36. Poulton Forum October 2025

Your PUBLIC FORUM. Hosted by Poulton & Carleton Residents’ Association – on Tues 14 October 2025.

Poulton Forum Tuesday 14 October 2025

Tuesday 14 October in St Chads Church starting at 7pm
(Hosted by POULTON & CARLETON RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION)

Summary of main points discussed, decisions and action agreed

1. Introductions

1.1 Slav Baran (Residents’ Association Chair) welcomed those present to the 36^th Forum meeting. Approximately 83 members of the public attended plus Lancashire County Councillor Alf Clempson, and Wyre Councillors Roger Berry, Colette Birch and Simon Bridge. Apologies from LCC Cllr Jan Schofield, Cllr Peter Le Marinel, Cllr Lesley McKay.

2. U3A University of 3^rd Age.

2.1. Guest speakers Lindy Porter, Chair at Wyre U3A and Graham Bannister, Secretary of Wyre U3A.

Graham – U3A started 17 years ago with an article in the Evening Gazette asking for any interest. I set up a meeting in Poulton next to Cube Bar. We held our inaugural meeting at Thornton Little Theatre, where 70 people have now grown to 400. The U3A began in France to adapt adults into education. The aim is about loving learning and enjoying yourself. If you already have a hobby and there is no programme at U3A, you can start one. The U3A is worldwide and has 30,000 UK members and 400 U3A’s across the country.

Lindy – The venue last year was The Little Theatre Thornton, however, they had been unable to renew the contract, so a new venue was needed. The Ashley Club was used for a while until Christ Church in Thornton offered their venue free of charge.

The groups are numerous and varying, from live Italian music, gardening, lunches and evening meals out, to history and free family research. A lady who had been adopted was searching for her birth parents, the group researched and found she had siblings, they met and formed a relationship due to U3A.

There are 33-34 groups, with one annual fee of £25. Before you enrol, you can try three sessions for £2.00 each, one of which must be a monthly meeting. A coffee morning is held every month to welcome new members. All members are insured whilst attending groups.

2.2. The next monthly meeting will be held at Christ Church Thornton on the second Thursday of every month at 14:15 hours.

3. FOULDREY AVENUE PLANNING UPDATE: Cllr Peter LeMarinel.

3.1. Delivered by Cllr Roger Berry on behalf of Cllr Peter LeMarinel.

Firstly, please accept my apologies for not being here tonight, I have a long standing commitment. I have already called for the application for 208 dwellings to be built on land at Fouldrey Ave to come before the full planning committee.

I held an initial public meeting with residents on 17 December 2024. At this meeting it was proposed that we wait until any future full application was made, before having a second meeting.

An application was made valid at the beginning of September 2025 and I held a second public meeting on the 8 September 2025 attended by around 50 residents. At that meeting, I encouraged as many people as possible to object to the application via the planning portal on the Wyre council website, I also gave a list of what I believe were the pertinent planning matters that could be used to object to the application.

To date, 17 objections have been filed, I would restate, that all individual objections will be taken into consideration, even if they are from the same address, so people living at the same address may each make a valid objection. If you have not already objected, please do so as soon as you can and valid objections will be taken up to the day of the Committee meeting.

Even though this application is for the other end of Poulton from where you may live, I would still ask you to object, as the road that passes Fouldrey Avenue is Breck Road, a main arterial road that is used daily by thousands of residents from all round Poulton.

Some of you may have concerns regarding infrastructure. Highways are an LCC matter, as are schools. Anything medical related is driven by the NHS. None of these matters are in the jurisdiction of Wyre Borough Council. This is the case for the other 12 Lancashire borough councils.

I think that this development is proposed to be in the worst place. It has a small narrow road in and out. There are two schools situated on Fouldrey Avenue. The development area is situated in Flood Zone 3. There is a woodland covered by a TPO (tree preservation order) that the developer wants to cut down and a few more areas dotted around the site that are LAO protected by TPO’s.

We must now wait for the officers to go through the application and then decide on whether to permit or refuse the application. If their decision is to permit, then this will go before the planning committee. If the committee refuses the application, I presume the applicant would appeal. We can then take steps of our own to have a voice at that appeal. If the committee permits the application, then I’m afraid that is it.

3.2. Planning application 25/00640/LMAJ, 208 dwellings at Fouldrey Avenue.

Cllr Roger Berry:

I would like to add to Peter’s statement, that various agencies including the County Council Flood Authority, Wyre Council engineers and the Environment Agency have raised objections to the planning application and  indicated the flood risks to any properties built on the site and also to neighbouring properties if it went ahead. They have mentioned in particular the inadequate flood risk assessment and drainage strategies put forward by the developer.

