Wyre Council’s community newsletter
VOICE
A message from Councillor Michael Vincent, Leader of Wyre Council
“Welcome to Wyre Voice 2025, inside you’ll find details of the successes we have achieved this past year and learn more about some of the projects we are working on. We hope it helps you learn more about where you live and what our priorities are looking ahead to a prosperous year and beyond.
Over the past year, I am proud to say that Wyre Council has made significant progress towards our shared Council Plan vision of making Wyre “a place where everyone can prosper.” We have made tangible strides in delivering on our key priorities, and I am thrilled with the achievements we have seen so far.
Our successful Local Government Association Corporate Peer Challenge last year reinforced our strong financial stewardship and commitment to delivering value-for-money services while charging one of the lowest council taxes in Lancashire. As we move forward, our refreshed Council Plan will build on this solid foundation. We will continue to support
vulnerable residents, support local businesses and work to create a thriving, sustainable and welcoming community for everyone in Wyre.
To support our residents in leading happier, healthier and safer lives, we launched the Wyre Moving More strategy in partnership with local organisations, helped to fund an innovative Active Wellness Suite in Thornton and established a vital befriending service in collaboration with Lancashire County Council adult social care service. Additionally, we have distributed over £2.65 million in Household Support Funding over the past few years to help our most vulnerable residents. The UK Shared Prosperity
Fund (UKSPF) has been carefully investing in projects that are revitalising our town centres and boosting our local economy. Furthermore, our Wyre Business Awards attracted more than 100 applications, highlighting the diverse and thriving businesses across the borough.
We’ve transitioned our council vehicles to hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) as a cleaner alternative to diesel and are enhancing local footpaths, beaches, and coastal areas to improve safety and biodiversity and we once again, earned five Green Flag awards, recognising the outstanding quality of our parks, thanks to the hard work of our staff and volunteers.”
Cleveleys bus station mural, funded by UKSPF
Keep in touch Wyre Council, Civic Centre, Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire FY6 7PU mailroom@wyre.gov.uk · www.wyre.gov.uk
Sign up to our e-newsletter at www.wyre.gov.uk/enews or follow us on social media for regular news and updates. @WyreCouncil
Please note this edition of Wyre Voice was printed on 13 February 2025 and everything was correct at the time of going to print. Visit www.wyre.gov.uk for the latest information about Wyre Council and our services.
People and communities
Residents live happier, healthier and safer lives
Support schemes available for residents of Wyre
Household support fund
Since April 2024, we have awarded over £765,000 to our most vulnerable residents, helping those who have been worst affected by the increases in household energy prices and cost of living pressures. We also bid for an additional £10,000 in Autumn, which we shared equally across eight local foodbanks.
Staff who run the Meadows Food Pantry at Christ Church, Thornton said: “Thank you so much for the additional funding which will really help with our foodbank and helping in our community.”
The Government has confirmed there will be another round of the Household Support Fund from April 2025 until March 2026. Please visit our website www.wyre.gov.uk/householdsupport where you can make an application if you are struggling to buy food or to pay for household bills, once the next round goes live.
Cosy Homes in Lancashire
Cosy Homes is a joint initiative across 13 local authorities in Lancashire providing access to cost effective ways to keep your home warm whether you own or privately rent. Visit the website www. chil.uk.com or call 03306 061 488 for more information.
Affordable homes in Wyre
We’ve launched the new Affordable Housing Delivery Programme, pledging £1.4m of developer contributions from housing sites across Wyre to deliver affordable housing in the borough. This exciting initiative breathes new life into empty, disused, or dilapidated properties, ultimately transforming them into safe and energy efficient homes for those in need. Our first home, located in Thornton-Cleveleys, will soon be fully renovated and available for sale as a discount market home!
Sign up to receive alerts about future affordable homes for sale at https://bit.ly/wyrehomes
My Home Choice, an affordable alternative to private home rental
Find out if you are eligible for social housing and check for opportunities to live in one of the many new build affordable homes being built in Wyre. You do not need to be in receipt of benefits and it is an ideal way to reduce living costs as well as providing a secure rental agreement. Homes are advertised on the My Home Choice website.
To read more and to register visit www.myhomechoicefyldecoast.co.uk To learn more about affordable housing in Wyre visit www.wyre.gov.uk/ affordablehomes
Care and Repair
Have you heard of our Care and Repair service, which provides help for homeowners aged over 65 and adults aged over 18 with a disability? Our friendly team can help with repairs, home improvements, maintenance, adaptations and more. Please complete our application form online at www.wyre.gov.uk/careandrepair and one of the team will arrange to visit you in your home. You can also call 01253 887569 for more information.
Community Safety
Wyre Council continues to work closely with a wide range of partners to address key community safety concerns. By tackling key issues such as anti-social behaviour, violence, domestic abuse and substance misuse, we’re working to create safe environments, improve lives, reduce offending and support victims of crime.
Visit www.wyre.gov.uk/ environmental-healthcommunity-safety to find out more and follow our social media to hear about upcoming community safety events.
CCTV upgrade to make Wyre a safer place to work, live and visit
We were delighted to open our newly expanded control room in Autumn, along with the installation of the new digital IP CCTV system. The new state of the art £338,000 CCTV town centre network and control room is helping to create a safer environment for shoppers, business owners and residents, assisting in reducing the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour. The system is helping to prevent crime as well as aiding in the prosecution of offenders. This expansion has increased the monitoring capacity of the unit and significantly improved the work environment for the unit’s volunteers with a newly expanded CCTV control room to monitor 52 cameras across Wyre and Fylde. This vital upgrade has been made possible by £215,825 funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) along with contributions from the Police and Crime Commissioner and Wyre Council.
Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.
An informative new website has been launched to help tackle physical inactivity in the borough and inspire Wyre residents to move more.
The website is a key part of the Wyre Moving More strategy, which aims to strengthen the connections between sport, physical activity and health and wellbeing in Wyre. It is packed full of information about all the ways people can move more in Wyre and why increased physical activity is so important for health and wellbeing.
The Wyre Moving More mission is to inspire more of our community to be more active, more often, creating a culture where physical activity is an enjoyable and integral part of daily life for everyone. Our goal is to help residents lead healthier, happier lives for longer by embracing the many benefits of movement.
Visit the new Wyre Moving More website at www.wyremovingmore.co.uk Wyre Moving More
Active Wellness Suite opens at YMCA
Thornton
We’ve recently expanded our leisure offering in the borough for residents by providing a dedicated suite of innovative, accessible equipment, to ensure that everyone in Wyre, no matter what their age or ability, can enjoy the endless benefits that being active brings.
The Active Wellness Suite features power-assisted equipment that offers a full-body workout with minimal impact on joints and muscles and is ideal for people with long-term health conditions, those rehabilitating from injury and others seeking a more accessible fitness option.
This brand-new suite has been funded by UKSPF from Wyre Council and is a welcome new addition to the terrific facility at YMCA Thornton, supporting the Wyre Moving More strategy and encouraging active and healthy ageing in Wyre.
David and Janet’s inspiring wellness journey
When David and Janet joined the YMCA Fylde Coast’s Active Wellness Suite, they were at very different stages in their lives but facing similar challenges. David was recovering from a full knee replacement in July 2024, determined to regain mobility and return to his beloved hobby of golf. Janet, initially accompanying David to support his recovery, unexpectedly found herself needing the suite as well after breaking her foot in August 2024.
For both David and Janet, the physical improvements have been remarkable. David has reduced his walking-stick usage and has significantly reduced his use of painkillers, while Janet has regained a full range of movement in her foot and ankle.
“Don’t hesitate—give it a try. It’s affordable, quick, and so worth it, it’s a life-changer.” Janet said. “The circuit takes less than an hour, and you leave feeling great. For just £25 a month, the value is incredible.”
For more information and to enquire, visit ymcayactive.org or contact YMCA Thornton on 01253 824108.
Clubs and regular activities in Wyre
We provide a huge range of weekly activities and clubs across the borough, where everyone is welcome! Pick up a new hobby, get more active and meet new people.
• gardening clubs
• beach cleans
• litter picks
• wellbeing walks
• art and crafts
• nature sessions and much more!
Learn more at www.wyre.gov.uk/ regularactivities
Wyre Wheels makes cycling accessible to all
Our programme for anyone who is disabled, has limited mobility or is recovering from injury or illness runs at Memorial Park in Fleetwood, offering the ability to ride adapted bicycles including trikes, side-by-sides, hand bikes, quad and wheelchair bikes.
Join us every Friday between 7 March to 31 October 2025, 10.30am to 1pm. Sessions are £4 each. www.wyre.gov.uk/cycling
Join Slimming World for free
Our successful partnership with Slimming World continues in 2025 with fully funded 12 week programmes available to people who live in Wyre. If you are new to Slimming World and have a BMI of over 30 you could be eligible.
To find out more and sign up go to www.wyre.gov.uk/ weightmanagement
Free Dementia-friendly clubs and activities in Wyre
Many of our regular activities are also suitable for people living with dementia and their families/ carers. We understand how important it is to have opportunities to be active and connect with others and these sessions are a great way to do just that.
Just Reminiscing
Come along to our free, drop in sessions. See our interesting display of old artefacts, objects and scrapbooks from throughout the decades. We love to hear your happy memories of days gone by, please pop in and chat to us.
Fleetwood Market
First Friday of every month, 11am – 1pm
Cleveleys Library
Tuesdays 11 March, 13 May, 8 July, 9 September, 11 November, 10am – 12pm
Art sessions
Come and try your hand at painting and take home your creations. The sessions are led by experienced instructors and are free. No need to book, just turn up.
Card Making
Fleetwood Library every Monday, 10am - 12 noon Poulton Library twice a month, contact library for dates
Fun Arts
Knott End Library every Monday, 1pm - 3pm
Art,
Take Part
Garstang Library every Wednesday, 10am - 12pm
passion volunteeryour...
Learn new skills, make new friends and make a real difference in your community, through our wide range of volunteering positions available. From leading guided walks and joining in with conservation work, to arts and crafts and gardening clubs, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
For more information and to apply, please visit www.wyre.gov.uk/volunteering or call our Volunteer and Community Engagement Officer on 01253 887504.
Short guided walks
We host short guided walks as part of our calendar of guided walks and are open for anyone to come along, including those with dementia accompanied by their families/carers. There’s no need to book, just come along for a relaxed stroll with our friendly walk leaders. Each walk is around 2 miles and is a nice steady pace suitable for all.
