Rishton: Gleeson Homes consultation - 7th October 2015

Gleeson Homes are proposing to build a new homes development on the site of the old Gaskells Carpets factory in Rishton.

As part of the planning process, they will be holding a consultation event on Wednesday 7th October 2015 from 3.00pm - 6.00pm at the Primetime Centre, Norden High School.

The purpose of this event is for local residents to come and see the plans for the development, look at the type of new homes they propose to build and let them know what they think.

The Rishton Councillors will also be meeting with the developers to discuss the plans and explicitly state what residents have indicated is unacceptable, for example a social housing development.

All residents are invited to attend and have their say.

Milnshaw: Flooding issues on local play area resolved

A new drain has now been installed at the play parks located at Highams playground area on the Laneside estate. The drain work was approved by local Milnshaw Councillor, Paul Cox, after several residents expressed concern that a steady stream of water seemed to flow from the edge of the play areas. 

Local Labour Councillor Paul Cox said, "Earlier this year both residents and members of Accrington Cricket Club approached me about this stream of water that flowed from the edge of the park across the footpath. After I looked at the area it was obvious that this water would become a serious safety issue when the weather deteriates." 

Cllr Cox instructed Hyndburn Borough Council Parks department to investigate this issue.  They concluded that over a period of time a underground water course had diverted to the surface on the edge of the footpath, between the two playgrounds. This was causing the stream of water to flow across the footpath and pool on the cricket pitch at the bottom of the embankment.

Cllr Cox added, "The Council has undertook a large amount of work on the playing fields of Highams within Laneside estate. Which have included extensive drainage work. I suggested we should install this drain to feed into the new system and so prevent this becoming a slip hazard and take away a sizeable flood risk to Accrington Cricket Club."

Work was completed earlier this month on the project by taking advantage of the new drainage system and constructing a small slit drain to divert away this excess water flow.

Family open day at Hanson Building Products

Hanson Building Products are hosting a family open day on 3rd October at Accrington Brickworks so that the public can get to know more about what they do.

For more information, please see the flyer above.

Spring Hill: Councillor answers nuisance neighbour calls

Spring Hill Councillor Diane Fielding has been dealing with several cases involving nuisance neighbours recently and is looking for resolutions on several issues.

Cllr Fielding said, "I met with a resident living on Fife Street that had a complaint that children were playing in front of her residence on private land. I approached Hyndburn Homes who are to put a sign on the land stating 'Private Property'."

Diane added, "An alleged nuisance neighbour on Ferngore Estate has also been reported so I took the details to Hyndburn Homes. The situation is now in hand through meetings with the tenant and representatives of Hyndburn Homes."

She further went on, "We have a situation on Sharples Street regarding concerns about a property reportedly housing several young Romanian youths. Residents are making a record of the noise nuisance, the police are involved and I will be returning this week."

The police have also issues several drugs warrants in the area which have led to arrests and prosecutions.

Free Dog Chipping - 30th September 2015

The law is changing and from 6th April 2016 micro chipping will be compulsory for all dog owners in England.

The Council’s Dog Warden service are again joining forces with the Dog’s Trust to offer a free micro chipping session in Accrington on Wednesday 30th September.

The sessions will be outside Tesco on Eagle St from 11am till 3pm and there is no need to book, just turn up and join the queue.

Micro chipping your pet gives them the best chance of being identified and returned to you if they become lost or stolen. A tiny microchip is inserted under the animal’s skin, which gives the pet their own unique code. The microchip can be scanned and matched to the owner’s contact details, which are kept on a database.

Cllr Paul Cox Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Deputy Leader of the Council said; “The law is changing soon, micro chipping will be compulsory for all dog owners in England from 6th April 2016, so why not get ahead of the game and bring your dog along to the micro chipping session.”

Baxenden: Weddings at The Haworth Art Gallery

The Haworth Art Gallery is a stunning Edwardian mansion which will make your wedding day amazing.

