your district council matters - issue 27

Your District Council

Mattersinsid

e: • Spring clean your street

• What’s on guide

• Meet the new mayor

• Fight the flab and get fit

Morecambe Festivals page 7A £600,000 boost for nature page 13

issue 27 summer 2012

Contact usYou can contactLancaster City Council by:

Telephone: 01524 582000

Email: [email protected]

Website:www.lancaster.gov.uk

Post: Lancaster City Council,Town Hall, Dalton Square,Lancaster, LA1 1PJ

In person: Customer ServiceCentres at Lancaster Town Hall(Dalton Square), orMorecambe Town Hall (MarineRoad East), 9am to 5pm,Monday to Friday

If you would like a largeprint or audio version ofYour District CouncilMatters please call01524 582041 or [email protected]

Voterregistration

LANCASTER CityCouncil haspublished itsCorporate Planfor the nextthree years.

Effectively its workprogramme for 2012-13, theCorporate Plan sets out thecouncil’s priorities and how it willdeliver them.

The council has approved thefollowing four priorities:

• Economic Growth

• Clean, Green and Safe Places

• Health and Wellbeing

• Community Leadership

There are three key themes thatunderpin all of the corporatepriorities: Working Together inPartnership; Managing theCouncil's Resources; andEnvironmental Sustainability.

More details are set out in theCorporate Plan, which can befound on the council’s website atwww.lancaster.gov.uk/corporateplan.

VOTER registration forms aredropping through letterboxesacross the Lancaster district – andif you haven’t done so already, it’svital that you register yourdetails.

Lancaster City Council has sentout forms to all households tocompile the electoral register.

This year it’s more importantthan ever to register early – inNovember voters will go to thepolls to elect a Police and CrimeCommissioner for Lancashire andthe annual canvass has beenbrought forward as a result.

As well as allowing people tovote, the electoral register is usedby credit rating agencies whenpeople apply for mobile phones,loans and mortgages.

If people don’t respond to thecanvass then they could find theircredit ratings are affected.

Registering to vote is verysimple. All you have to do isupdate the annual canvass formwith the details of everyone inyour household who is eligible tovote and return it to us as soon aspossible.

If your details haven’t changedit’s even easier because you canjust confirm the details by text,phone or email.

For more information telephonethe elections helpline on 01524582905 or visitwww.lancaster.gov.uk/elections.

Welcome......to the latest edition ofYour District Council Matters.

There's no doubt we arelucky to live in such awonderful place.

But do we celebrate itenough? Do we shout aboutthe good things already takingplace? Can we as individuals,groups or organisations domore for where we live?

That's what the Take Pridecampaign is about - workingtogether to celebrate ourpeople and places, recognisingthe good work already takingplace and encouraging morepeople to do the same.

But to make a real differenceit needs all of us to get behindit.

Here are just a few examplesof how:

• Tweet about your favourite place in the district and use the hashtag #ldtakepride when promoting your own events

• Spread the word about our district to friends, family and people living away - encouraging them to visit

• Pick up and enjoy your Visit Card, offering discounts at local attractions and re- discover our district

• Consider volunteering

• Enjoy local events

• Organise a litter pick with neighbours

• Report crime

• Nominate your street for Street Pride - see page 3

Have you got an idea abouthow we can Take Pride? We'dlove to hear from you - [email protected]

Making plansfor the future

TAKE Pride in your street!Nominations are now beinginvited for the new Street Prideprogramme – Lancaster CityCouncil’s series of deep cleans.

These may be known 'grot-spots', places that cannot usuallybe tidied because of parked cars,and where the community iswilling to get involved.

Services provided include streetcleaning, gully emptying, minorhighway repairs, weeding andtree pruning.

It doesn’t replace the council’snormal programme of streetcleansing, but complements it inareas that otherwise may not beable to be tackled.

To nominate a street to takepart in the scheme visitwww.lancaster.gov.uk/streetprideor contact your ward councillor

with your nomination. Thedeadline for nominations isWednesday July 18.

Up to 22 streets will be chosento take part in the 2012/13programme.

If your street doesn’t meet thecriteria, or isn’t chosen to takepart in Street Pride, you can stillhelp to do your bit to keep ourdistrict clean.

Help and advice can be providedon how you can organise yourown community clean-ups, alongwith equipment for litter picks.And once your clean-up iscomplete the council will arrangeto come and take the rubbishaway for you.

By working together, and eachdoing our part, we can help tomake our district a cleaner andhealthier place to live.

IRRESPONSIBLE dog owners whofail to clean up after their petshave been warned – you could bein line for an £80 fine.

A recent enforcement exercisewas launched at a dog foulinghotspot on SandylandsPromenade in Heysham.

During the first two days of theoperation, 11 fixed penaltynotices for £80 were issued tooffenders. By day three, everydog walker spotted by officers

was cleaning up after their dog.

However, with so many hotspots to cover, the city councilneeds your help to catch and takeaction against those dog ownerswho continue to litter our streets,cycle paths and recreation areas.Help us to Take Pride in ourdistrict and catch the offenders.

