The Friends of King George Vth Playing Fields (KG5) are to be congratulated on their efforts to improve the park. Their determination and hard work has paid dividends. It goes to prove how members of the local community, supported by Lib Dem councillors and activists,  can achieve something which will benefit local people. I planted bulbs in the park last year as a first step along the road to improvements so I am particularly pleased that the residents’ plans have come to fruition.

The photograph shows County Councillor Bill Winlow, standing in for ward and county councillor Howard Henshaw,  sharing in the  park’s reopening celebrations.

Whilst in Werne (see Wunderbar) we handed out samples of Lancashire cheese which had been kindly donated by Pickles of St. Anne’s.  The ‘Garstang Blue’  by Dewlay proved to be very popular and we have been asked to take enough over next year so that the people of Werne can buy it !!!  Located right between the French and Italian stalls in the European tent, we were told on several occasions how much better our cheese was - European rivalry at its height !! 

I have just returned from a 4-day trip to Werne, our Twin Town in Germany.  What respect and hospitality we were afforded !! We were really well looked after during their festival SIM-JU - the largest Autumn festival in Germany. I also had the privilege of signing the Charter to mark the 25th Anniversary of the link between Lytham St. Anne’s and Werne. Watched and listened to by over 250 people I received gifts to mark the celebration. The Town’s Mayor Lothar Christ was a very genial host and we had lunch with him and the Mayors of the other twin towns following the formal part of the celebration. Town Twinning is very strong in Werne - they are linked to FIVE towns across Europe and the council invests heavily in partnership activities, this is in contrast to this area where we have to rely on grants, donations and members’ subscriptions.  There are tremendous opportunities for cultural and artistic projects and exchanges between our two towns and hope local people will embrace these wholeheartedly.

Parking and damage to cars dominated tonight’s PACT meeting. It was good to see such a large attendance.    

One reminder from the POLICE is an important one. Keep things secure. Cars left open, garages and sheds left unlocked are open invitations to thieves.  

Following on from discussions with residents have some issues to follow up with both the county and the borough – it’s all part and parcel of being a local councillor working for, and on behalf of, local people.  

Next month’s meeting promises to be interesting,  as a representative from the parking enforcement service is being invited !  I wonder if it will be a ‘ticket only’ event ?

Tonight’s council meeting saw recorded votes now being the “rule” rather than the “exception”, unless the Mayor determines this as “unnecessary”, i.e. not a contentious issue!  At least the electorate will be left in no doubt as to which councillors voted for what – so come election time Tory councillors who have followed the enforced party line will have to answer for their actions.

Questions regarding reassigning the balance of power have still not been satisfactorily addressed.  FBC’s legal officer explained the anomaly of a councillor being suspended, but still remaining functional until he/she indicates otherwise. The issue remains, the Tory Party are condoning the actions of an individual, that lead to his/her suspension. The leader of the Conservative council moved swiftly on to something else so ducking the issue again.  

I was pleased to hand out grants to three local community organisations this evening at the Town Council meeting.

Margaret Quigley on behalf of  the ‘Friends of Hope Street Park’  received £500 towards the cost of renovating and rejuvenating the park.‘Friends of St. Anne’s Library’ received £500 as a contribution towards their project to provide a reading garden in the grounds of the Library. The plans were approved recently and work should start once funding has been secured.

A couple of days ago Bedford elected a new Mayor. This is a sensational victory for Dave Hodgson and the Liberal Democrats after an outstanding campaign. This by-election matters. The Mayor of Bedford represents more people than an MP does, and Dave will be making important decisions that affect peoples’ lives. This result shows how misplaced the Conservatives’ complacency about the next election really is. The Liberal Democrats have never taken a single vote for granted. With Labour lagging behind at a disastrous fifth place, this is yet more evidence that the real choice is now between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats. We can all be proud that today there’s another Liberal Democrat in a position of real influence in Britain.

I just wanted to recommend three recently-published books by major figures in the Liberal Democrats. Each one is a fascinating read which gives real insight into the people and the issues that have shaped politics today.