Set in nine acres of its own parkland, the beautiful Grade 2 listed building has wonderful open views at the front to Hambledon Mill and the West Pennine Moors, with gardens to the rear and a secluded rose garden surrounded by mature trees.
 

A beautiful house with stunning scenery, grounds and attentive staff, The Haworth is the perfect venue for your wedding day.

Contact Yvonne Robins on 01254 233782 for more details.

Spring Hill: Labour Councillor discusses Al Hamza issues

Spring Hill Councillor Diane Fielding has been out and about dealing with issues around her ward and has held discussions with residents at Moorhouse Community Centre.

Diane said, "Since becoming a Councillor I have met with residents at Moorhouse Community Centre to discuss their issues in the area, Al Hamza being the main topic. Following on from this meeting I made an appointment with Sarah at Al Hamza to introduce myself and informally discuss the issues voiced by residents which is mainly with regard to parking, drums and fireworks."

Cllr Fielding has also spoken to an enforcement officer to discuss the situation and is currently awaiting a date for a further meeting with Moorhouse residents.

Hyndburn Leisure: Learning to swim

Book new on our new courses starting 3rd August!

Hyndburn Leisure Centre and Mercer Hall Leisure Centre host swimming lessons in Accrington and Great Harwood to cater for any age or ability and are delivered in accordance with the Amateur Swimming Association’s (ASA’s) National Plan for Teaching Swimming.

Swimming Lessons are running now and places are still available to join- Simply call: 01254 385945 (Hyndburn) call: 01254 885607 (Mercer Hall Leisure Centre) or email learntoswim@hyndburnleisure.co.uk

For more details please visit the Hyndburn Leisure website:

Hyndburn Leisure - Swimming Lessons 

Join the Labour Party

Since the recent Labour leadership election on 12th September 2015, tens of thousands of new members have signed up to the party. Jeremy Corbyn replaced Ed Miliband as Leader (following Harriet Harman, who stood in for an interim period) and Tom Watson became Deupty Leader.

Tom said, "We've gained 40,000 new members since Saturday. Why not work with Jeremy Corbyn and me to shape a new kind of politics? Join Labour today!"

To sign up to the Labour party from as little as £1 per year, please follow this link:

https://join.labour.org.uk/

Viewpoint - Clare Cleary - September 2015

As Cabinet Member for Housing it’s wonderful to see things happening to regenerate the area. For example Project Phoenix, which is in its fourth phase, providing 103 brand new, modern, energy efficient homes with parking and gardens. The scheme, built by the Council’s Developer Partner, Keepmoat, offers real choice for families with a range of bungalows and 2, 3 and 4 bedroom houses to buy or rent.

Regeneration continues in Woodnook, the transformation is well underway with several different phases and types of work in progress via the Council’s Partner, Place First.

The first homes in Phase 1 on Augusta Street are already occupied by new families and are proving to be very desirable. These traditional, terraced houses have been renovated to an exceptional standard, with high levels of insulation, energy efficient heating systems, modern kitchens and bathrooms and are available to rent via Place First.

Face-lifting to shops and houses on Nuttall Street is almost complete and forms an impressive entrance to the area. The next phase of face-lifting to 139 houses on Clement St, Bishop St, South Street and Wilfred St will start very soon, improving other gateways into Woodnook.

Priestly Nook will be landscaped to provide a community space and will complete the Nuttall Street gateway. This space will be used to hold events to bring the neighbourhood together and once work is complete it will be maintained by Place First.

Renovation work continues to the “pepper potted” properties which are scattered across the Woodnook area. The first 10 proved very popular with all properties being let to new tenants. The next 4 have started on Clement Street with the remaining 46 being completed over the next eighteen months.

It’s also great to see plans progressing for a new town centre square in Accrington, to commemorate the sacrifice and bravery of the Accrington Pals. This will be the centrepiece of a project which will also see the restoration of some of Accrington’s key historic retail and commercial buildings in the town centre.

