inside:
• Christmaswasteandrecyclingdates Your District Council Just Bin It new litter campaign • Win a meal for two • What's on guide •
Matters issue 25
autumn 2011
Council gardeners are top of the plots - page 3
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Welcome... ...to the latest edition of Your District Council Matters. It’s clear that the impact of reductions in public service expenditure will continue and public services will look very different in a few years time. Public sector partners within the district, including city council, county council, police, health, fire and education, are continuing to work together, and to manage the impact of the cuts to ensure our district is well placed for the future. Between us we provide millions of pounds worth of local services, from emptying bins to providing hospitals, educating our children to policing our streets. The issues facing this district can be best addressed by working together. We are currently undertaking a round of meetings with local people and organisations to share the realities we all face and discuss options and opportunities. We will work together to ensure the public services available in the future are those most important to local people. What can you do to support your community? The role local people can play in shaping and supporting their communities has never been more important. To find out more about how you can do your bit or to share your views and ideas about the services that matter most email suggestions@lancaster.gov.uk or contact Jennifer Milligan, Town Hall, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PJ.
On the front cover: • This month’s front cover shows this year’s entry to the RHS Tatton Flower Show, which achieved a silver gilt.
If you would like a large print or audio version of Your District Council Matters please call 01524 582041 or email communications@ lancaster.gov.uk
Remembrance Sunday THiS year Remembrance Sunday falls on November 13 and a number of services have been arranged in the Lancaster district.
Remembrance Day Services will take place as follows: Lancaster Garden of Remembrance, Town Hall Lancaster commencing at 10.20am, to be followed by a service in the Priory Church at 11.30am. There will be a parade and March Past leaving the Priory Church at approximately 12.25pm ending at Lancaster Town Hall. Morecambe Cenotaph, Marine Road – Procession will form up at The Platform at approximately 10.20am for a Service at the Cenotaph at 10.55am. Carnforth Parade will leave the Carnforth Town Council offices at 10.35am for a service and wreath laying ceremony at the Cenotaph. To help people to pay their respects, Lancaster City Council has suspended
parking charges on the car parks at the Bay Arena in Morecambe and Nelson Street in Lancaster on Sunday November 13. For further information about the services or to express an interest in laying a wreath please contact the Mayor’s Office, Town Hall, Lancaster, LA1 1PJ, telephone (01524) 582070 or email mayor@lancaster.gov.uk.
Contact us You can contact Lancaster City Council for information by: Telephone: 01524 582000. Email: customerservices@lancaster.gov.uk Website: www.lancaster.gov.uk Post: Lancaster City Council, Town Hall, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PJ. In person: At one of the customer service centres at Lancaster and Morecambe town halls between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
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Christmas refuse and recycling collections DON’T forget that there will be changes to the days on which your refuse and recycling will be collected over the Christmas period. Details are on your collections calendar, or we’ve outlined them below for you.
Week commencing December 26 Normal Collection Day Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Will be picked up on Tuesday December 27 Wednesday December 28 Thursday December 29 Friday December 30 Saturday December 31
Christmas trees can be recycled at Keer Bridge or Salt Ayre Household Waste Recycling Centres, or can be cut down to fit into your green garden bin. Alternatively, St John’s Hospice will once again be collecting and recycling Christmas trees during the weekend of January 7 and 8, in exchange for a donation of £5 to the charity. Collections must be booked in advance. For more information visit www.sjhospice.org.uk or telephone 01524 382538.
Council gardeners pick up another medal at the RHS Tatton Flower Show LANCASTeR City Council has dug up yet another medal at the RHS Tatton Flower show. This year's entry picked up a silver gilt in the National Flowerbed Competition. And, for the first time, local people got to see the wonderful display up close for themselves when it was recreated in Morecambe this summer. This year's entry was entitled 'Flutter by' and featured two butterflies on a raised flower bed emerging from a meadow of bedding plants and shrubs which attract butterflies into the garden. it was inspired by the edwardian Palm House at Williamson Park, which now houses some of the world's most beautiful species of butterfly and is one of the park's most popular attractions. The display showcases the district to the thousands of people who attended the flower show, as well as adding an extra splash of colour and vibrancy for visitors to the promenade gardens.
Week commencing January 2 Normal Collection Day Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Will be picked up on Tuesday January 3 Wednesday January 4 Thursday January 5 Friday January 6 Saturday January 7
Litter campaign LANCASTeR City Council is encouraging us all to show how proud we are of our district by cleaning up our patch and putting litter where it belongs - in the bin! The council's district wide ‘Just Bin it’ campaign was launched in July with a mountainous display of all the carelessly discarded rubbish from the centres of Morecambe and Lancaster following a busy weekend. The aim of the campaign is to encourage us all to be proud of where we live and play our part in making the district a cleaner place by disposing of litter properly. With more than 1,200 all purpose litter bins available across the district in which to discard your gum, crisp packets, cigarettes and dog waste, there's no excuse and the campaign message is clear “Litter is everyone’s problem – just bin it!” At a series of town centre roadshows, the team have also been offering advice and top tips and information on how it can support community litter picks. it is also working with schools and colleges to highlight the problems caused by litter to encourage the next generation to put litter where it belongs. information on the campaign, and how you can do your bit, is available at www.lancaster.gov.uk/binit and you can also follow the success of the campaign and get involved by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter @Lancastercc
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Morecambe’s West End is changing– are you ready to make the change? LANCASTeR City Council and Adactus Housing Association are working in partnership to regenerate and improve some of the housing stock within the West end of Morecambe. Considerable progress has been made in bringing forward new housing opportunities within the area, which includes affordable housing for outright sale and shared ownership. Shared ownership provides an opportunity to help people into home ownership who cannot afford to buy a home outright. Through this scheme, you can buy a share of the property and pay rent on the remaining share, and you can buy further shares if you want to.
