Hyndburn Conservatives no-show at full Council meeting

The Conservative group boycotted the full Council meeting on March 22nd, citing that there were too many items being discussed which were outside the power of HBC to affect.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Miles Parkinson, said, "I'm puzzled by this because there is nothing on the agenda which is not directly related to Hyndburn Council. It is dereliction of duty to deliberately stay away from this council chamber and represent the public when they are paid an allowance to do so. Political stunts by the opposition to get a headline in the Observer are unforgivable. This is nothing more than an election stunt."

He added, "We live in a democracy, we should not be shying away from healthy debate but asking questions to make sure that this borough moves forward. The Conservatives are not doing the work, they come with glib sentences and smirk at motions such as those brought recently by Cllr Aziz to improve transport links."

Cabinet member, Cllr Ken Moss, said, "They have run away tonight to attempt a cheap headline in the Accrington Observer. Everyone misses a meeting now and then but to take a night off en masse is blatant electioneering, although I'm not sure how it's a positive thing."

St Andrews Councillor Stewart Eaves said, "I think we might be seeing a glimpse of the future here after May's elections. No Tories in the Council chamber."

Rishton Councillor Jeff Scales said, "Many years ago a guest repeatedly failed to turn up after being booked on 'Have I Got News For You' and was replaced by a tub of lard. Are we going to have to invest in seven tubs for the next Council meeting?"

Huncoat Councillor Eamonn Higgins said, "It's a pathetic act with no more purpose than to attract publicity in the run up to an election. Nonetheless, we debated several issues which directly affect the residents of Hyndburn, such as the proposed bus lane in Clayton and the future of Accrington Victoria walk in centre. I am disgusted that these Tory Councillors who are supposed to be representing the public have the bold brass neck to claim their allowances."

Several members of the public were observing in the gallery over the Council chamber.

Milnshaw Labour candidate, Andy Clegg, said, "I think it's an insult that such an honour as representing your constituents can be used as a cheap headline grabbing stunt. I hope that the people who these people are supposed to represent see through this seemingly desperate attempt to bag a few lines in the local press and win a few cheap votes."

St Oswalds Labour candidate, Gayle Knight, said, "Perhaps they were out campaigning and thought that was more important than representing the public."

The full agenda can be seen below:

Rishton: Tesco Bags of Help for Festival Committee

Rishton Festival's World War 1 'Bags of Help' appeal is now live at the Great Harwood and Colne branches of Tesco.

Cllr Jeff Scales said, "Please support the Festival this year by popping along with as many children as possible and argue that they all need their own blue token and get voting! It's early days but we're currently winning!"

A token is given to each shopper and the winning cause will be awarded between £1,000 and £5,000.

Rishton: Labour Councillors secure Walmsley Street link road

The Rishton Labour Councillors have succeeded in arranging for Walmsley Avenue and Walmsley Street to finally be connected as part of a new development which will see 43 houses built on the site of the old Albert Mill if a planning application is successful.

Cllr Ken Moss, who has been in discussions with Lancashire County Council and developers since 2010, said, "This is wonderful news and will come as a great relief to many people on the Southside estate who have wanted this for over 40 years. We sat down with LCC and the property developer and stated what we want so that it is not only right for them but also the Rishton residents."

A letter from Highways Development Control at LCC on 12th November 2017 states, "The land ownership issues appear to have been resolved to enable the link from Walmsley Avenue to Walmsley Street to be formally adopted by Highway Authority. The assessment shows that the redistribution of local traffic will not cause a severe impact upon the highway network or safety."

County Cllr Miles Parkinson said, "With a new development proposed, it's logical to link up the roads at the same time, bring the cobbled sections up to the proper standard and finally resolve a long-standing issue. I'm pleased that myself and the Rishton Labour Councillors will be able to draw a line under this and improve the traffic infrastructure."

The full case file containing all documents relating to the application can be found here.

Rishton 2016: Labour hold

 

The results of the Rishton local election are as follows:

• Jeff Scales (Labour) - 766
• Ann Scaife (Conservative) -  632
• David Dowling (UKIP) - 439

Rishton: Vote for Piggy Park at Tesco

The Piggy Park Community Garden Project has been entered into a competition for funding alongside two other Lancashire projects under the 'Tescos's Bags of Help' Funding Scheme. If successful in the bid, the group will be able to buy a potting shed, install raised beds and be able to develop a 'Forest School' area for use by St Charles School, Copperhouse Children's Centre, Rishton Brownies and as many other local groups as possible.

Group secretary Jeff Scales said, "This money will help to transform a neglected and underused site into a green oasis within Rishton, providing environmental education opportunities for the whole community. Voting is currently taking place in the Tesco store in Great Harwood. so please pop along and vote for Piggy Park!"

Chairman of the group, Cllr Ken Moss siad, "This is not an online vote, you can only vote in the Great Harwood store so please get as many people as possible who shop at Tesco to vote!"