Every Monday (except bank holidays) 11am – 12 noon
Cherestanc Square, Garstang
Suitable for Trampers, an all terrain vehicle. Trampers must be booked seven days in advance by emailing greatoutdoors@wyre.gov.uk
Every Thursday at 2pm
Location changes weekly
Setting off from Thornton, Stalmine, Carleton and Great Eccleston on a rolling rota. View full details on our website at www.wyre.gov.uk/ greatoutdoors
Visit www.wyre.gov.uk/greatoutdoors to view our full calendar of 2025 events and activities!
If you run a dementia friendly group and would be interested in taking part in a group guided walk please email greatoutdoors@wyre.gov.uk
Pauline has been volunteering with Wyre Council for over four years and helps to deliver our Wyre Wheels programme.
“It’s social... if you’re on your own and you’re retired, you make new friends and you get a new perspective on life in some of the volunteering that you do.”
We enjoyed our second annual Older Person’s Festive Fayre in December where plenty of our residents joined us for a fantastically festive day of wholesome fun. Here’s one of our residents Bill who told us he had a wonderful time and that the event had been a lovely precursor to Christmas.
Wyre Council celebrates local community heroes at the Wyre Community Awards
The first Wyre Community Awards took place on 4 December, recognising the incredibly important work our voluntary, charitable and community organisations make in supporting our local communities. A huge congratulations to our winners...
Behind Closed Doors
Winner of the Making a Difference to Adults award
The Matthew Hesmondhalgh Memorial Fund
Winner of the Making a Difference to Young People award
The Chaddeans
Winner of the Making a Difference to Communities award
Robert Danson
Certificate of special recognition for his outstanding contribution to local conservation
It takes two
“All of us, here in this room, probably have had times of darkness in our lives, and actually, what you discover is that being a volunteer gives you more than you give it - and if your life is in a bad place, volunteering is without a doubt the way to go.”
Wendy Barnes, from The Chaddeans
Free Holiday Activity and Food Clubs return for Easter
www.wyre.gov.uk/befriending and you could make a real difference to the lives of people in your community.
Let’s end loneliness together, #OneBrewAtATime
Our popular holiday clubs are back this Easter for primary and secondary school children on benefits related free school meals. Keep the kids busy with a fantastic range of activities including sports, arts and crafts, swimming and much more, with a free lunch provided for everyone at every session too. Older eligible children can also access the gym for free at some YMCA leisure centres. Places need to be booked in advance and a unique booking code is required, which you can get from your child’s school. Visit www.wyre.gov.uk/holidayclub to find out more.
Easter clubs will be held 7 April to 20 April, bookings open 14 March.
Growth and prosperity
A thriving local economy and town centres
Economic Development and Visitor Economy Strategy
We’d like to thank everyone who has taken part in our recent Economic Development and Visitor Economy Strategy consultation. Your feedback has been invaluable to the development of the final strategy which will be submitted to Full Council for approval this Spring.
This strategy sets out a comprehensive framework to help us achieve our vision for the future economic development of Wyre. It presents a simple, high-level view of how the council and partner networks will drive economic success and visitor growth across the borough through a series of initiatives, actions and commitments.
The strategy is crucial to delivering one of the four Council Plan priorities, which is to ensure a ‘thriving local economy and town centres.’ It will set out what we, alongside our strong partnership relationships, aims to achieve over ten to 15 years to help drive forward economic development and visitor growth.
3D model concepts of the Waterfront featuring Marine Hall, Sports Complex and Beach Huts
Plans to rejuvenate Fleetwood Waterfront progress
In December, we took a significant step towards transforming the future of Fleetwood’s waterfront, as councillors approved our bold and ambitious regeneration plans.
Further plans are being developed that will enable us to be in the best position to bid for any Government-funded programmes which become available, as well as be in a prime position to market the Fleetwood seafront site at key events to attract inward investment.
The potential projects comprise of:
• Redeveloping Marine Hall to create a more flexible, mixed-use space which will see a restaurant, offices and event spaces alongside the popular Marine Hall theatre.
• Refurbishing Fleetwood Leisure Centre to upgrade the existing sports and pool facilities. The complex once finished will be repositioned as a health and wellness centre.
• A reconfigured promenade to better connect the waterfront facilities with the town centre.
• Enhancing and developing the beach huts to provide standalone ‘glamping’ pods to tap into the staycation market.
Don’t miss a new season of entertainment at Marine Hall!
From big name stars to community events, find out what’s on by scanning the QR code or visiting www.marinehall.co.uk
Wyre Business Awards
Every year we are proud to host the Wyre Business Awards to shine a spotlight on the amazing businesses in our borough and celebrate their passion, success and contribution to Wyre’s economic development. Nominations for our 2025 awards will open soon!
Our 2024 award winners are...
Boost Growth Business of the Year
Sid Hill Transport Limited
Business Person of the Year
Mhari-Claire Doolan
(Sustainable Talent Ltd)
Chamber Low-Carbon
Climate Action Award
A&G Precision and Sons Ltd
Community and Charity Organisation of the Year
Fleetwood Town
Community Trust
Corporate Social Responsibility Award
Coastal Child and Adult
Therapeutic Service
Food, Drink and Accommodation
Business of the Year
The Puddled Duck
The spectacular 2024 event hosted by Steve Royle and held at Marine Hall in Fleetwood was attended by around 230 people from across Wyre and the Fylde coast, plus partner organisations, event sponsors and award judges. At the event, Planning Policy and Economic Development Portfolio Holder at Wyre Council Councillor Le Marinel commented, “It has been such a wonderful evening and I want to offer huge congratulations to our deserving winners.”
