Great Harwood: Farmers Market - 1st December 2013

The final Great Harwood Farmers Market of 2013 takes place on Sunday December 1st from 8.00am until 2.00pm. All residents are invited to attend the market which is situated on Towngate and contains a wide variety of stalls.

Accrington Christmas Markets 2013

Come along to Accrington’s first ever Christmas Markets running from 5th December in front of Accrington’s historic Market Hall every Thursday and Saturday (including Monday 23rd) during December. On Thursdays and the Monday it will be open until 8pm so come along and get in the festive spirit to pick up some seasonal food, drink and goods.

Lancashire Day 2013 in Hyndburn

27th November, Lancashire Day, was celebrated in Hyndburn with two readings of the Lancashire Day Proclamation and a special Mayoral Lancashire Day Fund Raising event earlier in the month on 22nd November.

The Lancashire Day proclamation is read out by town criers throughout the county on 27th November and was read in Accrington outside the Town Hall at 10.00am and later outside Churchfield House in Great Harwood at 11.00am by Town Crier Rawden Kerr.

Mayor, Cllr Judith Addison, said; “As a proud Lancastrian and this year as Mayor of Hyndburn I'm looking forwarding to commemorating Lancashire Day by attending the two local proclamations on 27th November, so please come along if you can, everyone is more than welcome to help us celebrate.”

Cllr Addison added; “I’m was also pleased to support Lancashire Day with our special Lancashire Evening Charity Fundraising event which took place on Friday 22nd November, at Accrington Town Hall supporting local charities, including Finley’s Friends.

For more details about Lancashire Day, visit The Friends of Real Lancashire website at www.forl.co.uk.

Pennine Lancashire Question Time - 29th November 2013

Hyndburn Borough Council and Accrington & Rossendale College have teamed up yet again to host the annual Pennine Lancashire Question Time event.

The programme will be filmed and produced by media students from the college and has been arranged by the Council’s Democratic Services Department assisted by business and administration students.

Local residents are invited to attend the hour long production on Friday 29th November and arrive by 1.00pm in the Coppice Theatre at the college on Sandy Lane. A limited number of tickets are available on the day and these will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

The host of the programme will be 2BR radio presenter Helen Wakefield, and the panel will consist of the following people:

•         Councillor Clare Pritchard- Deputy Labour Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council
•         Councillor Alyson Barnes- Labour Leader of Rossendale Borough Council
•         Councillor Nick Collingridge- Leader of Independents in Hyndburn
•         Councillor Miles Parkinson- Labour Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council
•         Councillor Peter Britcliffe- Leader of Conservatives in Hyndburn
•         Councillor Marlene Haworth- Deputy Leader of Conservatives in Hyndburn

The audience will be made up of pupils from the college and every high school and 6th form centre across Hyndburn and the Rossendale Valley have been invited to send representatives to ask questions.

Local district and county Councillors will be supporting the event by attending and listening to the views of young people from across the East Lancashire area.

The partnership project has been arranged to promote Hyndburn Borough Council’s local democracy campaign and students are benefitting by using the event as part of their practical studies:
• Media students have built a Question Time set and will be filming the programme as a live television show.
• Beauty therapists are providing hair styling and make up to members of the panel.
• Those studying business and admin are assisting in the planning for the event and event managing the production in the theatre venue on the day of the event.

Council Leader, Cllr Miles Parkinson said; “The event is all about engaging young people in local democracy and we look forward to a lively and interesting debate.”

LCC contract investigation update

An investigation into the tender contract with One Connect Ltd in order to save LCC money has revealed that it would have actually increased costs by £1.4m. The tender was agreed under the Conservative administration but subsequently revoked following a change of leadership to Labour in May 2013.

The Lancashire Evening Post have run a full story which can be read here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-24866009

HBC pledges support for White Ribbon campaign

Hyndburn Council is pledging its commitment to achieve the White Ribbon Campaign Award, which aims to involve men in anti-violence against women and girls, by encouraging them to promote a change of attitude, using their voice to make a stand and raise awareness.

The Council has a long history of helping address abuse and violence towards women and girls within our local community, but the White Ribbon Campaign takes a unique approach.  It encourages men to promote a change of attitude, using their voice to make a stand and raise awareness and campaign bosses will now work with the Council to develop an action plan showing how this commitment will be achieved.