Don’t miss your chance to see the ‘Looking up and Down’ exhibition in the Market Hall which opens tomorrow. You can also put forward your own ideas about the Town Square, which will be bus-free and at the heart of the town’s revitalised heritage whilst you’re there.

Accrington is a town with a strong and proud heritage and its fine legacy of mid to late 19th and 20th century buildings are key to its distinct identity. This project offers an exciting opportunity to find out more about the town’s built heritage, create a new space for activities and to remember the sacrifice of the Accrington Pals in a way that future generations can identify with.

Please get involved and share your thoughts and ideas at the exhibition which runs from Friday 18th to Saturday 26th September. Officers, including the Townscape Heritage Initiative Officer, Annette Birch, will be on hand for questions and discussions on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th between 10am – 3pm and from Monday 21st to Friday 25th between 10 – 12 noon.

HBC: Councillors raise a glass to Her Majesty the Queen

At the meeting of the full Council on Thursday 17th September, all the elected representatives were invited to raise a toast to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, on becoming the longest-serving British monarch.

The Mayor of Hyndburn, Cllr Marlene Haworth, provided the fizz and members of all parties raised a glass to our monarch, who passed the record set by Queen Victoria on 9th September 2015.

A visitors' book is now available to sign at Accrington Town Hall and this will be sent to Her Majesty in December.

Great Harwood: The Funeral of Dr Rob Grayson

Mourners gathered at St Bartholemew's Church in Great Harwood yesterday to pay their respects to Dr Robert Grayson, son of Rishton Councillor Harry Grayson and his wife, Carol.

Rob passed away suddenly in the early hours on Thursday 10th August at the age of 45 after suffering an aneurysm. He helped run the Great Harwood Medical Group, based at the new health centre, and the High Street surgery in Rishton, serving more than 8,000 people.

Family, friends and colleagues attended the funeral service at St Bartholomew’s Church in Great Harwood at 12.00pm and over a hundred people were left standing outside. This was followed by a private cremation in Accrington.

Dr Grayson, who lived in Chatburn, leaves wife Kirsty, son Dominic, 12, daughter Georgina, 14, stepson Dermot, 13 and stepdaughter Kiera, 11.


At a meeting of the full Council later in the evening, the Mayor of Hyndburn, Cllr Marlene Haworth, held a minute's silence during the announcements in memoriam.

Donations in Rob's memory are requested to The British Heart Foundation c/o Sarah Lord, practice manager at the Great Harwood Medical Group on Water Street.

Peel: A day in the life of a Labour Councillor

A typical day as a Labour Councillor -By Councillor Joyce Plummer:

10.30 –  Call received from resident regarding untaxed van parked outside of her property (this is an on going problem this resident and other residents have been experiencing).  Called to see resident, vehicle registration checked on DVLA site and found out it is not taxed or SORNED, reported to police and DVLA.

12.30 – Call from Accrington Observer about arson attack on house on Lodge St, comments given.

18.30 – Myself and Councillor Wendy Dwyer visited residents of the property to see if we could be of any assistance, they would like us to notify them of any property to rent in the area as they are too frightened to stay where they are, but would like to stay in the area as relatives live here.

19.00 – Call from resident who is disabled and more or less immobile.  Called around to see her she has been going to Conservative Club Clayton Le Moors by taxi every Saturday. She has made many friends there now goes out on day trips with the club, which has given her a new lease of life, however there are “No Parking” restrictions now outside the club.  Although the taxi company only literally drops her off and picks her up from outside, they are now afraid to stop there at all, plus some members of the club that are stood outside at the time tell her the taxi cannot stop there. Which means she will have to stop going on a Saturday.
Discussed matter with Tim O’Kane and might have found a solution

19.55 – Call received from resident that large van is yet again parked in a dangerous position and causing an obstruction to the entrance to the street for other vehicles. This vehicle is also being driven on the pavement when being parked up. I have been in discussion with the police only last week about the numerous problems this vehicle is causing.  Councillor Dwyer and I intend to call round and try and discuss this problem with the owner.