The share you buy is usually funded by a mortgage through a bank or building society. Shared ownership is normally available to first time buyers, people who are in employment whose household income doesn’t exceed £60,000 and who have a local connection. Properties include large family housing, live/work units and one and two bedroom apartments, which have been refurbished to a high standard, have modern kitchens and bathrooms, include gas central heating and double glazing and are close to amenities. 25 West End Road Apartments
Cavendish Road 3 bed terraced house (Live/Work unit)
Cavendish Road 3 bed Terrace House
For details on the full portfolio of properties, please call Nicola Johnson, the Property Sales Co-ordinator for Adactus Housing Association: Tel. 01942 608715 Mobile 07793 186802 Or email Nicola.johnson@ adactushousing.co.uk
Housing options service LANCASTeR City Council is offering a new service called Housing Options to provide advice and help to people in need of a home. Demand for affordable accommodation has never been higher and the aim of the service is to bring together a range of different options for people to explore. These include private rented accommodation, access to the rent deposit guarantee scheme, liaison with private sector landlords, resettlement and housing support, mediation services and access to affordable housing products. A key aim of the service is to prevent homelessness wherever possible. To do that it needs to know as soon as a problem occurs.The earlier the council knows that you have a problem, the more it can do to help. For more information visit the customer service centres at Lancaster and Morecambe Town Halls, telephone 01524 582257 or email strategichousing@lancaster.gov.uk Another key part of the Housing Options service is ideal Choice Homes, the new way in which council homes will be allocated. Launching on October 19, the aim is to give greater choice when choosing rented accommodation. The scheme will include council accommodation, rented accommodation from registered providers of social housing (housing associations), private rented accommodation and shared ownership properties. Vacancies will be advertised on the website www.idealchoicehomes.co.uk and in a weekly newsletter available at Lancaster and Morecambe town halls. Applicants can express an interest in any property for which they are eligible. There are a number of ways to express your interest: online, by text, by telephone, or by using the touch screen PCs in the customer service centres at Lancaster and Morecambe town halls. Properties will be allocated to the person in the greatest housing need out of all those who have expressed an interest in the property. To find out more visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/idealchoicehomes, contact us on 01524 582005, or email idealchoicehomes@lancaster.gov.uk
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Home Improvement Agency ARE you over 60 and living in your own home? if you and all the members of your household are aged over 60 you are entitled to free support from our Home improvement Agency. Maybe your home is in need of some repair and maintenance? Our qualified staff will come and discuss the work needed, provide a list of Safe Trader registered contractors, help you get estimates, and we’ll even supervise the works if you want us to. Our service aims to bring peace of mind to residents, enabling them to remain comfortable and independent in their own homes for as long as possible. We also provide a Handyperson service to do small jobs around the home for you and, if you are struggling to afford the repairs you need, we can help you find ways to raise finance, including checking that you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to. The service is also available for disabled residents. For further advice or to arrange a free home visit contact us on 01524 582257 or email
hiaenquiries@lancaster.gov.uk
Tell Us Once WHeN someone dies, it can be a stressful and upsetting time. As well as coping with the emotional distress that a death may bring, you will need to notify a number of different government departments and organisations. These could include council housing departments, adult services, income support, libraries, driver and vehicle licensing agencies and passport services. in the Lancaster district, a new service called Tell Us Once will help to reduce the amount of time you need to spend contacting government departments and organisations. Tell Us Once and we’ll do the rest. How does it work? When you make your appointment to register the death at the local Register Office, the Tell Us Once service will be explained to you. if you choose to take part, the Registrar will set up the deceased’s details on a national database. Once the details have been entered on to the database, a full Tell Us Once interview can be arranged. This can be done either face-to-face at the customer service centres at Lancaster and Morecambe town halls, or via the telephone at a later date, to determine which agencies need to be notified. The information you give will be treated securely and confidentially. The organisations who are contacted will use the information to update records; to end services, benefits and credits as appropriate; and to resolve any outstanding issues. They may use this information in other ways, but only as the law allows. For more information visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/once or pick up a leaflet from customer service centres and local libraries.
