Central: Landlord fined over property in disrepair

 The owner of an empty property on Burnley Rd in Accrington has been taken to court and ordered to pay £1290 in fines and costs for allowing it to fall into disrepair.

Council officers visited the property, which had been empty since 2010, after receiving complaints about its neglected state and found that it had been broken in to and severely vandalised.

After hiring a locksmith to secure the building, officers set about tracing the owner, Mr Mark R Brennan. Officers wrote to Mr Brennan on several occasions asking him to carry out works to repair to the property. However Mr Brennan failed to carry out the works as requested and therefore the Council had no option but to serve a notice requiring the roof to be repaired, new gutters to be fitted, new windows and doors and the removal of all waste materials in the yard areas.

Cllr Clare Cleary, Cabinet Member for empty properties, said; “We gave the owner of this property ample opportunity to bring this property into a state of repair, however, despite several requests and being given extra time to comply with the notice the work was not completed.  This left the Council no choice but to issue a notice ordering the work to be carried out.  Empty properties can often cause a nuisance for neighbours as they are unsightly and can become the focus of anti- social behaviour and we will always take owners to court where they refuse to bring their properties into good repair.”

The case was taken to Hyndburn’s Magistrates court on the 29/1/2015 and Mr Brennan was found guilty in his absence of failing to comply with the notice. He was fined £400 +40 Victims surcharge and ordered to pay £850.00 costs to the Council.

Election 2015: Graham Jones MP

Graham Jones MP is standing again in the May 2015 elections to remain as our MP for a second term. He has been out canvassing since last August and is trying to speak to every householder in person. So far, the responses have been overwhelmingly positive about his time as our elected MP.

Graham said, "The number one priority in Haslingden and Hyndburn for me will always be better jobs. I have worked tirelessly to help increase our industrial capacity and increase opportunity. To improve transport links. To provide hope and to work towards a better future for families in Haslingden and Hyndburn."

Voting in the local and general elections will take place on Thursday May 7th 2015 from 7.00am until 10.00pm.

Election 2015: Rishton

Councillor Clare Cleary is standing for election on May 7th 2015 and is hopeful of securing a second term in office. Rishton has three Councillors and Clare stands alongside members Harry Grayson and Ken Moss in the Hyndburn Council chamber.

Clare was promoted to the Cabinet in May 2014 and is now portfolio holder for Housing and Regeneration. Since her appointment she has kick-started programmes which will see regeneration along the Rishton section of the canal and also housing along Spring Street. Consultations and reports are due within the next few months.

Cllr Ken Moss said, "We are fully behind Clare in this election. She is an invaluable member for Rishton and we are much stronger as a team with her on board. We each have our own different strengths, for example she has dealt with healthcare problems more effectively than I could have done, so it is better to have diversity and cohesion between ward Councillors. You wouldn't get that dynamic with an opposition Councillor and both Harry and myself urge people to vote for Clare on May 7th."

Rishton: Empty mill site gates now secured

The gates to the empty York Mill site in Rishton were recently broken open and the site began attracting antisocial behaviour.

The mill owners were contacted and have now acted quickly to secure the site.

Valentine's Day Food Safety

Planning the perfect date can be stressful as there’s a lot to worry about, including of course – whether you will get on and if you will make a good impression. So the last thing you want to think about before an important dinner is whether or not the place you choose takes food hygiene seriously.

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme means you don’t have to. The Food Standards Agency is urging you look before you book and check the food hygiene rating before deciding where to go on your special date.

The truth is, you can’t tell a restaurant’s hygiene standards by how clean and tidy the staff look or by how romantic the décor and ambience is. It’s the things you can’t see – like germs spread by bad hygiene practices – that you need to consider.. There’s one easy way to set your mind at rest – check the food hygiene rating. This tells you about hygiene standards in restaurants and other food businesses.

It’s really simple to check. Just go online to the Food Standard Agency’s website: www.food.gov.uk/ratings or if you’re out and about look for the green and black sticker; if you can’t see one just ask the staff.

The ratings are determined by local authority food safety officers and range from 0 to 5, with a 5 rating meaning very good food hygiene standards.

92% of food businesses are rated a 3 or higher so there are plenty of places with good food hygiene standards, you can choose from. This means you can easily avoid taking your special date to those places not meeting the grade.

It’s good for business too.Valentine’s Day is a busy time for food businesses and a good food hygiene rating is something to be proud of. So make sure you reassure your customers by putting your sticker up in the window. Businesses with higher food hygiene ratings agree that can helps bring hungry customers through the door.

Thousands of food businesses displaying a 3 to 5 rating say it made a positive difference to their business.

Catriona Stewart, head of the Food Hygiene Ratings Team at the Food Standards Agency, said: “On Valentine’s Day people are focused on making sure that special lunch or dinner goes well and that they make a good impression with their date.   We want them to factor in the food hygiene rating when deciding where to go and then enjoy their romantic meal out.”

Cllr Paul Cox, Cabinet Member for Environmental Health at Hyndburn Council, said; “When planning your special meal out, make sure you check the hygiene ratings online and choose a restaurant that takes food hygiene seriously. This is also an important time for local food businesses as a good food hygiene rating is something to be proud of. It matters to customers so we are encouraging all businesses in Hyndburn to display their rating.”

For more information, visit www.food.gov.uk/business-industry/caterers/hygieneratings

Clayton-le-Moors: Former James St Mission turned into parking

The former St. James Mission Building on Clayton Street, which was derelict and becoming a problem site, has now been demolished and the land used for providing additional parking.

County Councillor Miles Parkinson said, "I am working closely with LCC to provide additional parking on the former Nori Brick site behind Whalley Road and looking at a the former Sydney Street Methodist Church for the benefit of residents."

Oswaldtwistle: Hyndburn Labour wishes Alice Horne a Happy 108th Birthday!

Celebrated Oswaldtwistle centenarian, Alice Horne, turned 108 today.

Alice has a long history of charity work and was awarded the borough’s highest honour, the Freedom of the Borough, in 2005 in recognition of this.

The Mayor, Cllr Munsif Dad, visited Alice on the big day, 6th February, to present her with flowers and pass on best wishes from everyone at the Council.

Cllr Dad said, “Alice is a real inspiration and it was a real privilege to see Alice and share in her big day.