LANCASTER
CITY COUNCIL
Your District Council
Promoting City, Coast & Countryside
Matters Lancaster City Council’s Community Magazine
Issue 34 • Spring/Summer 2017
Salt Ayre reaches new heights
Inside Win family passes to Salt Ayre and Williamson Park What’s on at the Platform Regenerating our district Appiness is a click away
@lancastercc facebook.com/lancastercc
www.lancaster.gov.uk
2|
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2017
All new Salt Ayre takes shape Europe’s first ever Flight Tower, named ‘Gravity’, has opened at Salt Ayre Leisure Centre as part of a £5million revamp. Gravity is a multi-level outdoor tower and new epic adventure installation, from which thrill seekers can test their nerve and leap from the 19.5 metre apex ‘The Drop’, as well as testing the other ways of descent – leap of faith, zip-line or free fall. It’s the latest piece of the jigsaw in the redevelopment of Salt Ayre, which aims to invest and improve facilities at the centre to make it a ‘community hub’, providing accessible sport and leisure facilities.
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2017
|3
January saw the opening of a new fitness suite with 100 stations and a new immersive cycle studio.
Competition
That’s in addition to the Energy indoor play area, Refuel café and XHeight indoor climbing facility which opened last year and have already proved extremely popular.
We have a family activity package (worth over £100) to give away to one lucky reader.
Spread over three floors, the extensive soft play area features slides and obstacles to roll, jump around, swing and explore. Also on offer is the brand new climbing facility featuring 18 different climbing panels with different levels of difficulty, offering a fun and challenging experience for children and adults from five and up.
Prize includes:
✓ Family pass to XHeight indoor climbing ✓ Family pass to Gravity outdoor flight tower ✓ Family swim pass (Family pass admits 2 adults and 2 children, sessions for XHeight and Gravity must be pre-booked. Swim voucher valid during public swim times only. See www.lancaster. gov.uk/saltayre for details of age and other restrictions).
To be in with a chance of winning simply answer the following question: What is the name of the new Flight Tower at Salt Ayre Leisure Centre? Subsequent phases of the project will see the development of a Community Wellbeing Centre, outdoor training area and spa facilities. In addition to providing better facilities the development will increase income for the centre. For more information visit www.lancaster. gov.uk/saltayre or www.facebook.com/ saltayreleisurecentre.
Send your answers by email to communications@lancaster.gov.uk or write to Salt Ayre competition, Communications, Lancaster City Council, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PJ. The deadline for entries is Friday April 28 2017.
4|
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2017
Paving the way to a better Morecambe The new Bay Gateway has opened up a wealth of opportunities for Morecambe. The Morecambe Area Action Plan is the blueprint for what needs to be done to take full advantage and this year will see further progress to improving the town centre. The city and county councils are working to upgrade the centre’s main streets and in turn businesses are being encouraged to improve their own facilities, with the outcome being an improved shopping experience that tempts more people to visit the town centre. The latest phase of improvement works, currently under way, will lift the tired appearance of the pedestrianised section of Euston Road and New Town Square and extend improvements along Victoria Street. As well as new surfacing, new benches and lighting will be installed. These improvements will complement the earlier ‘Connecting Eric’ project to remodel the central seafront between ‘Eric’ and the Clock Tower. This work included the new play area on the promenade and more seating in the area adjacent to the Eric statue which is being installed this spring. The ‘Connecting Victoria Street’ project also saw successful improvements being made with the creation of ‘Royalty Place’ between Barclays and the Post Office, and the installation of a new zebra crossing to make it easier for people to move between the seafront and the town centre. The changes have been designed to create much more of a sense of place, to slow traffic, and create a safer and more pleasant environment for pedestrians and trading. New pedestrian wayfinding signs being installed in the town centre this spring will further help to tie all these spaces together to encourage people to explore more of the town. In total these projects represent approaching £1.5m of investment in improving the town centre from both the city and county councils, together with contributions from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Morecambe Town Council.