Hyndburn Labour announce candidates for 2016

The Hyndburn Labour group have formally selected candidates for all 12 wards up for election in May 2016.

Group Leader, Cllr Miles Parkinson, said, "I am pleased to announce that we have had a really excellent range of people coming forward wishing to stand, from a long-standing teacher to an experienced member of staff at Calderstones. All are standing on a Labour ticket and no deals have been done with any other political group to engineer a result. We will be fighting this election on the back of years of hard work from our 25 Labour Councillors and we hope the public continue to trust us to look after Hyndburn in 2016."

 St Oswalds - Glen Harrison

 Overton - Stephanie Haworth

 Altham - Steve Button

 Rishton - Jeff Scales

 Spring Hill - Munsif Dad

 Church - Jean Battle

 Barnfield - Jodie Travis

 Peel - Patrick Short

Central - Abdul Khan

 St Andrews - Stewart Eaves

 Baxenden - David Hartley

Netherton - Noordad Aziz

Rishton: Vote for Piggy Park

Rishton Labour hopeful, Jeff Scales, has been submitting funding bids for the project at the disused Piggy Park and has been successful in securing money from various sources. This money will be used for the creation of a community growing area for volunteers from across Rishton and already has considerable support from local residents and schools.

One such bid has been put in for the Galaxy Hot Chocolate fund, which has the following mission statement:

"Every week, until February 28 2016, we will be looking to help local community groups and charities across the UK and Ireland by awarding five £300 cash awards a week. Four of these will be awarded by our judges’ panel. There will also be a People’s Choice Award every week which will be awarded to the entry with the most votes in any given week."

Jeff said, "We have been able to successfully raise money to achieve the development of the site. However, our big ambition is to maximise the quality of experience for the children that will be using the site - pre-school, primary and Brownies - therefore we want to buy hand tools such as trowels and forks as well as starter growing kits for the children (pots, compost and seeds)."

Cllr Ken Moss, who is overseeing the formation of the group, said, "I would encourage people to click on the link and vote for Piggy Park. It's easy to do and is a good local project for Rishton children. If people don't vote then we won't get the money so I would encourage people to do it."

The voting page can be found here:

Galaxy Hot Chocolate Fund - Piggy Park Community Garden Association

Rishton: Councillors fight to save public services from government cuts

The Rishton Councillors have been lobbying against proposals to cut the number of public buildings across the region such as libraries and community centres.

Labour candidate for 2016, Jeff Scales, said, "This is really bad news for Rishton. The Children's Centre is regarded as outstanding and the Library is a key local resource, especially for older people and families. It's another consequence of the disproportionate cuts that Lancashire is faced with as a result of this government. I'll be working with local Councillors to explore every opportunity to try to keep these facilities open."

Rishton: M J Gleeson Homes consultation meets with positive reaction

A consultation event to showcase a proposed development at the vacant land along Parker Street attracted plenty of interest from Rishton residents and the plans were generally favourably received.

The event was hosted by M J Gleeson who will shortly be submitting a full planning application for 75 houses on the site with access off Parker Street and Wheatfield Street. The Rishton Councillors have previously made it clear that social housing would not be welcome and this has been incorporated into the designs which were on display.

Cllr Clare Cleary, Cabinet member for Housing and Regeneration, said, "Almost everyone who has seen the plans today thought that they were good and it seems to have allayed a few fears about what will eventually be built there. I'm also glad that we have taken the time over the Canal Masterplan because it has not only generated renewed interest in the vacant sites but is shaping the plans which are being put in front of us to suit the people of Rishton."

Cllr Ken Moss said, "The plans were for 100% affordable housing costing between £80,000 and £120,000 with various help-to-buy schemes put on the table as well. The costings have been drawn up so that 90% of working couples who currently live in Rishton will be able to afford ones of these properties. These developers clearly believe in home ownership rather than rented housing and that can only be a good thing."

Cllr Harry Grayson said, "There is a lot of thought gone into this and I am pleased to see that the site won't be crammed full of houses. They are all good sized family homes with front and rear gardens and driveways plus the development will incorporate enhancement along the canalside. Thumbs up from me."

County Councillor Miles Parkinson, also Cabinet member for Planning, said, "As with all developments, detailed studies will be done concerning the impact on the roads and utilities, plus schools, doctors and emergency services. It is standard in these cases for considerable contributions to be made to accommodate services for an increased population."

Prospective Labour candidate, Jeff Scales, said, "I was impressed with the plans the development makes much more sense than simply leaving an eyesore. The developers said they will be using local tradesmen to do all the work as they are more reliable and it will also provide increased tax revenue to the Council at a time when investment is badly needed. I hope it also gives a boost to trade at the Free Gardeners Club and the local shops." 

A full planning application is expected to be submitted within the next month or so.