme’s success. Lancaster City Council remains committed to apprenticeships and anyone who wishes to register their interest in future apprenticeship vacancies can do so by visiting Lancaster.gov.uk/apprenticeships. A wide range of jobs are also available across a number of service areas, with information on vacancies available to view on the Lancaster City Council recruitment pages at Lancaster.gov.uk/jobs.
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2019
Electric vehicles begin to surge Drivers of electric and plug in vehicles will be able to go that extra mile thanks to a successful bid for funding to install charging points for electric vehicles in Lancaster and Morecambe. The city council has received a grant from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) for 75% of the cost of installing double charging points at five of its public car parks and one privately managed car park. The grant is from a new £2.5million fund from OLEV and to qualify for funding, the points had to be close to residential areas and an electricity supply. The points will be located at the Charter House, Auction Mart and Upper Leonardgate car parks in Lancaster and the Morecambe Library and West View car parks in Morecambe. An additional double charging point has also been installed at the Dallas Road Boys and Girls Club and funded by Charge my Street, a community benefit society which raises the money for the installation and operation of local electric vehicle charge points. Charging points have also been installed by the council at White Lund Depot and Lancaster Town Hall as the city council begins the process of converting its vehicles from diesel to electric. Two new electric pool cars and three electric vans have already been added to its fleet in a bid to reduce emissions.
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Shutters roll open for business at our VMU If there’s one local garage that can truly claim no job is too big or too small then it’s the city council’s Vehicle Maintenance Unit (VMU) on White Lund Industrial Estate, Morecambe. Our team of eight mechanics is responsible for keeping the council’s £7 million fleet of vehicles on the road and carrying out MOTs on over 600 taxis and private hire vehicles each year. Members of the public can now take advantage of this expertise with the launch of a new service for private customers and businesses. Services on offer include • MOTs to Class 4 • Winter vehicle health checks • Vehicle servicing • Vehicle maintenance and repairs For more information about the services on offer visit Lancaster.gov.uk/vmu.
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Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2019
City council staff give the gift of life Lancaster City Council is encouraging residents and businesses to follow the lead of its staff and donate blood. The city council has formed a partnership with the local NHS Blood and Transplant team which has so far seen more than 40 members of staff sign up to give blood, many for the first time. Special blood donation sessions were arranged and promoted, with staff being encouraged to take part. You can give blood if you:
EU Settlement Scheme If you are an EU citizen and want to stay in the UK beyond June 30 2021, you and your family members will need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
✓ are aged between 17 and 66 (or 70 if you have given blood before)
The scheme allows you and your family members to continue to live, work and study in the UK and it means you continue to be eligible for:
✓ are over 70 and have given blood in the last two years
• Public services, such as healthcare and schools
✓ are fit and healthy ✓ weigh between 7 stone 12 lbs and 25 stone, or 50kg and 160kg
To find out more about more visit www.blood.co.uk.
• Public funds and pensions • British citizenship, if you want to apply and meet the requirements. The scheme is now open for applications and you have until June 30 2021 to apply. You’ll need to fill in a short online application form using a computer, tablet or mobile phone. Visit gov.uk/settled-statuseu-citizens-families for more information.
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2019
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Taking the sting out Property of pest control register Lancaster City Council’s pest control team has been shortlisted for a national award. The team, which is based at Morecambe Town Hall, has been nominated in the Local Authority of the Year category of the British Pest Management Awards. The nomination recognises the team’s continued commitment to innovation, which has seen it launch a new commercial arm to offer commercial contracts to businesses. Called Unbugged, the aim of the new commercial operation is to increase income from pest control services, which will enable the council to continue to provide subsidised services to the public and discounts for people on benefits. The committed team of pest control technicians now boasts an impressive roster of clients ranging from food outlets, office complexes, shops and restaurants, commercial, industrial and agricultural premises, and local education providers. The team offers services dedicated to eradicating all manner of pests from wasps, fleas, bed bugs and beetles to moths, cockroaches and ants – no job is to big or small. Unbugged also carries out rodent proofing and offers a range of bird-proofing services including spikes, netting and gull egg replacement. Residents can also benefit from the experience and skill of the pest control team, so if you’ve got a rat skulking behind your sofa, a mouse in your loft or bedbugs in your boudoir, give them a call. For more information on pest control services visit Lancaster.gov.uk/pestcontrol.