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2017
|5
Lancaster wins garden village bid Lancaster has been chosen as one of the first in a new wave of ‘garden villages’ to be backed by the Government. The city has been successful in its bid to develop proposals for the Bailrigg Garden Village which will see the development of 3,500 new homes, new employment opportunities and support continuing investment in Lancaster University. At the heart of the garden village concept is the creation of a new settlement with its own distinct character. The garden village will emphasise high quality design, communal facilities and well-maintained community green spaces to bring people together and encourage a true community spirit. Garden villages are designed to have their own distinct character, a sense of being a separate place, and sustainable travel connections through public transport, cycling and walking. Lancaster City Council will now receive tailored government support to help design and deliver the proposals. The next stage is for the council to work with local communities, land owners and developers to shape the proposal and design the infrastructure needed to make it work. A key part of the plans will include reconfiguring junction 33 of the M6 so traffic doesn’t have to pass through Galgate to access the motorway. It is anticipated that funding to redesign and help pay for the new junction will be made available separately through the Lancashire Growth Deal. This has seen the government allocate £69 million for investment in the county. The garden village is a key component in the Local Plan, which will guide development in the Lancaster district for at least the next 15 years, and significantly contribute towards the district’s need for housing whilst supporting the achievement of its economic potential. At the time of going to press a consultation was taking place on the Local Plan and all the feedback the council receives will be used to finalise proposals, with a view to adopting the final document in 2018. For more information visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/localplan.
6|
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2017
Vintage year for Morecambe festival Morecambe’s annual Vintage by the Sea festival has picked up gold in the Lancashire Tourism Awards. The annual event, which returned to Morecambe last September for a fourth year, picked up the award for best large tourism event. The award crowns another successful festival that saw 30,000 visiting the weekend fiesta. With a special focus on the British seaside, the festival brought vibrancy and creativity to Morecambe’s Promenade with vintage music, fashion, vehicles, and entertainment. DJs playing vintage classics, street food traders in eye catching vintage vehicles, street performers and free family entertainment helped to create a nostalgic atmosphere. Hemingway Design, led by Morecambe-born Wayne Hemingway MBE, will continue their collaboration with Morecambe based practice Deco Publique and main funders Lancaster City Council and Morecambe Town Council for this year’s festival, which takes place on the weekend of September 2 and 3. Also returning this year is Light up Lancaster, taking place on November 3 and 4. Brought to you by Lancaster Arts City, Lancaster City Council and Lancaster BID, the festival welcomes local, national and international artists for a magical city-wide experience and illuminating art trail. It’s all topped off by an amazing fireworks display.
Lighting up the Ashton Memorial The eagle eyed amongst you might have noticed something different about the Ashton Memorial over the last 18 months. It’s increasingly being used to promote fundraising by a range of local and national charities by being illuminated in a rainbow of colours. Colours have included green for The Samaritans, purple for Pancreatic Cancer awareness, orange for World Sepsis Day and gold to show support for children suffering from cancer.
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2017
|7
Appiness is just a click away A new mobile app and free Wi-Fi access hotspots are making it easier than ever before to get the information you want about the Lancaster district on the move and at your fingertips. Jointly developed by Lancaster City Council and Lancaster University, the iLancaster City, Coast & Countryside app delivers a wide range of interactive services, local information, events listings and alerts direct to your mobile device – and even helps you find a new pet via its ‘Adopt an Animal’ feature. You can even watch the meerkats at Williamson Park via the new Meerkatcam! ✓ As a resident, you can access your bin collection calendar and set alerts so that you never miss a collection. ✓ On the move you can find live bus and train times or find your nearest car park and get alerts before your parking time is up. ✓ A comprehensive events scheduler tells you what’s on and where, and alerts you when it’s time to go. ✓ For visitors, there are guides to historic Lancaster’s cultural gems and Morecambe’s stunning bay. To get the City, Coast & Countryside app visit m.lancaster.ac.uk/ccc and download it to your Apple or Android device. There’s also a web version (no download required) so you can browse it from your home PC. In partnership with the university we are also providing free Wi-Fi access hotspots at three key visitor locations: Morecambe visitor information centre, Lancaster bus station and Williamson Park.
For more on our meerkat friends and new developments at Williamson Park, see page 17.
