Your district Council Matters issue 23

inside:

z Council Tax supplement z Win tickets to The Dukes z Easter bin collections z What’s on guide

Your District Council

Matters issue 23

spring 2011

Page 2

Welcome... …to the latest edition of Your District Council Matters.

In this edition we have details of the forthcoming city council elections, refuse collections over Easter and some of the projects that are being developed to help boost the district’s economy.

In the centre section you’ll find your annual Council Tax leaflet, which includes details of our planned spending over the next 12 months and annual charges for the city, county and parish councils, police and the fire authority.

As you may have noticed, this edition is slightly different than normal both in style and the way it is delivered.

That’s because, to reduce cost, we’ve combined YDCM with your annual Council Tax leaflet.

We’ve also teamed up with our colleagues at Preston City Council to share printers, again reducing costs and increasing the efficiency of how it is delivered.

We hope you enjoy this edition. If you have any comments please send them by email to communications@ lancaster.gov.uk, or by writing to Communications, Lancaster Town Hall, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PJ.

Making your voice heard LANCASTER City Council elections will be held on Thursday May 5.

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 2015.

On the front cover: z THIS month’s front cover was taken at Wray Scarecrow Festival, which this year takes place from April 23 to May 2.

IF you would like a large print or audio version of Your District Council Matters, please call 01524 582041.

This product is produced from sustainably managed forest and controlled sources.

Parish Councils will also be holding their elections on May 5.

To make your voice heard and vote in the elections, as well as the referendum on the Alternative Vote, you must be on the Electoral Register by April 14.

Canvass forms were delivered between August and November last year, so if you filled one in you should still be registered and do not need to do so again unless you have since moved home.

If you have moved home you will need to fill in a ‘rolling registration’ form, if you haven’t done so already.

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.

Poll cards, which include details of your polling station, will be delivered in April. If you don’t receive a poll card there’s no need to worry – if you are on the electoral register you can vote by going to the polling station and giving them your name and address.

Details of your polling station can be found by typing your postcode into Local View at www.lancaster.gov.uk/nearest If you can’t get to your polling station, or would prefer the convenience of voting by post, you can apply for a postal vote.

Call the elections helpline on 01524 582905.

The closing date for new applications to vote by post is 5pm on April 14.

Andy marches in for Challenge66 ANDY McMenemy, the son of a former soldier, will be coming to Lancaster in May as part of his challenge to break the Guinness World Record for consecutive endurance marathons with no rest days.

The official record currently stands at 52, set by a Japanese runner. During Challenge66 Andy

will run 66 Marathons in 66 Days, one from each of the UK’s 66 cities.

Andy will be coming to Lancaster on May 3, when he will be starting his 49th marathon. He’s hoping to raise £20,000 from each city for ABF The Soldiers Charity.

To sponsor Andy in his endeavours visit www.everydayhero.co.uk

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Morecambe Visitor Information Centre goes for gold STAFF at Lancaster City Council’s Morecambe Visitor Information Centre (VIC) are celebrating the news that the centre has been shortlisted to receive a prestigious award at the national Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2011.

In September last year, Morecambe VIC (run in partnership with Lancashire County Council) picked up gold in the regional awards after beating off stiff competition to win North West TIC of the Year.

In April, the centre will be taking its north west title through to the national final where it is set to receive either a gold or silver in the Visitor Information Services category.

The Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2011 ceremony will take place on April 15 at Birmingham University's Great Hall when the centre will be competing for gold against three other regional winners in the Visitor Information Services category. z For more information visit www.enjoyengland.com/excellence

Take the plunge at a pool near you LANCASTER City Council will continue to run three community pools following the outcome of successful partnership working with Lancashire County Council.

Your feedback demonstrates how much the pools are valued and so, over the last year, the two councils have worked positively to find ways they can share a number of services.

In turn this has released enough funds to allow the city council to continue running the pools at Heysham, Carnforth and Hornby.

If you haven’t used these pools before, now is a great time to take the plunge, see what they have to offer and ensure their continued success.

One of the main reasons for the popularity of swimming is that it’s a great form of exercise and is suitable for anyone, whatever their age and fitness level.

All of our pools offer a variety of sessions that cater for a wide range range of people: Adults only, over-50s,

swimming until 10pm. We also provide £1 swimming sessions at least once a week at all of our pools, so those on a tight budget can also get to swim.

Whatever you want from a pool, our community pools can offer a range of activities all conveniently located near you. It’s time to head for the pool.

To find out what’s on at your local pool, opening times or directions of how to get there, contact the pools directly or visit their websites: family fun, parent and child, children’s parties and the popular aqua-fit classes (gentle exercise in water) are some of the wide variety of sessions on offer. We also have a range of swimming classes for adults and children that run throughout the year for people who want to increase their confidence in the water.

Of course if you just want to swim, we’re flexible enough to be able to make sure you can visit at a time that suits you.

