Your PUBLIC FORUM. Hosted by Poulton & Carleton Residents’ Association is back with Poulton Forum June 2022.
Poulton Forum 28 June 2022
After over two years and a worldwide pandemic, at last the Forum is happening again.
Summary of main points discussed, decisions and action agreed
1. Introductions and Finances
1.1. Lesley Middleton (Residents’ Association Chair) welcomed those present to the 31st Forum meeting; the first to be held since February 2020.
Attendees: Approximately 71 members of the public and Wyre Councillors Roger Berry, Tom Ingham, Peter Le Marinel and Lesley McKay, plus Lancashire County Councillor Alf Clempson. Apologies for absence had been received from some members of the public and Councillors Barry Birch, Colette Birch, David Henderson, Michael Vincent, and from Simon Bridge who had asked that residents who had issues to raise with him do so via Lesley. (lesleymiddleton84@gmail.com)
1.2. 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. The Forum has no political affiliation. Lesley, and her small team of helpers are all volunteers, receive no remuneration and do not work for the Council.
As well as meetings, Lesley helps residents find out who to contact to resolve queries and also shares information about Poulton/Carleton-wide issues. This incurs some administrative costs, such as for the IT mailing platform and room hire. There is currently £50 in the Association’s bank account and accordingly cash donations would be collected at the end of the meeting. (Lesley can provide the Association’s bank account details for residents not present. lesleymiddleton84@gmail.com)
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2. Police & Crime Commissioner
2.1. Andrew Snowden, Lancashire’s Police & Crime Commissioner, gave a presentation about his role. He was formerly a County Councillor, is familiar with the area and welcomed the opportunity to meet local residents and hear their priorities. He sees his primary role as to be the voice of the public. His responsibilities include holding the Chief Constable to account, setting and updating the Police and Crime Plan as well as the associated budget – of which approximately 35% is funded from local taxation, and working with other groups such as Youth Offending Teams.
2.2. Five priorities for action have been identified:
– tackling anti-social behaviour, addressing underlying issues while recognising that there must be consequences when crime is committed, and with a dedicated unit co-ordinating the work. While response policing (i.e. 999 calls) must have priority, improved neighbourhood policing is important and recruitment is ahead of target. Commanders have been appointed in Lancashire’s three geographical Divisions – with Karen Edwards in West Lancashire.
– tackling the fight to organised crime, such as drug dealing. The new Lancashire Chief Constable fully supports this and arrests are up 50% in the last year. Recent successes have included shutting down a £1.5m Cannabis Farm in Blackpool.
– domestic abuse and sexual violence, involving investment in prosecutions and victim support services as well as deploying under-cover resources at night.
– burglary and theft with a focus on investigation, identification of repeat offenders, roll-out of tagging on paroled prisoners and rehabilitation of addicted offenders.
– dangerous driving, including money secured for speed cameras. But this is not just about speeding – also trying to make the best use of resources, e.g. with under-cover high-performance police vehicles.
2.3. in response to questions, Mr Snowden acknowledged that absence of a visible presence on the street contributed to both dangerous driving and anti-social behaviour but reiterated that, notwithstanding Government policy requiring all new recruits to be graduates (with which he personally disagrees), recruitment is happening. He also acknowledged that the 101-telephone service needs improvement.
Some 3000 calls are received every day but 70-80% are not actually about police issues. This stems from the origins of the 101 service as a multi-agency tool and is something he is talking to partners about. The availability of the NHS 111 service should have a positive impact and investment is being made in on-line reporting options. In the meantime, it’s important that residents do report threatening situations or incidents that they witness. These reports are logged and the information used to plan deployment.
3. Poulton People’s Choir
Tony Brindle gave a brief presentation about the choir which is 10 years old, has 80-90 members and usually meets Wednesday, 7.30-9.00pm at the Methodist Church – because it is big enough, not because they are affiliated. The choir’s ethos is summarised as CORE – C:community – it’s for everyone; O:opportunity- to join, even if you can’t sing; R:respect – an inclusive group; and E:equal opportunities – breaking down barriers.
The choir sings at weddings and other events, and raises funds for charitable purposes – examples of the latter have included buying musical instruments for schools and paying music exam fees for deprived children; small things that make a huge difference. You don’t have to audition to join and would be especially welcome just now if you are an Alto or Bass. For more information phone 07789 875106 or email poultonpeopleschoir@hotmail.co.uk
4. National Garden Scheme
The National Garden Scheme gives individuals access to private gardens and, through admission charges and the sale of refreshments, raises money for nursing and health charities. Gardens are approved for inclusion in the scheme by the Royal Horticultural Society. Their guidelines suggest the average visit should take 45 minutes but it is permissible to ‘twin’ smaller gardens to achieve this. Having more local gardens open will encourage visitors to the area. So, if residents know of anyone with a lovely garden who might be interested, ask them to contact Lesley. (lesleymiddleton84@gmail.com)
5. Wyre Council Update
Councillor Berry observed that a lot had happened since the last Forum. Councillors and officials had been involved in managing various aspects of the Pandemic response, including making the Civic Centre available for vaccinations. Wyre is now dealing with the impact of the energy crisis, organising payment of an energy rebate that is payable to residents in A-D Council Tax bands – which has involved contacting some 38k people.