If you have any information asto the identity of anyirresponsible dog owners on yourpatch, call the dog wardenservice on 01524 582935 or sendan email [email protected].

All information will be treatedin the strictest confidence.

Clean up after yourdog – or pay the price

Could yourstreet do witha spring clean?

HAVE you connected withLancaster City Council’s Facebookaccounts yet?

If not, you’re missing out.

The council’s Facebook account,www.facebook.com/lancasterccgives you the opportunity toconnect with us direct and askquestions on the issues of theday.

By following Lancaster CityCouncil on Facebook, you can getupdates about what you careabout in the district and shareyour own news and views aboutthe things that matter to you.

It doesn’t replace our usualmethods of getting in touch(post, email or face-to-face) andthese should still be the first portof call for any service basedenquiries. But by connecting withFacebook you can keep up todate and share your views withothers.

In addition several of thecouncil’s venues and services havetheir own Facebook accounts.

These include:• www.facebook.com/ williamsonpark

• www.facebook.com/ morecambeplatform

You can also follow us onTwitter @lancastercc and thecouncil’s websitewww.lancaster.gov.uk is available24/7. Our website received overtwo million page views last year,with people choosing to visit usonline to pay bills, fill inapplication forms, downloaddocuments and guides and reportissues.

And our monthly e-newsletterbrings the latest news straight toyour inbox - visitwww.lancaster.gov.uk/newsletterto sign up.

Face facts

EFFORTS to make Lancaster CityCentre a more pleasant place toshop and spend time are on thecards following a request fornew rules to further limit thenumber of vehicles entering thepedestrian zone at any time.

As part of the Lancaster SquareRoutes project, the city councilhas asked Lancashire CountyCouncil – who are responsible forsetting the rules and regulationsfor the zone – to look at howtraffic is managed within thecentre.

Current rules set a generalpresumption against vehiclesentering the zone at any time.There are specific exemptions tothis for emergency vehicles andalso permit holders for example.There is also an exemption fordelivery vehicles only to accessthe zone before 10.30am andafter 4.30pm to service the shops.

The city council has asked for anExperimental Traffic RegulationOrder to be set up to alter thegeneral exemptions and permitarrangements to reduce thegeneral level of traffic in thezone at any time and also tofurther restrict access for deliveryvehicles to before 10am andafter 5pm.

As part of this proposal, thedisabled parking bays at the rearof the Old Town Hall (CityMuseum) and Market Squarewould be removed and theexisting permit arrangement forsome disabled drivers to enterthe pedestrian zone withdrawn.

Extra disabled bays would,however, be provided for BlueBadge holders – who can alreadypark for free in all city councilpay and display car parks – on theperiphery of the zone so no oneshould lose out.

New rules set to improve citycentre experience

PLANS to breathe new life back into a derelict areaof Lancaster are moving forward.

The council has passed responsibility for theLuneside East site on St George’s Quay to itsdeveloper partner Luneside East Ltd (LEL) - a jointventure between CTP Ltd and DevelopmentSecurities plc.

For more than ten years the council has beenworking to redevelop the site as a mixed use newneighbourhood, but progress slowed following thedownturn of the economy in 2008. The council andthe developer have been working through thevarious challenges this poses.

LEL should start works this summer with buildingdemolitions and works below ground to removeredundant structures and contamination. These maytake some twelve months. The first building workswill be for a commercial phase, focused on the partnearest Carlisle Bridge. Part of the St George’sWorks mill building will be converted for a range ofcommercial uses. This should provide opportunities

for businesses that are just starting up or wanting toexpand, which will help to boost the local economy.

The wider site is to be developed with housing,possibly more offices and new high quality openspaces with walking and cycling routes.

To find out more about the project visitwww.lancaster.gov.uk/lunesideeast.

Development breathes new life into Luneside East

It is hoped that the effects ofthese changes will be to makethe city centre a safer and morepleasant environment for allpedestrians.

The changes would initially bemade for an 18 month period toprovide the opportunity toclosely scrutinise and monitortheir effectiveness. Feedback onhow the changes are workingwould also be sought from localpeople, businesses andorganisations.

Before the end of the 18months a decision on whether toadopt, amend or abandon thechanges would be made byLancashire County Council.

Photo: ©Mark Keating (mdk.me) 2012

A MILLION pound scheme torevitalise Morecambe’s historicheart has been launched.

‘A View for Eric’ is a five yearprogramme from the TownscapeHeritage Initiative to improve theVictorian and art deco buildingsin the heart of the town andsome of the streets and spacessurrounding them.

Funding of £1.248 million hasbeen made available for theproject from the Heritage LotteryFund’s ‘Townscape HeritageInitiative’ and Lancaster CityCouncil.

The focus of the project is tocreate a view in front of the EricMorecambe statue that willcomplement the stunning viewsof the bay which serve as his

backdrop and help everyone toTake Pride in the town.

Building improvement grantswill be available to targetedproperties within the westernend of the Morecambeconservation area, specifically thecommercial properties of MarineRoad Central and Victoria Streetand the interlinking routesbetween.

