Minutes from the meeting of Poulton Forum, February 2020.
PUBLIC FORUM. Hosted by Poulton & Carleton Residents’ Association on 17th Feb
Summary of main points discussed, decisions and action agreed
Introductions and Finances
1.1. Lesley Middleton introduced herself and Bill Waller (Residents’ Association Chair and Vice-Chair respectively) and welcomed those present to the 30th Forum meeting. Attendees: Approximately 135 members of the public and Wyre Councillors Roger Berry, Barry Birch, Colette Birch, Simon Bridge, David Henderson, Tom Ingham, Peter Le Marinel, Lesley McKay plus Lancashire County Councillor Alf Clempson. Apologies for absence had been received from some members of the public and Councillor Michael Vincent.
1.2. Largely for the benefit of newcomers, Lesley explained that the Forum’s aim is to help residents keep in touch with their Councillors and learn about important local issues of the day. As well as the twice-yearly meetings, Lesley can help residents find out who to contact to resolve queries and share Poulton/Carleton-wide issues. The Forum has no political affiliation. Lesley, Bill and their small team of helpers are all volunteers, receive no remuneration and do not work for the Council. Donations are sometimes sought to meet administrative costs such as publicity and room hire but would not be requested this time as, after this meeting, there would be approximately £200 in the Association’s bank account.
Recycling Changes
2.1. Sandra Byrne, who is Wyre’s Cleaner/Greener project officer, gave a presentation about forthcoming recycling changes. During March all residents will receive a new wheelie-bin. This bin will be grey with a red lid and will replace the green boxes currently used for glass/tin/plastic. From April a full fleet of new collection vehicles will be introduced together with a new collection timetable. Grey bin collection will continue to be done fortnightly. Blue bins (paper etc) and the new Red bins will alternate and be collected four-weekly. So, in a typical four-week period the weekly collection pattern will be grey – blue – grey – red. For residents who subscribe to the garden waste collection service, green bin collection will remain fortnightly. The new red bins will be easier to man-handle and have a much larger capacity than the old green boxes. The Council plan to check whether four-weekly collection of blue bins causes capacity problems – the older all blue ones only hold 120L whereas the grey with a blue lid ones hold 240L.
2.2. The new collection calendar, effective from April 2020, will be distributed shortly. All residents are urged to check whether their collection day has changed because the building of new properties in Wyre means that routes have been re-planned. For the same reason, collection timings have also changed and may continue to be adjusted as the new routes bed-in. Bins should be put out by 7.00am on collection day or after 6.00pm on the evening before.
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2.3. Residents who wish to keep their old green boxes may do so. The Council intends to collect those that are not wanted and is currently considering how best to do this. In response to questions, Sandra confirmed that all glass and plastic bottles, including their tops, can go in the red bin as well as all types of plastic food tray, whatever the colour. Drinking glasses or glass bowls etc CANNOT be placed in the new bin as they are made of toughened glass containing chemicals which do not melt at the same temperature as bottles and jars.
2.4. Sandra also mentioned that she is responsible for Wyre in Bloom. Poulton and Carleton are not currently participating in this and if any residents are interested in getting involved, they should contact Sandra on Sandra.Byrne@wyre.gov.uk
“a sense of no direction”
Local author Stan Vines gave a brief presentation about his recently published book. This is described as “an often-humorous look at other cultures and situations from the point of view of two carefree young lads travelling the world”. It relates the story of an overland journey from Australia to the UK made in the early 1970s with little if any money. The book’s publishers can be contacted at www.austinmacauley.com
Wyre Residents’ Car Park Permits
Councillor Berry explained the changes being introduced from April. Wyre has 17 car parks where no charge is levied, located in places such as near beaches, sports centres etc. There are 9 car parks where charges are levied – 5 in Cleveleys, 2 in Fleetwood, 1 in Garstang and 1 in Poulton. Seven of these operate a residents’ free parking scheme. A review of this scheme, including a survey of resident views, has now been completed and a revised scheme will come into operation from 1 April 2020. Under this, residents will pay £30 for a permit that allows 3 hours free parking per day for the next two years. Existing permits will cease to be valid except for those residents who bought their permit after 1 April 2018 and who will be able to continue using that permit until 1 April 2022. A resident who changes their car will need to buy a new permit. There is an understanding between St Chads Primary school and the Council that parents and carers may park free of charge on Wheatsheaf Way car park during pick-up/drop-off only.