relaunches The Lancaster District Property Register has been relaunched to help new and existing businesses find a new home. Bringing together local and regional property and estate agents, the register is an online listing of all the commercial premises and land currently available in the district. This includes office space, industrial units, shops, investment property, hotels, pubs, restaurants, leisure properties and development sites. Anyone looking to start or relocate their business can search the register using their specific criteria, to find premises available and contact details for the relevant agent. There is also the option to sign up for email alerts of new and updated properties. To view the property register go to Lancaster.gov.uk/ property.
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Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2019
Speakers sought for self-build event Anyone involved in the world of self and custom-build homes is being asked to come forward and share their experiences at an event to be held this spring. The city council is organising an event to provide anyone who is interested in building or designing their own homes with the opportunity to speak to industry experts and other self-builders. It is now appealing for speakers to come forward to take part in the event, including a self-builder to provide an overview of their experience and an architect who has designed houses and supported self-builders through the process. Exhibitors wanted include architects and builders who provide services to self-builders, banks and building societies, builders merchants and providers of timber frame or kit houses, insulation and windows. If you are interested in attending the event as a prospective self-builder, would like to speak or exhibit or have a plot for sale, email Planningpolicy@lancaster.gov.uk with your contact details.
Local Plan hearings set to begin Proposals which will shape how the Lancaster district develops in the future go under the spotlight in April with a series of public hearings. Every Planning Authority must produce a Local Plan, which is a blueprint for which sites in the area can be developed and is the starting point for assessing the merits of individual planning applications. The Local Plan for the Lancaster District was submitted in May 2018 and sets out where sites for new housing and employment will be built to help create 12,000 homes and potentially 9,500 new jobs. Before it can be formally adopted it must be independently examined by a Government appointed planning inspector. As part of this process a series of public hearings will take place, to provide the inspector with the opportunity to examine the plan in more depth and seek clarification or additional information. Hearings are due to take place in April. More details are available on our website at Lancaster.gov.uk/localplan.
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2019
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Have your say on ambitious new plans Eagle-eyed readers may have noticed that new signs have been erected in and around the former Mitchell’s Brewery site and adjacent car parks in Lancaster. They’re part of a fresh approach to developing this key site, plans for which are starting to be developed with the creation of a new masterplan. Known as the Canal Quarter, the aim is to redevelop the derelict and under-used site to create significant and wide-ranging economic benefits to the city and wider district. Unlike previous schemes, this new approach will see less reliance on retail, with an exciting new mix of uses, including housing and business opportunities, with arts and culture at its heart. The public, businesses and organisations will be at the centre of developing the ambitious new plans and a series of consultation events will take place for
people to have their say on what the masterplan should include. Meetings have already taken place with a number of local organisations with an interest in the future of the site and more are being planned for the near future. The council is also working with the new owners of the former Mitchell’s Brewery site. Worthington Properties has purchased a 2.5-acre plot previously owned by British Land, the council’s former development partner, and will be working with the council on the comprehensive redevelopment of the site. For more information visit Lancaster.gov.uk/canal-quarter.
