Great Harwood: Memorial changing rooms refurbishment

The changing rooms at Memorial Park in Great Harwood have been improved recently with many refurbishments including new doors and windows along with new showers and toilets.  A new roof has also been installed and the building repainted.

Cllr Ciaran Wells, Cabinet Member for Leisure said: “The new look changing rooms are a great enhancement to the facilities for local football teams. The changing rooms have been completely refurbished with improved shower facilities and repainted to look smarter as well. We’ve already had great feedback from local football teams about the improvements there.”

Andy Counsell from Great Harwood Rovers Football Club, who use the changing rooms said: “It’s great to see investment in this facility, it’s long overdue and we’re grateful that the Council has been able to support local football clubs in this way."

Central: Work gets underway to Milnshaw Park footpaths

Local volunteers came together in Milnshaw Park last week to dismantle the raised beds original planted two years ago. The beds, a community food growing project, installed by cooperative working between Milnshaw Residents Association and Hyndburn Prospects are being temporally dismantled and moved to allow construction vehicles to access more areas of the park. The work will see the footpaths in the park receive a much needed upgrade.

Working alongside the volunteers from the Hyndburn Prospects foundation was Milnshaw Councillor Paul Cox, an original member of the group who helped install the beds, who spoke with mixed feelings. He said “Of course I’m disappointed that this community edible garden is being moved, but I’m excited to see the development of the park taking place. This has been something both myself and my fellow ward Councillor Clare Pritchard have worked to see.” 

He added “I do know we will continue this project in another location in this park. However the parks improvement comes first.”

A spokesperson for the council commented that the dismantled raised beds will be stored at Gatty Park until they are able to return them to Milnshaw Park when the footpath and drainage improvement work is completed.

Illustration of the Impact of the Government Budget Cuts on HyndburnBorough Council

The Government Grant to Hyndburn Borough Council has fallen from  over £10 million in 2010/11 to £6.6 million for 2014/15. This is a drop of over £3.5 million in 4 years or over 30%. The grant is expected to fall even more in subsequent years to £5.4 million in 2015/16 and £4.3 million in 2016/17 and it is expected to continue to fall even further beyond that period.

At the same time Southern Councils have suffered much lower % cuts and some have even had increases in funding

The government is letting Hyndburn, Lancashire and the North down

More World War One commemorations in Hyndburn

The First World War commemorations continued in Hyndburn over the weekend with a day of nostalgia.

Staff at the Civic Arts Centre, in Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, have been creating a lasting legacy made by the thousands of Pals who bravely fought for their country between 1914 and 1918 by hosting an event tomorrow.

 

'Back In’t Day’ consisted of traditional music and games, poems, drama performances, and speeches.

Project manager Sophie Fitzpatrick said  “The young people are looking to speak to anyone who knows anything about Oswaldtwistle during the First World War and any of the local Accrington Pals. Real 1914 money can be purchased in bags to pay for the games, such as farthings ha’pennies and shillings.”

This was also a fundraiser and it followed on from Sunday 16^th February when hundreds of people gathered on Accrington’s Broadway for the launch of Hyndburn’s First World War commemorations, prior to the annual Accrington Pals Memorial Service at St John The Evangelist Church, Accrington, to pay tribute to the sacrifice and bravery of the Accrington Pals.

On July 1, 1916, on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, the Pals suffered severe losses and more than 600 casualties, leaving the community back home shattered.

Other commemorative plans also include an exhibition at Haworth Art Gallery and in Accrington Town Hall foyer, the planting of poppies at sites across the borough, a service at Accrington Station, a performance of the famous Accrington Pals play by Oswaldtwistle Players. There will also be a Centenary Concert, including a performance of the original Pals March, which will be held on September 27.

Great Harwood: Farmers Market - 2nd March 2014

The next Great Harwood Farmers Market takes place on Sunday 2nd March 2014 from 8.00am. The event is sponsored by Gaskells Motor Bodies in conjunction with HBC and will feature an increasingly wide variety of local foodstuffs and produce. The market is held on Towngate until around 2.00pm.