8|
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2017
Housing revamp success A flagship regeneration housing project in Morecambe’s West End has been successfully completed. West End One (formerly known as Chatsworth Gardens) has transformed former guesthouses into a range of family homes around a landscaped courtyard containing 47 units in a mix of townhouse and apartment styles. The majority of the development is fully let with residents taking advantage of the opportunity of the improved choice in private renting through spacious, energy efficient homes. Following this success, PlaceFirst has drawn up plans for West End Two on an adjacent site between Chatsworth Road and Balmoral Road. The scheme will see 21 derelict buildings remodelled and refurbished externally and internally to provide up to 45 new family homes. Proposals for the refurbishment project will be considered by the council’s planning committee later this year.
Cash boost for regeneration Lancaster City Council has been successful in its bid to form a Coastal Community Team, joining 118 existing teams from across the country. Backed by £10,000 in Government cash, ‘Coastal Community Teams’ are charged with drawing up economic plans to create jobs. Each team – made up of local volunteers, councils and local businesses – will also be offered support from a network geared towards regenerating seaside areas. As well as the city council, the ‘Promenade to Port’ Coastal Community Team will include representatives from the Morecambe Business Improvement District, North Lancashire Chamber, West End Millions, Morecambe Town Council, Heysham Neighbourhood Council, Lancashire County Council and Marketing Lancashire. Morecambe Bay Partnership has also been successful in its bid to create a Coastal Community Team for other coastal areas of the Lancaster district.
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2017
|9
You can sea the difference on Morecambe prom Work on the first phase of a multi-million pound project to replace Morecambe’s wave reflection wall is set to be completed this spring. The first phase has seen the replacement of 1,800 metres of the wall on Marine Road East between Lord Street and Happy Mount Park. As well as providing a high level of flood protection to properties along the coast, the works have seen the installation of three distinctive ‘up and overs’. These access features, consisting of ramps and steps up to a platform, allow even better views across the bay and promenade access even when storm boards have been installed at other entrance points. The wall itself includes the incorporation of nearby street names and patterns inspired by the area. New surfacing, seating and lighting also feature as part of the project. The old playground opposite Lord Street has been used as part of the base for the construction offices and materials compound during the works, but is due to be replaced. Subsequent phases will focus on the Marine Road West area from the Midland Hotel to the Battery and the Sandylands Promenade area. In total the work is expected to last until 2021. The new wall will significantly reduce the risk of flooding to large parts of Morecambe. The wall will withstand predicted high tides and storms for generations to come, whilst reflecting the aspirations of the town and the beauty of Morecambe Bay. The project has been funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Environment Agency and Lancaster City Council. For more details visit the project website www.lancaster.gov.uk/wave-reflection-wall.
10 |
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2017
New season Platform brochure out now A host of famous musicians, comedians, international acts and national treasures are taking to the stage at the Platform this spring and summer. Well-known faces appearing at the Morecambe venue include TV talent competition winners The Sons of Pitches, chart toppers Showaddywaddy, Andy Fairweather Low, Joe Longthorne and Raymond Froggatt. They combine with old favourites making a welcome return to the venue, including the Swing Commanders, the ever-popular Steam Punks, Morecambe Band, howdenjones and the Promenade Concert orchestra, to set up a programme that’s sure to have something for everyone. Celebrate some of music’s most loved treasures with tributes to Burt Bacharach, Simon and Garfunkel, Vera Lynn, Abba, the Rolling Stones and T. Rex. Children are also catered for during the school holidays with Blunderbus Theatre performing The Sorcerer’s Apprentice in April and Dogs don’t do Ballet in August. In April the venue will play host to the Morecambe Cosplay & Comic-Con, a fantastic fun-filled day out for the whole family, with the chance to meet Dr Who’s Colin Baker, Red Dwarf’s Hattie Hayridge and Star Wars’ Paul Blake. Steve Middlesbrough’s popular events are also back, with Club Tropicana, Disco Inferno, 90’s Sorted and Juke Box Jive. More details about these acts and more are available in the spring/summer edition of The Platform brochure. Download online at www.lancaster.gov.uk/platform. Brochures are also available to collect at the Visitor Information Centres in Morecambe and Lancaster.