The grants will be accompanied

by training opportunitiesinvolving schools, colleges,property owners, local builders,craftsmen and architects. This willinclude heritage education andskills workshops, as well assustainable business and retailtraining.

For more information, includingdetails of how to apply forgrants, visitwww.lancaster.gov.uk/viewforeric

IN January 2012, The Ministry ofJustice officially handed LancasterCastle back to The Duchy ofLancaster and they have sincestarted to develop a plan thatwill help shape the future of thislandmark building.

In February, the Duchyappointed a team of specialistheritage consultants to work withthem and to carry out a study tohelp establish the mostappropriate options for theCastle.

In the spring, three workshopswere held with local stakeholdersand have proved very informativeand helpful.

As you would imagine, the cityand county council have beenworking closely with theconsultants.

The Duchy will draw uppotential proposals to bedisplayed at an exhibition in theAutumn. This will provide thegeneral public with theopportunity to review viable

options for the Castle andprovide their feedback, so thatthe Duchy can then finalise itsproposals.

In the meantime the Duchy havebeen working with Lancaster CityCouncil and Lancashire CountyCouncil Museums Service toorganise new tours at LancasterCastle, enabling local people andvisitors to see previously unseenareas of the building. More toursare planned for later in the year –visitwww.citycoastcountryside.co.ukto find out more.

A ray of sunshine for Morecambe

A gateway to a new future

THE city council has providedfunding to support business ledplans for Lancaster to become aBusiness Improvement District(BID).

A steering group called‘Lancaster Unlimited’ has beenset up to manage the initiativerepresenting all the businesssectors.

In October businesses withinthe proposed BID zone will beasked to vote on whether theywould be prepared to pay a levyon their rateable value of 1.5%.Money raised would be used tofund projects businesses feel areimportant to the development ofthe city like additional promotionand festivals and helping tocreate a more pleasant, cleaner,and safer city centre.

Businessesurged to backthe BID

A TIRELESS charity campaignerhas been granted one of thedistrict’s highest honours – theHonorary Freedom of the City ofLancaster.

Tony Kimpton received thespecial honour – the highest thatLancaster City Council can bestow– in recognition of his work forLancashire Youth ClubsAssociation and GallowaysSociety for the Blind.

Tony was born in Lancaster andstill lives in his home city. He hashad a severe visual impairmentsince birth and has overcome arange of challenges anddifficulties.

The inspirational way in whichTony is able to Take Pride in hiscommunity has inspired bothblind and sighted peoplethroughout the district andbeyond.

His work at Galloway’s hasresulted in the society being ableto offer an unprecedented serviceto more than 1,400 blindand visuallyimpairedpeople,which isconsideredby those atGalloway’s tobe a directresult ofTony’sefforts.

Top honourfor charitycampaigner

THE next mayor of Lancaster hasofficially donned her robes. Coun Sheila Denwood becamethe Right Worshipful the Mayorof the City of Lancaster at aspecial ceremony in May.

Coun Denwood hasrepresented the Scotforth Westward for 17 years.

As Mayor, she will be supportedthroughout her special year byher daughter, Tina, as mayoressand her husband, Maurice, asConsort.

The charities she has chosen tosupport as mayor are Help forHeroes, Lancaster andMorecambe Royal British Legionsand Arthritis Research.

Deputy Mayor and Mayoress forthe forthcoming year are CounRobert Redfern and his wifeLinda.

Meet the newmayor

EACH year the city council plantsand maintains public flower bedsacross the district.

And local businesses can nowtake advantage of the prominentpositions of many of the flowerbeds, showing off theircredentials at the same time.

A flower bed sponsorshipscheme has been launched forlocal businesses who want to getnoticed and Take Pride in thedistrict at the same time.

Twenty two flower beds inMorecambe have been identifiedas ideal sites for sponsorship bylocal businesses. Locations includeHappy Mount Park, West EndGardens and various beds alongthe promenade including thoseat the Eric Morecambe statue.

Companies will be able to raisetheir profile by having a signdisplayed in a flower bed whichwill promote their business,whilst helping towards the

annual maintenance of the bed.

For more information onsponsoring a flower bed contactthe council’s Public Realm Officer,Helen Ryan, on 01524 582822 orby [email protected]

Flower beds reap rewardsfor budding businesses

THE green fingers of thecouncil’s gardeners will alsoonce again be used to promotethe district by entering theNational Flower BedCompetition at the RHS TattonPark Flower Show, which runsfrom July 18 – 22.

Last year’s entry ‘Flutter By’won a silver gilt and the teambehind the displays are hopingfor gold with this year’s entry,The Way of the Roses. Thedisplay will florally depict thecycle route from Morecambeto Bridlington which openedin 2010.

MORECAMBE’S festivals by thesea have been wowing the crowdsall summer – and they’re not overyet. The Morecambe SeasideFestival returns to the resort inSeptember, bringing with it aspectacular feast of live music,fireworks and aerial flyovers – anevent in which we can all TakePride.

Taking place over the weekendof September 1 and 2, the festivalis a spectacular part ofMorecambe’s summer programmeof festivals and events.