Some of our pools offer early bird swimming from 6.30am and late night

z Carnforth Swimming Pool 01524 734699 www.lancaster.gov.uk/carnforthpool z Heysham Swimming Pool 01524 420763 www.lancaster.gov.uk/heyshampool z Hornby Swimming Pool 015242 21119 www.lancaster.gov.uk/hornbypool z Salt Ayre Sports Centre 01524 847540 www.lancaster.gov.uk/saltayre

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Keeping a lid on recycling

You can Bank on us to collect!

THIS Easter we can all enjoy a total of four Bank Holidays, including an extra day to celebrate the Royal Wedding.

But there’s no need to worry about when your waste and recycling will be collected as all the changes are already listed on your collection calendar, which was delivered last July.

If you’ve mislaid your calendar you can download a copy by entering your postcode at www.lancaster.gov.uk/ nearest, contact Customer Services on 01524 582491 or email customerservices@lancaster.gov.uk to arrange for one to be sent to you.

Alternatively, we’ve listed the dates here to make it easy to find out your new collection day over the Easter period.

THE majority of properties in the district should now have received their silver kitchen caddies, and those without green garden bins, a green outdoor caddy.

Week beginning April 18 Usual collection day Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Will be picked up on Monday April 18 Tuesday April 19 Wednesday April 20 Thursday April 21 Saturday April 23

Week beginning April 25 Usual collection day Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Will be picked up on Tuesday April 26 Wednesday April 27 Thursday April 28 Friday April 29 Saturday April 30

Week beginning May 2 Usual collection day Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Will be picked up on Tuesday May 3 Wednesday May 4 Thursday May 5 Friday May 6 Saturday May 7

All types of food can be included in the food waste collection – cooked and uncooked – including leftover or out of date food, peelings, egg shells, tea bags and coffee grinds, meat, bones, fruit and vegetables, and much more.

The silver kitchen caddies can be lined with newspaper or compostable bags, bearing the compostable logo, that can be purchased from supermarkets or online. Unfortunately bags which are not compostable will not be collected.

Once full, the contents of the kitchen caddy including the newspaper or compostable bag, should be emptied into either the green wheelie bin or the outdoor caddy. The green wheelie bin should be put out for collection as normal, and residents who have an outdoor caddy should put these out for collection in the same place as their recycling boxes.

We’re also trialling some new replacement lids for kerbside recycling boxes. The new lids, called box hats, are waterproof covers which are tied to the recycling box. The lids are being issued to replace damaged or missing lids and it is hoped that these will reduce the number of lids needing to be replaced each year due to bad weather.

More information about what can and can’t be recycled is available from www.lancaster. gov.uk/food waste or by calling Customer Services on 01524 582491.

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How ‘near’are you?

WE want to make as many of our services as possible available at times that suit you.

One way we are doing this is via our online services.

Our online ‘Find My Nearest’ service was used over 60,000 times last year, making it one of the most popular features on the council website.

If you’ve never used the service before, simply visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/ nearest and enter your address. You’ll then see your immediate location details – your ward, polling district, parish, constituency and your bin collection days (you can even print off your own refuse and recycling calendar).

Once you’ve entered an address, you can then find your nearest amenities and services, and report highways, street lighting and street cleaning issues.

• What ‘nearest things’ can I find online?

Education

Health

Services

Amenities

Transport

Leisure

Nurseries

Chemists

Ambulance

Allotments

Bus Stops

Cash points

Primary schools

Dentists

Libraries

Community centres

Car parking

Places to eat

Secondary schools

Doctors

Police

Places of worship

Petrol stations

Places to stay

Further education

Opticians

Post Offices

Post boxes

Railway stations

Sports facilities

Pre-school

Vets

Polling stations

Public toilets

Taxi ranks

Playgrounds

You can view these as a simple address listing, or as locations on a map, and you can even specify a search area (for example, within five miles of your address).

• What faults and issues can I report online?

You can report these issues either by entering an address, or by clicking a location on a map.

Highways

Lighting

Street Cleaning

Other

Road defects

Street lighting

Litter/dog bins

Graffiti

Pavement defects

Illuminated signs

Fly posting

Fly tipping

Pedestrian crossings

Bollards

Vegetation

Abandoned cars

Street signs

Bus shelters

Flooding

Dead animals

In addition to our website, we also have a number of other online services. Our e-newsletter brings the latest news and information on the council straight to your inbox. Sign up now at www.lancaster.gov.uk/newsletter. You can also follow us on Twitter @lancastercc and Facebook at Facebook.com/lancastercc

Customer service centres – we want your views ONE of Lancaster City Council’s key aims is to ensure that we are easy to contact for information and queries about our varied range of services.

To achieve this we have a dedicated customer service team. Whether your enquiry is about household waste

collections, bulky waste, missed bins, abandoned vehicles, fly tipping, fly posting, litter bins, street cleansing, planning or licensing, our team is on hand to help. We can also offer advice on assistance with home improvements and housing standards.

