HBC: More free dog waste bags at Scaitcliffe House

Free dog poo bags are available for Hyndburn dog owners as part of the Council’s drive to encourage all dog owners to clear up after their dog. 

Cllr Miles Parkinson, Leader of the Council; said “The majority of dog owners do clean up after their dogs, but it’s just the irresponsible few who refuse to pick up after their dog who spoil things for everyone else. To encourage dog owners to clean up after their dog, I am pleased to announce the Council is once again offering free dog poo bags to all Hyndburn residents and would simply ask that the bag is placed in one of the 338 dog bins that are maintained by the Council, or take it home and dispose it in your grey wheeled bin”. 

Cllr Paul Cox, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, added; “Dog fouling is a national issue and, although numbers of reported incidents have actually dropped in Hyndburn, our dedicated Dog Warden and Enforcement Team continue to work hard every day to tackle the issue and will issue fixed penalty notices to those who allow their dogs to foul.” 

Cllr Ken Moss, Cabinet Member for Leisure, added; “Problem areas identified by members of the public will be investigated by the Dog Warden, this includes parks and open spaces, and the Council’s three cemeteries for dogs off leads. We need everyone’s help in the fight against dog fouling, so if you see anyone failing to pick up after their dog please report it to the Council by email: enquiries@hyndburnbc.gov.uk, or by calling 01254 388111.” 

To pick up your free dog poo bags visit Scaitcliffe House reception during office opening hours.

HBC: Dangerous dog owner found guilty in court

The owner of a dangerous dog, Josh Hargreaves, of Accrington, has been found guilty and ordered to pay almost £400 in fines and costs by Magistrates, after his dog attacked another dog last year, inflicting fatal injuries.

Blackburn Magistrates court heard how Josh Hargreaves’ dog, a Dogue de Bordeaux mastiff, ran out of a house on Cobham St Accrington and attacked Charlie, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, whilst he was out walking with his owner in August last year.

Charlie was taken to the vets straight after the attack, but sadly died later of a punctured wind pipe.

The Council’s Dog Warden investigated the incident, and told Mr Hargreaves that he must keep his dog under control and that his property must be secured so that the dog cannot run out onto the footpath. The Council then prosecuted Mr Hargreaves under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Mr Hargreaves has also been served with a Community Protection Warning Notice which requires him to keep his dog on a lead whenever it is in a public place.

Cllr Paul Cox, Cabinet Member for Environmental issues, said; “This is a distressing case and our hearts go out to Charlie’s owner and family who have lost their beloved pet. We will always take action against dangerous dog owners and take them to court wherever we can.”

HBC: Conservatives say Hyndburn recycling wheelie bins are 'a waste of money'

At a meeting of the full Council in Accrington Town Hall on 5th January 2017, the Conservative group Leader asked for clarity from Labour regarding statements in the local media concerning changes to recycling collections in Hyndburn.

Labour Leader of the Council, Miles Parkinson, confirmed that as of summer 2018 the waste collection cost-sharing agreement with Lancashire County Council will end. Hyndburn will switch to a full wheelie bin service for recycling which will see two additional bins for each of the 35,000 households in the borough and an end to the blue and white sack system.

Cllr Parkinson said, "To purchase the necessary wagons to fit down back alleys and supply two new bins to every house in the borough will cost in excess of £2m. This will use up our capital grant from the government for an entire year but we feel that it will enable us to provide the recycling collections that residents have been requesting for a long time and streamline the service."

Cabinet member for Waste Services, Cllr Paul Cox said, "Hyndburn currently receives a substantial income from separated recycling but during 2018 our grant agreement with LCC will end and HBC will be around £800,000 per year worse off. At that point we will switch to combined recycling and provide an easier system for residents than the one we have now."

However, the plans were met with an angry response from the Conservative side and the scheme was derided as a poor investment of public funds.

Cllr Peter Britcliffe said, "As the system was only revamped three years ago, all I can say is what a waste of money."

Cllr Miles Parkinson responded, "The system was not revamped, the wagons were replaced as they had come to the end of their operational lifespan and at that time we did not know that the cost-sharing agreement would be coming to an end in 2018. As you had not set any money aside for new wagons during your decade in office, the Council was faced with an additional £700,000 bill in 2013."

The new recycling system will be operational by the summer of 2018. 

Barnfield: Councillors and MP get involved in Woodnook clean up

Milnshaw Ward labour Councillor, Paul Cox, took part in a community clean up in the Woodnook area of Barnfield, organised by both Placefirst and local the local Social enterprise The Switch.
 
Cllr Cox, who is portfolio Holder for Enviromental Services at Hyndburn Borough Council joined local ward Cllr June Harrison, County Councillor Bernard Dawson and Hyndburn's Member of Parliament Graham Jones in collecting rubbish from around the area.

Cllr Paul Cox said, "I’m happy to come along and help any group who take such an active role in tidying up there area. At Waste Services we will collect all rubbish collected from these events plus supply bags and grabbers. Just get in touch and ask for community clean up forms."