Cllr Pam Barton, Cabinet Member for Health and Communities, said; “It gives me great pleasure to announce our intention to achieve the White Ribbon Award, especially today the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. We have a long history of increasing awareness on this issue and supporting services aimed at reducing and supporting victims of domestic violence.  White Ribbon Towns aims to rally entire communities to end violence against women”.

Cllr Miles Parkinson, Council Leader, added; “By pledging to achieve the White Ribbon Award we are further demonstrating our resolve to do all we can to raise awareness about domestic violence, whilst supporting services to reduce its incidence and help victims.”

Altham Parish Council contact details

The email address for the new Altham Parish Council Clerk, Mrs. Denny Randall-Felix, is strongestpr@gmail.com

The telephone number for the Altham Parish Office is (01254) 306236

Hollins College pupils in Question Time event

Year 8 pupils from Hollins Technology College took part in a ‘Question Time’ style event with a panel of Hyndburn Councillors on Friday 8th November at Accrington Town Hall.

The pupils, aged 12-13, asked questions they had prepared in their Citizenship lessons to local Councillors on issues within their area with topics including entertainment, education, facilities and job opportunities.  
Miss Hayley Nunley, Teacher of Religious Education, Citizenship and Psychology commented; “The event was a great success and pupils came away feeling empowered and excited about making a difference”.
Council Leader, Cllr Miles Parkinson, who chaired the event, was joined on the panel by Cllrs Clare Pritchard, Paul Cox, Ciaran Wells, Kath Pratt, Brian Roberts and Nick Collingridge.

Cllr Parkinson said; “It was a great event, with the whole of year 8 pupils at Hollins taking part.  It was all about engaging them in local democracy and we had a lively debate with plenty of interaction with the audience.  Thank you to them and the panel for an interesting and enlightening afternoon.”

Clayton-le-Moors: PCSO issues dog fouling notice

Clayton-le-Moors PCSO, Adam Havaie, has helped in the fight against dog fouling recently, when he became the first PCSO in the borough to issue what is believed to be the first fixed penalty notice for dog fouling.

Independent ward Councillor, Cllr Nick Collingridge, welcomed the news saying; “It’s great that PCSO’s have joined with our dog warden service in the fight against dog fouling.  It sends a message to those irresponsible dog owners who refuse to pick up after their dogs, that we won’t tolerate it and will take action against them.  There are plenty of dog bins, with more to come, which are emptied regularly, so there really is no excuse for not picking up after your dog.”

Clayton-le-Moors PCSO, Adam Havaie, said; “Upon speaking to Clayton residents they told me that dog fouling is something that really annoys them.  So it’s great to be able to work alongside the Council and bringing those who allow their dogs to foul to justice.”

Save energy, save money and keep warm

Over 40 representatives from Hyndburn organisations plus Councillors attended the launch of ‘Warm Homes Hyndburn’ at Accrington Town Hall on Thursday 21st November.

The scheme is a partnership between the Council, Homewise, Dyson Energy Services and Keepmoat who will access funding to offer FREE energy home improvements to qualifying households.

Low income families, benefit recipients, older people or individuals living in hard to treat properties are most likely to benefit from this additional support from Warm Homes Hyndburn. Some homes in certain areas of the borough will automatically qualify for free insulation measures. Even residents who do not think their property will qualify are encouraged to double check as they may find it does.

Deputy Leader of Hyndburn Council, Cllr Clare Pritchard, said “At a time of rising energy bills and with increasing numbers of households in fuel poverty the opportunity to make homes warmer and healthier is timely and welcome.”

Warmer homes can have positive benefits on all sorts of things including fewer health problems including respiratory and arthritic conditions, better educational attainment for children at school and, as less money is used to pay fuel bills, more disposable income for improved lifestyle options.

To find out if you qualify and arrange an assessment with an Energy Advisor,  call Homewise on 01254 232 249 quoting ‘Hyndburn’. Alternatively visit www.warmhomeshyndburn.co.uk

Get set for Christmas in Hyndburn

Townships will be sparkling soon, with the switching on of thousands of Christmas lights across the borough.

Accrington’s spectacular Christmas celebrations will take place on Thurs 28th November, there’s a lot going on, with a festive funfair all day on Broadway, plus late night shopping.