On Saturday the arena stagewill host a showcase of live musicthroughout the day performedby top local talent.

Headlining the Saturdayevening is a tribute to one of thecountry’s biggest stars. AmiBarrett will take to the stage at7pm to perform her SomeoneLike Adele show.

Saturday’s programme ofentertainment ends with amagnificent firework display at9pm, launched from the StoneJetty against the stunningbackdrop of Morecambe Bay.

And the weekend doesn’t endthere - the Red Arrows arebooked to perform an aerobaticdisplay at noon on Sunday.

The Battle of Britain MemorialFlight will also be paying a visit tothe festival at around 3pm. WorldWar II fighters on display this yearwill be the Spitfire and Dakota.

Over at The Platform childrencan enjoy (admission fee payable)

Bjorn the Polar Bear on Saturdayand Tiny the Dinosaur on Sunday.

There’s also more live music onthe outdoor stage at the Arenawith local soul group 24/7, AmySingleton and the Reggiementals.

For more information visitwww.lancaster.gov.uk/seaside orpick up a brochure from theVisitor Information Centres inLancaster and Morecambe.

This event is sponsored byMorecambe Town Council.

Seaside

THE Bradford to MorecambeVintage Vehicle run will make awelcome return to Morecambe inSeptember as part of this year’sHeritage Open Days event.

Hundreds of vintage vehicleswill once again line the promfrom the Midland Hotel to

The Battery on Sunday 9September.

The rally is part of this year’sHeritage Open Days, the country’sannual celebration of its richarchitectural and cultural heritage,which takes place over the fourdays of 6 to 9 September.

Start your engines

MORECAMBE'S Festival Market willbe holding its annual familyweekend on 7 and 8 July.

Over the weekend there will bemusic, entertainment, Punch andJudy, competitions and muchmore.

You can also get into the summerfestival spirit when SummerSensations begins at the Festival

Market on 28 July.

The market will host someexciting live music acts everyweekend, culminating in an‘open mic’ session on 2September.

Anyone can register for theopen mic session by [email protected] or byphoning 01524 414251.

There are events planned

through the year so you can be

guaranteed of a great

atmosphere all year round.

For more information about the

Festival Market visit the website

at www.lancaster.gov.uk/festival

market or call 01524 414251.

New sensations at the Market

Festival

Festival

JULY6 - 8: Morecambe Jazz – Variousvenues in Morecambe.Visit www.morecambelive.comfor details.

7: Morecambe Band SummerConcert with the HoughtonWeavers - The Platform, 7.30pm,£12/£10.

7 - 8: Family Fun Weekend -Morecambe Festival Market. Visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/festivalmarket for more details.

8: Brass Band Concert(Morecambe Bay Brass) -Happy Mount Park, 2.30pm.

13: Voulez Vous -The Platform,7.30pm, £16/£15/.

14: West End Festival –Regent Park Morecambe.

14: Comic Caper Day -Happy Mount Park, 12pm.

14: Poulton Heritage Festival.

15: Brass Band Concert(Kirkby Lonsdale Band) -Happy Mount Park, 2.30pm.

17 – 21: Sabbat – Dukes Theatre,7.30pm, £5 - £18.50.

21 July – 29 September:A Wonderful Discoverie:Lancashire Witches 1612-2012 -Lancaster City Museum.

July 21-29: Love Parks Week. Visitwww.lancaster.gov.uk/loveparks

22: Brass Band Concert(Morecambe Band) -Happy Mount Park, 2.30pm.Free Admission.

27 - 28: Tutti Frutti Festival -The Platform, 7.30pm, £15 singlenight, £24 weekend.

26: Outdoor cinema atWilliamson Park (Singin' in theRain) 8.30pm, £11/£10.Visit www.dukes-lancaster.orgfor details.

27: Outdoor cinema atWilliamson Park (Dirty Dancing15) 8.30pm, £11/£10.Visit www.dukes-lancaster.orgfor details.

28: Outdoor cinema atWilliamson Park (The Woman inBlack 12A) 8.30pm, £11/£10.Visit www.dukes-lancaster.orgfor details.

28 July – 2 September(weekends): Summer Sensationsat the Festival Market inMorecambe.

29: Brass Band Concert(Blackpool Brass Band) -Happy Mount Park, 2.30pm.

AUGUST1 - 2: ‘Henry V’ – Outdoor theatreat Williamson Park Lancaster,7.30pm, £13.50/£8.50/£39.

5: Morecambe Bay open waterswim. For more information visitwww.epicevents.org

5: Brass Band Concert(Pilling Jubilee Silver Brass Band) -Happy Mount Park, 2.30pm.

7 - 8: ‘The Twits’ - Outdoortheatre at Williamson Park,3.30pm, £13.50/£8.50/£39.

10 – 12: Motown Magic -Various venues in Morecambe.Visit www.morecambelive.comfor more details.

11: All the Fun of the Fair -Happy Mount Park, 12pm.

12: HMS Pinafore - Outdoortheatre at Williamson Park,7.30pm, £15/£10/£45.

12: Brass Band Concert(Morecambe Brass BandAssociation) - Happy Mount Park,2.30pm.