House to house collections policy BOGUS house-to-house charity clothing collectors are being given their marching orders by Lancaster City Council. The council has brought in a new policy to further regulate collectors operating in the Lancaster district in light of a flurry of applications for licences from private companies. Many of these donate only a small percentage of their proceeds to charity, misleading householders who make donations in the belief that the proceeds are going to charity. The new policy will mean operators applying for a collections licence will have to donate at least 85% of their proceeds - allowing for a small element to cover administrative costs - directly to charity. Collections will also be limited to prevent more than two companies operating within the district at any one time. All genuine house to house collectors are licensed and you can contact the council on 01524 582033 to check them out.
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Trade your opinions on the Festival Market
Please tick the box to the following questions: 1. How often do you visit the Festival Market? Weekly
Monthly
Yes
No
Rarely
Never
2. Do you think the market is easy to find and well signposted? We need your views to help shape the future of Morecambe’s Festival Market. Based on Central Drive, the Festival Market in Morecambe is a traditional covered market with over 100 stalls and shops and two welcoming cafes to choose from.
3. How do you travel to the market?
events take place throughout the year, including a fun Halloween weekend on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 October and a Santa’s Grotto on Sundays throughout December on the run up to Christmas.
4. What do you think of the selection of stalls?
To help us develop the market further, we’re asking for your views so we can better identify and respond to the changing needs and expectations of our customers. To give us your thoughts please complete the adjacent questionnaire. All the surveys will be entered into a prize draw to win a two course meal for two people at NiCe restaurant at the Storey Creative industries Centre in Lancaster. Send your completed entry to: Communications, Lancaster Town Hall, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PJ by 30 November 2011. You can hand your completed questionnaire into Lancaster or Morecambe Town Hall and it can also be completed online by visiting www.lancaster.gov.uk/festivalmarket
Car
excellent
On foot
Good
Bus
Satisfactory
Bike
Train
Poor
5. Do you think the market offers value for money?
excellent
Good
Satisfactory
Poor
7. What is your overall impression of the market?
excellent
Good
Satisfactory
Poor
Do you have any ideas on how the market could be improved?
9. Are there any products or services that you would expect to find in the market that are not presently there
10. Which of the following would encourage you to shop at the market? events
Promotional offers/discounts
Free parking
Greater choice of products
improved access
New stalls
Other if you would like to enter the prize draw please enter your details below. if you do not want to be entered into the prize draw, please enter your postcode only. This information will be used for evaluation purposes only and will not be disclosed to any third parties. Name: Address
Post code
Telephone number
if you would be interested in taking part in further consultation on the market please tick this box
At the time of going to press, a decision was due to be made on the future of Lancaster Indoor Market. To find out more visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/markets for the latest news.
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Square set for transformation LANCASTeR’S public spaces are a vital aspect of city life. However it is recognised that few of the public spaces are of such a quality that they need to be improved if we want people to linger and use them as places for rest, recreation and social interaction. Through a long term project called Lancaster Square Routes the council aims to rejuvenate the important historical city centre of Lancaster, strengthening its position as a quality destination for both visitors and residents of the district. During 2009/10 a series of detailed design visions were produced to show how key spaces and routes in the city centre could be transformed to connect the retail and commercial heart with the more cultural offerings towards the castle and quay. Following extensive consultation, these visions were endorsed by the council’s cabinet. They include detailed designs for Market Square, Sun Square, FFrances Passage and Horseshoe Corner amongst others. A first phase of works to Market Square is planned for this autumn, commencing early October through to mid-November. This will include removal of the fountain, partial resurfacing, improved lighting and rationalisation of street furniture. Further proposals will be brought forward over time to make more and better use of the square during the day and into the evening. The overall vision for the square is to make it function as the civic heart of the city – a place to trade, gather, meet and celebrate. Resurfacing, new drainage works and improved lighting are also planned for FFrances Passage early in 2012. For more information about the forthcoming works and the background to the project, please visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/squareroutes or pick up a copy of the latest Lancaster Square Routes newsletter from Customer Services at Lancaster or Morecambe Town Hall.
Shape your Future MANY of you responded to our summer consultation on future planning policies for the district. Your feedback has provided us with important information on the future direction of growth and information on the sites that you believe should be safeguarded and protected from development. A full report listing the comments that we have received will be available to view on our website shortly www.lancaster.gov.uk/ldf We are currently working through the comments received and undertaking more detailed assessments of potential development sites and future planning policies. Using this information we hope to publish a preferred options document for consultation in early 2012. To keep up to date with all of this work please register on our website at www.lancaster.gov.uk/ldf or join our facebook pages by searching for ‘Shaping a Better Future for Lancaster District’ and ‘Morecambe Area Action Plan’.
Morecambe Area Action Plan iN spring of this year we asked for your comments on a report summarising the key issues concerning central Morecambe, and explaining how the council thinks the action plan could address these issues. We have spent the summer months considering the comments and ideas put forward, and working to identify opportunities that could make a positive and lasting contribution to the regeneration of the town. A document containing outline options and proposals for the future of central Morecambe will be available to comment on in late October. This will be the first opportunity to consider specific proposals for the area so we urge everyone to get involved. There are a number of ways you can view the document and have your say. Visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/ morecambeaap for more information.