Health, Beauty and Wellbeing Business of the Year
Slimming World
Fleetwood and Larkholme with Sarah
Cleveleys High Street Hero
Shipwreck Brewhouse
Fleetwood High Street Hero
Healthier Fleetwood
Garstang High Street Hero
Crafty Diane
Poulton High Street Hero
Furness Building Society
Micro Business of the Year
Play and Bee
New Business of the Year
Sustainable Talent Ltd
Rural Business of the Year
JJ Sandham Ltd
Small Business of the Year
JJ Sandham Ltd
Social Media Award
Little Legs Fabrics
Team of the Year
JJ Sandham Ltd
Tourism Business of the Year
Glazey Days Ceramic Studio
Wyre Business of the Year
Sid Hill Transport Ltd
Free business support in Wyre
There are a number of services that we offer free to local businesses to help you develop in the right way and support the local economy. We can also help you to access funding, grants and finance for your existing or new start business.
To find out more about business support on offer in Wyre contact us by calling 01253 887641 or emailing regeneration@wyre.gov.uk
www.wyre.gov.uk/business-support
Sign up to Wyre’s tourism network
Are you a tourism business based in Wyre? We’ve created a tourism network for businesses across the borough. It’s free to join and there are lots of benefits:
• Regular enewsletters from Wyre Council’s visitor economy team with latest news and information about what’s on in Wyre
• Free listing for attractions, events and accommodation providers on our website
• Promotion of your latest news and events via our Discover Wyre social media platforms
• Access to our photography library - a wealth of images and videos of Wyre that you can download and use in your own promotions
• Free sense of place marketing toolkit
Visit www.discoverwyre.co.uk/ tourismnetwork to sign up. We look forward to working together to put Wyre on the map!
Join over 880 Wyred Up members and gain the benefits of our free business support network, specifically for businesses and organisations in Wyre. With regular news and advice, training and networking events, becoming a Wyred Up member is a must for all of our local businesses and it is completely free.
To learn more and sign up to our free business support network, email regeneration@wyre.gov.uk
Sign up to our e-newsletter for regular updates www.wyre.gov.uk/enews (tick the Business in Wyre box)
www.wyre.gov.uk/wyredup
From gourmet street food to the freshest fruit and vegetables, finely crafted jewellery to designer clothing, bargain household goods to hand-made gifts and haberdashery – you’ll find it all and more at the awardwinning Fleetwood Market.
Open all your year round every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9am until 4pm.
New website!
Visit our brand new website at www.fleetwoodmarket.co.uk and learn more about our fantastic traditional market by the seaside!
New stalls!
We’re thrilled to welcome PDF Seafood and Meats Ltd as the latest trader to join the market, specialising in fresh, highquality, seafood and premium meats. We also welcome new traders in our outdoor food market, including Lorna’s Caribbean Cuisine, where you can experience the vibrant flavours of Jamaica through their extensive menu of traditional dishes and A Taste of Thailand Fleetwood, serving up mouthwatering Thai food, made fresh while you wait.
UK Shared Prosperity fund (UKSPF) projects overview
The past year over 72,500 people have been entertained by an amazing programme of community events thanks to the UKSPF and dedication of local volunteers! UKSPF is continuing to support impactful and wide ranging projects, bringing new facilities and improvements across the borough.
Fleetwood
We supported Fleetwood’s famous and beloved Tram Sunday, along with Fleetwood Moves Dance Fest which made the joy of dance accessible and inclusive to the whole community. UKSPF has enabled the new Community Hub area at the former Fleetwood Hospital site.
Learn more about all the projects UKSPF is making possible at www.wyre.gov.uk/UKSPF
Poulton Wanderland, Wyre’s first ever family festival welcomed families from across the Fylde Coast to Cottam Hall playing fields to enjoy performances from giant CBeebies stars, plus live music and entertainment. In June, Poulton town centre was transformed for an entire weekend by the Spot On festival, bringing an exciting array of music theatre and dance, from both local and international performers.
Cleveleys
Cleveleys enjoyed an extensive programme of smaller events throughout the year led by the Care for Cleveleys group, from the History and Heritage trail leaflet to craft fairs and themed seasonal events.
Wyre Council used UKSPF funding to commission a stunning mural, revitalising Cleveleys bus station.
Thornton
UKSPF funding supported the creation of the Active Wellbeing Suite at YMCA Thornton (read more on page 5).
Garstang
Work is underway with improvements to Weinds and Cherestanc Square along with the total refurbishment and extension of Garstang Community Sports Club, creating a new community space and accessible modern changing facilities.
Wyre wide projects
We upgraded CCTV systems in our town centres (read more on page 4).
Place and climate
A cleaner, greener and more sustainable place
Explore Wyre’s Great outdoors –enjoy our wonderful borough from coast to countryside
We coordinate an annual programme of fantastic events and activities that all take place in Wyre’s great outdoors! Running all year round there are hundreds of activities to choose from including guided walks, conservation days, wildlife and nature activities, family fun and much more.
Many of the activities are free and they are a great way to explore our beautiful coast and countryside, give your wellbeing a boost and get a breath of fresh air. You can pick up a copy of our Great Outdoors guide at your local library including our tourist information point in Garstang Library, the Civic Centre in Poulton, Marine Hall in Fleetwood, Rossall Point Tower and the café at Wyre Estuary Country Park, Stanah.
You can also view the calendar and book online at www.wyre.gov.uk/greatoutdoors
Pick up a copy or view online!