In addition to the traffic issues that would occur on Fouldrey Avenue, National Highways have raised an objection saying they had no reason to think there would be this development on the site and therefore it has not been included as a consideration when they designed the Breck Road traffic junction with Amounderness Way, so they would require new detailed traffic assessments and plans before they could consent.

4. RESIDENTS SURVEYS

4.1. Cllr Roger Berry

The councils across Lancashire employed a company (The Cratus Group) to carry out a survey to understand which council services Lancashire residents see as most important, priorities for local government to focus on in the future and initial thoughts on moving to larger unitary councils.

Just over 13,400 residents completed the survey. Of existing council services – good health and care services, access to parks and open spaces and good waste and recycling services were considered the most important overall. When considering the future of local government, the most prioritised element was consistent and reliable services closely followed by good value for money and clear and accountable decision making.

The survey found that many residents are wary of change, demonstrated by the fact that an overwhelming majority of survey residents i.e. over 60%, chose retaining the current councils as their preference over local government reorganisation which was supported by just over 20%. The remaining 15% were not sure.

The reasons for this scepticism appear to include concerns that local identity and representation may be lost, there could be higher costs and smaller towns and villages will be neglected and then could be an unfair distribution of resources. In conclusion the company organising the survey states there is a clear challenge regarding future communications.

It is vital to explain to the public that local government reorganisation is a national policy with wider objectives meaning the option of no change is not viable and that the data should be used to learn what residents currently value about their councils and the existing structure. This insight is essential for ensuring that these valued elements can be successfully transferred to any new models.

A separate survey was carried out among business, voluntary and community groups, public sector organisations and parish councils. The feedback revealed strong demands for visible service improvements, particularly in transport and roads, business support and clearer accountability. Concerns included fears around losing the local voice, higher costs, centralisation and unfair funding distribution.

Overall sentiment was mixed but cautiously optimistic. While many recognised the potential benefits of efficiency and growth, they wanted reassurance on fairness, transparency and protecting local identity.

Out of 226 responses:

• 48 – 21% Favoured new larger unitary authorities
• 143 – 63% Wanted to retain current councils
• 35 – 15% Were not sure.

4. LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION

4.1. Councillor Roger Berry gave an update on the local government reorganisation.

The government has set out its ambition to change the way that local councils are currently organised. It means that County and existing unitary and district councils will be replaced by new larger unitary authorities which will run all services within an area.

Given the size of Lancashire, there have been a variety of options put forward for the best way to structure the new unitary authorities ranging from two councils covering the county to five.

There are government guidelines for what any proposed structure must achieve:

• Serve a population of at least 500,000 although exceptions are possible if justified.
• Stronger local leadership
• Improved service delivery and outcomes
• Value for money and financial sustainability
• Economic growth and prosperity
• Community identity and effective local partnerships

The different proposals for the unitary structures as they affect Wyre are as follows:

1. Having just two unitary councils across Lancashire which would be split North – South. So, Wyre would be included in the Northern unitary running from the coast to the Eastern border of Ribble Valley council area, this would have a population of over. 700,000. This proposal is favoured by Lancashire County Council.
2. Having three unitary councils, with this proposal Wyre would join Blackpool, Fylde and Lancaster as a unitary. This would have a population of close to 500,000. This proposal is favoured by the leadership of both Wyre and Fylde councils.
3. Having four unitary councils, with this proposal, Wyre would join Blackpool and Fylde as a unitary. This would have a population of close to 344,000. This proposal comes out of a division of Lancashire favoured by Lancaster, Preston and Ribble Valley.
4. Having a Wyre split – Fleetwood, Thornton Cleveleys and Poulton would join Blackpool, Fylde and Preston as a unitary. This would have a population of around 400,000. This proposal is favoured by Blackpool council.

Briefly, why does the leadership of Wyre council favour the option of being in a unitary with Blackpool, Fylde and Lancaster?

• It meets the government criteria of a population of around 500,000
• It’s a geographic fit with shared interests in the coastline and visitor economies and also have rural communities and economies.
• Shared agencies already working in the area – in particular the NHS, the police and existing transport links and education links – Lancaster universities link with the colleges of Blackpool, this will ensure continuity of service for residents.

There are areas of deprivation within Blackpool, Fleetwood and Morecambe. It is hoped by having a unitary of a fairly large area, then the cost of various care agencies can be evened out and managed as best as possible.

At an early stage, Lancashire leaders agreed that outside consultants would be appointed to collate social, economic and financial information and future assumptions across the region which would be used to formulate the proposals for unitary formation. This process is well under way and information is being given to council leaders and chief executives. Wyre council is working with Blackburn with Darwen, Rossendale, Hyndburn and Fylde councils to develop a proposal for the three unitary model for Lancashire.

