Rishton: Construction begins at Parker Place

Construction on the 72 new homes at the old Gaskells Carpets site, currently going by the name of Parker Place, was officially started on Thursday 10th November with a ground cutting ceremony. Cllrs Clare Cleary and Miles Parkinson were in attendance along with the Mayor and Mayoress of Hyndburn.

Cllr Cleary said, "This represents a real beginning of regenerating this site. The local Councillors are all enthusiastic about this and we have had many enquiries about how residents can buy new houses before the first one is even built. It's an exciting time for Rishton."

Accrington: Remembrance Day 2016

 

Hyndburn Borough Council and the Royal British Legion organised the annual raising of the flag on Armistice Day out side Accrington Town Hall on 11th November 2016. The event was introduced by the Mayor of Hyndburn, Cllr Tim O'Kane, and featured readings from local clergy, schoolchildren and ex-servicemen.

 

The Deputy Mayor of Hyndburn, Peter Britcliffe, did not attend the service.

Somme Commemorations 2016

Council Leader, Cllr Miles Parkinson, today thanked everyone who attended and all those involved in planning last week’s Somme Centenary Commemorations in the Borough.

Council Leader, Cllr Miles Parkinson, said: “The Pals’ huge bravery and sacrifice and that of their comrades who fought and fell in World War One, must never be forgotten, it was wonderful that so many people came along to the many commemorative events which took place across the Borough to mark the centenary of the Accrington Pals' devastating losses and to mark the sacrifice of all those who fell in the Great War.”

Somme Commemoration events included the March to the Front, replicating the march of the Accrington Pals to the front on 30 June 1916. Part of this event was 'Falling'- a stunning visual art performance at 7pm in Oakhill Park, featuring local people representing the Accrington Pals.

The Pals Memorial in Accrington was the site of a number of poignant and moving commemorative events. A candle lit vigil was held by the Royal British Legion on the eve of the Battle of the Somme Centenary, followed the morning after by a Civic Commemoration, led by Rev Ian Enticott, to mark one hundred years since the Pals went 'over the top'. The whistle was blown at 7.30am by Corporal Oliver Gillibrand of the 4th Battalion Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment.

A similar service, led by lay reader Cllr Judith Addison, took place at the Pals memorial in Serre, France at the same time. It was attended by the Mayor Cllr Tim O’Kane and Mayoress Mrs Melanie Storey and a party including members of the Great War Society, nine year old Emily-Rose Hughes, representing the Royal British Legion and six year old Luke Holmes, the grandson of Pals Historian Walter Holmes and great, great nephew of Accrington Pal, Walter Holmes.

Cllr O’Kane said, “The service on the Somme was poignant and well attended. We could hear the skylarks singing and moving about at the start of the service and you could have heard a pin drop when the whistles sounded to advance into no man’s land.”

Lois Broderick laid a wreath at the Commemoration and later read names of the Pals at the roll call in honour of her father, the late Bill Turner, renowned historian and author of many books about the Pals.

Jeremy Harvard, who had travelled from Australia for the Commemorations laid a wreath in honour of his Grandfather, Accrington Pal, Sgt George Haynes, at the Civic Commemoration and also read his name at the roll call.

Jeremy said; “It was a very touching and poignant ceremony, sending us a message from the past that we can take to the future. We need to keep their memory alive.”

Cllr Parkinson added; The Pals centenary events were a chance for everyone, to recognise and commemorate the Pals and their sacrifice and their place in the borough’s rich history, so it’s great that so many people came along and supported the events.

Cllr Parkinson concluded; “The commemoration events are the result of a lot of hard work of Council staff, the Royal British Legion and volunteers involved with the Accrington Pals Centenary Commemorations Group, which is made up of members of the community including Pals experts; historians; local craftspeople; people involved in drama; local voluntary groups and the Council, and a huge thank you should go to them.”

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

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."

Clayton-le-Moors: Tony Webber welcomed by Bishop of Blackburn

Deputy Mayor Tim O'Kane was among the dignitaries welcoming Tony Webber to the benefice of Clayton-le-Moors and Altham at a service in All Saints Church conducted by Julian Henderson, the Bishop of Blackburn.

Speaking about the service, which was attended by several hundred, Cllr O'Kane said, "It was lovely to see so many people present and I can only echo the sentiments of our Catholic priest, Father Derek McCartney, when he said Clayton is unique in the area for recently having appointed two young members of the clergy simultaneously. "

Clayton-le-Moors: Deputy Mayor attends Merchant Navy Day

The inaugural commemoration of Merchant Navy Day in Hyndburn took place on Thursday 3rd September 2015 and the event was well attended. Deputy Mayor Tim O'Kane and ex-Merchant Navy Cllr Bill Pinder hoisted the Red Ensign outside Accrington Town Hall to mark the occasion.