Blue Badge holders can currently have 3 hours free parking in designated bays. This national scheme is being extended to include new categories of disability, such as dementia, and consequently, demand for spaces is expected to increase. Wyre will be monitoring the situation and respond as necessary. Wyre residents who hold a Blue Badge will need to apply for the new £30 permit. (The permit itself will look slightly different, being issued in the resident’s name rather than a car registration number as the badge holder is not necessarily a car owner.) There will be publicity about the new arrangements before April. Initially, application will be by post but it is hoped to have an on-line process in due course.
Draft Masterplan – what happens next?
Lesley explained that this topic was an update on, not a consultation about, the proposed developments on land between Carleton and Poulton. Councillor Ingham confirmed that the Council’s consultation period had run from 16th December 2019 to 24th January 2020 and 119 written objections had been received. Precise details of the developments will not be clear until full planning applications are received. At this point in time it appears that there may be four housing developments, a primary school and a 200 space long-stay pay carpark. The housing plans include circa 300 properties built by three private developers and a further c300 built for Blackpool Council.
In pursuit of environmental objectives, the Council is making further checks into potential flooding impacts and the development is expected to include planting some 25k trees, complete with bat, bird and owl boxes. It is not yet known when applications will go to the Planning Committee; the process may not start until Autumn/Winter or even early next year. Because of rising populations, LAs are being required by central government to build more homes, including affordable ones, and Councillor McKay made the point that Wyre Council can only influence the outcome if they participate in developing the Master Plan. If they turned it down, they would lose on appeal. The one element they can object to, and intend to do so, is the Blackpool Council proposal.
Tramway/Railway Extension and Planning Update
6.1. Councillor Henderson explained that a central government grant of £100k has been received to examine the case for re-opening the Fleetwood – Poulton railway line, either as a tramway or as a railway. Wyre, Fylde and Blackpool Councils are to jointly apply for a £2m grant to take forward a full feasibility study. At this time, a tram extension is seen as more likely and the very long-term aim would be to complete a tram circuit that included Kirkham and Wrea Green.
6.2. On the planning front, a new application has been submitted to redevelop the former Royal Oak pub site. An application has also been received to convert the former Police Station into a small market with stalls, café and bar (the latter not for late night opening). Change of use applications have also been received for the former Lloyds Chemist and the Poulton Chippy.
Highways Update
Councillor Clempson gave a resume of latest re-surfacing work completed and reported that an extra £5m has been allocated for roads. Confirmed future plans include a complete re-surfacing of Hardhorn Rd, Highcross Rd, Beech Dr, and Ash Dr as well partial re-surfacing of Moorland Rd and various others. Alf continues to pursue the issue of residents’ only parking. (Alf encourages residents to contact him about their concern at any time. His contact details are : mobile – 07983335630, email alf.clempson@lancashire.gov.uk and at his informal surgery in the New Penny Café between 10.00 and 12.00 on Saturday morning.
Any Other Business
8.1. Poulton Partnership – is a group of 5-6 people whose aim is to raise the profile of Poulton which they do, for example, by organising the Christmas events. They meet monthly and are seeking new volunteers to join them. Anyone interested in helping should inform Lesley who will pass details on. (lesleymiddleton84@gmail.com)
8.2. Teenage Cancer Trust – local window cleaner Gordon Forrest is currently training to run the London Marathon to raise money for the Trust. Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gordon-forrest. (NB – Just Giving now levy a charge for donations. The default amount is £4.50 but this is in a drop-down menu so can be changed.)
8.3. Poulton Library – Barry C Woods will be giving an illustrated talk on ‘The History of Refuse Collection Vehicles’ at the library on Friday 28th February at 2.15pm. All are welcome and admission is free.
Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be in August in Poulton – date and venue to be confirmed.
Minutes of the previous meeting of Poulton Forum, held in August 2019
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