As well as the customer service centres at Lancaster and Morecambe town halls, you can contact us and access information by telephone, email, or via our website.

We are very keen to ensure you are happy with the customer service we offer and are actively seeking your views. Your feedback is very

important to us and will be used to help us to improve our services.

To help us to do this you may be asked to give your opinion on our customer service following any contact you have with us.

If you have any comments you would like to make about the level of service you have received, please let us know by participating in our customer surveys.

Alternatively, you can do this at any time by completing a Talk Back form available from our customer service centres or via our website at www.lancaster.gov.uk/ talkback.

For more information you can contact us on 01524 582000 or customerservices@ lancaster.gov.uk

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Help to shape the district THE next full census of England and Wales takes place on Sunday March 27, 2011.

Town hall building works underway WORK has started on a wide-range of building repair works at Lancaster and Morecambe town halls.

Lasting approximately six months, the works will involve extensive scaffolding to both buildings.

The works are necessary to bring the buildings up to scratch for modern requirements.

Lancaster Town Hall (above), in particular, is more than 100 years old and, like any building of its age and size, needs careful maintenance.

The building works will also allow more people to work from the town halls. meaning that other office buildings can be closed or leased out to both reduce costs and increase income to the council.

As a result of the work to Lancaster Town Hall, access to the Customer Service Centre, which will remain open throughout, will be via the George Street entrance (opposite the magistrates’ court).

Signs will direct customers to the entrance via Robert Street or Thurnham Street.

The memorial gardens will also remain open and disabled parking can be found on George Street (instead of directly outside the Customer Service Centre).

At Morecambe Town Hall (below), the main access through the front doors will remain, although extensive scaffolding will be used around the building and there may be dust and noise from the building works.

On this day the Office for National Statistics (ONS) will be asking every household in England and Wales to complete a census questionnaire.

The census asks about work, health, citizenship, education, language, religion, marital status and so on. These statistics are then used to build a picture of today’s society.

The census results help the Government and local authorities to plan the services and resources we all need, such as transport, housing, healthcare and education.

Lancaster City Council, along with all other local authorities in England and Wales, relies on census population statistics to get the central government funding we need for public services.

The amount of money we have to spend on important services over the next ten years is directly influenced by population statistics from the census.

That’s why it is so important that everyone takes part.

Your questionnaire will arrive by post.

You can fill it in and return it in the supplied pre-paid envelope, or you can do it online via a secure website.

Everything you tell the census will be in strictest confidence and will only be used to produce statistics. ONS will not share your personal information with any other government department or organisation.

If you need help filling in the form visit www.census.gov.uk or telephone the Census helpline on 0300 0201 101.

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Put the Bounce into your 2011!

HELP Direct provide people in Lancashire with FREE practical support, guidance and information to help them get the most out of life.

The FREE service – based on Chapel Street in Lancaster and Ashtrees Way in Carnforth – helps all adults over the age of 18 with any question or query.

Now in its third year, the service is now even more accessible with the launch of its new website, www.helpdirect.org.uk The website is a mark of success for Help Direct, who provide the service for all adults in Lancaster.

The website is focused on providing accessible information and support online so it can be accessed by residents of Lancashire 24 hours a day.

Operations Manager Allan Conway said: “The demand for an online presence was very apparent and our new website is a direct response to that.”

The website will provide an overview of the service outlining additional services Help Direct offer such as; Small Sparks; Social Prescribing; GP Advisors and the increasingly popular Safe Trader scheme run in conjunction with Trading Standards.

Funded by Lancashire County Council, Help Direct has proved an invaluable resource to those who use it. With enquiries ranging from benefit claims advice, finances, blue badge applications and health issues, to finding a local social group or support group, Help Direct have a vast resource of information, local knowledge and close links with neighbourhood and mainstream services to find the right information for you.

The service can be accessed face to

face, over the phone, by email and now online. There are also rural outreach venues and advisors within most GP surgeries across the Lancaster district.

Dawn Bentley, GP Advisor said: “The aim is to get you the right help and information to support you in making your own choices and decisions about what works best for you.” Being accessible is certainly important to the service, who continually strive to be user-friendly and approachable.

The launch of the website aims to strengthen accessibility by providing another way for people to use the service to get the right help and advice before an issue becomes a crisis.

You can visit the new website – www.helpdirect.org.uk; pop into the drop-in shops on Chapel Street, Lancaster, and Ashtrees Way, Carnforth; call us on 0303 333 1111; or email your query to: askus@loc.helpdirectlancs.org.uk Make 2011 your year; ask us about: • Health & Fitness Get into shape • Finances Learn to manage your money • Social groups to suit you Get involved • Retraining Take a fresh approach to work • Volunteering Give something back • Home and Garden Find a reliable trader to help you make your house a home • Community Groups Apply for a small sparks grant of £50-£500 to kick start or enhance community groups.