@theplatformlcc /Morecambeplatform MUSIC | COMEDY | DANCE | THEATRE | CABARET CHILDREN’S SHOWS | COMMUNITY EVENTS
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2017
WHAT’S ON at the Platform April
May
2: PCO Music from the Palm Court 3pm, £15/£13/£7.
5: Martin Simpson 8pm, £14.
4: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice 2pm, £7/£25 family (2+2).
11: Derek Ryan in concert £21, 7.30pm.
7: Swing Commanders 8pm, £13/ £12. 14: Morecambe Band Easter Concert 7.30pm, £12/£10/£6.
19: Simon and Garfunkel Story 7.30pm, £19.50.
15: Comedy Night 8pm, £10.
21: PCO ‘Music For You’ 10th anniversary concert 3pm, £15/£13/£7.
21: Chris Barber Big Band 7.30pm, £18.50. 22: T-Rextasy 8pm, £19.50.
26: Monster Ceilidh Band 7.30pm, £12.50. 31: Dominic Kirwan and Lisa Stanley 7.30pm, £22.
3&4: A Splendid Day Out 11am to 4pm, £3 on the door.
28: Connie Lush and The Stumble 7.30pm, £15.
9: howdenjones 8pm, £12.50/£11.
30: Disco Inferno 8pm to 1am, £10.
15: Sons of Pitches 7.30pm, £20.
21&22: Rock Back The Clock 7.30pm, £18 per night/ £32 weekend. 28: The Marley Experience 8pm, £15. 29: Rose Marie 7.30pm, £16.50
August 4: Hackney Colliery Band 7.30pm, £17.50.
June
23: Sincerely yours – the Vera Lynn Story 2pm, £12/£10.
29: Stamp Fair 10am-3pm, free entry.
July
12: The Stones 7.30pm, £17.50.
8: Sheelanagig 8pm, £12.50.
17: Morecambe Cosplay and Comic-Con 10am-4pm, £3-£5.
Details correct at time of going to press. Please check with the venue before making a special journey.
6: Showaddywaddy 7.30pm, £20.
13: King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys 7.30pm, £14.
16: 80s Club Tropicana 8pm, £10.
| 11
10: Bon Jovi Experience 8pm, £15.
5: Rebecca Downes 8pm, £12.50.
16: Andy Fairweather Low and the Low Riders 7.30pm, £20.
8: Dogs don’t do Ballet 2pm, £7/£25 family (2+2).
17: Syd Lawrence Orchestra 7.30pm, £19.
11: Joe Longthorne 7.30pm, £22.
23: Raymond Froggatt 7.30pm, £15. 24: Just like that! The Tommy Cooper Show 7.30pm, £14-£12.
19: EDF Science Day 10am, free. 19: 90s Sorted 8pm-1am, £10. 25: Back to Bacharach 7.30pm, £21. 27: 1950s Juke Box Jive, £10.
Tickets available online at: www.lancaster.gov.uk/platform or call the box office on: 01524 582803
12 |
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2017
Council tax set to rise Lancaster City Council will increase its portion of Council Tax by around 10p a week to help to protect services in the short term. From April 2017 households in a Band D property will pay an additional £5 a year to the city council. As 80% of the district's homes are in the lowest bands (A to C) the actual increase will be even lower than 10p a week for the majority of households. While as the billing authority Lancaster City Council collects Council Tax, it only receives around 13% of the total bill to spend on its services. Excluding parishes, of the remaining bill, the majority goes to Lancashire County Council (73%), with precepts from Lancashire Police Authority (10%) and Lancashire Combined Fire Authority (4%) making up the rest.
73%
13%
10%
4%
Lancashire County Council
Lancaster City Council
Lancashire Police Authority
Lancashire Combined Fire Authority
While the council tax increase will help the council balance its budget for the next financial year, the long term outlook for the council looks ominous.
By 2020/21 an additional
One piece of good news, however, is the potential creation of a
each year to balance the books following further Government cuts.
reserve to help boost the local economy and take advantage of opportunities presented by the opening of the Bay Gateway.
£2.7million £500,000 will need to be saved From April a series of major reviews will look at how the council can work more efficiently and prioritise which services it wants to provide.