Caring for our beautiful borough
We are extremely proud to have achieved Green Flag awards for five of our parks across the borough in 2024.
• Vicarage Park in Poulton-le-Fylde
• Hawthorne Park and Wyre Estuary Country Park in Thornton
• Memorial Park and The Mount in Fleetwood
All five parks are vital green spaces for the community in Wyre, bringing people together and providing opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles. The staff and volunteers do so much to ensure that they maintain the high standards of the Green Flag Awards and everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.
Nine days of walks for everyone to explore Garstang and its beautiful countryside
With over 40 walks for all ages and abilities, the festival is the perfect chance to experience the best of springtime in the countryside around Garstang, rural and coastal Wyre, the Forest of Bowland and the Fylde Plain. Choose from a huge range of walks, including the three day long distance Wyre Way Challenge, easy access short walks, family activities, wildlife strolls, heritage rambles, dog friendly trails and everything in between.
Find out more and book at www.wyre.gov.uk/garstangwalkingfestival
Royal Visit to Rossall Point and Marine Hall!
We were delighted to welcome Princess Anne on her visit to Wyre last year. Princess Anne visited Rossall Point Tower, the home of the Fleetwood branch of the National Coastwatch Institution, of which she is patron, to find out about the lifesaving work of its volunteers for its 30th anniversary. The Princess Royal then moved on to the Marine Hall to meet civic dignitaries and more volunteers.
Cottam Hall Masterplan
Respect our great outdoors
Thank you to all of our residents who take pride in our borough and appreciate the marvellous parks and open spaces we get to enjoy every day and that benefit us so much. Our staff and volunteers work hard to keep the borough looking beautiful and we love to see our residents respecting our open spaces. When you are out and about please do not litter, dispose of your waste responsibly and pick-up after your dogs.
Reminder to all dog walkers
From 1 May - 30 September, dogs are not allowed in our designated bathing areas on Marine Beach in Fleetwood and Cleveleys beach between cafe cove and the Wyre boundary. There’s still plenty of other beach to walk your dog and plenty of parks and open spaces too.
Developments are beginning as part of the Cottam Hall Playing Fields Masterplan, funded by UKSPF. This exciting new initiative presents a vision for Cottam Hall Playing Fields in the future as a vibrant, multifunctional space that responds to ideas put forward by the community from two rounds of consultation last year.
Key features of the masterplan
• Improved Sports Facilities: Upgraded grass football pitches, and an artificial grass pitch to accommodate a wider range of sports and activities.
• New Play Areas: Two play areas inspired by nature and designed for adventure for children of all ages and abilities.
• Sports Pavilion: An upgrade of the existing sports pavilion with changing rooms, a kitchen, toilets, and a meeting space for community events.
• Green Spaces: Enhanced landscaping, additional tree planting, and the creation of wildlife-friendly areas to promote biodiversity.
• Walking and Cycling Paths: Improved and expanded pathways to encourage walking, running, and cycling within the park.
• Sustainable Design: Eco-friendly features such as solar lighting, rainwater harvesting, and sustainable materials throughout the site.
Electric vehicle charging points
Wyre Council has 23 fast charging points and 5 rapid charging points across our car parks in Wyre, to enable the successful uptake of electric vehicles for our residents and work toward our climate objectives. Find the locations of all Wyre’s charging points at www.wyre.gov.uk/EV
Our HVO fleet, driving the move away from fossil fuel-based transport
We’re proud to utilise Hydro treated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel as the primary fuel we use to power the council’s fleet of vehicles, which will result in a tremendous 30% reduction of our annual carbon footprint!
Image credit Neil Cross, Blackpool Gazette
Tree-mendous
collaborative tree planting efforts in Wyre this
year
To celebrate the launch of our Climate Change Strategy we’ve held three free tree giveaway events, offering everyone in Wyre the chance to take home a native tree sapling to plant, nurture and grow. Almost 700 people registered for their very own tree and we would like to thank everyone who turned up in the wet and windy weather to collect. We hope to offer more free giveaway events in 2025 so please follow our social media channels to learn about any future events.
In addition to the giveaways, an exciting new way of creating woodland in collaboration with the local community took place in December. 800 native trees (oak, hornbeam, goat willow, elder, wild cherry and gorse) were planted at the Memorial Park in Fleetwood creating a brand new Microwood with help from pupils from Chaucer Primary School along with some little ones from the Enchanted Forest nursery in Fleetwood.
Protecting our coastline Wyre Beach Management Scheme progress
Fantastic progress has been ongoing on our vital £40m coastal defence scheme with Phase Two works progressing at Fleetwood, following the success of Phase One works in Cleveleys. This important project will help to significantly reduce the risk of coastal erosion and flooding to over 11,000 properties and critical infrastructure in Fleetwood and Cleveleys.
The Fleetwood section of works is well underway with 70,000 tonnes of rock being used to construct a sea wall rock toe and rock groynes and crossover ramps at Fleetwood. The groynes will reduce the energy of waves across the headland, enabling beach levels to build up. The work will continue on from the works of the Rossall Coastal Defence Scheme, completed in 2018, around Rossall Point and up to the boating lakes and is expected to complete by Autumn this year.
The Microwood planting was in in collaboration with the Lancashire County Council Treescapes Team, The Friends of Memorial Park and Wyre Council officers. More Microwood planting is planned for the Roundway site in Fleetwood in 2025.