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Lancaster Music Festival THe third Lancaster Music Festival takes place from Friday October 14 to Sunday October 16. More than 20 venues across the city are set to host performances and almost all the acts are free. Tickets for the bigger acts and events can be purchased at the venues, via the festival website (www.lancastermusicfestival.com) or at the visitor information centres in Lancaster and Morecambe. This year will see more than 200 performances from local, national and international acts ranging from classical to punk, electronica to blue grass, and everything else. We have a music city to be proud of and the festival aims to celebrate this for one weekend of the year and draw attention to the venues and organisations that support it. Alongside the music there will be ale trails, beer festivals, Lancaster musical treasure trails and Lancaster’s first food festival courtesy of LeSS.
Ashton Hall Organ WHeN the Ashton Hall organ was installed in 1909 by the generosity of Lord Ashton it was a case of no expense spared. This 'state of the art' instrument was one of the first to benefit from electrically blown wind and its huge range of pipework makes it suitable for the playing of all kinds of music. Organists throughout the UK love to be given the opportunity to come to Lancaster and play it, but unfortunately it has gradually suffered from wear and tear and started to show its age. in 2003 AHORP, the Ashton Hall Organ Restoration Project, was formed with Dr Colin Parsons as chairman. Fundraising has consisted of regular lunchtime concerts and singing events and two years ago composer Malcolm Archer was commissioned to write a new suite of music. The premiere of The Lancaster Suite was given in the Ashton Hall on July 13. The Suite consists of five sections:- Duchy Fanfare and March, Trough of Bowland Pastorale, John O'Gaunt Gigue, Claire de Lune and Centenary Toccata. it is available to purchase from More Music, Marine Road Morecambe for £15, with all profits going to the restoration project. Further fundraising events continue with lunchtime recitals in the Ashton Hall at 12.40pm on Thursdays in October and Wednesdays in November and a silent movie evening with organ accompaniment on November 16. For further information contact Jane Littlejohn, hon sec AHORP on 01524 840187
Fireworks Lancaster’s annual Fireworks Spectacular will take place on Saturday November 5 and is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever before. During the day there will be a host of city centre events including themed walks, lantern making and storytelling. As last year the castle and priory precinct will be closed to the public, but spectators will still be able to watch the action at close quarters from nearby Quay Meadow. Accessed from St George’s Quay, the area has been used unofficially by people for many years to view the fireworks and is in the heart of the city’s historic quayside area, with an amazing backdrop of Lancaster Castle and the Priory Church. it’s also just in front of the firing zone and will allow people to get as close as possible to enjoy the atmosphere as the fireworks are launched. if you prefer, you can also view the fireworks at the other official viewing areas at Williamson Park, Salt Ayre Sports Centre and Giant Axe field. More details of the events will be available nearer the time from the Visitor information Centres in Lancaster and Morecambe and online at www.lancaster.gov.uk/fireworks.
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What’s On: October to February
October 6-28: Two by Jim Cartwright – Dukes, £8 to £15. www.dukes-lancaster.org. 7: Variety express – Platform, 2pm, £8. 12: Dark History tour with costumed guide – Lancaster Castle, 7.30pm, £6. Suitable for 15+. 14: Dizzy Hack and the Rhino Horns – Platform, 8pm, £10. 14-23: Lancaster Literature Festival – various venues. Visit www.litfest.org for details. 14-16: Lancaster Music Festival – various venues. Visit www.lancastermusicfestival.com for details. 14-16: Lancaster District Slow Food Multicultural Festival – various venues. Visit www.lessuk.org for more details. 15: From the Jam – Platform, 8pm, £20. 20: Chetham’s Symphony Orchestra – Lancaster University Great Hall, 7.30pm. www.liveatlica.org. 22: Chris Farlowe and Norman Beaker Band Platform, 7.30pm, £16. 27: eddi Reader - Platform, 8pm, £20. 27: Martin roscoe and Ulrich Gerhartz – Lancaster University Great Hall, 7.30pm. www.liveatlica.org 28: The Very Selfish Crocodile – Platform, 2pm, £5/£6, family £20. 29: The Johnny Cash Tribute Road Show - Platform, 7.30pm, £16.50. 29: Catwalks‘Halloween Walks’- Guided Walk around the Historic City of Lancaster, 7.30pm, £4 adults and £1 children. 31:Catwalks‘Halloween Walks’- Guided Walk around the Historic City of Lancaster, 7.30pm, £4/£1. 31: Halloween Tours – Lancaster Castle. Various times, £6/£5.
9: A journey south with Chris Watson – Lancaster University Great Hall, 7pm. www.liveatlica.org. 10: Amanda Roocroft and Joseph Middleton – Lancaster University Great Hall, 7.30pm. www.liveatlica.org. 12: Remembrance Concert with Morecambe Brass Band - Platform, 7.30pm, £8/£5. 15: Lloyd Cole – Platform, 8pm, 20. 17: Glen Tilbrook - Platform, 8pm, £16. 17: Ruth wall – Lancaster University Great Hall, 7.30pm. www.liveatlica.org. 18: Fish - Platform, 8pm, £17.50. 19: One Night Of elvis - Platform, 7.30pm, £16.50. 20: Morecambe and Heysham Canine Society Dog Show – Platform, 9.30am. 24: The Schubert ensemble – Lancaster University Great Hall, 7.30pm. www.liveatlica.org 24: Christmas lights switch on - Market Square 25: Chantel McGregor – Platform, 8pm, £10. 25: November to January 7: The BFG, Dukes, £5£16.50. 26: The Big Chris Barber Band - Platform, 7.30pm, £17. 26: Haffner Orchestra Concert – Lancaster University Great Hall, 7.30pm. www.liveatlica.org. 27: The Promenade Concert Orchestra: Songs from the films - Platform, 3pm, £13/ £11/ £6.