How Help Direct have helped others... z CAROL was worried about the types of services she could access when the daycare centre she was attending was closed due to funding; Help Direct found alternative groups for Carol to attend. Carol was really happy with the service and glad she had further support available.

z MARTIN was made redundant and needed help understanding and accessing benefits and wanted to know more about volunteering; Help Direct offered support with benefit applications and went through options for volunteering, but also provided the emotional support he needed being there to confide in when he felt he couldn’t burden his family. After months of highs and lows Martin was offered a job – he was so happy and his advisor was one of the first to hear the good news.

z JOHN wanted to find out about walking groups, having just moved back into the area; Help Direct found walking groups in his area as well as offering further options locally.

z GILL wanted to find someone to clean her carpets; Her Help Direct advisor was able to recommend a carpet cleaner from the Safe Traders list and speaking to Gill also found out she was eligible for benefits which she is now successfully claiming.

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The £300m industry on our doorsteps THE leisure and tourism sector is key to our local economy, with the visitor market currently worth over £300 million to our district and annually bringing in more than six million visitors.

The sector also plays a key role in economic development and regeneration, supporting more than 5,000 jobs locally.

Supporting this important industry is therefore 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 – represent both a huge opportunity and a challenge in terms of promotion of the district.

A recent report highlighted the need for much-needed improvements to the public realm and heritage offer, including Lancaster’s Georgian architecture, development of the castle as a must-see attraction, and raising the profile of the city.

Where to stay, where to go, and what to eat LANCASTER City Council has launched its holiday guide for 2011.

Featuring a fine combination of nationally accredited accommodation, great photography and useful ideas of places to visit and eat out across Morecambe, Lancaster and the Lune Valley, the holiday guide is popular with both locals and visitors.

To request a copy to pass on to friends and family, telephone 01524 582394/ 582808 or visit www.citycoast countryside.co.uk

The value of heritage to the identity of Morecambe is also recognised 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.

Accommodation providers can get help with the national quality assurance scheme and there is currently funding for rural businesses to develop their tourism offer, or even for provision of basic facilities such as cycle storage for those cyclists passing through on the new coast to coast route, the Way of the Roses.

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.

Visitor information centres WHO needs to go away when there’s so much to do on our own doorstep?

Whether it’s a festival or a walk, a museum or a gallery, a picnic or a bike ride, a castle tour or a play, our district offers everything.

For expert advice on what to see and do why not contact our award-winning (see page three) visitor information centres at The Storey Creative Industries Centre, Meeting House Lane, Lancaster - tel. 01524 582394 and Old Station Buildings, Marine Road Central, Morecambe - tel. 01524 582394.

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A feast of festivals FESTIVALS and events play a key role in helping to attract visitors to our wonderful district, as well as providing entertainment for those who choose to live and work here.

They also have a significant economic impact. Independent analysis of the recent Lancaster Fireworks Spectacular estimates the event, which attracted more than 10,000 people, generated over £400,000 of visitor spend into the district.

This year the city council will once again be funding and organising a number of events.

But more importantly, it is working closely with a range of partners – retailers, museums, independent organisations, the Chamber of Commerce, Bay Tourism Association, Morecambe Town Council and more – to ensure a packed events programme.

Here are some of the highlights of the coming months: Wray Scarecrow Festival April 23 to May 2 THE city council is proud to sponsor one of the prizes for this quirky and fantastically popular festival in the Lune Valley.

Lancaster Unlocked Medieval Festival May 27 to 30 STEP back into the dark ages and enjoy a medieval festival hosted by a range of partners including Lancaster City Council. Celebrate Lancaster's past with a host of family friendly activities.

Morecambe Kite Festival July 24 THIS terrific event, organised by More Music in Morecambe, is a

Calling all local retailers...

firm favourite and the city council is delighted to be able to support it.

Morecambe Sandcastle Festival August 6 and 7 WHO will be Morecambe’s Sandcastle Building Champion for 2011?

Come and find out, take part yourself and enjoy Morecambe's regenerated seafront and sandy beaches.

The two-day event will include sand artists, competitions, music and street theatre.

Morecambe Seaside Festival September 10 and 11 THIS year the council’s event is supported by Morecambe Town Council and will be bigger and better than ever, including live

music, aeroplanes and fireworks.

Bands in the Park (Every Sunday May 1 to Sept 11) RELAX in Happy Mount Park and enjoy the sounds of some best brass bands in the country.

Thanks to the Café in the Park, whose sponsorship has ensured extra dates for 2011.

What’s on information can be found at www.citycoast countryside.co.uk and a What’s On brochure will be available in the spring.

WE are currently inviting concessions for the city council’s festivals. Interested?

Contact Simon Armstrong on 01524 582829 or email sarmstrong@lancaster.gov.uk

The Dukes’ Little Voice

competition

THE Dukes in Lancaster is celebrating two special anniversaries this year.

TO be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets to see Little Voice during April, simply: Name one of the famous singers Little Voice likes to imitate.