We’ve planted approximately 19,342 trees, bringing us 77% towards our target to plant 25,000 trees by 2025! (This amount does not include the free tree giveaway totals.)
View our full climate change strategy at www.wyre.gov.uk/ climate-strategy
Our Future Coast
The Our Future Coast programme aims to work with nature to safeguard coastal communities, testing and implementing nature-based solutions at 14 sites across the North West including Pilling, Knott End and Fleetwood in Wyre.
Natural interventions such as the creation of natural buffer strips around the coast, developing salt marsh, creating dune systems and intertidal lagoons and reclaiming redundant brownfield sites will help to mitigate the consequences of climate change including flood risk and the loss of biodiversity.
Hello Coast
Got a question about your coast? Say ‘Hello’ to our new and interactive signs, providing locals and visitors the chance to have friendly and informative conversations around climate change and coastal change.
To start a conversation, simply scan the QR code you’ll find on the sign with your smartphone. Here in Wyre, you can find ‘Hello Coast’ signs around the Wyre Estuary on the riverside path.
Be prepared for flooding - what you can do
Flooding has affected Wyre several times in recent years and one in six houses in England is at risk of flooding in the future. Being prepared could help you protect your home and your belongings next time there is severe weather.
There are many things you can do to prepare for flooding:
· Check your long term flood risk and current flood warnings at www.gov.uk – search for flooding. Or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188
· Sign up for free flood warning messages from the Environment Agency at www.gov.uk or by calling 0345 988 1188
· Check your home insurance covers you for flooding
· Keep your drains and gutters clear. If you notice drains on your road are blocking up, report it to Lancashire County Council
· Know how to turn off your water, gas and electricity. You can call 105 to report or get information about power cuts in your local area
· Protect your home. Use flood defence products such as flood doors, flood boards, airbrick covers and non return valves on your drains, pipes and toilets. While it’s impossible to completely flood-proof a property, there are lots of things you can do to reduce the damage flooding can cause. Don’t wait until flooding is imminent as you won’t have time. A variety of products are available which can be found on the Blue Pages directory at www.bluepages.org.uk
· Identify vulnerable neighbours and relatives - check they know how to prepare for flooding too
· Join a community flood action group. These groups work with the council and other authorities to find ways to reduce flood risk and raise awareness of flood risk to the wider community
During a flood it’s important to know who to report flooding to.
Flooding to highways and footpaths
Call Lancashire County Council on 0300 123 6780 or report online at www.lancashire.gov.uk
Flooding from sewers or burst water mains
Call United Utilities on 0345 6723 723
Flooding from a watercourse, river, coastal water or reservoir
Call Environmental Agency Floodline on 0345 9881188
For all other incidents call Wyre Council on 01253 891000.
If there is a risk to life – call 999
Waste and recycling
Did you know, we make it easy for you to recycle batteries, small electrical items, clothes and textiles…
Simply put these items into separate bags and leave beside your blue or red-lidded bin for us to collect.
Please do not put your batteries in any bins, as they can and have caused fires!
Bulky waste matters
Take the heavy work out of getting rid of your old furniture and other large items with our bulky waste collections service. The cost is £22 for up to 3 items, and £7.70 per extra item. If you receive council tax support or housing benefit you may be eligible for a discount! Find out more at www.wyre.gov.uk/ bulkywaste
Report it!
Littering will not be tolerated in Wyre. This includes discarding cigarette butts and dropping fast food packaging!
Please dispose of all your rubbish responsibly. Restrictions and Public Space Protection orders are in place to keep Wyre clean, green and beautiful.
You can incur a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) if you disregard these! Learn more about PSPO’s at www.wyre.gov.uk/PSPO
If you see littering or fly-tipping happening, please scan the QR codes you’ll find on our signs around the borough or report online to us at www.wyre.gov.uk /report
Sign uP fOr oUr gReen
Subscriptions run from 1 July each year. You can still sign up now for the rest of this year, or if you are already subscribed you will need to re-subscribe so that your collections continue. We will email you when it’s time to re-subscribe, please look out for our email and check your junk email so it doesn’t get lost. If we don’t have an email address for you we will write a reminder letter. You can sign up at any time of the year but all subscriptions run out on 30 June.
You can share the subscription with a neighbour. Simply decide between yourselves which property will register and pay the fee.
Only garden waste may be placed in your green bin. If you are unsure of what you can put in your green bin, scan the QR code or visit www.wyre.gov.uk/binsandrecycling
Collections are fortnightly, please note there are no collections over the festive period however we offer a free Christmas tree collection.
*Sign up between 1 May and 30 June to automatically receive our early bird offer! £40 for the first subscription and £35 for each subsequent bin added.
The cost for subscriptions from 1 July is £45 for the first subscription and £40 for each subsequent bin added.
Innovative and customer focused
A well run, forward thinking council that puts customers first
Local Government Association Peer Challenge
In 2024 we invited the Local Government Assosciation (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge team to visit our borough, as part of our commitment to continuous improvement.
Wyre Council was praised for its robust financial stewardship and value for money services, which were generally highly regarded by local communities. Senior officers were seen as well respected, both by colleagues and partners. Working relationships between councillors and officers were also regarded as extremely positive. Overall, the Peer Review team felt that Wyre Council delivered high quality, value-for-money services and had a great story to tell.
Work for us
Working at Wyre Council can be extremely rewarding with a variety of opportunities to progress and develop your career. We offer a range of rewards and benefits including competitive local government salary, excellent pension benefits, hybrid working, free onsite parking and extensive personal development opportunities that allow you to develop and grow. View our current vacancies at www.wyre.gov.uk/ jobs and follow us on social media to be notified of new vacancies.