20.30 – Rang resident in Lodge St and informed him about property to rent in Spencer St, informed him I would find out more details tomorrow and pass them onto him

Graham Jones MP: Statement on resigning from the Whip's Office

 

It is with sadness that I will be stepping down from the whips office following a short period staying on to help the new leader through the transitional period. It has taken a lot of thought over the summer and I believe it is the right and fair thing to do given Jeremy's victory.

I congratulate him on that victory, on bringing hope to many, of the increases in new members and the chance to look at issues afresh. The chance to shake Westminster up and rebuild the Labour Party. I am particularly pleased that Jeremy is going to radically change our housing policy and our attitude to the EU referendum.
Jeremy is a principled, kind and throughly decent person who wishes only the best for others and his demeanour is to be applauded.

Having had the opportunity to speak to Jeremy at length whilst we were away together in Latin America it was clear we both had much in common but there is no getting away from the fact that there are issues where we strongly differ. That breadth of view is healthy for the Labour Party as Jeremy has acknowledged.

However those differences will be tested.

Being a whip and not voting for the leader is unfair - it is a resigning matter. I believe it is quite right to be up front and clear about those differences now, not later.

We broadly or wholly agree on Europe, agree on building more council houses and tackling the private rented sector, on renationalising the railways, on the need to fix broken markets and deal with private rented housing, more protection for workers' rights, scrapping tuition fees, creating a National Education Service (like the NHS for healthcare), ending child poverty, ensuring the NHS is completely publicly run, some degree of rent controls, more investment in the arts and many other issues.

At the last election I like many of the volunteers who campaigned for the Labour Party in Hyndburn knocked on doors and stood behind our manifesto pledges which included fiscal responsibility, controls on immigration as well as policies on strong defence, membership of NATO, Trident nuclear submarines and a degree of welfare reform. These are issues where Jeremy and I have differing views.

MPs now must face up to this dilemma; their principles, current Labour policies which they stood on in May, Jeremy's victory and his manifesto for radical change, in Hyndburn the 18,000 votes Labour received in May or, the greater number of people who thought about voting Labour in May and then there are the Labour Party members in Hyndburn whom I know will hold strong views on some of these issues.

Each MP will deal with this dilemma in their own way and Jeremy has been very clear about his respect for people with differing views. He acknowledges he himself has held differing and principled views for over 30 years and voted against the Party over 500 times. We all agree that the Labour Party must remain a broad church appealing to a wide range of voters to be electorally successful.

In the end I want to stand by what I have always stood for; traditional blue collar Labour values and I believe it is both honourable and decent as well as the best for Jeremy (and myself) that I speak on these issues from the backbenches.

Baxenden: Tree planted at Haworth Art Gallery for the Queen

The Mayor joined Councillors and local schoolchildren at Haworth Art Gallery on 17th September, to mark the Queen becoming the country’s longest serving monarch on 9th September.

This landmark day, when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II became the longest reigning monarch in British history, was marked by a tree planting ceremony in her honour at Haworth Art Gallery.

Local people also have the chance to pay personal tributes, by signing one of the commemorative books which are at Haworth Art Gallery and the Town Hall, which will then be sent to the Queen at Christmas.

The Mayor, Cllr Marlene Haworth, said; “Reaching this milestone is a remarkable achievement and it was wonderful to be able to pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen, for her loyal and dignified service over all these years. I want to say a massive thank you to all the children and teachers who joined us at the event and made it so special. I really enjoyed meeting them all, they were absolutely brilliant, and each and every pupil was a real credit to their school. Also don’t miss your chance to pay your own personal tribute by signing one of the commemorative books at Haworth Art Gallery or the Town Hall, which will be there until just before Christmas, when we’ll send them to the Queen.”