15 - 16: ‘The Railway Children’ -Outdoor theatre at WilliamsonPark, 7.30pm, £13/£9/£39.

19: Brass Band Concert(Preston Concert Band) -Happy Mount Park, 2.30pm.

21 - 22: ‘A Midsummer Night’sDream’ - Outdoor theatre atWilliamson Park, 7.30pm,£13.50/£8.50.

25 - 27: BeachBash - The Platform.Visit www.morecambelive.comfor details.

26: Brass Band Concert(Morecambe Brass BandAssociation) - Happy Mount Park,2.30pm.

SEPTEMBER1 - 2: Morecambe Seaside Festival.Join in the annual celebration ofthe sea. Great entertainmentincludes breathtaking air displays,day time music and fireworks.www.lancaster.gov.uk/seaside

2: Brass Band Concert (KendalConcert Band) - Happy MountPark, 2.30pm.

What’s on July - October

6 – 9: Heritage Open Days.

7: Last Night of the PromsPlatform £8.50/£4.

8: Beating Berlusconi 8pmPlatform £12/£10.

9: Brass Band Concert(Morecambe Band) in HappyMount Park, 2.30pm.

9: Bradford To MorecambeVintage Vehicle Rally.

10 – 14: Morecambe Bay GolfFestival.www.morecambebaygolffestival.co.uk

15: The Kylie M Show Platform8pm £15 £12.50.

Lancaster WitchesAUGUST 18/19 marks the 400thanniversary of the LancashireWitch Trials – one of the mostinfamous events to take place inthe dark history of LancasterCastle.

To commemorate the anniversarya range of events and activitieswill be taking place.For more details visitwww.lancaster.gov.uk/witches

Platform brochure dueout in AugustTHE new Platform brochure isdue out in August. Showsconfirmed for the autumnseason include Wilko Johnson(23/11), Acker Bilk (27/11) andSean Hughes (11/12).

Pick up your copy of thebrochure from the visitorinformation centres inMorecambe or Lancaster, orCustomer Service Centres atLancaster and Morecambetown halls.

You can also sign up to get itdelivered to your inbox as soonas it’s published by visitingwww.lancaster.gov.uk/platformand entering your emailaddress.

Take Pride in our districtwith the all new Visit CardTAKE pride in our district’stourism attractions and savemoney at the same time – bypicking up a Visit Card.

The all new Visit Card isavailable free of chargeexclusively from Lancaster andMorecambe Visitor InformationCentres and offers constantlyupdated special offers onentrance fees, food and drinkand discounts at some of our toplocal attractions and venues.

Any businesses interested inbeing included should contactAllison Thomas on01524 582394.

For full details of special offersvisit:www.citycoastcountryside.co.ukand click on Visit Card.

20: The Blues Band Platform 8pm£17.

28: A tribute to Michael JacksonPlatform 8pm, £17.50 14+.

29: James Taylor Quartet –Platform, 8pm, £16.

OCTOBER5: King Pleasure and the BiscuitBoys – Platform, 8pm, £14/13.

6: Ralph McTell, Platform, £19.

6: Dog Show at the FestivalMarket.

7: The Rat Pack Vegas Spectacular,Platform, 7.30pm, £19.

12 – 14: Lancaster Music Festivalwww.lancastermusicfestival.com

14: Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers -Platform, 7.30pm, £17/14.

17 – 21: Lancaster LitFest. Contact01524 62166 or [email protected] for details.

21: Stephen K Amos - Platform,8pm, £17. 16+.

24: Blame Sally (American folkband) - Platform, 8pm, £12.

28 October – 3 November:Lancaster Fireworks Festival -Descend into Lancaster for a seriesof guided walks, events andworkshops that leads fromHalloween up to the famous andfinest fireworks display of thenorth.

31: Spooky Halloween Night -Happy Mount Park, Morecambe5pm.

For more details of any of theevents taking place visitwww.citycoastcountryside.co.uk

Photo. John Mills

Henry V August 1 and 2 at 7.30pm

Shakespeare’s classic tale of KingHenry V of England, focusing onevents immediately before andafter the Battle of Agincourt.

Tickets cost £13.50 for adults£8.50 for children/concessionsand £39 for a family (2+2).

The TwitsAugust 7 and 8 at 3.30pm

Entertain the family at a matineeperformance of Roald Dahl’s TheTwits.

Tickets cost £13.50 for adults£8.50 for children/concessionsand £39 for a family (2+2).

HMS PinaforeAugust 12 at 7.30pm

HMS Pinafore by Gilbert andSullivan is faithfully performed bya reduced cast on a beautifulnautical set. Performed for onenight only, the opera cheerfullymocks such Great Britishinstitutions as class, patriotismand the Royal Navy.

The performance starts at7.30pm. Tickets cost £15 foradults, £10 for children/concessions and £45 for afamily (2+2).

The Railway ChildrenAugust 15 and 16 at 7.30pm

Watch the story unfold as thegentle Edwardian lifestyle isabout to be turned upside downfor Bobbie, Peter and Phyllis.