Go paperless and view your bills online with myWyre
Manage your bills and account information quickly and easily using our online portal, myWyre.
You can use your myWyre account to access a range of services at a time that suits you. You can:
• Set up or amend your direct debit details
• Check your council tax balance
• Report a change in your address or circumstance
• Sign up for ebilling
For more information and to register your myWyre account, go to www.wyre.gov.uk/ aboutmywyre
Join over 7,000 residents using our new SMS service!
We have launched a new SMS text messaging service to communicate with residents in a more efficient and costeffective way.
This service is completely free and your number will only be used to send you updates regarding Council tax, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, Waste Management or Business Rates.
Visit www.wyre.gov.uk/sms to get started.
Remember to register to vote
Your vote is important. Register easily online at www.gov.uk/vote-uk-election by Friday 11 April in order to vote in elections in Wyre.
Bring your ID
You must show Voter ID to vote in elections. Visit www. electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-andelections/voter-id to find out more.
If you don’t have accepted photo ID, you can apply for a free ID document called a Voter Authority Certificate. You can apply online at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photoid-voter-authority-certificate by 5pm on Wednesday 23 April.
Apply online for absent (postal) or proxy vote
You can apply for a postal vote online at www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote by 5pm on Monday 14 April
You can apply for a proxy vote online at www.gov/uk/apply-proxy-vote by 5pm on Wednesday 23 April
Elections 2024
Learn more at www.wyre.gov.uk/ elections/voting
Which elections are being held this year?
County Council Elections are taking place this year on Thursday 1 May 2025. Wyre has 8 county divisions and so residents will be voting for 1 County Councillor for the electoral division where they live.
Important dates
Deadline to register to vote: Friday 11 April
Deadline to apply for postal vote: 5pm Monday 14 April
Deadline to apply for proxy vote: 5pm Wednesday 23 April
Deadline to apply for Voter ID: 5pm Wednesday 23 April
We were pleased to introduce new audio ballot papers at all polling stations for the General Election in 2024.
The new option has helped to support people with sight issues by allowing them to hear an audio version of candidates and parties on ballot papers and adds to the tactile voting devices, large magnifiers and large print ballot papers that the council already have in place to assist voters.
We also conducted a review of our polling districts and polling places in 2024 and would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation helping to inform the review.
Your council tax explained
Council tax is made up of a number of payments to the authorities that provide services in the area. Wyre Council is the billing authority and collects council tax on behalf of all these agencies. However, Wyre’s portion represents just 10%* or £226.31 (on a band D property) of the total annual amount of your bill, with the majority being passed to Lancashire County Council.
County Council (74%)
Police Commissioner (12%)
Borough Council (10%)
Combined Fire Authority (4%)
(The figures shown above are rounded to the nearest 1%.)
For every £1 the council recieves in income it spends it in the following areas:
At 60p per day for a Band D property based on 2023/24 rates, we deliver a wide range of critical services, providing good value for money for our residents.
*These figures are based on 2024/25 council tax rates. 2025/26 figures were not available at the time of printing Wyre Voice, but they can be seen on your bill enclosed.
Lancashire
Wyre
Council Tax
These notes form part of your Council Tax bill. This also relates to the County Council, Police and Crime Commissioner and the Fire Service. For information about how we spend Wyre’s portion of your Council Tax bill, go to www.wyre.gov.uk
Council Tax is charged on most dwellings whether rented or owned, empty or occupied. Each household gets one bill, although occupants may be jointly responsible for payment.
Each home is placed in a valuation band. It is the Valuation Office Agency, not the council, who allocates this valuation band to every home. The council uses the band to work out your Council Tax bill.
You may be able to appeal against the valuation band if you have moved in during the past six months, or there has been a change in the building or the physical state of the local area which could affect the value of your home.
For more information visit www.voa.gov.uk or call 03000 501 501. You must continue to pay your Council Tax until a decision has been made about your appeal.
Reducing your Council Tax
Not everyone has to pay the full amount. There are several ways your bill can be reduced depending on your personal circumstances or circumstances relating to the property itself, for example, if it’s unoccupied and unfurnished.
If we already know about your circumstances, the reduction will be shown on your bill.
You must tell us immediately if you have any change of circumstance that might affect the amount of reduction.
Properties exempt from Council Tax
We do not charge Council Tax for homes which are lived in only by:
• people under the age of 18 or full time students (including halls of residence) and/or school leavers or people who are severely mentally impaired.
We do not charge Council Tax for empty properties which are:
• owned by a charity (exempt for up to six months).
• empty because the owner/tenant has died and the grant of probate or letters of administration have not been obtained, or have only been obtained within the past six months.
• the responsibility of a trustee following bankruptcy, or a mortgage lender following repossession.
• empty, but usually lived in by a student or a minister of religion or a prisoner or someone who has moved to receive or provide personal care.
• not able to be leased separately or part of forces accommodation, including married quarters and temporary accommodation for members of visiting overseas forces.
For further information, visit our website at www.wyre.gov.uk
Council Tax
Discounts
If only one adult lives in a property as their main home, Council Tax is reduced by 25%. When counting adults, we do not include:
• full time students, student nurses, apprentices and youth training trainees.
• people staying in hospitals, care homes, prisons or certain hostels or night shelters.