The summer will see the 25th anniversary of the popular outdoor shows in Lancaster’s Williamson Park and 2011 also marks the 40th birthday of The Dukes as Lancashire’s only producing theatre.

The Dukes’ enthusiasm for staging plays rooted in the North continues with The Rise and Fall of Little Voice which runs from March 24-April 16.

This Lancashire fairytale centres on Little Voice, who loves to imitate great divas such as Shirley Bassey and Judy Garland.

The summer will see Williamson

Park transformed into a magical medieval setting for Merlin and The Legend of King Arthur from July 8 to August 13.

Thousands of people are expected to watch what has become the biggest outdoor walkabout theatre event in the UK. To book tickets for any of The Dukes shows, ring the box office on 01524 598500 or visit www.dukeslancaster.org

........................................................................

Send your entry to: Communications, Lancaster Town Hall, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PJ. Deadline for entries is Thursday March 31.

Name:………………...............................................

Address:………………............................................ ................................................................................

Daytime phone number:………………….............

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It’s boom not bust for local business!

THE city council continues to provide support to local businesses through its Economic Development Team.

The team can offer advice on funding, business start-up and development, mentoring, business premises and much more.

Nineteen businesses have benefited from the council’s Rent Grant scheme, including Louise Ann Wilson who relocated her theatre company to Lancaster’s Storey Creative Industries Centre last year.

Her production of ‘Jack Scout’ in collaboration with Sap Dance company, was a huge success last September. Jack Scout was a site-specific walking and dance performance on the heath and shore line of Jack Scout near Silverdale.

Although the Rent Grant scheme has now closed, funding is still currently

available for rural businesses through Lancashire County Council’s Rural Lancashire Development Fund, and through the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE). This is jointly funded by the European Union and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Nikki Hesford, of Miss Fit UK, is currently seeing her business boom thanks to RDPE funding.

The company, which designs and manufactures clothes for ‘big busted women’ (her words, not ours!), is currently developing a new range and negotiating contracts with a number of high street retailers, including lingerie giant BeCheeky.

And her success was recently cemented when she won the Artemis Award for most inspiring young

z Nikki Hesford (left), Miss Fit UK, and Maxine Benson (MBE) co-founder, everywoman. entrepreneur at the NatWest everywoman Awards.

Nikki said: “The support and funding I received have really helped me get my business off the ground and develop new products and markets.”

To find out how the city council can support your business, or help get your idea off the ground, visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/business or call Linda Logan on 01524 582081 or llogan@lancaster.gov.uk

Don’t stall – there are market places on special offer...

EVER fancied running your own business but don’t know where to start?

Why not take advantage of the special introductory trader rates on offer in March at Morecambe’s Festival Market.

This exciting opportunity awaits anyone wishing to expand or re-locate an existing business, or those looking to start a new venture in a traditional, bustling and popular market.

Morecambe Festival Market is a traditional covered market close to Morecambe Promenade offering over 100 stalls, shops and cafes. It is open on

Looking for premises?

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and most Bank Holidays throughout the year.

To qualify for the special rates on offer, which aim to attract new types of stalls to the market, traders would need to offer commodities from the following list:

Branded sportswear, denim wear, foam products, gold and silver jewellery, health foods, cycles and accessories, fishmongers, cobblers, tableware, motor accessories, lighting, fashion footwear, toys, army surplus/camping, dry hairdresser, dressmaking services/fabric and decorating products (wallpaper/paint). z For more details, please contact the Market Manager Tracey Bruce on 01524 414251, email tbruce@lancaster.gov.uk or visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/markets To enquire about availability of stalls at Lancaster Market, Assembly Rooms or the Charter Market telephone 01524 66627 or email lancastermarkets@lancaster.gov.uk

THE council has listings of all commercial property available in the district, which are updated every two months. For details visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/property

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Awards that celebrate our volunteers THE Volunteer Achievement Awards are hosted annually

by Lancaster District Community and Voluntary Solutions (LDCVS) and it is the only event of its kind held in the district.

It is an invaluable opportunity for local groups to celebrate the commitment and dedication of their volunteers and promote voluntary work in the community, as well as

providing guests and nominees with the opportunity to meet and share their experiences.

Last year’s event was attended by more than 150 guests from a diverse range of local community and voluntary groups and each nominee received a certificate marking

their individual commitment.

This year’s event will be held in partnership with Lancaster City Council and hosted at the Ashton Hall, Lancaster Town Hall on Tuesday June 7, 4pm to 7pm.

Nominations are being sought for volunteers under two categories; Volunteer of the Year and Young Volunteer of the Year (18 and under) as well as nominating groups of volunteers.

LDCVS would like to

encourage you to nominate volunteers in recognition of their commitment to your organisation and volunteering within the Lancaster District.

The deadline for nominations is Friday May 20.

Nomination forms are available to download from the website www.lancaster cvs.org.uk/volunteerawards, by emailing hannahbland@ lancastercvs.org.uk or calling (01524) 555900 Ext 26.