Tickets cost £13 for adults, £9 forchildren/concessions or £39 for afamily (2+2).

A MidsummerNight's DreamAugust 21 and 22 at 7.30pm

Be whisked away on a thrillingjourney to the most magical offorests. Star-crossed lovers,playful fairies and raucoustravelling players come togetherto create one of the most fun andfrolicsome evenings of thesummer.

Tickets cost £13.50 for adults,£8.50 for children/concessions or£39 for a family (2 + 2).

Tickets for all of theseperformances are available fromthe Williamson Park gift shop orby calling 01524 33318 or onlineat www.lancaster.gov.uk/park-tickets

You can also purchase ticketsfrom Visitor Information Centresat Lancaster and Morecambe.

Outdoor theatre season comesto Williamson Park

The showgoes on forThe Dukes

Williamson ParksurveyVISITORS to Williamson Park inLancaster are being asked fortheir opinions of the park andits facilities to develop a betterservice for the future.

Throughout the summer, staffwill be out and about in thepark with a short questionnairefor customers to complete. Thequestionnaire will also beavailable online atwww.lancaster.gov.uk/williamsonpark.

LANCASTER'S Williamson Park is providing the backdrop this summerfor a packed programme of outdoor theatre productions.

Throughout August there will be adaptations of Shakespeare’sHenry V and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Roald Dahl’s The Twits,Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore and E. Nesbitt’s The RailwayChildren.

THE Dukes has announced that itwill be bringing its outdoorwalkabout theatre back toWilliamson Park in 2013.

The Lancaster theatre is taking abreak from its park productionsthis summer owing to itscommitment to stage and tour itshomegrown Lancashire witchesdrama – Sabbat – tocommemorate the 400thanniversary of the witch trials inthe city.

Financial challenges also playedtheir part in the decision not topresent a park show this summeras it is The Dukes most expensiveevent to produce.

However, such has been thedemand from the public and theencouragement from its fundersfor outdoor theatre to be re-instated that The Dukes hasreviewed its options and theshow will return in 2013. The titlewill be announced later thissummer.

The Dukes will be bringingoutdoor cinema to the park thisJuly. For more details see ourwhat’s on section (Page 8) or visitwww.dukes-lancaster.org

We’re working hard for youLANCASTER City Council’s employees are hard at work every day ofthe week to make our district a better place.

They all Take Pride in their work - but how much do you know aboutthe services they provide.

Your District Council Matters asked staff from across the council totell us a little about their jobs and the difference they make to thelives of the community.

Name: Michelle Shorrock

Occupation: Weddingcoordinator

With the wedding season now infull swing, one member ofcouncil staff is finding herselfvery busy.

Although perhaps not the bestknown wedding venue inLancaster, the Town Hall mustsurely be the grandest, mosthistoric and unique place to tiethe knot.

A number of the town hall’srichly decorated rooms can beused for civil ceremonies andwedding receptions, ranging insize from the intimate CouncilChamber to the granderBanqueting Suite.

The Ashton Hall can be used forlarger receptions and holds up to800 people, making it particularlypopular for larger Asianweddings.

Michelle Shorrock is thewedding coordinator forLancaster Town Hall: “One of thehighlights of my job is seeing ahappy couple having their photostaken on the grand marblestaircase or in the memorialgardens.

“I think the Town Hall reallylends itself to weddings and civilpartnerships as the rooms are sospecial and unique and reallyprovide a sense of occasion.”

More information on hiring thetown hall is available fromwww.lancaster.gov.uk/weddingsor call Michelle on 01524 582583.

Name: Michael Hodgson

Occupation: Customer ServicesTeam Leader

Every week more than 4,000people contact the council’sCustomer Services team viatelephone, email or face-to-faceat Lancaster and MorecambeTown Halls.

The advisors on the team canhelp you with anything fromrecycling to parking, housing tovoting and most things inbetween.

Michael Hodgson has worked inhis current role for almost fouryears: "Working in CustomerServices is never boring; every dayis full of new people, newchallenges and chances to helppeople with problems big andsmall.

“It’s very important to us thatwe can improve the experiencefor the customer by helpingpeople with as much as possiblein the one visit or phone call.”

The Customer Services team alsobranches out to support otherpublic agencies, welcoming stafffrom the Citizens’ Advice Bureau,HMRC, Help Direct andLancashire County Council.

Name: Andrew Whittaker

Occupation: PlannedMaintenance Manager

As a responsible landlordLancaster City Council has a dutyto ensure its properties aremaintained to a high standard.

Every year improvements aremade to hundreds of councilhomes to keep them in topcondition and ensure thattenants have decent homes.

Ensuring all this work iscompleted is no mean feat.

As part of a team, providing acomprehensive repairs andmaintenance service to councilhousing tenants, Andrew's role isto manage the programme of in-house planned maintenanceworks.

Last year the council installed130 new kitchens and bathroomsfor tenants living on estates atHala and Mainway and alsomanaged the installation of newdoors and windows to ruralestates in the south of thedistrict. New fencing was alsocompleted to 80 properties onthe Ryelands Estate.