December 1: Sector 7 - Lancaster University Great Hall, 7.30pm. www.liveatlica.org. 3: Chris Packham’s A Wildlife exposed - Platform, Marine Road Central, 7pm, £15/£10. 10: Christmas Carol Concert – Ashton Hall., Lancaster Town Hall For more details visit www.ldcs-choral.org.uk 10: Whole Lotta Led: Platform, 8pm, £13/£14. Suitable for 14+. 12-16: Carol concerts – Ashton Memorial, Williamson Park.
13: A Christmas carol concert with the St Laurence Singers – Platform, 7.30pm, £7. 15,16 and 17: Deck the Hall, poetry, prose and music from across the ages – Lancaster Castle, 7.30pm, £12. 16: Morecambe Brass Band Association Winter Showcase - Platform, 7.30pm, £5.50/£1. 17: Morecambe Band Christmas Concert - Platform, 7.30pm, £8/ £5. 20, 21, 26 and 27: Alladdin – Platform, 2.30pm, £7/6 £22 family.
January 29: New Year Viennese Concert – Platform, £13/11/£6.
February 15: The Owl Who’s Afraid of the Dark – Platform, 2pm, £6/£5 £20 family 18: Gerry Cross the Mersey – Platform, 7.30pm, £16.50. 24: Mike Harding – Platform, 7.30pm, £15. 25: ULMS Big Swing – Platform, 7.30pm, £8/£6.
New Platform brochure THe autumn/winter Platform brochure is out now! To view it online visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/platform, or alternatively pick up a copy from the Visitor Information Centres in Morecambe or Lancaster, or Customer Service Centres at Lancaster and Morecambe town halls.
November 3: earth Chroma Chamber ensemble – Lancaster University Great Hall, 7.30pm. www.liveatlica.org. 5: Lancaster Fireworks Spectacular. For full details including daytime activities, visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/fireworks 5: Adrian edmondson and The Bad Shepherds Platform, 8pm, £17.50. Suitable for age 14+ only. 9: Dark History tour - Lancaster Castle, 7.30pm, £6. Suitable for age 15+ only.
www.lancaster.gov.uk/whatson
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Radon survey LANCASTeR City Council is raising awareness about Radon gas in the home and needs your help. Radon is a clear, odourless radioactive gas which escapes naturally from the ground into the surrounding air. It can accumulate inside the home and if inhaled in sufficient concentrations over a long time period, radon can damage lung tissue leading to lung cancer.
Due to its geology parts of the Lancaster district are suspected of having concentrations of radon above the UK average. The city council is looking for 100 households to take part in a study into local variation in radon levels across the district. each will receive a free and unobtrusive test kit for measuring radon gas over a three month period. The results from the survey will be confidential and no details of individual
Lancaster Cultural Heritage Strategy FOLLOWiNG a meeting of its Cabinet in July 2011 Lancaster City Council has now adopted the Lancaster Cultural Heritage Strategy as the framework for prioritising actions and investment in the district’s cultural heritage assets. The strategy is a guide to investment in the district's cultural heritage over the next 10 years. it is accompanied by an assessment of the economic impact that investment in our heritage could achieve. The main focus of the strategy is the city of Lancaster, its built heritage, the stories behind it and the way it is interpreted, especially through the museums and other visitor attractions. The strategy sets out a number of key objectives that all partners need to work towards. These include managing Lancaster’s Georgian buildings, improving the existing heritage offer and developing the castle as a must-see attraction, raising the profile of Lancaster and promoting it as a modern heritage city. The strategy also recognises the value of heritage to the identity of Morecambe, Carnforth and the district as a whole. The Lancaster Cultural Heritage Strategy and Action Plan is now available to download from our website www.lancaster.gov.uk/culturalheritage.
properties will be passed on to third parties. If you’re interested please email environmentalhealth@lancaster.gov.uk with the words‘Radon Kit’in the subject line, or telephone 01524 582935 and leave your name and address. For more information on radon gas visit our website www.lancaster.gov.uk/radon. environmental Health officers are on hand to advise if you would like practical advice about radon gas risks in the home.