Spring Hill: Councillor Fielding dealing with fly-tipping

Cllr Diane Fielding has been dealing with reports of flytipping around her ward of Spring Hill. Items of general waste were dumped behind Edelstrone Street, Exchange Street and Spring Street and these have now been dealt with by HBC.

Diane said, "Flytipping is on the increase which isn't good as it means there is less money left to spend on other services once we have cleared it up. Licences are available from Lancashire County Council for getting rid of waste and everyone is allowed quite a lot for free each year without resorting to this."
 

 

Baxenden: Deputy Mayor attends Horticultural Show

Deputy Mayor of Hyndburn, Councillor Tim O'Kane is pictured here inspecting some prize dahlias at the Baxenden Allotments & Gardens Society Annual Show recently.

Tim said, "It was great to see the effort put in by so many Baxenden residents of all age groups. A real community event. The organisers this year have an awful lot to be proud of."

Welfare Reform Bill - Slashing Tax Credits

 

Today the Government will debate plans to cut the £30billion tax credits bill by £6billion – but how many Tory rebels will join Labour's opposition to the proposals?

Frank Field, the Labour MP, has just told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the plan would leave 3million people some £1,200 a year worse off. He said:

I think the line that the whole of the Labour Party will take will be shared partly be some of the Tory party in that in the election the Chancellor said the Tory party were the party of strivers and Labour were the party of welfare. What's amazing for me is that I don't think we've had a more politically astute Chancellor in my lifetime and yet by centering the biggest cuts on the tax credits he actually blows up that image about the Tory party. For example, if he wins today over 3million people will be worse off by £1200 a year, some much more than that.

"While we make fun on our side that the Chancellor doesn't believe this stuff about being on the side of strivers, yesterday he spent the day talking to Tory MPs trying to persuade them not to defeat the Government in the House of Commons because the key thing they feel strongly about is that they represent large numbers of low-paid workers who vote Tory and they believe the rhetoric that they are party looking after them.

"Everybody talked about welfare benefits that they wanted to see cut back, there was unanimous support for a cap, which we would be very foolish to oppose, but none of them said that the people who are going to work should be punished in this way and when the Chancellor was taunting us by saying he was on the side of those that get up early in the morning and go past the houses where those curtains are still drawn, he said he was on their side, but actually he's going to make them worse off.

"If the media switches for a moment from Mr Corbyn to the disquiet on his [George Osborne's] own backbenches. Some will have the courage to defeat their own government on this issue. The reaction on the Tory benches when people turn up to their surgeries there will be uproar."

Baxenden: Social Night at old Con Club - 19th September 2015

A charity night in aid of Accrington Victoria Hospital Dialysis Unit will take place on the 19th September starting from 8:30pm at Baxenden Social Club (formerly the Con). This event is being run by Michael Fox, whose father, Gordon, kindly donated a kidney to his niece, Paula Fox after being found to be the only suitable donor without months on the Donor Waiting List.

Michael said "The event is being run for my father who donated a kidney a few months ago and had to use the dialysis unit quite a lot. It's a much needed facility within our community and the staff there are great so its fantastic to be raising money for this cause. I couldn't have planned this event without help, and would like to thank everybody who has been able to make this event happen."

Local resident David Hartley said, "The charity night will also have live music from The Soundcasters, with guest appearances from The Sparkle Sisters. The night will be informal and everybody is welcome! Many local businesses have kindly donated prizes for raffle, and if there are any businesses who wish to contribute then please get in contact with Michael on 07583374610."

Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking on 75th anniversary of Battle of Britain

 Today Jeremy Corbyn and Tom Watson both attended the service at St Pauls to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle Of Britain.

Jeremy Corbyn has spoken about the contributions his parents made to the war effort.

My mum served as an air raid warden and my dad in the Home Guard.

“Like that whole generation, they showed tremendous courage and determination to defeat fascism. The heroism of the Royal Air Force in the Battle of Britain is something to which we all owe an enormous debt of gratitude.