Cllr O'Kane said, "This commemoration is long overdue. During World War I, the Merchant Navy lost over 14,000 personnel and in the next conflict that number was more than doubled to over 32,000. We owe them a great debt as they were the ones who kept the nation fed and industry ticking over."

Merchant Navy Day - 3rd September 2015

3rd September 1939 marked the outbreak of the Second World War. Few are aware that it also marks the first major British maritime casualty. The merchant vessel SS Athenia was torpedoed just a few hours after hostilities were declared, with the loss of 128 passengers and crew.

The Red Ensign, or ‘Red Duster’ as it is affectionately known, has been recognised as the flag of the British Merchant Navy since 1854. The raising of this flag will be an occasion of pride in every community. The men, women of the United Kingdom’s Merchant Navy served our country heroically during two World Wars, some from Hyndburn. As an ‘island nation’ the UK still relies on Merchant Navy seafarers for 95% of our imports, including half the food we eat and 75% of our exports (by volume) are shipped from UK ports.

Hyndburn Borough Council will be holding a short ceremony on Thursday 3rd September 2015 at Accrington Town Hall at 10.00am to mark the contribution of the men and women who served.

Deputy Mayor, Councillor Tim O'Kane, said. "Recognition of the sacrifices the brave men and women of the Merchant Navy made is well overdue. If you know anyone who was in the Merchant Navy, and there are quite a few in Hyndburn, let us know and we will do our best to acknowledge them during the short service."

If any members of the Merchant Navy would like to attend this service then please contact Helen Gee on 01254 388111.

Clayton-le-Moors: Ruby Award given to David Cross

Mr David Cross of Clayton-le-Moors has been awarded the Ruby Award, a special award to celebrate 40 years of Hyndburn Borough Council and to acknowledge eminent individuals in each ward.

Cllr Tim O'Kane said, "David is a fellow 'bottom-ender' and has done an immense amount of work for community safety. He is one of the patriarchs of Clayton and although people may not fully respect the police these days they certainly pay attention to David and his wife Anne. This award is fully deserved."

Independent Councillor Nick Collingridge said, "David has been a great community figure for many years and even though he is now in sheltered housing he is still out organising bingo afternoons and coffee mornings. Congratulations on your award, it is thoroughly well deserved."

David said, "Thank you to everyone for their kind words but all I have ever really tried to do is help people. I enjoy what I do and I would like to say thank you to everyone else who has been involved too."

Clayton-le-Moors: Election Candidates 2014

The candidates for the local elections in Clayton-le-Moors have been announced and Cllr Tim O'Kane will be standing once more for the Labour party.

Tim said, "I am delighted to again be asked to be the Labour Candidate in Clayton Le Moors. I have enjoyed being responsible for scrutinising matters on health, education and policing for the last three years but there is much more to be done. People in Clayton are suffering from the indefensible Bedroom Tax and the cost of living crisis has necessitated foodbank provision which I am on with but which should not be considered in 21st Century Britain.  The Tories have let us down and UKIP keep banging on about leaving the EU as being the solution. How does leaving the EU help local firms who export to Europe? Labour is the only sensible vote for Clayton-le-Moors."

Clayton-le-Moors: Traffic monitoring

Clayton-le-Moors Councillor Tim O'Kane has been out and about with traffic patrols in his ward. The patrols monitor traffic behaviour, notably speed, and previous exercises have led to the erection of speed indicator signs and in some cases prosecutions.

LCC Health Scrutiny Committee webcast

Clayton-le-Moors Councillor Tim O'Kane recently attended the LCC Health Scrutiny Committee at County Hall and raised several issues relating to Hyndburn. Lancashire County Council meetings are webcast and Tim's speech can be heard by following this link:

LCC Health Scrutiny Committee - 10th September 2013

A timeline on the right hand side allows viewers to fast forward to the relevant section and Tim's speech begins at 1:45:40.

Dogs in hot cars

With the current spell of hot weather set to stay with Great Britain for some time, a campaign has been launched by Dogs Today Magazine to remind people not to leave their dogs in cars, even with the windows down. An experiment conducted recently saw temperatures inside a car with all four windows open rise from 29 to 50 degrees Celcius within half an hour.