Local volunteer Jodie Travis added, "It was fantastic to see our local Labour team getting out and really helping us clean the place up. Sometimes all that is needed is a bit of cooperation and we can make a real difference."

Milnshaw: Local Councillor gets involved in Laneside clean up

Working with Lanside Residents Association, Milnshaw Ward Councillor, Paul Cox took part in a community clean up day on Laneside estate in Accington on Saturday 12th March. Using funding obtained via Lancashire County County the residents association once again ensured the estate took part in this much appreciated spring clean.

Chair of Laneside Residents Association, Malcolm Sommerville, said, "We have been working hard over the last 20 years in improving our estate, this is another example of how we work to do this. I’m really great full that Paul, our local councillor, mucks in and helps keep the area clean."

The community clean saw skips, supplied by Hyndburn Borough Council, located at the junction of Haywood Rd and Ribblesdale Ave. The event ran from 8.30 till 12 and was aimed at Laneside's residents, giving them a chance to get rid of some of their winter waste. 

Local Labour Ward Councillor Paul Cox stated, "I always help these local events, keeping both Milnshaw, including Laneside estate, clean is vitally important to me. Getting involved in these projects is a important part of this. I believe almost three tons of waste was collected during this event which proves how successful they are."

Deputy Leader attends Hyndburn Youth Council elections

Deputy Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, Cllr Paul Cox, attended the elections of a new Member of the Youth Parliament to represent the young people of East Lancashire on 9th March.
 
The candidates were drawn from members of the area's Youth Council. Several members of this council were attempting to be elected to the three available seats: Hyndburn, Ribble Valley and Rawtenstall. The event took place at Accrington Town Hall within the council chambers.

Cllr Cox (who also represents Milnshaw) said, "What an inspiration these young people are, they all spoke with great courage and determination on subjects that were really important to them. If this is the standard set by our Youth Council then we should be very proud of the next generation."

If you wish to look at who was successfully elected then please have a look at Hyndburn Youth Council and see all the hard work, projects and campaigns this group are involved in.

Barnfield: Flytipping at Russell Street and Clement Street

Household waste including a bed and a fridge freezer has been dumped along Russell Street and Clement Street in Barnfield.

Barnfield Labour candidate for 2016, Jodie Travis, said, "I reported this to Cllr Paul Cox and it is now being dealt with by the Council. It really upsets me that people feel they need to do this when the Council offers free collection of bulky items. What a shame people treat Barnfield in this way and my little lad has to see it."

To arrange a free collection of any bulky item of furniture please contact HBC on 01254 388111.

Church: Man fined £555 for dog fouling at Dill Hall Cemetery

An Accrington man was convicted by magistrates and ordered to pay £555 in fines and costs recently, after failing to pick up after his dog had fouled in Dill Hall Cemetery.

Phillip Andrew Gabriel, of Meadoway, Church, Accrington was issued with an on the spot £75 fixed penalty notice by the Dog Warden, who had witnessed him failing to pick up after his American Bull type dog had fouled in the cemetery.

Mr Gabriel was convicted in his absence at Hyndburn Magistrates Court of failing to clean up after his dog, contrary to the Borough of Hyndburn Dog Control (Fouling of Land) Order 2007.

Cllr Paul Cox, Cabinet Member for Environmental issues, said; “Dog wardens patrolled the area after complaints from cemetery visitors about dog fouling instances there. This case should serve as a warning to those irresponsible dog owners who refuse to pick up after their dogs, dog fouling is always an unwelcome anti-social issue, but in a cemetery setting it’s particularly upsetting and disrespectful to people visiting loved ones graves.”

HBC: Mayor's Ball raises over £3,000 for charity

The annual Mayor's Ball was held at Accrington Town Hall on Saturday 27th February 2016 in the recently-refurbished Ballroom under the theme of 'Hollywood Glitz and Glamour'. Over £3,000 was raised for the Mayoral Charities over the course of the evening.

Councillor Marlene Haworth was elected as Mayor of Hyndburn for the Municipal Year 2015-2016 at the Council's AGM on Thursday 21st May 2015 and will serve until May 2016.

Councillor Haworth has served as a Borough Councillor in the St Oswald's Ward for 11 years.
The Mayor has been a resident of the Borough for 35 years after moving here from Clitheroe, where she was born.  She is married with three sons, a daughter-in-law, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

She has been supported in her Mayoral year by Mrs Dorothy Berry as her Mayoress on events and also her husband, Jim, who has acted as her Consort.

Councillor Haworth has chosen four charities to support during her year.  Derian House, Hyndburn Used Furniture Store (HUFS), Knuzden Over 55's Group and Macmillan Cancer Support Hyndburn in memory of Former Mayor and colleague, Councillor Pam Barton.

