Central: Travellers evicted from Steiner Street

The Deputy Leader of the Council, Clare Pritchard,  received multiple calls on Wednesday evening that a large number of travellers had arrived at a site off Steiner Street in Accrington. Councillors were on the site until 11.30pm to liaise with police.

The travellers were served with an order by Hyndburn Borough Council and Lancashire County Council to vacate the land within 24 hours and these have now been moved on.

Cllr Pritchard said, "The site at Steiner Street has been left in a mess after just a day and this will be cleaned up by HBC next week. Six vehicles moved from there on to the Oswaldtwistle Mills car park and these are now also being dealt with.  Residents in all wards are urged to keep an eye on any spare land and contact their local Labour representatives if any travellers arrive."

Clayton-le-Moors: Clayton Hall planning application to be opposed by Cllr Tim O'Kane

The owners of Clayton Hall, off Clayton Hall Drive, are seeking permission from the council to prevent the public accessing the museum, historic Grade II listed house, car park and picnic area and the proposal is set to be discussed the HBC Planning committee.

Clayton-le-Moors Councillor Tim O'Kane will be objecting to the plans as the house should currently be running as a museum due to terms of a 1990s planning application.

The application can be seen here:

11/14/0154 - Clayton Hall, Clayton Hall Drive

The Lancashire Telegraph has run an article which can be read here:

Lancashire Telegraph - Owners_in_bid_to_stop_public_access_to_Clayton_le_Moors_hall

A history of Clayton Hall is available online here:

http://www.grimshaworigin.org/WebPages/ClayHall.htm

Spring Hill: Election Candidates 2014

Candidates for the local elections were announced recently and Cllr Pam Barton will be standing again for the Labour party in Spring Hill.

Pam said, "I am proud to have lived in Spring Hill for over 40 years, twenty five years of them on the Fern Gore Estate. Both of my daughters attended St. Peter's School and living in the area has helped me understand the problems that people face.

She added, "It has been an honour to serve as your Councillor for the last 15 years and I promise if re-elected I will continue to fight passionately for all residents in Spring Hill. Your problems are my problems and I would very much appreciate your continued support."

Rishton: Eachill Junction to be upgraded by July

The Pennine Reach scheme to improve public transport systems is now underway in earnest and the Labour-led Lancashire County Council has announced a firm schedule of works which puts Rishton at the top of the list.

County Councillor for Rishton, Altham and Clayton-le-Moors, Miles Parkinson, said, "The junction at the intersection of Harwood Road, Eachill Road and High Street has long been in need of a fully pedestrianised crossing and the news will we welcomed by many residents. The junction will soon have a proper pelican crossing plus computerised priority for buses so that the lights will change in their favour on approach."

Full plans for the whole area can be seen by following this link:

Pennine Reach - Area Plans

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."

LCC: One year since Labour re-took control

It is now 12 months since Labour took control of Lancashire County Council (in coalition with the Liberal Democrats) and a list of their achievements in that first year have been drawn up:

• £3m for new Early Action Response project, with Lancashire Constabulary
• Signing of Armed Forces Community Covenant
• Implementation of the Living Wage
• Scrapping of premium rate numbers and implementing 0300 numbers for residents enquiries saving them premium rate calls
• £56m for road repairs
• Blocking payday loan company sites from county computers
• Secured Silverdale Hoard for Lancashire
• Began construction of the Heysham M6 Link
• Signed the City Deal
• Young People's travel scheme
• Renegotiation of relationship with BT Plc. And launch of BT Lancashire Services
• Appointment of new Chief Executive
• Lancashire Growth Deal
• Launch of the Lancashire Young Women's Network
• Signed up to the White Ribbon Charter on domestic violence
• Implemented the Living Wage
• Ending Zero Hours contracts
• Refurbished all adult day centres at a cost of £16m

LCC were faced with around £30m less to spend each year after former Conservative Council Leader, Geoff Driver, announced a 2% tax cut shortly before the elections. This figure is in addition to the £300m of cuts already decreed by the Conservative-led coalition government in Westminster and has led to accusations of attempted electioneering by the local Conservatives from some quarters.

Milnshaw: Election Candidates 2014

The candidates for the Milnshaw local election have been announced and Deputy Leader of HBC, Cllr Clare Pritchard, is standing again to defend her seat.

Clare said, "A vote for me is one for the good of everyone in Milnshaw to continue the great work that the Milnshaw Labour team do, no dirty deals in back rooms to get power, just hard work and determination for my ward."