A MAJOR new consultation will be launched laterthis year about a new Local Plan for the district.This will identify land for future developmentneeds, land which will be protected for itseconomic, environmental or social importance,and will also include a set of policies which willmanage proposals for future development.

The new Local Plan will replace existing planningpolicies in the district which determine theframework through which planning applications aredetermined and the location for major developmentproposals.

Three key parts of the new Local Plan are currentlyunder preparation. These relate to Land Allocationsand Development Management as well as a detailedplanning policy framework for the council’s numberone regeneration priority area of centralMorecambe via an Area Action Plan.

These documents will be published for publicconsultation later in the year. The consultation willprovide people with the chance to have their say onthe proposals put forward by the council, and helpshape the future of their district.

As part of the consultation process every

A VOLUNTEER group at HappyMount Park in Morecambe is toreceive a prestigious award fortheir work.

The Happy Mount ParkVolunteers, who help to maintainand improve the ponds andJapanese Gardens in the park,have been awarded The Queen’sAward for Voluntary Service.

The award recognises their workin making the park moreattractive for both local peopleand visitors to Morecambe.

If you’re interested in joiningthe group and helping to make adifference to the park, thevolunteer group meets in thepark at 5.30pm every Friday.

household in the district will receive an informationleaflet which provides background information onwhy the council is preparing a Local Plan and whatthe implications are for the district.

There will also be a series of consultation eventsacross the district giving people the opportunity toexpress their views and speak to council officers onthe content of the documents. More information isavailable on www.lancaster.gov.uk/ldf

You can also be kept up to date by registering onthe above website or on our Facebook page bysearching for 'shaping a better future for LancasterDistrict'.

THERE are lots of ways that youcan get involved, Take Pride, andhave your say with Lancaster CityCouncil. You can:

• Join our 'Voice your views' panel and receive email alerts when consultations that interest you go live.

• Find out what consultations are going on including current consultations and our 2012/13 consultation plan.

• Register with our Local Development Framework Consultation Portal if you are interested in local planning issues.

• Contact the tenant’s participation officer if you are a council housing tenant or leaseholder and would like to get involved.

Voice your views on Local Development

Top award forHappy MountPark volunteers

Together we can make adifference

• Email us directly with suggestions and ideas on how we can improve our services.

If you want to raise specific issuesabout your local area you can:

• Talk to your ward councillors

• Report issues to customer services or by the online reporting form

• Take part in a council or committee meeting

• Submit a petition

Information on all of the abovecan be found on our new 'haveyour say' web pageswww.lancaster.gov.uk/haveyoursay or by contacting ourconsultation and engagementofficer by email [email protected] or bytelephone 01524 582000.

A BID to tackle the causes ofclimate change is already showingspectacular results - reducingenergy costs by almost £200,000 atthe same time.

In 2008, Lancaster City Councilstarted a programme to reduce itsenergy consumption to reduceboth costs and the amount ofcarbon dioxide from its activities.

Latest figures show that thecouncil's energy consumption in2011/12 fell by more than 31% incomparison with 2008/09. At Salt

MOST households should by now have receivedtheir new refuse and recycling collection calendar,which runs from June 2012 to June 2013. You canalso find your collection days online atwww.lancaster.gov.uk/ findmynearest

Visit our web page www.lancaster.gov.uk/bins tofind out what can and can’t be recycled, and whatto do with any items that the council can’t collect.

Don’t forget that all plastic bottles can be recycled,including soft drinks, shampoo, household cleaners,plastic sauce bottles, and much more.

The council still cannot accept any other plastic forrecycling, such as tubs, trays, yoghurt pots or carrier

Waste not, want not

Recycling plastic’sfantastic

MORECAMBE Bay is one of 12areas across England to receivefunding as part of efforts toboost wildlife, help rare speciesand restore habitats.

Already one of the mostecologically diverse areas of thecountry, the area surroundingMorecambe Bay has become aNature Improvement Area.

With the status comes over£600,000 of investment toimprove and reconnect the area’sspecial wetland, limestone,grassland and woodland habitats.

A £600,000 boost for nature

Ayre Sports Centre alone, energyconsumption has reduced by morethan 40% over the same period.

This has been achieved throughenergy-saving measures such asimproved building insulation.At Salt Ayre Sports Centre, pumpsand meters have been upgradedand covers have been installed forthe swimming pool to maintainthe heat whilst the pool is closed.

To reduce energy consumptioneven further, Lancaster CityCouncil recently completed the

installation of solar panels togenerate electricity on a numberof council buildings. This includesSalt Ayre Sports Centre and WhiteLund Depot, as well as foursheltered housing schemes inLancaster.

The funding will also help toinspire community action andsupport sustainable farming,woodfuel and wildlife tourismbusinesses.

Arnside and Silverdale Area ofOutstanding Natural Beauty(AONB) Partnership is leading onthe project on behalf of theMorecambe Bay Wildlife Networkand will be working with and onbehalf of a broad partnership,including support from farmers,landowners and the widercommunity.