This money, if confirmed at annual budget council, will be used to help boost the economic growth, promote inward investment and encourage more businesses to relocate to the district.
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2017
| 13
Are you registered to vote? On Thursday May 4 voters will go to the polls to elect new county councillors to represent them until 2020. But if you’re not registered to vote you won’t be able to have your say and elect someone to represent your views. Lancashire County Council receives the majority of the Council Tax you pay (73%) and is responsible for vital services such as roads, schools, social care, trading standards and much more. Every year county councillors make decisions that see hundreds of millions of pounds being spent on services that affect every community. But if you’re not registered then you won’t be able to vote in this important election and contrary to popular belief, you won’t be automatically registered even if you pay Council Tax. Checking you’re registered is particularly important for anyone who has recently moved home – if you’ve not registered at your new address then you risk falling off the electoral register. The electoral register is also used by credit reference agencies to determine whether people are eligible for credit or a loan. Many people discover they are not on the electoral register when they have been declined an application for a mobile phone or opening a bank account, so it’s vitally important that you take the time to register.
Registration is easy and will just take a few minutes by visiting
www.gov.uk/register-to-vote If you don’t have access to the internet please call the elections helpline on 01524 582905 to have a registration form posted out to you or to register over the phone. You will need your National Insurance number.
14 |
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2017
Subscribe this spring Spring is here and the garden is starting to grow so why not avoid a trip to the tip and let Lancaster City Council take care of your garden waste. In January 2017 the collection of garden waste service became an opt-in subscription only service. Subscribing to the scheme costs £30 per bin (£37.50 per bin from 1st April 2017) for collections until 31st March 2018 (terms and conditions apply). This easy to use, reliable service, is already proving popular with more than 17,500 households already subscribed. It’s easy to register with a credit/debit card - just go online at www.lancaster.gov.uk/garden-waste. Once registered you will receive an information pack in the post with a sticker to place on your bin. The service is opt-in – you don’t have to subscribe and can dispose of your garden waste by home composting or using the Household Waste Recycling Centres at Salt Ayre in Lancaster and Keer Bridge in Carnforth. This subscription charge has had to be introduced due to the reduction in funding from Lancashire County Council towards the recycling service and reductions from central government. • The charge is per green garden bin and there is no limit to the number of garden bins you can subscribe to • You need to register before 31 March 2017 to receive the discounted rate of £30 per bin gC
,
• Subscriptions from 01 April 2017 will be £37.50 per bin • Collections will continue to be fortnightly and shown on your collection calendar, a copy of which can be found at www.lancaster.gov.uk/bins • Collections will be suspended between December 2017 and January 2018 (check your calendar) • This is an opt-in service - you only need to subscribe if you want to use the service.
Details of the subscription service, including how to subscribe, frequently asked questions and terms and conditions can be found at www.lancaster.gov.uk/garden-waste.
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2017
| 15
Who’s taking your waste away? Did you know that householders can be fined up to £5,000 if their bulky household waste has been flytipped by an illegitimate waste removal service? An increasing number of flytipped materials are being traced back to unsuspecting householders who have paid ‘a man with a van’ in good faith to have their bulky household items removed. All householders have a duty of care to ensure that any waste that is handed to another person (who is licensed to carry waste) is deposited on a licensed site rather than flytipped. If you’re looking for a waste removal service, you should ensure that the person taking the waste is licensed to do so. They should have a number and permit from the Environment Agency and if you can also check their credentials beforehand at www.lancaster.gov.uk/waste-carriers. You should also make sure that any waste carriers provide you with a transfer note stating the Environment Agency permit number, the person who took the waste, what the waste is and where it is going. As an extra precaution, householders might also want to keep details of the vehicle, name of company or person and a telephone number. If the waste is found fly tipped and evidence shows that is has come from a householder, that householder could be prosecuted for duty of care and possibly the flytipping if insufficient checks have been made. If the waste is fly tipped and traced back to the owner, it could mean that the householder not only pays for the cost of having their waste removed but also the cost of a fine plus any removal costs incurred by the council.