Lancashire Break Time Survey

A new survey has been launched this week to help gain some insight into to needs of Parent Carers in the Lancashire Area.  This Lancashire Break Time (LBT) survey has been put together by parents for parent. We are interested in your opinions on 'short breaks'. These are an arrangement by which the primary unpaid carer of a child with a disability is given a break from their caring role. This is usually for a period of at least 2 hours during evenings, weekend or school holidays.

Lian Pate, Lancashire Break Time Burnley Representative, said "Please could you forward this information to your members, networks or people that you come into contact with that have a disabled child? The questionnaire is for any Parent Carers within the Lancashire County Council area,If you have a disabled child under the age of 18 then this survey is for you, and your opinion matters" 

Hyndburn Councillor, Paul Cox, added "it's important that this group gets the feed back of this valued section of the community, but more so has been produced by Parents FOR Parents. Please take a few minutes to look or pass on to those you may feel could benefit" 

Please feel free to distribute this questionnaire to any one you feel relevant. The questionnaire deadline is Friday 28th February 2014.

Please see the link for the Lancashire Break Time Survey below

 http://www.biglighton.org.uk/breaktime

Baxenden: Haworth Park lawns to be transformed

Haworth Park and Art Gallery are the Jewel in Hyndburn's Crown and the news that the lawns at Accrington Haworth Park are to be transformed, so they can be used for cultural events and outdoor weddings is very exciting.

Our thanks go to Baxenden Community Forum who have been successful in being awarded a grant of £28,700 for the project.

 The group has previously worked alongside Hyndburn Borough Council to gain funding to restore the original rose garden in the grounds in 2012.

Now its has teamed up again to secure the money from Lancashire Environmental Fund and a grant Baxenden Area Council, to pay for drainage work to be carried out on the lawns adjacent to the new rose garden.

The Secretary of the Baxenden Community Forum, Sheila McVan, ,said: “We put the bid together at the end of last year and we are delighted to have the money for the drainage work. The lawns are very wet and the old drains are blocked and so it really needs doing. Once it’s done, the ground will be dry enough for us to plan outdoor events like plays and musical events and will also allow the Haworth Art Gallery to host weddings and other functions outside in marquees. The money will also be spent on a raised area, sort of like a stage, for these events to take place.”

The work is set to begin in the first week of March and is expected to take between four and six weeks. The lawns and rose garden will have to be closed off during the work.

Coun Ciaran Wells, the executive member for education, leisure and arts, said: “I’d really like to thank the Baxenden Community Group for all their hard work in securing the funding and everything they’ve done so far on the rose garden. I would  also like to thank them for always working alongside the council to make Howarth Park such a special outdoor space.”

Full Council - 26th February

The next meeting of Hyndburn Council will be held on Wednesday 26^th February in the Council Chamber at Accrington Town Hall at 7pm. At this meeting the budget will be debated and the Council Tax will be set for the 2014/15 municipal year. This year there will be no increase in Hyndburn Council’s share of the Council Tax. More information is available on Hyndburn Council’s website:

Hyndburn Council meeting 26 February

A G E N D A

1. Apologies for absence

2. Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

3. Announcements

To receive announcements from the Mayor, Leader of the Council, or Chief Executive.

4. Confirmation of Minutes

To confirm, as a correct record, the minutes of the Council meeting held on 23rd January 2014 (attached).

5. Recorded Votes at Budget Meetings

Report attached, together with the Minister’s letter. Page 2 of 2

6. Prudential Indicators and Treasury Management and Investment Strategy 2014/15 - 2016/17

To consider the attached report, which was considered by Cabinet on 5th February 2014 and referred to Council for approval.

7. Medium Term Financial Strategy 2014/15 – 2016/17

To consider the attached report, which was submitted to and approved by Cabinet on 5th February 2014.

8. General Revenue Budget, Council Tax Levels and Capital Programme 2014/15

To determine the general revenue fund and capital programme for 2014/15. To enable Council to make the required decisions, the following documents are submitted:-

a) Revenue Budget 2014/15

The proposals put forward by Cabinet on 5th February 2014 (report attached); the final proposals of the controlling group will be submitted at the meeting.

b) Capital Programme 2014/15

The proposals put forward by Cabinet on 5th February 2014 (report attached); the final proposals of the controlling group will be submitted at the meeting.

c) Comments and Recommendations of Overview and Scrutiny

The Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee will meet on 18th February 2014 to consider the budget proposals for 2014/15. The Committee’s comments are set out in the attached report.