Save Time - Do it Online eACH month over 30,000 people visit our website to find information, report issues and apply for things. if you've never visited us online before, you might be surprised by how much you can do and how easy it is to find what you want. Visit www.lancaster.gov.uk and you will find links to all our popular pages and online services. Alternatively, use the quick links below to go directly to our most visited pages. For example, our jobs page is at www.lancaster.gov.uk/jobs and our bins and recycling page is at www.lancaster.gov.uk/bins I want to…
Go directly to…
Find out about bins and recycling
www.lancaster.gov.uk/bins
Apply for a job at the council
/jobs
Find my nearest…
/nearest
View/comment on planning applications
/planning
Find Salt Ayre Sports Centre information
/saltayre
Find council tax information
/council-tax
Pay a council bill online
/pay
Find a Morecambe Bay tide table
/tide-table
Find what’s on at The Platform
/platform
View all council festivals and events
/whatson
Find my councillor
/councillors
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Street Pride NOMiNATiONS from the public have helped to set the new Street Pride programme for 2011/12. Twenty areas around the district will benefit from Street Pride, which kicked off in July with King Street in Carnforth.
Celebrating Far Eastern, European and local Lancashire food!
eleven nominations from the public have successfully helped to set the programme, with the remainder coming from local councillors. Street Pride is a series of deep cleans in which a hit squad of city council workers moves into areas where there is a large amount of litter, dirt and overgrown vegetation to give them a thorough clean. Six of the chosen areas will also benefit from an ‘enhanced’ service and include more multi-agency work, with Lancaster City Council, the police, Lancashire County Council, the Probation Service and the voluntary sector all playing a part. More details on the scheme, including how to organise a community litter pick and the streets which are set to benefit from this year’s scheme, can be found at www.lancaster.gov.uk/streetpride
Lancaster Slow Food Festival Friday October 14 to Sunday October 16 SLOW Food can also be fast food! Preparing a nutritious meal from fresh local ingredients can be quick and easy. The Slow Food cook knows exactly where the produce has come from, who’s grown it, and who’s benefiting in the local economy.
Food festival programme Friday October 14 Long Lazy Lunch in Lancaster Day. Local restaurants and cafes will do something special for the day e.g. free tasters, special‘Slow Food’meal deals or cooking demonstrations. Why not take a lazy lunch break and take part? Saturday October 15 Lancaster Charter Market stalls and some Music Festival venues will be serving local food and FRee TASTeRS! Sunday October 16 Midday onwards – Multicultural Food Festival. Sun Square and surrounding streets will be full of amazing hot and cold local food stalls and a cafe tent! Children’s activities will include the amazing‘Taste Adventure’ (FRee) and henna painting. Why not come along and enjoy yourself! Funded by the Big Lottery Fund’s Local Food Programme.
CBeebies comes to town KiDS TV channel CBeebies was in Morecambe earlier this year filming its ‘summer song’. To the excitement of the town’s children and young at heart, presenters Alex and Sid travelled to Morecambe with their film crew. They visited Happy Mount Park, the West end Gardens and the beach, among other locations recommended by staff at Lancaster City Council. The film was shown between programmes at various times throughout the summer season, showcasing what the town has to offer to millions of viewers. Lancaster City Council works closely with film companies to encourage them to the district by suggesting suitable locations and securing relevant permissions.
Over the last 12 months TV programmes including Songs of Praise, Ade in Britain, Come Dine With Me, escape to the Country, and Missing Millions have all been filmed on location in the district. You can view the CBeebies video at www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies
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The One Planet Festival returns THe One Planet Festival, Lancaster’s very own eco festival is set to return with a week long series of events aimed at reducing the city’s carbon footprint and helping you to save money. Running from 7-15 October 2011, at venues throughout the district, the festival includes environmentally themed theatre and film events, ‘Draughtbusting’ – a special event where a team of commando insulation experts will makeover a typical Lancaster house, sealing up all the draughts in front of a live audience. Find out if a Zero Carbon Britain is possible, what Radical Gardening is, and take the chance to invest in community renewable energy - the festival ends with the ‘Tour de Renewables’ – a bike (and minibus) tour of homes and community buildings in the area using renewable energies. The festival is organised by LeSS, a not-for-profit organisation which promotes sustainable living, with Transition City Lancaster and the Dukes Cinema. For more information see www.lessuk.org/oneplanetfestival
Local Climate Change Events
Funding for Your Environmental Projects
THe Sustainability Partnership are organising a number of events for the Autumn and ARe you planning a project to improve Winter season your local environment and make a Sunday, 9th October 2011 lasting contribution to your Williamson Park community? Will it result in practical Wonderful Woodlands – An event exploring and appreciating our local environmental improvements, raise woodland environments awareness of environmental issues or October 2011 promote environmental events? Renewable Energies for if so, you could be eligible for funding Your Home through the Green Partnership Awards; Come along to a public talk to find a community partnership between out how you could generate your Lancaster City Council, Lancashire own electricity, or provide renewable heat for your home or County Council, and other key agencies. small business The Green Partnership Awards (GPA)
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2011 • December Sustainable Celebrations
grants of around £500 for environmental projects including The festive season is usually a time conservation, waste reduction and arts for waste and expense but we can development. These grants are available help you find ways to reduce to community organisations and rubbish and your costs, whilst helping the environment. Come and groups. Schools are also encouraged to see our stall in Lancaster for some apply. great ideas For more information please visit www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/grants For full details see www.lancaster.gov.uk/sustainability- and follow the link to the Green Partnership Awards or call partnership and follow the link to 01772 531257. ‘Sustainability Partnership Events’.