Connecting communities LAST year an innovative new project was launched in the Skerton area of Lancaster.

Connecting Communties aims to work with people who live and/or work in the area to find out what is great about Skerton.

We also wanted to find out from the community what small things can be done by the community, public services and local organisations to make Skerton even better.

The project has been led by Lancaster City Council and Lancashire County Council, and a wide range of other organisations have also been involved (both public and voluntary). Funding has come from the Department for Communities and Local Government.

The project has been about finding out what is important to local people, although it is not just up to the agencies who work in the area to make changes. We can all do something to make our community an even better place to live.

To date the project has involved speaking to and finding out the views of people who live and/or work in Skerton. These views will help to produce a community plan for the Skerton area.

A number of small environmental improvements have also been completed. These have included painting of children’s play areas, cutting back of overgrown trees and weeding.

z Young people at the summer playscheme at Skerton St Luke’s Primary School with their ideas and suggestions on how to improve Skerton.

‘How can I make a difference where I live?’

IF you are asking yourself the question: ‘What can I do to make a difference in my neighbourhood?’ how about joining an existing community group, or why not speak to your neighbours and friends about starting your own?

Talk to your local councillor, contact

Help Direct 0303 333 1111 and Lancaster District Community and Voluntary Solutions (Lancaster District CVS) 01524 555900 for further information.

For more information on the Connecting Communities project please visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/ connecting

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Helping us to consult further

Hygiene ratings for food outlets LANCASTER City Council has launched a new Food Hygiene Rating Scheme across the district.

This scheme provides information on food hygiene standards to help people to choose where to eat out or shop for food.

Food outlets, such as restaurants, takeaways and pubs, are inspected by food safety officers from the city council, to check that their hygiene standards meet legal requirements.

The hygiene standards found at these inspections are rated on a scale ranging from zero at the bottom

(which means ‘urgent improvement necessary’) to a top rating of five (‘very good’).

By the end of March approximately 1,170 food premises will be able to display their rating in the form of a window sticker and also a certificate to display inside the premises.

For more details on the scheme, and to check out the ratings, visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/ foodratings

Natalie takes Positive Steps JUST a short time ago Natalie Muckalt from Morecambe looked to have few prospects.

Unemployed and living without heating, ventilation or natural light, the 21-year-old needed help to turn her life around.

In stepped Claire Crook, from Lancaster City Council’s Positive Steps team.

Working with Claire, Natalie applied for a job as a support

worker for people with learning disabilities and dementia sufferers.

With Claire’s help Natalie prepared for the interview by researching the subject thoroughly, knowing that she would be up against some good candidates with the relevant skills and experience.

Their hard work paid off and Natalie started the job in October and is now studying for a Learning Disabilities Qualification.

z (From left) Claire Crook (Outreach and Engagement Project Worker), Carol Lucas (Holywell Registered Manager), Natalie Muckalt, Sabe Connor (Holywell Responsible Person)

Holywell’s Registered Manager, Carol Lucas, said: “Despite Natalie’s lack of qualifications or experience, it was her enthusiasm and obvious drive and determination, along with her personality, that led to us offering her the job. We believe that in this field, the chemistry between people is very important and we always try to match the right staff member to each client.

Natalie also fits in very well with our team and is exactly the sort of person we were looking for.”

Positive Steps is a project funded by the Lancaster District Local Strategic Partnership (LDLSP) and supports local residents who have been out of work for long periods.

WE would like to say a big thank you to all those people who have taken the time to get involved in public consultations, workshops and drop in events to give us your views on the future direction of local planning policy and land allocation for future developments, as well as the regeneration of central Morecambe (the Morecambe Area Action Plan).

We have also recently completed a ‘Call for Sites’ exercise inviting residents, prospective developers and other stakeholders to put forward sites that they would like to see identified for new uses.

From these consultations we have been able to build up a picture of some of the key issues affecting the district, and we are now looking in more detail at the different options that exist to meet future development needs and regeneration priorities whilst at the same time ensuring the district's environmental and historic assets are protected.

Please help us by joining our consultation database to receive news updates and information on how to have your say.

Send your contact details to planningpolicy@lancaster.gov. uk Visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/ldf or www.lancaster.gov.uk/ morecambeaap for more information or look us up on Facebook at 'Shaping a Better Future for Lancaster District' and 'Morecambe Area Action Plan’.

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Take positive action ARE you interested in preserving the environment, encouraging safer and cleaner transport options and supporting local enterprise?

z Trained volunteers provide free advice on energy use

HES puts energy into making carbon and fuel bill savings

• Public events and information stalls on a variety of topics, including the Incredible Edibles Awards – championing local food growing – taking place on Sunday, July 10; • The Little Book of Sustainable Living, a free guide to environmentally-friendly living in Lancaster district, available online at www.lancaster.gov.uk/littlebook or you can request a hard copy from 01524 582061;

THERE’S a new communitybased service available in Lancaster – the Home Energy Service, which aims to help people save energy.