Free Digital inclusion lessons provided in Milnshaw

After a successful point scheme was run by The Switch in late 2013, Banbury Close Community Centre became a UK on-line centre. The Switch in conjunction with Hyndburn Homes ran free Digital Inclusions days and following on from this well received project they now offer free on line tutorials every week. They are trying to highlight this and encourage people who have never accessed the internet to go along. Improving the understanding of the Internet and getting residents to take part in a more relaxed location is the idea behind this project.

These courses are free and open to anyone who wishes to improve their computing skills. Milnshaw Ward Labour Councillor, Paul Cox, said “this scheme is a great opportunity for local residents to have a go at surfing the web and picking up some on line knowlage” he added “access to the internet can save up to £500 a year using price comparison, plus with 90% of all new jobs requiring some form of computer literacy digital inclusion schemes like this are a vital part of the community”

These open sessions are open to all residents of all ages. Not just Hyndburn Homes tennats. There are a wide range of options available once enrolled, from simple internet access to constructing a new C.V.

Hyndburn Warm Homes

Last week Councillor Kerry Molineux and Councillor Ciaran Wells went out with the surveying team from the Warm Homes initiative. The scheme is to help create warmer homes within Great Harwood. Warm homes is offering free boiler replacements and free home insulation to those who qualify.

If you would like more information please feel free to get in touch either directly to the Warm Home Team 0800 6127838 or via Hyndburn Homewise on 01254 232249

ITV coverage of the Accrington Pals Banner on 16 February 2014

Granda News Bulletin of Accrington Pals

Hyndburn launches WW1 centenary celebrations

The sun was shining and Accrington Pipe band played as hundreds of people gathered on Accrington’s Broadway yesterday (Sunday 16^th Feb), for the launch of Hyndburn’s First World War commemorations, prior to the annual  Accrington Pals Memorial Service at St John The Evangelist Church, Accrington, to pay tribute to the sacrifice and bravery of the Accrington Pals.

The Accrington Pals are interweaved into the very fabric of Hyndburn’s local history, famously forming as they did a Pals battalion to fight in the First World War, with many men from this area answering Kitchener’s call and joining up.

But on 1^st July 1916, on that fateful first day of the Battle of the Somme, they suffered severe losses and over 600 casualties, leaving the community back home shattered and hardly anyone untouched, with so many losing husbands, sons, brothers, uncles, friends and neighbours.

Hyndburn’s Mayor, Cllr Judith Addison, was joined by special guest of honour, Mrs Ruth Turner, wife of the late Bill Turner, author of many books about the Pals and from whose collection the photos were taken for the commemorative banner.  Mayors from across Lancashire, Military dignitaries, cadets, British Legion members, Pals families and hundreds of local people were also in attendance for the launch event on Accrington’s Broadway which saw the Mayor officially launching the huge banner featuring images of the Accrington Pals and  fifty cadets releasing one hundred balloons to mark the hundredth anniversary.

Cllr Addison, said; “This magnificent banner is the result of a lot of hard work of dedicated, passionate and enthusiastic volunteers on the Accrington Centenary Commemorations group.  Cllr Addison paid special tribute to Mrs Turner and renowned local Pals historian and researcher Walter Holmes who carries on the late Bill Turners work, for all their help in making it happen.

Cllr Addison added; “This is truly a wonderful memorial and as a Borough we anticipate it will provide a focal point and a major part in the promotion of our First World War commemorations.”
Later over four hundred people attended a poignant commemoration service led by Rev Gerald Higham at St John the Evangelist Church in Accrington.

Cllr Miles Parkinson, Council Leader and Chair of the Accrington Pals Commemorations group said; “It’s been a really 'poignant afternoon, it was a very dignified ceremony and quite emotional when the balloons were released.”

Cllr Parkinson added “The commemorative banner is the result of a lot of hard work from volunteers and people involved with the Pals and a huge thank you should go to them, also to the many people who turned out on the day to pay their respects to the Pals and the WW1 fallen.”