The fun will really start at 6pm on 2BR/Bee stage outside the Town Hall with a free live music show and appearances from Peppa Pig, before a little local shining star, who has yet to be named, switches on the lights at 7.30pm.

After the big switch is flicked to light up town, there’ll be a spectacular firework extravaganza and the shops will stay open late for a spot of late night Christmas shopping.

Township switch on events are also set to take place starting on Mon 25th Nov in Baxenden, Tues 26th Nov in Clayton- le -Moors, Wed 27th Nov in Oswaldtwistle, Fri 29th Nov in Rishton, Mon 2nd Dec in Huncoat,  Tue 3rd Dec in Church, Wed 4th Dec in Milnshaw and Fri 6th Dec in Great Harwood. There are various things planned at different events to get you feeling festive, including carol singing by local school choirs.
Come along to Accrington’s first ever Christmas Markets running from 5th December in front of Accrington’s historic Market Hall every Thursday and Saturday (including Monday 23rd) during December. On Thursdays and the Monday it will be open until 8pm so come along and get in the festive spirit to pick up some seasonal food, drink and goods.

Santa’s Grotto opens Saturday 7th December, so take the children for a traditional Christmas treat to see Santa and his elves in the winter wonderland grotto at Accrington Market Hall. There’ll also be real reindeer on Broadway when the grotto opens on 7th December.

There’ll also be a Christmas Food and Craft Fair on Saturday 7th December at Accrington Town Hall selling a mixture of crafts, gifts and locally produced food, raising money for the Mayor’s charities. Entry is free and the event runs from 9.30am – 3.30pm.

Cllr Clare Pritchard, Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Town Centres said; “Bring the family into Accrington on the 28th   Nov, its set to be a fabulous event with appearances from Peppa Pig, our own little shining star switching on the lights, plus a great programme of entertainment and a spectacular firework display.”

Cllr Pritchard added; “ We’re really excited about Accrington’s first ever Christmas Markets, these, along with Santa in his Market Hall grotto, opening with live reindeer, has all the ingredients for a cracker of a Christmas in Accrington.”

Council Leader, Cllr Miles Parkinson, added, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, with all the switch on’s around the borough, including the Accrington spectacular, which after talking to traders, we’ve moved back to a Thursday evening. Please bring the family into Accrington for the big switch on and also come along and support your local community switch on event. There are various things planned at different township events to get you feeling festive including carol singing by local school choirs.  Many thanks also to all the Councillors and members of each community, who have worked hard to organise these local township events.”

See www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk for details of Christmas events in the borough.

Lancashire Day in Hyndburn

27th November, Lancashire Day, is set to be celebrated in Hyndburn with two readings of the Lancashire Day Proclamation and a special Mayoral Lancashire Day Fund Raising event earlier in the month on 22nd November.

The Lancashire Day proclamation is read out by town criers throughout the county on 27th November and will be read in Accrington outside the Town Hall at 10am and later outside Churchfield House in Great Harwood at 11am, by Town Crier Rawden Kerr.

Mayor, Cllr Judith Addison, said; “As a proud Lancastrian and this year as Mayor of Hyndburn I'm looking forwarding to commemorating Lancashire Day by attending the two local proclamations on 27th November, so please come along if you can, everyone is more than welcome to help us celebrate.”

Cllr Addison added; “I’m also pleased to support Lancashire Day with our special Lancashire Evening Charity Fundraising event on Friday 22nd November, at Accrington Town Hall.  It’s set to be a great night with entertainment by The Phil Knight Experience, plus a delicious hot supper. Tickets, priced at £7.50, are available from the Mayor’s office by calling 01254 380108, so do come if you can and support local charities, including Finley’s Friends.

For more details about Lancashire Day, visit The Friends of Real Lancashire website at www.forl.co.uk.

Labour Councillors in Movember

Several members of the Hyndburn Labour group are growing moustaches for Movember, including Council Leader Miles Parkinson and Great Harwood Councillor Ciaran Wells.

Movember (a portmanteau word from moustache and "November") is an annual, month-long event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men's health issues, such as prostate cancer and other male cancers; and associated charities. The Movember Foundation runs the Movember charity event, housed at Movember.com.[1] The goal of Movember is to "change the face of men's health."