Fully-trained volunteers with the Home Energy Service (HES) arrange to visit you in your home to learn about your current energy use.

A fully-qualified Domestic and Commercial Energy Assessor with HES then produces a specific report for your household about what the most effective energy-saving measures would be along with their carbon and cost savings.

This free and independent service

Would you like to take part in projects to raise awareness of climate change and reduce resource use?

Then why not join the Sustainability Partnership of Lancaster District.

The Sustainability Partnership, formed in 2003, is a group of local residents and organisations promoting sustainable activity in Lancaster district. Their projects include:

is funded through Scottish Power Energy People’s Trust and a Charities Aid Foundation trust fund.

If you would like a survey, or are interested in volunteering with HES, please contact Kathy New on 01524 66100 or email kathy@lessuk.org

• The Rainwater Harvest Project, which converted waste plastic food barrels into water storage containers saving over 7,000kg of plastic from landfill and providing free water to local allotments.

If you want to get involved and help shape positive and sustainable activity in Lancaster district, you can join the Sustainability Partnership by downloading a membership form at www.lancaster.gov.uk/sustainability-partnership or you can request a copy by calling 01524 582061

For more information on the items above, please contact Lancaster City Council’s Sustainability Team on 01524 582061 or sustainability@lancaster.gov.uk

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Eggsercise and eggcitement...

DITCH the chocolate eggs this Easter and lose some pounds and £s with a range of special offers at Salt Ayre Sports Centre this Easter.

On Saturday April 23 and Sunday April 24, the centre is offering half price bookings on the hire of its facilities, plus you can splash out on a swim for just £1.

Whatever the weather outside, come along, have fun and get healthy with a great range of activities to suit everyone, all at a very special price.

• Indoor football, netball, basketball, volleyball and unihoc Only £10 per court for 55 minutes • Badminton, table-tennis and short tennis Only £2 per court for 55 minutes • Fitness classes, circuits and body pump Only £2 per session • Swimming pool, spa pool and waterslide Only £1 for unlimited use Courts can be booked from April 1 and payment must be made at the time of booking. Please note that bookings are non-refundable.

The centre will be closed on all Bank Holidays. If you can’t get down to Salt Ayre this Easter, then this offer will be repeated on the following weekend of April 30 and May 1.

Get active this Easter CHILDREN can get active this Easter with our exciting holiday activity programme.

There are over 40 activities available including cheerleading, orienteering, archery, football, dodgeball and many more.

All our workshops are reasonably priced, held in a fun and safe environment and are run by experienced coaches.

To find out more about what activities are available and when they are happening please call 01524 842493 or visit: www.lancaster. gov.uk/holiday programme

z CUSTOMERS of Morecambe’s Festival Market already know that it is the place for great value, great service and ‘Bargains by the Sea’, but from March there will be even more reasons to visit...

Where’s Eric?

DURING March bring some sunshine into your life! See if you can find ‘Eric Morecambe’ hiding somewhere in the market each day. Complete an entry to win £50 of vouchers in the weekly March draws.

Easter eggstravaganza THE Easter Eggstravaganza begins on April 16 with competitions, the Easter Bunny in his Easter House and an Easter Bonnet Parade on Easter Sunday.

Competitions include ‘Find the Egg’, ‘Guess the number of eggs’ and a colouring competition for ages four to 11. Prizes include chocolate eggs, vouchers and cuddly toys.

Easter competition entry forms are available from April 1 at the market office. z The market is open Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and most Bank Holidays from 9am until 4.30pm in Winter and 5pm from May 1.

For further details contact Tracey Bruce on 01524 414251 or tbruce@lancaster.gov.uk or visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/festivalmarket

Pensioner specials EVERY Thursday in March, participating stalls displaying a large red star are offering 10% reductions for pensioners (selected lines where indicated).

Page 15

What’s On: March to May

z Geno Washington

15: Alan Price – Platform, 8pm, £16.50

March 18: Back to the Good Old Days of Music Hall – Platform, 2pm, £8 18: Kate Howden and Paul Jones – Platform, 8pm, £10/£9 19: The Searchers – Platform, 7.30pm, £16.50 20: Morecambe and Heysham Canine Society Dog Show – Platform 10am 23: Magical Day – Happy Mount Park, 12pm. Magician, fancy dress competition, art workshop, story telling 24 March to 16 April: The Rise and Fall of Little Voice – Dukes (see page 9) 26: Dr Feelgood – Platform, 8pm, £15/£14

16: Karine Polwart – Platform, 8pm, £13 16-30: Easter Extravaganza – Festival Market, Morecambe free 19: Elmer the Elephant – Platform, 2pm.