Special guest of honour, Mrs Ruth Turner, who is part of the Accrington Pals Commemorations group, said; “It’s been an absolutely marvellous day and so special to me because of the banner and the centenary commemorations and it would have been very special to Bill. The church service was absolutely wonderful as well, the whole event has been so spectacular and very emotional and even the weather was kind for the day.”

Mrs Turner added; “Chronicling the history of the Accrington Pals and recognition for their bravery was my late husband Bill’s life’s work and I was so happy to be able to represent him on this momentous occasion.”

The events started a programme of activities running from 2014 to 2018 in Hyndburn, to coincide with the programme of national commemorations of the First World War, which will also feature The Duke of Lancaster’s Freedom Parade, set to take place in Accrington on 1^st July 2014.

The Accrington Pals Centenary commemoration group’s plans also include exhibitions to commemorate the Pals at Haworth Art Gallery and in Accrington Town Hall foyer; planting Poppies for the Pals at sites right across the Borough; a commemoration service at Accrington Station; a performance of the famous Accrington Pals play by Oswaldtwistle Players and a Centenary Concert, including a performance of the original Pals March on 27^th September 2014.

Details of upcoming events are featured in a leaflet available locally at Accrington Town Hall Information Centre, Accrington Library, Accrington Market Hall, the Civic at Oswaldtwistle, the local history museum in Accrington’s Arndale and via the Council’s website at http://www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/site/scripts/download_info.php?downloadID=1400.

An Accrington Pals commemorative beer has already been produced and is on sale at Accrington Information Centre in the Town Hall and Oswaldtwistle Mills. The Borough’s boundary signs will also soon be updated to say ‘Welcome to Hyndburn, home of the Accrington Pals’.

The Council is also working with the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment to arrange the Freedom Parade in July 2014 and also to incorporate a commemoration of the Accrington Pals in a new town square in Accrington, which will be a fitting tribute to all those brave men whose losses devastated the whole community.

Looking ahead, commemorations are planned in Accrington and France on 1^st July 2016,  with an early morning special Council meeting and a maroon flare  at 7.30am in Accrington, to mark one hundred years since the Pals went ‘over the top’  and books of honour presentations and wreaths laid at the Accrington Pals memorial in France.  Thanks must go to local Pals researcher, Walter Holmes, who worked closely with Bill Turner and carries on his sterling work. Walter researched, assembled and printed the books of honour and is a mine of knowledge on all aspects of the Pals.

Cllr Parkinson concluded; “The Pals centenary events are for everyone, right across the Borough, to recognise and commemorate the Pals and their sacrifice and their place in the borough’s rich history.” 

Spending on Welfare Benefits

The bulk of our welfare cost is on the state pension.

Politicians have repeatedly shied away from suggesting there should be cuts in that area of      spending, as it isn’t a vote winner with older people, who are usually more inclined to turn out at    elections.

Targeting something like housing benefit is easier politically, but housing benefit is not just paid to households where no one is working, it is paid to many pensioners and households who are earning but on low paid.

We spend four times as much on state pensions as we do on housing benefit, but if Osborne is determined to squeeze another £25bn out of Government spending while protecting pay-outs to pensioners, then it is housing benefit, jobseekers allowance and carers allowance that are likely to feel the brunt.

Here’s a breakdown of how the DWP spent their entire benefits budget in 2011-12.

Benefit	Cost in £bn                Percentage in 2011-12                 of Budget
State Pension	74.2                            46.32%
Housing Benefit	16.9                            10.55%
Disability Living Allowance	12.6                              7.87%
Pension Credit and Minimum Income Guarantee	8.1                                5.06%
Income Support	6.9                                4.31%
Rent Rebates	5.4                                3.37%
Attendance Allowance	5.3                                3.31%
Incapacity Benefit	4.9                                3.06%
Jobseekers Allowance	4.9                                3.06%
Council Tax Benefit	4.8                                3.00%
Employment and Support Allowance	3.6                                2.25%
Statutory Sick Pay and Statutory Maternity Pay	2.5                                1.56%
Other benefits	10.1                              6.30%

Milnshaw Residents Association Meeting

Wednesday the 12th of February at 7pm saw the community meeting of Milnshaw Residents Association take place at Banbury Close Community centre. Despite the poor weather conditions, the hardy, Milnshaw estate residents were given a presentation by Lancashire County Council Disabled Champion along with a ward update from local Milnshaw Councillor Paul Cox.