There are plans to reduce the number of Fylde Borough councillors from the present 51 to to about 35. The leader of the ruling Conservative Group thinks one member wards are appropriate, whereas currently there are three. He cites financial savings, but in essence the ‘one’ councillor will be doing the casework for three people, and therefore will have more meetings to attend and so should be entitled to an increased allowance. Hardly a financial saving.  Do the electorate not deserve a choice of councillor to refer their concerns to ? In Ashton Ward where all three councillors are from different political groups, residents have no problem in contacting a councillor who will best serve their needs. Perhaps it is the three member wards where all councillors are from the same party that the electorate feel short-changed ?  What’s your view ?

Nick Clegg has called for the MPs’ expenses audit to be widened to include those who flipped homes or avoided capital gains tax. Speaking on Channel 4 news, he said: “His (Sir Thomas Legg) brief is to look at the way in which the MPs’ second homes allowance works. I can’t for the life of me understand how you can do that job properly and not look at one of the obvious abuses of that second home allowance; namely using it to turn MPs from servants of their constituencies, into spivvy property speculators.”

Only one planning matter this week: a retrospective application for a change of use (09/0551).

Change of use of upper floors to A2 (Professional/financial use) or B1 use (office/light industrial) at  9 GARDEN STREET, ST.  ANNES, FY8 2AA. This was Granted

I attended the  Omerod Trust fund-raiser last night. Yes,  it was glamourous and glitzy but a tremendous amount of money was raised for this worthy organisation through a raffle and an auction. The funds raised are being channelled into the development of a sensory garden. Sue Sharples and her hard-working team are to be commended for their efforts in organising such a successful evening and the generosity of those present should also not go unnoticed.  

I have followed this complaint up this week and am assured that the problem will be addressed very shortly. Apparently the lights need to be reconnected  by British Gas!  No we’re not having gas lights but British Gas also provide electricity.

The Planning Committee deferred making a decision on this; after listening to impassioned pleas from local residents. Planning Officers have been asked to look at the traffic management issues, so that traffic is not forced to use Glen Eldon Road as a main thoroughfare – currently it is a cul-de-sac.  Although FBC doesn’t seem to have notified sufficient numbers of residents initially, it has at least listened to their concerns, and taken them on board!

The Conservatives asked for recorded votes at every vote taken at the Council Meeting on Monday night and what a long-winded process it turned out to be. However this could prove to be a blessing in disguise. If the policy is adopted at future meetings it will ensure that the electorate will easily identify councillors

The usual Tory block vote pushed  through proposals which will scrap the four scrutiny committees and replace them with two. These proposals weren’t shared with ALL councillors and only came to light when agenda papers were sent out.

There is a clear aim in the proposals for members to be more involved in a broader range of scrutiny subjects yet the low levels of attendance at Scrutiny meetings have been a cause for concern recently.   Whilst I am all in favour of effective decision-making, I do not think that a committee of 16, meeting for longer periods with a more extensive agenda is the right way forward, but I am willing to give it a try. I am very disappointed that the ruling group did not consult with ALL members whatever their political persuasion – they might have found greater support for change if they had. Fylde had a two committee system before – then it went to three, then four. Now it’s back to two. Do the ruling group of councillors really know what they are doing ?   

The best way to save a life is to prevent a fire in the first place, and homes across the County are benefiting from Lancashire Fire and Rescue’s Home Fire Safety Checks. The checks involve a crew visiting your home and giving advice, as well as fitting smoke alarms where necessary. Any resident within Lancashire can request one and they are completely free of charge.

• We will provide and install FREE 10-year smoke alarms where necessary.
• Give life saving advice in the event of a fire in your home.
• How to make a fire escape plan for you and your family.

Practical advice on identifying fire hazards in the home. Freephone 0800 169 1125

Members Lecture: “The Changing Face of Nature: a History of British Landscape Art”  by Tate Gallery lecturer Valerie Woodgate.

Wednesday, 7 Oct  2009 2:00 pm  United Reformed Church hall, St George’s Road, St Anne’s.  This prestigious inaugural meeting is limited to members of Fylde DFAS only.    

To join contact them on fylde.nadfas@gmail.com

Please see website for more details  http://www.visitor.org.uk/civic/pdf/fdfaspst.pdf

I have followed up complaints about the poor state of the road surface on St. Leonard’s Road East and I am led to believe that the section between Condor and Crystal Grove is to be resurfaced very shortly.