Proposals for two, four and five unitary models are being developed by other councils. All the proposals are being developed with the support of the external consultants. The deadline set by the government is 28 November 2025.

At Wyre, a small group of councillors drawn from the Conservative and Labour parties are assisting the leader in considering the information available through the consultants.

It is then envisaged that our preferred option will be considered by the councils overview and scrutiny committee in mid November, followed by a full council meeting on 20 November. On 26 November the cabinet will meet to approve and decide on Wyre council’s option that will be resubmitted to government.

We are then expecting government to indicate by Spring 2026 which option or options they would prefer. This then will be considered by the councils hopefully with time to properly consult with residents. Lancashire will then report back to government who will then make the final decision by the end of Summer 2026.

Q & A

Q1 Just to clarify, will the consultation to residents happen after the decision is made?
A1 4-5 proposals will be whittled down by government the residents will then be consulted with what is left.

5.Wyre council update: Local councillors

5.1. Cllr Collette Birch

Cottam Hall has a new sports meeting place at the cricket club, this is also open for other activities. There is a viewing area for cricket games. The next stage is building a new path, a cycle track, wildflower meadows. There will be two new play areas for younger and older children.

6.Lancashire County Council update:

6.1. LCC Cllr Alf Clempson
Residents’ parking – this will firstly be on Elletson Street and Derby Road to see how it works in the area and ensure it is a robust plan. Residents speaking to Alf gives him information he can use in November at a meeting with the cabinet.

6.2. The crossing on Tithebarn Street.
There have been a lot of complaints regarding the crossing. Alf has objected to the crossing. It will now need to be monitored but keep the complaints coming in to him.

6.3. Speeding Hardhorn and Highcross.
LCC has evaluated the speeding and has agreed this is a problem. There will be signs erected along with flashing speed indicators.

6.4. Pavements
Money is needed for pavement improvement, priority is going to Fleetwood. Police Inspector Stevenson is also concerned about parking on the pavements around schools and is working with the schools to stop this.

6.5. The road outside The Bull
There is a serious problem with the road and that area of Poulton will need closing off for approximately three months. This is a United Utilities problem that will need to be addressed shortly.

6.6. Development on Fouldrey Avenue
LCC consulted with highways, Wyre council makes the decisions so put your objections into them.

6.7. Local members grant
There is a grant of £2,000 to be given to local groups, if you wish to apply, speak to Alf Clempson.

Q & A

Q1: Have all the poles that have been erected had planning permission and do they need permission to hang signs from them?
A1: These poles have gone up, they have not been done professionally, Alf does not support the poles, the matter is in hand. Planning permission was not needed by Wyre council, this is a government policy. Permission for banners will be investigated.

Q2: The land opposite the River Wyre that was used by Kier, is it being taken down?
A2: Alf has already written regarding this matter.

Q3: The Teanlowe centre has 8 empty units, can they be made to fill them or have pop up shops?
A3: Wyre council has no jurisdiction over the Teanlowe centre, the agent for all the premises is Robert Pinkus who can answer questions.

LCC Cllr Alf Clempson will be in Poulton library  on Tuesday and Friday mornings and is still holding Saturday morning surgeries at New Penny Café when he can. Alf’s contact details are email alf.clempson@lancashire.gov.uk  mobile 07983335630

7.  CHAIR’S UPDATES – SLAV

7.1. There is £90 in the bank account, more donations are needed.

7.2. Poulton in Bloom Remembrance Displays –  a pop up 1940s museum will be opening on Friday 17 October in the Teanlowe centre, it will be open from 11am to 3pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 21 November. All items can then be loaned out to local schools and nursing homes for learning and memory experiences. The museum as a whole can also be loaned out to local villages and towns. There will be plenty of displays i.e. 1940’s kitchen, living room, air raid shelter, war office, general store, uniforms, cap badges, scrap books and much more.

7.3. Poulton to Fleetwood railway is being pushed for the project to go ahead and proposals are being put forward. Network rail is interested in a line from Fleetwood to Ormskirk.

7.4. The community hall has secured grants of £70,000 and £90,000, for a renewable heating system and rear West side extension and dressing rooms, work should be finished end January 2026 and the hall are asking for volunteers to go and help paint.

7.5. Bonfire night at Cottam Hall, this was organised by Poulton Rotary and has now been taken over by the Poulton Gala Committee. Wednesday 5 November, bonfire and fireworks at Cottam Hall playing fields, there will be children’s rides, food stalls, music and gates open at 6:00pm, tickets £6 adult,  £4 children under 16(babies free), £18 family ticket.

7.6. Remembrance Sunday. Gather in Market Place on Sunday 9 November 10:30am for Poulton Le Fylde Remembrance parade.

8. 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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