During the meeting, Disabled Champion, County Councillor Molineux spoke about his role at county Hall and gave the community group a brief description of the work County Council does to support disabled residents. This was followed by a short Q&A session.

Councillor Cox told the group that following a successful meeting with LCC highways department ,and work done by both Milnshaw Councillors, improvements to the footpaths around the estate were now underway. He also spoke about the £100,000 that has been committed by the labour led authority to repair and renew Milnshaw Park footpaths.

Chair of the meeting, Mr Unwin, informed the meeting that a special AGM will be taking place on the 11th of March 2014 with a view to appoint a new committee. He urged residents to come forward stating that “a little work is hugely repaid by being part of this organisation”

Cllr Cox added “things are really starting to move forward in Milnshaw, the footpaths, the Park and now an active community centre. Just because a couple of individuals step away it would be a shame to let these things fall away. However I will always work for my community so the Residents Association can always count on my support”

Rishton: Area Council Meeting - 4th March 2014

The next meeting of Rishton Area Council will take place on Tuesday 4th March at 7.00pm in the Conservative Club on Cliff Street. Cllr Ken Moss will take the chair and all residents are invited to attend to find out updates from their local representatives (including Council Leader Miles Parkinson).

An agenda and set of papers can be found here:

Rishton Area Council - 4th March 2014

Study shows Hyndburn losing £35m per year under welfare reforms

Recent research by Sheffield Hallam University that documents the impact of the welfare reforms on local areas across the whole of Great Britain. Work carried out by Christina Beatty and Steve Fothergill show that when the welfare reforms have come into full effect they will take almost £19bn a year out of the economy. This is equivalent to around £470 a year for every adult of working age in the country.

Hyndburn has been identified as one of the areas that have been hit hardest losing £35 million per year which equates on average to £676 per working age adult per year. This has ranked Hyndburn 16th worst hit area, with Burnley 12th and Blackpool 1st. The financial impacts in Hyndburn of benefit reforms are detailed below:

Housing Benefit: Local Housing Allowance:

• 3,200 households affected
• £3million estimated loss per year
• On average a loss of £58 per working age adult

Housing Benefit: Under occupation (bedroom tax):

• 900 households
• £0.7 million estimated loss per year
• On average a loss of £13 per working age adult

Disability Living Allowance:

• 900 individuals
• £3 million estimated loss per year
• On average a loss of £55 per working age adult

Incapacity Benefits:

• 2700 individuals affected
• £9 million estimated loss per year
• On average a loss of £185 per working age adult

Child Benefit:

• 11,200 households affected
• £4 million estimated loss per year
• On average a loss of £73 per working age adult

Tax credits:

• 8,400 households affected
• £7 million estimated loss per year
• On average a loss of £133 per working age adult

There are also additional impacts to Non-dependent deductions, Household benefit cap and Council tax benefit.

Great Harwood: Towngate update

The past 12 months have seen great changes and investment to Towngate. The market, run by local volunteers with some help from HBC, has raised over £3000.00 for local charities and has brought people and businesses into Great Harwood.

The Mercer Clock, thanks to the work of the Civic Society and local volunteers, has been restored to former glory and looks fantastic following its renovation.

Your local Labour team and Labour controlled Hyndburn Council would like to thank everybody for their hard work over this last year and we look forward to seeing continued investment in Great Harwood.

Shelter advice line for debt worries

We know that one in 10 people in the North West fear they won’t be able to afford to pay the rent or mortgage at the end of this month. Yet many people in this situation would feel too ashamed to ask for help.

Shelter’s helpline receives too many calls from people in desperation, and on the brink of losing their home, because bills and notices have been left unopened and problems have piled up.

This year we are encouraging those at risk to seek advice from Shelter and avoid problems spiralling out of control.