There has been good news on the planning front. Wyres Local Plan was adopted in February 2019 and a partial review was done in January 2022. The main finding of that review was that meeting Wyre’s housing need requires building 296 new dwellings per annum and the developments already approved will meet that requirement in full. Ministerial approval of the review is awaited but meanwhile the Planning Committee is already using the new figure to inform their decisions.
The Fleetwood – Poulton Railway project has got funding for the next phase, one of 9 successful bids out of 199 submitted. The initial bid outlined three options based on heavy rail, trams and a combination of the two. The next phase will be a full feasibility study to support the preferred option. And finally, on transport again, more electric charging points have been ordered but it will be 4–5 months before they are delivered and then installed.
6. Lancashire County Council Update
LCC Councillor Alf Clempson provided the following updates:
6.1. On roads, all but one of the promised repairs have been done and the next priorities include Vicarage Road, Stocks Court and the roads outside the Bull and The Elk. Roads on the Poulton Industrial Estate were suggested as candidates. Work by LCC and Highways England will see the bottom end of Breck Road made one-way between 25 July and 1 September. Alf has spoken to Andy Pratt (Andrew Snowden’s deputy) about measures that could be taken to reduce speeding on Garstang Road West. Alf makes no apology for seeking measures like pedestrian crossings and traffic lights that discourage drivers from using Poulton as a cut-through. He also confirmed that the 20mph speed limit is enforceable. Access-only limitations are to be explored e.g. for Rydal Avenue and Little Poulton Lane. Alf is still pursuing Residents’ Parking, initially for part of Derby Road. A suggestion that Station Road might be more worthy was noted. It was also suggested that better signage is needed on Wheatsheaf Way about the pedestrian crossing which is immediately to the left outside the library.
6.2. Pavements are now on Alf’s priority list and he has identified Chester, Hardhorn and Holts Lane as candidates. Residents are invited to make other suggestions but he will have to prioritise. Alf should also be informed of any examples where OpenReach and Cadent are wrecking pavements. Alf confirmed that the ‘rule of thumb’ for parking on pavements is to leave enough space for a wheelchair or pram to pass.
6.3. Alf is aware of the appalling problems being caused by the housing development on Holts Lane. He is doing all he can, including involving MP Ben Wallace and the Health & Safety Executive. He also observed that he was proud of what LCC had done during Covid but disappointed that the contribution of the Armed Forces had not been recognised. Alf meets regularly with Poulton’s local PC and is happy to pass on concerns. (Alf encourages residents to contact him about their concerns at any time. His contact details are : email alf.clempson@lancashire.gov.uk , mobile 07983 335630 and at his informal surgery in the New Penny Café between 10.00 and 12.00 on Saturday mornings.)
7. Poulton Library Friends Group
Alistair Parker, Chair of the Poulton Library Friends Group (PLFG), gave a brief talk. Poulton Library has the highest footfall and borrowing rate of any Library in Lancashire but still needs support. PLFG was established in 2019 and is looking to reboot its activities after the Covid hiatus. They hold a coffee morning/book sale on the first Wednesday of each month, organise other events and look after the plants at the front of the building. There is no cost to join the Group and more information can be obtained by dropping into the library or emailing poultonlfg@gmail.com. There is also a PLFG Facebook page.
8. Any Other Business
8.1. Summer Concert – Blackpool Male Voice Choir, with guest soprano Jane Irwin, at Poulton Methodist Church on Saturday 9th July at 7.30pm – tickets £10 including refreshments. More information at bmvc@btinternet.com or 07510229032.
8.2. Green Bins – a reminder that payment for this service can no longer be made by Direct Debit. More information at www.wyre.gov.uk
9. Date of Next Meeting
Details of the next meeting will be advised in due course.
Notes of previous meetings and local events are on www.visitpoulton-le-fylde.co.uk
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I had no idea the Forum had restarted, can you please tell me where and how the meetings are advertised and where and when they are held?
They’re advertised via Visit Fylde Coast and locally in Poulton/on social media. Due to a lack of people willing to help with their organisation they are now held just twice a year.