The Incredible Edibles Awards THe Sustainability Partnership of Lancaster District recently held the fantastically successful incredible edibles Awards. Around 150 people visited the Off the Ground Allotment site in Lancaster to peruse local stalls and view the best food growing projects in Lancaster district over 9 competitive categories. The prize giving ceremony was enjoyed by all – winners included: •
Secondary Schools, HE & FE Institutions Carnforth High School
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Nurseries & Primary Schools Ryelands Primary School
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Whole Allotment Site Shrewsbury Drive Allotments
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Community Project Skerton Community Centre
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Container Growing Bleasdale House
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Private Garden John Macbeth
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Individual Allotment Plot Chrissy Bailey, Ambleside Road Allotments Congratulations to those who took part! 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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Green Flags THRee of Morecambe’s parks and open spaces have received Green Flags, which reward standards of excellence in public green spaces. Torrisholme Cemetery receives the award for the 4th year running whilst Morecambe Cemetery together with Morecambe Parish Church wins the award for the second year in a row. Happy Mount Park has also received a Green Flag in recognition that it is well-maintained and well-managed, with excellent facilities.
All three of the venues could not have achieved the accolades without the help of the local community. Volunteer groups have worked with the city council to put into place new initiatives and projects that would not otherwise have been possible. if you’d like to learn more about how to get involved and volunteer within the community email suggestions@lancaster.gov.uk or contact Jennifer Milligan, Town Hall, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PJ.
Face-to-Face Fundraising in Lancaster City Centre CHARiTY fundraisers are to have new controls over where and when in Lancaster City Centre they can ask people to make donations by direct debit. Lancaster City Council has signed a Site Management Agreement with the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PFRA) to regulate direct debit ‘face-to-face’ fundraising in Lancaster. The agreement restricts fundraisers to two separate sites in the city centre between 9am and 6pm on certain days of the week. Fundraisers will not be permitted in the city on market days.
Severe weather ARE you ready for winter? it might only be October but if this winter is anything like the last two then we can expect it to be a harsh one. The earlier you’re prepared the less likely you are to fall foul of the conditions so make sure by taking a few simple precautions. We’ve set up a page on our website – www.lancaster.gov.uk/severe-weather - with some handy information on clearing your own property of snow and ice, links and tips on how best to prepare for winter. Most importantly, remember to take care when out and about. Dress appropriately for the conditions with sensible footwear and, if you’re driving, allow extra time for your journey. Once winter hits we’ll be keeping our website up to date with information on any service disruptions such as delays to waste and recycling collections, so keep an eye out for the latest information.
Up to five fundraisers will be allowed to operate in the following areas at the following times: • Market Street (Monday and Friday): Penny Street to Market Gate and the Museum to King Street/China Street. Market Square is not included in the area. • Penny Street/Cheapside (Tuesday and Friday): Common Garden Street to James Lane and Church Street to Market Street. Horseshoe Corner is not included in the area. The agreement does not prevent charities from raising much-needed funds – it balances their rights with those of the public and puts into place a form of control over where and when they can and cannot fundraise in the city centre. Anyone who believes fundraisers are breaking the agreement can email licensing@lancaster.gov.uk or telephone 01524 582033. The details will be passed on to the PFRA who will act on the complaint.
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From providing free car parking for late night and Sunday shoppers, Santa’s Grottos, carol concerts and pantos, to offering an unusual array of gifts at many of its outlets, Lancaster City Council has Christmas all wrapped up.
Carols in Ashton Memorial LANCASTeR'S Williamson Park promises to warm you up for Christmas with mulled wine, mince pies and carols when it hosts a programme of festive concerts at the Ashton Memorial from December 12 to 16. All concerts start at 7.30pm. For more information or tickets, please contact Williamson Park tel 01524 33318 or
visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/ williamsonpark
Free parking SHOPPeRs will be able to enjoy free parking at selected times in Lancaster and Morecambe on the run up to Christmas. On Sundays between November 27 and December 18 there will be free parking at all of Lancaster City Council’s pay and display car parks in Lancaster and Morecambe. There will also be free parking for anyone coming into Lancaster to enjoy late night Thursday shopping. On Thursdays from November 24 until December 22 all of the city council's car parks will be free to use after 6pm. evening parking in Morecambe is already free.
Unusual Christmas presents
Festival Market in Morecambe for a bargain or two en route. Step back in time at the Assembly Rooms market where you will find a treasure trove of vintage clothing, antiques and collectables, American comic books, pop memorabilia and café. Here you can also hire period costumes, ideal for those new year fancy dress parties. For those who are planning to get 2012 off to a healthy start, the council’s community pools at Hornby, Carnforth and Heysham and Salt Ayre Sports Centre are also offering presents with a difference with six monthly swim passes and discount swimming books.
Santa’s Grotto FATHeR Christmas will be visiting Morecambe’s Festival Market every Sunday in December. Admission is £2 per child including a gift. For more information telephone the market on 01524 414251.