We would very much appreciate your help in getting this message out there. You can take these four actions to help people in Hyndburn to find professional advice:

• Post a link to our online advice on your website - www.shelter.org.uk/advice
• Encourage your case workers to bookmark our online advice pages - www.shelter.org.uk/advice  so they can refer to them when dealing with housing-related case work
• Let your friends know how to get help from Shelter via our online advice and free telephone helpline number -  www.shelter.org.uk/advice    0808 800 4444
• Tweet our online advice details, or retweet us. You can find us at @Shelter

You may also wish to share the ‘Shelter Stories’ blog, which seeks to offer a first-person, friendly, and accessible introduction to advice.

The Tories try to rebrand themselves as The Worker's Party

In a recent speech, Conservative Chairman Grant Shapps has claimed that the Tories are the Workers’ Party. Yes, really.

What a rebrand.

• That’s the same Party who have made it easier to sack workers.
• The Party who have made working people who have been unfairly sacked stump up £1,200 to get justice at a tribunal.
• The Party who allowed employers to bribe workers to give up their rights at work.
• The Party who took the EU to court to stop a tough cap on bankers’ bonuses.
• The Party who have presided over a 2.2% pay cut for workers in every year since 2010.

The list goes on….

We can’t let them get away with this pretence.

Do you think the Tories are wrong? Add your name now:

http://www.unionstogether.org.uk/tories

LATUC Lancashire Living Wage Campaign

The Lancashire Association of Trades Union Councils (LATUC) is part of the national TUC and represents over 30,000 trade union members in Lancashire. The LATUC wrote to all Lancashire Councils in December 2013 asking the following four questions:

1) Has the council agreed to pay staff at least the National Living Wage of £7.65 per hour?

2) Does the council pay at least the Living Wage to all staff contracted as agency staff?

3) Has the council a policy of attempting to secure the payment of a Living Wage in its procurement processes?

4) Has the council considered setting up a scheme where local employers paying the Living Wage can apply to be recognised as a ‘Living Wage Employer’?

The replies received show that 9 out of the 15 councils in Lancashire will pay their staff the national Living Wage rate of £7.65 per hour in 2014 and one council will set its own Living Wage rate of £7.45 per hour. This is good news as the Living Wage is far better than the national minimum wage rate of £6.31 per hour. A single person on the national minimum wage earns £4,050 a year less than they need for a decent standard of living according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. A couple in full-time work on the minimum wage with two children earn £13,200 less than they need.

Councils which will pay staff the national Living Wage rate of £7.65 per hour in 2014:

1. Blackpool Council  (Labour)

2. Burnley Borough Council  (Labour)

3. Chorley Borough Council  (Labour)

4. Hyndburn Borough Council  (Labour)

5. Lancashire County Council  (Labour)

6. Lancaster City Council  (Labour)

7. Pendle Borough Council  (Liberal Democrat coalition)

8. Preston City Council  (Labour)

9. Rossendale Borough Council  (Labour)



Councils which will pay staff their own Living Wage rate in 2014:

10. Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council (£7.45 per hour)  (Labour)



Councils which will not pay staff the Living Wage rate in 2014:

11. Fylde Borough Council  (Conservative)

12. Ribble Valley Borough Council  (Conservative)

13. South Ribble Borough Council  (Conservative)

14. West Lancashire Borough Council  (Conservative)

15. Wyre Borough Council  (Conservative)

HBC Staffing reductions since 2010

A departmental map has been produced to show the reductions in full-time staff at HBC between 1st April 2010 and 30th November 2013. The green sectors indicate a 20% or less reduction, the yellow sectors are the average cut across the Council and show between a 20-25% reduction and the red sectors show those departments which have been reduced by more than 25%.

Some Environmental Health staff moved across to Regeneration as part of restructuring and Waste Services and Parks also use agency staff. Democratic Services includes Area Council staff, civic services, member services and elections staff. Vacant posts have also been factored in to these figures.

The Labour administration at Hyndburn Borough Council are faced with the harshest cuts in the whole country but are striving to keep the same level of front line services whilst protecting staff jobs as much as possible.

Oswaldtwistle: Heritage Lottery Funding for Rhyddings Park

The Parks and Cemetery Service in partnership with Groundwork and Friends of Rhyddings Park
have been told that the national heritage lottery board have approved the recently submitted Parks
for People bid, and as such a development budget will be provided to work up a stage 2 bid for
submission in August 2014.