16 |
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2017
Make a splash in Happy Mount Park this summer Children will be having a splashing great time in Morecambe’s Happy Mount Park this summer. The popular Splash Park, with its aqua arch, water fences, interactive water jets, sprays and cannons, will re-open on 1st May. A new admissions policy has been introduced for 2017 as a result of visitor feedback and sees the introduction of a £1 charge per person for a two hour session. Sessions can be booked in advance and users will be provided with a coloured wristband after booking at the park kiosk. The charge is intended to help ensure families can book a session in advance on the day of their visit, manage potential issues of overcrowding and reduce any issues with queuing at the start of sessions. Many visitors have advocated a small charge and its introduction will help to give as many people as possible the opportunity to enjoy the facility. While people are waiting for the next set of admissions there are plenty of other free attractions on offer in the park including a play area for young children and an adventure play area for older ones. With shady woodland areas for quieter moments, sunny spots with beautiful flower beds and plenty of spaces for picnics, there is something for everyone. Happy Mount Park is open year round, but the Splash Park will close for the season on 3rd September. For more information about Happy Mount Park, visit the web page at www.lancaster.gov.uk/happymountpark or www.facebook.com/happymountpark.
Brass band concerts return The popular series of brass band concerts in Happy Mount Park return on 7th May and runs through until 27th August. Starting at 2.30pm, the concerts are the perfect way to while away a sunny Sunday afternoon. Bands making up this year’s line-up include the ever popular Morecambe Band, Blackpool Brass, Kendal Concert Band and Burneside Brass.
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2017
| 17
Award for Williamson Park Lancaster City Council has been highly commended in the latest Lancaster District Design Awards for landscape improvement works carried out around the steps of the Ashton Memorial. The awards are presented bi-annually by Chamber North Lancashire and give recognition to schemes, both public and private, whose external design and appearance add to the attractiveness of the Lancaster district. The judges were impressed with the sensitive way landscape improvements were made, with the removal of a large area of diseased rhododendron either side of the main steps of the Ashton Memorial. Yew trees which line the sides of the steps were then replanted in line with the original planting scheme of 1907, when the Memorial opened. The works were all part of a plan of continual improvements to the park. The latest in the programme has seen work taking place on the Ashton Memorial to repair the inner dome and then to protect and restore its original artwork. The park’s Butterfly House has also been completely revamped internally and externally, including repainting and restoring the wooden window frames. Just in time for Easter the park will welcome some baby bunnies and an enclosure is currently built ready for some brand new furry friends – check out the Facebook page for details! For more information on Williamson Park visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/williamsonpark or follow us at www.facebook.com/ williamsonpark.
Competition We have a Wild Card allowing unlimited entry for 12 months for a family of four to the Butterfly House to give away to one lucky reader. To be in with a chance of winning simply answer the following question: In what year was the Ashton Memorial opened? Send your answers by email to communications@lancaster.gov.uk or write to Williamson Park competition, Communications, Lancaster City Council, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PJ. The deadline for entries is Friday April 28 2017.
18 |
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2017
Tasty treats on offer at the Printroom The latest entrant to Lancaster’s growing reputation as a hub of coffee culture has opened at The Storey. Open Monday to Saturday, the Printroom offers delicious food and excellent coffee to share with good company. The menu changes regularly, honouring the best in local produce and independent suppliers where possible, with a selection of homemade soups, sandwiches, salads and breakfast options. That means there’s always something new to try and recent delicious offerings have included homemade granola bars, roast pumpkin soup, sourdough topped with handmade guacamole and chicken, homemade brownies and tasty sausage rolls. All that’s served alongside an accompanying hot drink by Atkinson's of Lancaster. For those looking for somewhere to have an after work social drink there’s also a fantastic range of craft beers and wines. The Printroom also caters for events taking place in The Storey including business meetings, office parties, weddings, birthday parties and much more. For more information visit www.thestorey.co.uk.
Reader offerom’s
ro Sign up for the Print ab gr d an t lis mailing uit yourself a free bisc or cake. cebook. Simply visit www.fa enter , com/printroomcafe the in s es your email addr ’ll we d an b ta newsletter use to r he uc vo a u email yo s rm Te on your next visit. . ply ap and conditions
What’s the Storey? Did you know that as well as being the home to multiple award winning creative businesses, The Storey accommodates both public and private bookings? Whether it be a social or business event, your every need can be catered for. Facilities include The Music Room, Lecture Theatre, an Auditorium and various meeting rooms, each of which are available at reasonable rates. For more information on the facilities available visit www.thestorey.co.uk.