• care workers working for low pay (usually charities).
• people caring for someone with a disability who is not their spouse, partner or child under 18.
• 18 and 19 year olds who are at school or have just left school.
• people who are severely mentally impaired.
• members of visiting forces.
• members of religious communities (monks and nuns).
If, after disregarding people in the above classes, there is only one adult living in the property, Council Tax is reduced by 25%.
Empty property discount
If a property is unoccupied because it is in need of, or awaiting, major repair or structural alteration, a 25% discount applies for a maximum of 12 months.
If a property is unoccupied and substantially unfurnished, a 100% discount is awarded for one month. Thereafter the full Council Tax charge becomes payable.
A property that is no one’s main home, but remains furnished, will attract a 100% Council Tax charge.
Reductions for annexes
You do not have to pay Council Tax for an annex if it forms part of a single property that includes another dwelling that cannot be let separately from the main building due to a planning restriction, or is occupied by a dependent relative, for example a person aged over 65, or someone severely mentally impaired or substantially and permanently disabled. Where an annexe is rated separately and used by the occupier of the main building, or a member of their family, a 50% reduction will apply.
Disabled relief
Your bill may be reduced if you, or someone who lives with you, has a permanent disability and there are certain features in the home which are essential, or of major importance, to the disabled person’s wellbeing. These features include:
• a room other than a bathroom, kitchen or toilet, which is used mainly by the disabled person.
• an additional bathroom or kitchen for use by the disabled person.
• extra space inside your home for use of a wheelchair.
Appeals
If you have been refused a discount, exemption or relief, or don’t think you should be paying Council Tax, tell us why you think your bill is incorrect.
We will look at your case again and we might ask for more information. If we do not change our decision and you still don’t agree, you can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. See www.valuationtribunal.gov.uk or contact us for details.
You must continue to pay your Council Tax until a decision has been made about your appeal. If your appeal is successful we will refund any overpaid Council Tax to you.
Council Tax Premiums for unoccupied properties
From 1 April 2024 an additional amount of Council Tax has been charged to a property, when a property has been unoccupied and unfurnished for a year or more. A change to ownership will not affect the premium. The premium can be removed by bringing the property back into use that results in a period of occupation of 6 weeks or more. Any periods of occupation will not be included in the calculation of the one year empty period.
From 1 April 2024 an additional premium has been levied on long term empty properties vacant:
• for over 1 year at the maximum permitted level of 100%. The resulting charge will be 200% of the standard council tax.
• for over 5 years at the maximum permitted level of 200%. The resulting charge will be 300% of the standard council tax.
• for over 10 years at the maximum permitted level of 300%. The resulting charge will be 400% of the standard council tax.
Exceptions to the premium
• Dwelling which is or would be someone’s sole or main residence if they were not residing in jobrelated armed forces accommodation
• Annexes forming part of, or being treated as part of, the main dwelling
• Dwellings being actively marketed for sale (12 months limit)
• Dwellings being actively marketed for let (12 months limit)
• Unoccupied dwellings which fell within exempt Class F and where probate has recently been granted (12 months from grant of probate/letters of administration)
• Empty properties requiring or undergoing major repairs or structural alterations (12 months limit)
How we collect and use information
Lawfulness of Processing
Processing your data is necessary in the exercise of official authority vested in the council. Wyre Council (The data controller) will use and share your personal information where we have a legal obligation to do so. We will use your data in the main to administer Council Tax and for the general prevention and detection of fraud. In order to do this, we will share your data with the National Audit Office to participate in the National Fraud Initiative exercise, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Valuation Office Agency, the courts, and debt enforcement/collection/tracing agencies employed by the council. These agencies include
Council Tax support
This can be claimed by anyone who is responsible for payment of Council Tax and in receipt of a low income. The amount of Council Tax support you receive will depend on the income, savings and the circumstances of all those living in the household.
Second adult rebate
You may be eligible to get help to pay your Council Tax if you are a pensioner and share your home with another adult, who is not your partner and is on a low income. It does not matter how much income and capital you have. The calculation of how much you are entitled to is based on the income and savings of the second adult, or adults, who share your home.
Council Tax online
Did you know you can now receive your council tax bill online, plus you can check your account and payments, set up and amend a direct debit, or report a change in your circumstances. To register for your online account go to www.wyre. gov.uk/mycounciltax
Bristow Sutor, Jacobs and Rossendales.
Your rights
You have the right as the data subject to access your data. Please go to www. wyre.gov.uk for further information. If you feel the data we hold is inaccurate or incomplete, you are entitled to have your personal data rectified. You also have the right to contact the Information Commissioner if you are unhappy with how we are handling your personal data. You can contact them using the address; The Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.
3-11 MAY
Garstang Walking Festival
Find out more and book at www.wyre.gov.uk/ garstangwalkingfestival
31 AUGUST
For more info, follow Star Wars Meet Up - Niamos on Facebook
17 AUGUST
Fleetwood Food and Drink Festival
Marine Hall, Fleetwood www.marinehall.co.uk
Wyre Business Awards
Marine Hall, Fleetwood
Celebrating the award winning businesses in Wyre!
Keep
Returning to Cottam Hall Playing Fields, Poulton! A fun-packed day of entertainment and live music for the whole family to enjoy! With stage performances from much loved children’s TV stars Bluey and Bingo. Plus live music, arts and crafts and much more to see and do. Buy tickets now at www.wyre.gov.uk /wanderland