The second stage is not competitive in that the money has been reserved for the Rhyddings Park
project subject to providing the necessary documentation (detailed designs, audience development
plan, maintenance plan etc.) and business plans that were detailed in the stage 1 application.

There is still a lot of work to do but the heritage lottery fund have always recognised that stage 1 was the competitive round and stage 2 is about organisations having the time to submit a business case of the required standard. The Lottery has reserved £1,461,900 for the delivery stage of the project which will take place over the next 3 years.

If successful the project will make a real and lasting difference to how the park is viewed and used
by local people. The practical changes proposed include:

• restore existing walls and refurbish the Coach House as a community venue
• improve derelict spaces and return the walled garden to its traditional use of food growing
• including the construction of Victorian style greenhouses
• improve footpaths, access points and signage in and around the park
• develop the restored former Coach House for the park including meeting rooms, a cafe and a training kitchen
• Establish a training and volunteering programme linked to park management, community engagement and healthy eating ensuring that social as well as heritage benefits are secured
• develop programs of guided walks and family fun activities

HBC Benefit Fraud Investigations - January 2014

The Hyndburn Borough Council investigations team have released their monthly update on their casework.

The Benefit Fraud sanctions and penalties given between May and December 2013 by the Investigations Team are:

• Prosecutions 19 - An increase of 6 on the last bulletin
• Official Cautions 59 - An increase of 12 on the last bulletin
• Administrative Penalty 4 - An increase of 1 on the last bulletin

These have a combined notional sanctions value of £137,600, an increase of £34,800 since the last
bulletin. This means the target has now been hit, but this won’t stop us from chasing and catching
other benefit cheats, there are already 36 people due to be interviewed during January 2014.

In the period April to December 2013, 82 people have been found guilty of Benefit Fraud. As we embark on 2014, you can help us really make this a year of great change by helping us stop fraudsters and saving those vital public funds which benefit cheats are not entitled to.

The Fraud Hotline 01254 380 240 is available 24 hours a day to leave details in addition to the
Council website’s report a fraud page. This can be reported by following this link:

HBC Benefit Fraud Form

Volunteers wanted for new Princes Trust Scheme

The Council has been approached by Chris West from Lancashire Fire and Rescue, who is leading the team of people helping young people to take part in the Princes Trust, for assistance with ideas for local projects.

The Princes Trust Team is a 12 Week Personal Development Programme for unemployed and employed young people aged between 16-25 and is based at Hyndburn Community Fire Station. The Prince's Trust Team was inspired by HRH The Prince of Wales, with the aim of encouraging young people to do something positive for themselves and the community. Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service saw the Prince’s Trust Team programme as a way to develop young people by modifying behaviour and changing attitudes.

This is achieved through working directly with young people, developing them for further education, progression into the workplace or creating opportunities for those already in employment. This process creates ‘friends’ of the fire service who become socially aware and respect the dominant social beliefs and values, and can assist with the Fire Service’s aim of reducing the incidence of arson and accidental ignition.

This in turn reduces casualties and death by fire thus corresponding with the Service’s primary objective of
making Lancashire a safer community. It aims to give the young people of Lancashire, whatever their background, the opportunity to succeed by taking part in a nationally recognised personal development programme of quality and to empower them to work in their local community and to have the benefit of that
community. By doing so, we aim to change attitudes, improve behaviour and increase the performance of our young people.

The next course starts on 13 January and Chris and his team are looking for ideas for the project that these young people need to complete as part of the programme. They are looking at a February start for the project, so an indoor project would be ideal.

For further details please contact Chris West PT - ACCROSS Team Leader at
accrosstl@lancsfirerescue.org.uk or via telephone on 01254 356 987 or 07920 574622, or
alternatively contact Sarah Whittaker on 01254 380613 to discuss.

Lancashire Police: In The Know

At a recent Overview and Scrutiny Meeting with Lancashire Police, a new service available to
members of the public was discussed. The Committee asked that all members be made aware of the
service so that they can promote it to their local residents. It is called 'In the Know'.

What is it?
Lancashire Police “In The Know” Messaging system offers you the means to receive information
from the police and other agencies in the County which suit your preferences for content, locality
and means of communication. It is a free service and there are no contracts, costs or obligations of
any kind.