Full Council - 5th December 2013

The next meeting of the full Council will take place on Thursday 5th December 2013 at 7.00pm at Accrington Town Hall. Members of the public are welcome to come and view proceedings from the public gallery. A full set of papers for the meeting can be found here:

Full Council - 5th December 2013

The meeting will be preceded by an informal meeting with Cuadrilla at 6.00pm regarding potential future fracking for shale gas in Hyndburn and the surrounding area. Anyone with questions should contact their local Labour representative who can ask them on behalf of the public.

Hyndburn Remembrance Day at a glance

The Mayor's Office at Hyndburn Borough Council has produced a one-page e-flyer to promote Remembrance Day activities across the borough, including information regarding Mayor Judith Addison and Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Doug Hayes.

The 'Acheivements'of the ConDem Government

Vigil to be held at Accrington Victoria Hospitail to highlight possible closure threat

This Saturday night, 9th of November 6pm, will see a vigil held at Accrington Victoria Hospital to help raise awareness that this vital Walk In centre must remain open.  The East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning group is at the moment attempting to close Accrington Victoria hospital out of hours walk in clinic. A service that has dealt with over 35,000 cases last year alone. They are arguing that this service could be replaced by residents using their doctors surgeries. 

Unfortunately these services are massively over subscribed in Hyndburn and is almost impossible to receive a same day appointment. The only other alternative would be to travel to Blackburn Royal to use the A&E department. A department that is already suffering under the pressure of being East Lancashire's primary A&E department. Cllr Clare Pritchard, Deputy Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, has been leading a campaign to stop the closure of this service. 

Councillor Pritchard said "we have over 5000 signatures backing the saving of this Walk-in centre, this vigil will again highlight how the majority of residents feel about this proposed closure, to now send potential thousands of patients to both A&E and their own Doctors would but yet more strain on a service struggling to cope in an area that is ranked one of the most deprived in both Lancashire and the whole North west"

This news also contradicts what central government are claiming that they are reducing waiting times and, as announced at the Conservative Party Conference, that out of hours surgeries would be granted funding with pilots launched early next year. Yet they are now looking to close one such site in East Lancashire already providing this service. 

So please join together on the 9th of November 6pm at Accrington Victoria Hospital to send a message that it's "Hands of Hyndburn's Healthcare"

Police to probe Lancashire County Council's finances

The police are to launch an investigation into the finances of Lancashire County Council following allegations of irregularity during the tenure of the Conservative administration.

The contract for running the Council's fleet services was awarded to BT in April 2013 under the watch of Conservative Leader Cllr Geoff Driver, however this decision was questioned by other County Councillors. A separate investigation is also being made into payments to an individual totalling £500,000 that the Council treasurer and leader of the Labour group state they were not previously aware of.

Following a change of administration to a Labour-led coalition in May, the incoming Leader of the Council, Jennifer Mein, revoked the decision and a senior Council officer was suspended.

A Lancashire County Council spokesman said: "In the light of external legal advice, a number of issues arising from the recent disciplinary investigation into the conduct of a senior officer have now been referred to Lancashire Constabulary."

The BBC have run a full story on the incident and more details will be published as they come to light:

BBC News - Police to probe LCC finances

Barnfield: Oakhill Park cleanup

Barnfield Councillor June Harrison (pictured far left) has been helping volunteers in Oakhill Park with various garden projects. June was part of the team which made a recent clean up of the park, including tidying of a large rockery area.

'How Parliament Works' event - 18th October 2013

Over 40 people including Councillors from across the North West and Accrington & Rossendale college students attended a ‘How Parliament Works’ event, at Accrington Town Hall on Friday 18th October.

Gary Hart, Parliament Outreach officer, gave a presentation about How Parliament Works at the event, which was about encouraging greater engagement between the public, the House of Commons and the House of Lords and widening knowledge of how parliament works and how to actively participate.

Councillor Miles Parkinson, Leader of Hyndburn Council, said; “We were really pleased to host this ‘How Parliament Works’ event which helped promote local democracy and raise awareness of the work, processes and relevance of Parliament to Hyndburn people.”

NHS Campaign Day - 9th November 2013

The Hyndburn Labour group will be taking part in the national NHS campaign day on 9th November 2013. Local representatives will be delivering information leafets regarding proposed changes to the NHS and also highlighting the consultation for Accrington Victoria's walk-in centre.

Labour representatives up and down the country will be protesting against changes to the way the NHS is run and opposing what many consider to be an increasing privatisation of the service by the Conservative-led coalition government.