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Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2019
Save a trip to Help us to stamp out the tip with our anti-social behaviour The council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Team is garden waste the driving force behind a zero tolerance service approach to cracking down on activities Residents who wish to subscribe to Lancaster City Council’s garden waste collection service for 2019/20 can do so now. During its second year of operation, the subscription service was used by more than 21,000 households. For 2019/20, the cost of subscribing remains at £40 per bin, for collections from April 1 to March 31 2020. Residents already subscribed to the service have been sent an email or letter with instructions on how to renew their subscription. New subscribers can sign up for the service at Lancaster.gov.uk/gardenwaste. Residents who no longer wish to use the service do not need to do anything – their subscription will cease on March 31 and they will no longer receive garden waste collections.
which ruin the lives of individuals, communities and the environment. In addition to dealing with the numerous complaints relating to noise, parties, and abusive behaviour by others, last year saw the team use new powers in a number of successful enforcement activities. These included the closure of a drug dealing house on the Marsh Estate and obtaining injunctions against individuals banning them from certain areas of the estate. Joint initiatives with the police have included tackling day time anti-social behaviour in Lancaster and Morecambe town centres, with nine people being served with warnings about their behaviour and the possibility of prosecution. A cannabis intervention initiative has also been developed which allows neighbours to complain about the smell of cannabis coming from adjoining addresses without having to become involved in legal proceedings. The team is also in the process of identifying locations for hang-out facilities to provide young people with somewhere safe to socialise with their friends and reduce the likelihood of them using anti-social behaviour hotspots in the town. You can report anti-social behaviour in a number of ways:
Online: Lancaster.gov.uk/asb Email: asb@lancaster.gov.uk Telephone: 01524 582935
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2019
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A blooming fantastic Have your say on council competition White Lund Plant Centre is offering one lucky local resident the chance to add a splash of colour to their garden for free by winning a £50 voucher to spend at the centre. As well as providing the plants, trees and flowerbeds for the district's public parks and gardens, the centre sells a wide range of competitively priced plants, shrubs, trees, fruit and vegetable plants and hanging baskets to members of the public. The centre also provides training opportunities for the long-term unemployed, secondary school children on work placement, and students from Lancaster and Morecambe College studying NVQ Horticulture. It is located adjacent to the city council’s depot on Westgate in Morecambe. To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the following question: Q. Who in the nursery rhyme grew silver bells and cockle shells in her garden? Send your answer by email to Communications@ lancaster.gov.uk along with your name and telephone number or post the answer and your contact details to Communications Team, Town Hall, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PJ. The closing date is Friday 3 May. For more information on White Lund Plant Centre visit Lancaster.gov.uk/plants.
services
An online residents’ survey has been launched to help Lancaster City Council monitor satisfaction levels with the local area, the council and some of its services. Services being monitored include street cleanliness, parks and open spaces, refuse collection and household recycling. This will be an ongoing survey which will be reviewed on a regular basis and reported annually. The results will be monitored to help to review how the council is performing and the results of the questionnaire may prompt further investigation with customers and staff. To take part in the survey visit Lancaster.gov.uk/residentssurvey.
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How to contact us Did you know that information on all the services provided by the council can be found online at Lancaster.gov.uk
Below is an at-a-glance guide to our most frequently used telephone numbers.
You can make payments, report issues and make applications for a number of council services using our website too.
01524 582000
You can also email us with your comments and queries at customerservices@lancaster.gov.uk.
Customer Services Domestic Waste and Street Cleaning
01524 582491
However, if you don’t have access to the internet or need to speak to one of our advisers you can contact us:
Council Tax
✓ In person at Lancaster and Morecambe Town Halls (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday).
Elections
✓ By telephone: 9am to 5pm weekdays (10am to 5pm on Wednesdays). Please note that our customer service centres are closed on all bank holidays. And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and facebook @lancastercc for all the latest news from the council.
Location, Location, Location At the touch of a button, and at any time of day or night, you can find out when your bins are collected, when your street is cleaned, where you can recycle things, where the nearest public toilet is, and much more.
01524 582900 01524 582905 Housing Standards and Homelessness
01524 582257 Ideal Choice Homes
01524 582005 Council Housing
01524 582929 Tell Us Once
01524 582000
Just visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/mylocation and enter your address.
Out-of-hours Emergencies
Our My Location service covers every address in the district and gives you 24/7 access to a wide range of location-based information.
Markets
01524 67099 01524 414251
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