How do I get involved?
Registration is quick, simple and completely free and can be done via the Lancashire Police website

How will I receive messages?
You can elect to receive messages by email, or sms text. Members registered to receive only text
messages will still receive important information, but not all messages/warnings circulated on the
system.

Can I change my mind?
Of course! If you change your mind, you can unsubscribe at any time. It’s your service, your call.

How about Data Protection?
Your personal details will be securely held under the provisions of the Data Protection Act and only
the people you want to see your details can see them. They will never be shared with commercial
organisations.

Why should I bother?
By registering on the system you can keep in touch with the things that concern you and your
community. We would like you to be informed, involved and “In the Know!”

The alert types that are available for members to sign up to are as follows:
• Business & Retail Crime Alerts
• Caravan & Campsite Crime Alerts
• Hotel Crime Alerts
• Licensed Premises Crime Alerts
• Local Crime Alerts & Policing Activity
• Media Alerts (Missing Persons, Emergencies,etc)
• Rural Crime Alerts (inc. Farm & Equestrian)
• Place Of Worship Crime Alerts
• Neighbourhood Watch News
• Recruitment
• School & College Crime Alerts
• Volunteering & Special Constabulary
• Waterway Crime Alerts (Canals, Rivers, Marinas)

Click here to register http://www.registration.lancashire.police.uk/registration

GREAT HARWOOD CEMETERY

Following consultation with residents, your Labour council has purchased land to ensure the future of Great Harwood cemetery. We know that people care about the cemetery and want the security of knowing that there will be more cemetery space for years to come.

We are investing in the infrastructure of the town and we can assure residents that we care about the future of our town.

Cabinet - 5th February 2014

The next meeting of the Cabinet is to be held at 2.00pm on Wednesday 5th February 2014 in the Queen Elizabeth Room at Scaitclifffe House.  Reports can be accessed via this link:

Cabinet - 5th February 2014.

There will also be supplemental agenda items on the following:

Medium Term Financial Strategy 2014/15 to 2016/17
General Fund Revenue Budget 2014/15
General Fund Capital Programme 2014/15
Revenue Budget Monitoring 2013/14

Members of the public are invited to come and view proceedings from the public seating area.

Central: Park footpaths to be resurfaced

Footpaths in Milnshaw Park (which actually falls within the boundary of Central ward) will be upgraded soon part of the Council’s commitment to improving local parks.

Routine inspections have shown that the footpaths were in need of some work as the surface had deteriorated, over time, since they were first installed. Approximately 2000 square metres of footpath will be reconstructed and another 1000 square metres resurfaced to ensure good access all around the park at a cost of approximately £100,000.  In addition the footpaths around the old paddling pool area will be rationalised to ensure access to the west side of the park can be maintained.

There will be some disruption for pedestrians during the works, however different parts of the parks will be undertaken in sequence to ensure diversionary routes can be set up allowing people to still use the park to access Hyndburn Road and Lancaster drive. The work is due to start w/c 3rd February and be completed before the end of March.

Cabinet Member for Parks, Cllr Ciaran Wells said; “The resurfacing work to this popular local park will make access easier for visitors to enjoy the amenities there.”

Have your say on the Budget 2014

Cllr Ken Moss, Chair of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, invites the residents of Hyndburn to take part in the Council’s budget consultation meeting.

The meeting takes place at Scaitcliffe House Accrington on Tuesday 18th February 2013, starting at 10.00am.

Ken said, “This is an opportunity for our residents and businesses to hear about the Council’s budget issues and to quiz us about the budget for next year.”

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Miles Parkinson, will attend the meeting to answer questions about the budget. He urged people to come along, saying, “Your comments and views are important to the Council and we take them into account when reaching a final decision about what you will pay in Council Tax. This meeting will give residents the opportunity to hear about the proposals for Hyndburn’s portion of the Council Tax for 2014/15, and to tell us how you would like your Council Tax to be spent.”

Budget papers will be available from 5th February on the Council’s website at www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/meetings and following the link to the Cabinet meeting on 5th February. If you would like to speak at the meeting, please contact the Scrutiny Officer on (01254) 380128 or email scrutiny@hyndburnbc.gov.uk no later than 4pm on the 12th February.