Christmas at The Platform THeRe are plenty of celebrations to get you into the festive spirit taking place in December at the Platform this year, including:
LANCASTeR City Council’s museums, the Maritime Museum on St George’s Quay, City Museum in Market Square and its visitor information centres (ViCs) at Lancaster and Morecambe have a selection of interesting and unusual Christmas gift ideas.
Tuesday December 13 A Christmas Carol Concert with the St Laurence Singers
Popular items normally sold at the ViCs are also available to buy online. Simply visit www.citycoastcountryside.co.uk for specialist local books, professional art prints, maps, novelties and souvenirs.
Saturday December 17 Morecambe Band Christmas Concert
Don't forget to pop into Lancaster indoor Market and visit the bustling Charter Market (found in the city centre Wednesdays and Saturdays) and
Friday December 16 Morecambe Brass Band Association Christmas Showcase
Tuesday 20, Wednesday 22, Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 Aladdin For more information visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/platform or call the box office on 01524 582803.
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Take the plunge for your district in Lancashire’s Big Swim for 2012
Youth Games THe team representing Lancaster in the international Youth Games have returned with a total of 58 medals (15 gold, 17 silver and 26 bronze).
LOCAL residents are being encouraged to swim for their district on Saturday 8 October 2011 as Lancaster takes part in Lancashire’s Big Swim for 2012.
The games, which were held in Aalborg, Denmark, from 2-7 August, saw more than 50 local youngsters aged between 13 and 15 representing their clubs, schools, town and country at the games. Representatives from most of the local high schools competed in a mix of sports and the arts including athletics, badminton, golf, swimming, table tennis, tennis, music and dance. Young people from the district’s special schools took part for the first time in a multi sport event. They competed against youngsters of a similar age from our twin and friendship towns Almere (Holland), Vaxjo (Sweden), Rendsburg (Germany) and Aalborg (Denmark). in total more than 1,000 young people took part from 30 countries including Russia, the USA and China.
The Olympic themed challenge will see all 14 districts of Lancashire compete to swim 2012 lengths of their local swimming pool.
Holiday activity programme HUNDReDS of children across the district enjoyed a variety of different activities over the summer holidays, thanks to Lancaster City Council. Over 120 different workshops and activities offered children the chance to take part in mountain biking, archery, buggy driving and mountain boarding, among a host of other activities. A programme of holiday activites will be also taking place during the October half term holidays (October 24 – 28). For more information on what’s coming up visit
www.lancaster.gov.uk/ holidayactivities
Prizes will be given for the district that completes the challenge in the fastest time and for the most local residents taking part. This year’s event is in preparation for a similar and larger competition taking place during the London 2012 Olympic Games next year. The Lancaster district event will take place in Salt Ayre Sports Centre between 1pm and 4pm on Saturday 8 October and Lancaster City Council is looking for local people to join in the challenge. Local groups and clubs can also take part in the challenge and sign up to do a number of lengths as a team. Working together, it is hoped that the Lancaster district will be successful in winning a prize at this exciting county-wide challenge. if you would like to take part as an individual or as a team in Lancashire’s Big Swim for 2012, please visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/bigswim and leave your details or call Stuart Glover on 01524 582854. A full running order and further instructions will be sent nearer the event. Lancashire’s Big Swim is being organised locally by Lancaster City Council and the county event is co-ordinated by the Lancashire 2012 Sport Network. The aim of the event is to increase participation in swimming across Lancashire whilst helping to raise the profile of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
useful contact numbers
Main contact details for key local services in the district
Lancaster City Council
Emergency services
Customer Services: 01524 582000
Lancashire Police
Domestic Waste and Street Cleaning: 01524 582491
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
Homelessness 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 County Council LCC General Enquiries/Switchboard: 0845 053 0000 Social Care: 0845 053 0009
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.
Highways: 0845 053 0011 Registrars: 0845 053 0021
Health
Welfare Rights: 0845 053 0013 Website: www.lancashire.gov.uk Email: enquiries@lancashire.gov.uk
NHS Direct: 0845 46 47 or www.nhs.uk Stop smoking service: 01524 845145 Drug and alcohol service: 01524 834210
Education White Cross Education Centre
To access a dentist: 01253 306378 To find your nearest pharmacy: text ‘pharmacy’ to 64746
Telephone: 01524 60141 Email: adcollege.info@lancashire.gov.uk
Voluntary sector
Website: www.lancashire.gov.uk
Help Direct
Lancaster and Morecambe College
Telephone: 0303 333 1111
Telephone: 01524 66215
Email: askus@loc.helpdirectlancs.org.uk
Website: www.lmc.ac.uk
Website: www.helpdirect.org.uk
Lancaster District CVS
Lancaster University
Telephone: 01524 555900
Telephone: 01524 65201
Email: mail@lancastercvs.org.uk
Website: www.lancs.ac.uk
Website: www.lancastercvs.org.uk
University of Cumbria (Lancaster campus) Telephone: 01524 384384 Website: www.cumbria.ac.uk
Published by Lancaster City Council.