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2017
| 19
Tributes paid to champion rat catcher Lancaster City Council has paid a fond farewell to a faithful member of staff who served the community for over 18 years. Dillon, our pest control team’s chief rat catcher, has passed away at the age of 19. Dillon was picked up as a stray by the council dog wardens when he was around 7 months old and was soon adopted by Lancaster City Council Pest Control Supervisor, Ron Haygarth. When Dillon was 12 months old Ron judged that he was ready to start earning his keep and he was put to work as a ratcatcher, soon demonstrating his skill by catching and killing his first rat. Sporting his LCC ‘City Ratcatcher’ ID badge, Dillon quickly became an essential member of the council pest control team and destroyed well over 150 rats over the years. His prowess was rewarded when he became mascot for County College at Lancaster University, where he was presented with a made-to-measure mortarboard. He was also made a life member of the Transport & General Workers Union and given his own union card. Dillon was at his happiest when flushing out rats on farms but could turn his paw to any job. One of the highlights of his career was rescuing four employees in a Lancaster building society who had barricaded themselves in to escape a rat running round the premises. On another occasion an elderly lady was so pleased at Dillon catching a rat from behind her fridge that she gave him the piece of prime steak she’d got in for her dinner! In Dillon’s busy career he never once got bitten by a rat – Ron obviously trained him well. Dillon was loved by everyone who met him and will be truly missed.
20 |
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2017
Apprentices get hired The latest intake of apprentices at Lancaster City Council have celebrated successfully completing their studies. Jak Lambert, Matthew Clegg, Sarah Jones and Lydia Brookbanks (pictured right, with three of the council’s new apprentices) have just come to the end of their 12 month apprenticeships and are now ready to take up permanent jobs with the city council. They were given a special reception to celebrate their achievements, with friends and family invited to mark the occasion. Since 2013 the city council has seen 24 apprentices successfully complete their studies. Sarah Jones, Apprentice Dog Warden, said:
“My apprenticeship with Lancaster City Council has provided me with invaluable skills and experiences. It has enabled me to progress into my desired profession with faultless support and guidance every step of the way. It has allowed me to grow and develop in both a professional and personal capacity.” Her manager, Mark Woodhead, added:
“Having Sarah join us immediately benefitted all members of the team as her enthusiasm for the job was infectious and there for all to see. We’ve seen her go from strength to strength, building knowledge and confidence throughout her apprenticeship. We have received nothing but praise for her, from our customer feedback surveys. I wouldn’t have any hesitation in taking another apprenticeship, the whole experience has been really positive and informative for all involved in the process.” Apprenticeships provide on the job learning and development allowing successful applicants to work and receive on the job training, whilst achieving a nationally recognised qualification.
Anyone who is interested in applying for a future apprenticeship vacancy with Lancaster City Council should visit the job vacancies page at www.lancaster.gov.uk/jobs where apprenticeships are advertised as they become available.
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2017
| 21
Cracking down on anti-social behaviour New powers have been brought in to help curb anti-social behaviour in Lancaster.
A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) now covers the city centre and provides police with powers to stop people drinking and to confiscate alcohol. It replaces the Designated Public Place Order (DPPO) - more commonly known as the nodrinking zone - that covered the city centre and was due to expire later this year. As well as restricting the drinking of alcohol in the city centre, the new PSPO includes additional powers for the police to crackdown on antisocial behaviour. These have been included due to an increase in anti-social behaviour in recent years in some hotspots in the city centre. A task group recently set up by Lancaster City Council to discuss the late night economy heard there was broad support for a PSPO and additional powers for the police to help reduce anti-social behaviour. A fixed penalty notice of ÂŁ100 can be issued for anyone in breach of the Public Spaces Protection Order, which can be reduced to ÂŁ65 if paid within 10 days. Non-payment could lead to prosecution at court.