The entrance fee was £30 each and Hyndburn Labour were well-represented, with 10 Councillors and more than a dozen invited guests also buying tickets. Cllr Ken Moss was asked by the Mayor to take photographs throughout the night and a small selection are presented here.

The full set can be viewed at the Hyndburn Labour Facebook page.

Milnshaw: Damaged bollards at Electricity Street replaced

 

Milnshaw Councillor Paul Cox was contacted by a resident earlier this month about damage to a traffic bollard located at the top of Electricity Street. The obstruction is believed to have been caused by a wagon mounting the pavement on the previous Saturday night. One resident, Mrs Abbott, who regularly passes this area contacted her local Councillor to ask if this could be repaired.

Cllr Cox said, "Mrs Abbott often travels passed this location on her mobility scooter heading towards town. She struggled to get passed the damaged road surface so contacted me to see if something could be done. I made contact with Lancashire County Council Highways department and explained how this was causing some difficulty. After reporting the incident, the Highways department secured the damaged area and replaced the bollard also repairing the footpath within the month."

Cllr Cox added, "I’m glad this work was attended to promptly which has allowed several residents to now use the drop kerb and ramp access into town from Milnshaw Estate. If any other residents have similar issues please feel free to get in touch."

Milnshaw: Play equipment repaired at Highams

Following recent enquiries about the cableway/aerial runway at Highams play area, Thornyholme Rd Laneside Estate, from residents to local Ward Cllr Paul Cox, action has now been taken to repair the damaged items.

Milnshaw Councillor Paul Cox said, "During one of my ward walks I was asked about why the cableway on the park was not working. I contacted Hyndburn Council parks department and asked if this could be replaced or repaired."

Cllr Cox added, "Following on from my requests I am  pleased to inform residents that The Parks department was now awaiting parts, which are due to be delivered on or around the 19th of January. Once available the company that we bought the cableway from are to fit the parts and also fit parts to the large rotating skysurf, so hopefully it will all be back up and running by the end of this month.

If any resident has any other issues please just get in touch via the Council's website or by telephoning Cllr Cox on 01254 726379.

HBC: Register to vote by 18th April 2016

Hyndburn Council is urging residents to make sure they register to vote, with the process to compile the Borough’s new electoral register well underway.

It’s all change this year, as the register is being put together under the new system of individual electoral registration. Canvassing staff have been going door to door right across Hyndburn to contact those who still haven’t returned the new household enquiry form.

“It’s really important that residents look out for the new forms and get them back to us as soon as possible” says Councillor Paul Cox, Deputy Leader of the Council. “We are aiming to make the electoral register as complete and accurate as possible. We don’t want people to lose the right to vote in the Council and Police & Crime Commissioner elections next year and it can be difficult to get credit if your name isn’t on the register.”

Registering to vote is now a two stage process following recent legislation intended to make the register more accurate and reduce the risk of electoral fraud. Under the new individual electoral registration system, which is being rolled out across the country this year, every household must complete a household enquiry form which tells the Council who lives at each address.

There are many ways to do this. The form can be posted back in the prepaid envelope supplied or completed online at www.elecreg.co.uk/hyndburn. Alternatively, if all the details on the form are correct, you can call 08082 841469 or text 07786 209369 to confirm, using the individual security codes printed on your form. The Council will then use the information supplied to send an individual registration form separately to each of the people living at your address.

“Registering to vote is a bit more complicated this year” says Councillor Cox, “but many people will be able to respond quickly and easily, either online or by phone or text message and the Council’s elections staff will be happy to answer your queries about the new system if you give them a call. Everyone’s vote really does matter, so we are urging residents to reply to the household enquiry forms as quickly as possible if they haven’t already done so.”

Milnshaw: Local Councillor oversees playing fields improvements

Milnshaw Ward Labour Councillor, Paul Cox, has been with Hyndburn Council parks department team today as they start another phase of improvement works on Lanside estates Highams Playing fields. The Qeen Elizebeth II graded sports pitches and children’s play area has over the last 2 years undergone major drainage works. However the former soil Bay Area was a section of the recreation ground that still needed to be upgraded. 

Cllr Cox said, "I’m really happy to see this next stage get under way. This phase will see the existing storage walls dismantled. Which will be followed up with landscaping and a fresh layer of topsoil creating a fantastic feature. This is yet more commitment from a Labour controlled council to ensure we have the best sport and play facility’s in the area. I’m constantly looking at more ways to improve the Laneside area for all to benefit."

HBC: Over 70 people attend microchipping event

Over seventy dog owners brought their dogs along to a free micro chipping session in Great Harwood on Wednesday 27th January.

The Council’s Dog Warden service again joined forces with the Dog’s Trust to offer another microchipping session at the Town Hall Square in Great Harwood, ahead of the changes to the law on 6th April, where micro chipping will be compulsory for all dog owners in England.

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 and from 6th April micro chipping will be compulsory for all dog owners in England, so it’s great that so many owners came along yesterday to get their dogs micro chipped.”