“The loss of life - both civilian and military - should be commemorated so that we both honour their lives and do all that we can to ensure future generations are spared the horrors of war.”

Welfare Reform Bill - warnings from Institute for Fiscal Studies

Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies,has been on BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning reiterating the concerns, adding that "the numbers just don't add up".

People on low incomes will be significantly worse off if George Osborne's planned changes to tax credits get the go-ahead, the respected Institute for Fiscal Studies has warned.

The Chancellor believes that his higher minimum wage, now known as the National Living Wage, would help to compensate for cuts to tax credits.

But the IFS has warned that the average loss from the cuts to benefits and tax credits is £750 per year for families where one person is in work.

There are 8.4 million working age households who are currently eligible for benefits or tax credits who contain someone in paid work.

In a research publication the IFS warned: “Among this group the average gain from the new National Living
Wage, is estimated at £200 per year (in a “better case” scenario). This suggests that those in paid work and eligible for benefits or tax credits are, on average, being compensated for 26 per cent of their losses from changes to taxes, tax credits and benefits through the new NLW.”

HBC: Town Centre History Exhibition - 18th-26th September 2015

Capturing history, memories and change is at the heart of an exhibition opening in the Market Hall on Friday 18th September. Members of Accrington’s camera club have been out and about the last few weeks taking photographs to record the town centre today. They have even been up onto the roof of the Town Hall ‘Looking Down’ onto the town centre and comparing views of today with those of the 1930’s.

Images and ink prints created by local people by ‘Looking up’ at unseen and forgotten architectural features will also be on display. Visitors will have the opportunity to give their ideas for the design and use of a new town square which will be bus-free and at the heart of the town’s revitalised heritage.

As the new bus station continues to emerge and progress towards completion in May 2016 Lancashire County Council are currently developing the proposals for the revised parking and traffic flows. Visitors to the exhibition will be able to see a preview of the proposals ahead of the formal consultation by the County Council later this year.

The exhibition will be available for viewing at the Market Hall during daily opening times from Friday 18th to Saturday 26th September.

Officers will be on hand for questions and discussions on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th between 10am – 3pm and from Monday 21st to Friday 25th between 10 – 12 noon.

Hyndburn Council were successful in securing a grant of £1.5M from the Heritage Lottery Fund towards the delivery of a Townscape Heritage scheme within Accrington Town Centre Conservation Area. The grant is available to fund historic conservation and restoration works focussing around the new town square and buildings in the immediate vicinity.

Cabinet Member for Town Centre’s Councillor Clare Cleary said; “Accrington is a town with a strong and proud heritage and its fine legacy of mid to late 19th and 20th century buildings are key to its distinct identity. This project offers an exciting opportunity to find out more about the town’s built heritage, create a new space for activities and to remember the sacrifice of the Accrington Pals in a way that future generations can identify with. I urge people to get involved and take this exciting opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas.”

HBC: Taxi policy consultation

Hyndburn Council are consulting local people about proposed changes to its taxi policy and are keen to know the views of those who use the Borough’s taxis regularly, as well as those who don’t.

The Council is considering relaxing the requirement for all taxis to carry a spare wheel. The Council recognises that many vehicles don’t now come with a spare wheel supplied as standard. The proposal is therefore that, in future, it will be enough for taxi’s to have a space saver or “run flat” tyre, or an inflation kit, if these are fitted as standard by the vehicle manufacturer.

The Council is also considering amending its taxi policy to clarify that paintwork repairs don’t have to be carried out by a garage or repair shop and can be done anywhere as long as they meet the Council’s standards. The Council wants to ensure that all repairs are of a high quality, but accepts that these don’t necessarily have to be done at a high cost.

Full details of the proposed changes can be viewed on the Council’s website at www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk and there is a quick and simple survey which shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to complete. The consultation period ends on 8th October 2015.