Cllr Tim O'Kane, Chair of the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee, is championing the campaign and urges people to look at the dedicated web page for details of exactly what happens in cars during hot weather:

http://www.dogstodaymagazine.co.uk/dontcookyourdog/

Profile: Councillor Tim O'Kane

Cllr Tim O'Kane is one of the two representatives for the Clayton-le-Moors ward and was first elected to HBC during the 1990s. He has been appointed to the following committees at HBC this year:

• Audit Committee  
• Clayton and Altham Community Development Board  
• Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Chair) 
• Health and Communities Working Group 
• Judicial Committee (Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licensing)

He also sits on the following outside bodies:

• Clayton-le-Moors Old People's Welfare Committee 
• Clayton-le-Moors Youth Club 
• Hyndburn Homes Industrial and Provident Society Limited Board 
• Hyndburn Homes Repairs Limited Board 
• Lancashire County Council Health Scrutiny Committee 
• Lancashire Waste Partnership (Substitute Representative) 

Cllr O'Kane said, "I have been reappointed as Chair of the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which involves having a close look at issues concerning health, education and policing. I am also the Council's representative on the Health Scrutiny Committee at County Hall in Preston. The main health issue we are tackling at the moment is the transition to Clinical Commissioning Groups against a backdrop of privatisation of the NHS. In education, the hot potato is the expectations of schools opting for academy status then finding the funding not matching the promises. On policing, it is how to maintain manning levels against a backdrop of massive cuts in funding and with a change in operating procedures brought about by the introduction of the new police commissioners. Separately, I am trying to adapt the Community Roadwatch scheme to improve road safety, particularly enforcing the 20mph speed limits.I have also been reappointed onto Hyndburn Homes board where the immediate problem is implementation of the bedroom tax which is causing major headaches throughout the borough."

Anyone wishing to contact Tim can do so on 07865 684412 or by emailing tim.okane@hyndburnbc.gov.uk

Labour Party meets to discuss Bedroom Tax

Members from the Labour Party gathered on Friday 7th June 2013 at Manchester Town Hall  to discuss the manifesto position on the Bedroom Tax. Cllr Tim O'Kane from Clayton-le-Moors (and Chair of the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee) was the Hyndburn representative amongst 35 other Councils who went along to meet Jack Dromey, the Shadow Housing Minister.

An announcement on contributions from the day and a statement regarding the Labour Party manifesto stance is expected shortly.

Speed sign problems

The local police force have informed the Labour Councillors that a number of motorists are breaking the law and avoiding fines because speed notification signs are pointing the wrong way at the time of the offence.

Cllr Tim O'Kane has taken photos of the problem in Clayton-le-Moors and said, "You can see from this photo how someone could easily get on the wall and turn the sign round. In this case I am contacting the Highways department to get the sign put the right way round but higher up the lamppost to stop it happening again."

County Council Election 2013 - Altham, Clayton-le-Moors and Rishton

Canvassing and leafleting has begun for the campaign to re-elect Cllr Miles Parkinson as County Councillor for Altham, Clayton-le-Moors and Rishton. Miles was elected in 2009 and has since gone on to also become Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council when control shifted back to Labour in 2011. 

Miles has been assisted by Cllr Chris Fisher in Altham, Cllr Tim O'Kane in Clayton-le-Moors and Cllrs Ken Moss, Harry Grayson and Clare Cleary in Rishton. Over the coming weeks they will be out and about in all areas to promote Miles's work ahead of voting day on 2nd May 2013.

The Labour group pay for all their own campaign literature and if you have any further questions then please get in touch by looking under the 'Your Councillors' tab on the homepage of this blog.

Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee - 29th January 2013

Cllr Ken Moss will be Chair at the first ever joint meeting of the HBC Overview and Scrutiny Committees on Tuesday 29th January. The Resources O&S Committee looks at Council finances and assets to ensure best value for money whilst the Communities and Wellbeing O&S Committee focuses on services and ways to improve the general wellbeing of the borough's residents.

Cllr Tim O'Kane will also be in attendance and the meeting will be an opportunity for O&S to question the six members of the Hyndburn Cabinet to ensure that recommendations put forward over the last 12 months have been implemented.

The meeting will start at 10.00am in the Queen Elizabeth Room at Scaitcliffe House on Ormerod Street in Accrington (HBC Offices) and members of the public are welcome to view proceedings from the gallery.

HBC & VOSA Taxi safety checks

On Friday 23rd November, Hyndburn Councillors Chris Fisher and Tim O'Kane (pictured below) oversaw a secretly planned operation spot checking the safety and compliance of Private Hire and Hackney vehicles in the borough. 

The multi agency operation involved local Councillors, Police with ANPR (Automatic number plate recognition), VOSA and the councils own proactive licensing enforcement team.

Cllr Chris Fisher said " We asked the Police to target random Private Hire and Hackney Cabs and bring them in for a spot safety check. These checks included brakes, lights, suspension and tyres. Drivers were also checked by our licensing team and insurances by the Police."

"I would like to thank everyone who took part in this hugely successful operation last night.
Out of the 18 vehicles we tested a staggering 9 had serious defects and were issued with PG9 notices on the spot and taxi plates seized. Defects found included broken suspension spring, serious brake defects, no headlights and worn tyres."

"I wish to send out a clear message to operators in the borough that this is not a one off exercise, public safety is our primary focus and the vehicles they hire must be safe and comply with the law. Operators who don't share this view will be pursued and taken off the road"