22 |
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2017
Communities plan for emergencies Following the flooding and blackouts caused by Storms Desmond and Eva in 2015, a number of local communities have been planning what they will do if there are similar problems in the future. Several have made successful bids to the Community Foundation for Lancashire for funding to ensure they are better prepared in the event of future flooding or other emergency. These grants will help to make improvements to community halls, which will play a vital role in an emergency, and buy equipment such as radios, generators and high visibility clothing. Working with Lancaster City Council through the Community Emergency Plan scheme, emergency plans are also being prepared and show how the community will work together in the event of an emergency. Community groups and parish councils have a vital role to play in the event of an emergency. They are at the very heart of the community and a church or village hall can act as a focal point for help, advice and shelter. The equipment they have been able to buy with the funds from the Community Foundation for Lancashire, along with the work they are doing with the city council to prepare their emergency plans, will be vital if similar problems occur in the future. Any community groups that would like to be involved in producing their own emergency plan should contact Mark Bartlett, Civil Contingencies Officer, at mbartlett@lancaster.gov.uk or 01524 582680.
More information on what you can do to plan ahead to protect your own household in the event of an emergency is also available at www.lancaster.gov.uk/emergency.
Your District Council Matters Spring/Summer 2017
Help is close at hand Are you elderly and less agile than you used to be or suffer with long-term health needs but wish to maintain an independent life in your own home? If you are, you could benefit from the Progress Lifeline, which offers remote monitoring in your home and emergency personal assistance when you need it to help to make your life easier, safer and more comfortable. The service works via an easy-to-use personal alarm that you can use to call for assistance or gain reassurance at any time of the day or night. The control centre in Leyland has highly trained and dedicated operators on hand 24/7, 365 days a year to ensure you receive the appropriate help. A 24/7 Home Response service is also provided, to support those who may not have family or friends living close by. Home Responders are trained in assistive lifting so if you fall and are uninjured they can get you back on your feet without involving the emergency services. Telephone 03333 204999 or email lifeline@progressgroup.org.uk for further information, or to arrange for a free, no obligation home demonstration.
| 23
Lancaster City Council seeks topics for discussion Lancaster City Council is inviting residents to submit their ideas on which local issues should be considered by its Overview and Scrutiny Committee this year. Whether it’s a problem with a local park, a council service or an issue you feel the council should lead on and help to improve, the committee wants to hear from you. All suggestions will be considered and those which would benefit from further investigation may lead to a task group being formed to focus on the issue and determine the best way forward. If you have a particular issue that you wish to be examined in this way, please send it to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, c/o Democratic Services, Town Hall, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PJ, by email to scrutiny@lancaster.gov.uk or telephone 01524 582065. All our meetings are open to the public and normally held at Morecambe Town Hall. For further information on the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee, visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/scrutiny.
How to contact us Did you know that information on all the services provided by the council can be found online at www.lancaster.gov.uk
Below is an at-a-glance guide to our most frequently used telephone numbers. Customer Services
01524 582000
You can make payments, report issues and make applications for a number of council services using our website too.
Domestic Waste and Street Cleaning
You can also email us with your comments and queries at customerservices@lancaster.gov.uk.
Council Tax
However, if you don’t have access to the internet or need to speak to one of our advisers you can contact us: ✓ In person at Lancaster and Morecambe Town Halls (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday). ✓ By telephone: 9am to 5pm weekdays (10am to 5pm on Wednesdays). Please note that our customer service centres are closed on all bank holidays.
Location, Location, Location At the touch of a button, and at any time of day or night, you can find out when your bins are collected, when your street is cleaned, where you can recycle things, where the nearest public toilet is, and much more. Just visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/mylocation and enter your address. Our My Location service covers every address in the district and gives you 24/7 access to a wide range of location-based information.
01524 582491 01524 582900 Elections
01524 582905 Residents Parking
01524 582972 Housing Standards and Homelessness
01524 582257 Ideal Choice Homes
01524 582005 Council Housing
01524 582929 Tell Us Once
01524 582000 Out-of-hours Emergencies
01524 67099 Markets
01524 414251
Preston City Council Design & Print Centre - LCC027