Tickets £6 adults, £5 children, £20 family 20: Lunchtime Concert with Sue Parish – Platform, 12.45pm. Free admission 23: Easter Extravaganza – Happy Mount Park, 12pm. Come and meet the Easter Bunny and join in the Easter Egg Hunt

z Joe Longthorne

10: Northern England’s Strongest Man (under 105kg) – Salt Ayre Sports Centre, 12pm to 4pm. Adults £3, children £1

14: Joe Longthorne – Platform, 7.30pm, £21

27: Lunchtime Concert with Five in a Bar – Platform, 12.45pm. Free admission

20: The Poozies – The Platform, 8pm, £13/11

z Frank Carson

1: Houghton Weavers – Platform, 7.30pm, £13/£12

9: Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham – Platform, Marine Road Central, Morecambe.

8pm, £14/£13

13: The Enid – Platform, 8pm. Tickets £16/ £9 students. Over 14s only

17: Lunchtime Concert with Janet Hoyle – Platform, 12.45pm. Free admission

April

8: ‘Magic - A Kind of Queen’ – Platform, 7.30pm, £16.50

11: Lunchtime Concert with La Serenata Ensemble – Platform, 12.45pm.

Free admission

23: Morecambe Band Easter Concert – Platform, 7.30pm, £8/£5

27: Promenade Concert Orchestra – Platform, 3pm, £12/£10, concessions £5

2: Rollermania! An evening with Les McKeown and the legendary Bay City Rollers – The Platform, 7.30pm, £18.50

8: Baby Maze Baby and Toddler Show – Platform, 10am to 3pm. Free admission

21: Geno Washington – Platform, 8pm.

Tickets £15 on the door/£14 advance 22: Promenade Concert Orchestra ‘Music from the Shows’ – Platform, 3pm. Tickets £12/£10 concessions, £5 children 25: Lunchtime Concert with Val Baulard And The Boscats – Platform, 12.45pm. Free admission

27: Frank Carson – Platform, 7.30pm, £18.50 23 April to 2 May: Wray Scarecrow Festival 30 April to 2 May: Morecambe Live Weekender www.morecambelive.com

27-30: Lancaster Unlocked – various locations around Lancaster. More details at www.lancasterunlocked.co.uk 28: Inter-Galactic Day – Happy Mount Park, 12pm. Fancy dress competition and art workshop. Monsters, aliens and space creatures all welcome

May

28 and 29: Country Kickback www.morecambelive.com

4: Lunchtime Concert with the Ermysted’s Big Band – Platform, 12.45pm. Free admission

Platform box office

6: King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys – Platform, 8pm, £14/£13 7: Old England Day – Happy Mount Park, 12pm. A step back in time with Morris Dancers, Hobby Horse ‘Racing’ for children and Maypole display

DID you know that you can now buy tickets for events at the Platform online at www.lancaster.gov.uk/platformtickets as well as from the box office on 01524 582803 or in person from Morecambe and Lancaster Visitor Information Centres.

useful contact numbers

Main contact details for key local services in the district

Lancaster City Council

Emergency services

Customer Services: 01524 582000 Domestic Waste and Street Cleaning: 01524 582491 Environmental Health and Housing Standards: 01524 582257 Elections: 01524 582905 Out-of-hours Emergencies: 01524 67099 Website: www.lancaster.gov.uk Email: customerservices@lancaster.gov.uk

Lancashire Police

Lancashire County Council LCC General Enquiries/Switchboard – 0845 053 0000 Social Care: 0845 053 0009 Highways: 0845 053 0011 Registrars: 0845 053 0021 Welfare Rights: 0845 053 0013 Website: www.lancashire.gov.uk Email: enquiries@lancashire.gov.uk

Education Lancaster University Telephone: 01524 65201 Website: www.lancs.ac.uk

Lancaster and Morecambe College

Telephone: 0845 1 25 35 45. In an emergency always dial 999.

Contact information for your local neighbourhood police team can be found at www.lancashire.police.uk Follow us on Twitter @LancsPolice

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service We can provide a free home fire safety check, fit smoke alarms if needed and give you advice on what to do in the event of fire. Call Freephone 0800 169 1125.

Health NHS Direct: 0845 46 47 or www.nhs.uk Stop smoking service: 01524 845145 Drug and alcohol service: 01524 834210 To access a dentist: 01253 306378 To find your nearest pharmacy: text ‘pharmacy’ to 64746

Voluntary sector Help Direct

Telephone: 01524 66215 Website: www.lmc.ac.uk

Telephone: 0303 333 1111 Website: www.helpdirect.org.uk Email: askus@loc.helpdirectlancs.org.uk

University of Cumbria (Lancaster campus)

Lancaster District CVS

Telephone: 01524 384384 Website: www.cumbria.ac.uk

Telephone: 01524 555900 Email: mail@lancastercvs.org.uk Website: www.lancastercvs.org.uk

White Cross Education Centre Telephone: 01524 60141 Email: adcollege.info@lancashire.gov.uk Website: www.lancashire.gov.uk Published by Lancaster City Council. Designed by ONESTOP Media Services Ltd. Tel: 01782 338396. Printed by Benhamgoodheadprint Ltd. Tel: 01869 363315.