This project is supported byDefra, DCLG, EnvironmentAgency, Forestry Commission andNatural England.

bags. The processing plant where recycled waste istaken is continuing to work towards solutions whichwill allow residents to recycle more plastics in thefuture.

If you’re looking to reduce yourown energy costs and reduceyour impact on climate changevisitwww.energysavingtrust.org.ukfor top tips and advice.

Photo courtesy of Arnside andSilverdale AONB.

HAVE you visited the AssemblyRooms in Lancaster recently? Ifnot, then you’re missing out onone of the city’s hidden gems.

Located on King Street next toCrow’s Restaurant, this 18thcentury building used to be oneof the city’s main meeting halls,but fell out of fashion over theyears.

In the 1980s it reinvented itselfand is now home to a curious mixof small stalls selling everythingfrom vintage fashion, books,comics, art and miniatures.

Assembling a unique offer

Way forward agreed for LancasterIndoor Market HallCOUNCILLORS have agreed thenext steps to be taken on thefuture of the Lancaster IndoorMarket Hall, which is due to bevacated this autumn.

This follows a decision last yearthat talks should take place tonegotiate with the council’slandlord for the surrender of itslease, and with the traders forvacant possession of the marketbuilding by the end of 2012.

Since this decision was taken,negotiations have continued withboth Allied, owner of the marketbuilding and the council’slandlord, and market traders.

While further negotiations needto take place with Allied to

secure the best possible terms inrespect of the market building,the council recognises that thecontinued uncertainty on thefuture of the market has causedgreat difficulties for traders.

Councillors therefore agreedthat as a next step, traders shouldbe compensated, with a view tothem leaving the building overthe next few months. It providestraders with certainty over theirfutures and provides for them tofind alternative premises andkeep their businesses running.

This decision was takenfollowing valuation, legal andaccountancy advice that it wasthe best way forward to put the

council in the best possibleposition to safeguard theinterests of taxpayers in the longterm.

Negotiations with Allied –owner of the market buildingand the council’s landlord – willcontinue.

The outcome of thesenegotiations will be brought backto councillors for furtherconsideration.

There’s even a café serving finefood, drinks, homemade cakesand treats.

Mark Braithwaite first came tothe Assembly Rooms in 2006.Originally from Blackburn, hemoved to Lancaster after lookingfor somewhere to set up hisbusiness.

The Assembly Rooms fitted thebill perfectly. He started with onestall but has gradually expandedand now occupies a large sectionwith his large range of Americancomic books.

Mark also organises regularevents, the next of which is theannual Halloween Spooktacularon October 27. Pop along dressedin character and there could be afew treats on offer!

By far the longest servingstallholder at the AssemblyRooms, having celebrated 25years, is Lynne Austin. Her stall -Bebe Babette - sells (and hiresout) vintage costume. Her

stunning stall is an Aladdin’s caveof forgotten fashion – much ofwhich is starting to make acomeback.

“I’ve always had a passion foreverything vintage and collectedmy own pieces,” she explained.

“The Assembly Rooms gives mean outlet to indulge that passionand share it with others. A stalllike mine probably wouldn’tsurvive on the High Street and Ithink that’s what makes us special– you can find things here thatyou just wouldn’t be able toanywhere else, certainly not inLancaster.”

IF you're getting ready for yoursummer holidays and the thoughtof photos of you on the beachare making you think that youneed to lose a few pounds thenhelp is at hand.

Salt Ayre Sport Centre isoffering a special rate to get youfit and healthy by the end ofsummer. Join ‘Shape up insummer’ and you can enjoy 30days of fitness for only £25. Thisgreat promotion offers access tothe state of the art gym, theswimming pool, running trackand your choice of over 40 freefitness classes.

Fight the flab and get fit

AS Your District Council Matterswent to print the Olympic Torchwas due to pass through theLancaster district.

Thousands of people – includingmore than 13,000 school children– were expected to line the routeand cheer on the inspirationalTorchbearers entrusted withcarrying the Olympic Flame.

It was followed by the VelocityFestival – a Celebration of Sportin the Lancaster District. This funfilled weekend includedwatersports in Morecambe Bayand a feast of entertainment.

The London 2012 Olympic andParalympic flags are also flyinghigh from the roofs of Lancasterand Morecambe Town Halls,

Show your support for the Olympics

WITH the school holidays justaround the corner, LancasterCity Council is once againensuring there’s plenty of funactivities for the district’syoungsters to enjoy.

This year’s activitiesprogramme will take place atvarious venues throughout thedistrict when children can enjoythe wide variety of sports andarts activities.

To find out what’s on offervisit www.lancaster.gov.uk/holidayprogramme

Get the kidsactive thissummer

showing the district’s support forthe Games.

If you didn’t manage to see theTorch or get involved with theweekend festival there are plentyof other ways you can getinvolved with the Olympic spirit.

Sign up to be a ‘Local Leader’programme and celebrate theOlympics. On offer are free toolsto make your celebrations extraspecial. More information isavailable atwww.london2012.com/localleaders

In August thousands of childrentaking part in the annual summerplayschemes will meet up at SaltAyre Sports Centre for a day ofOlympic sports. For more

information on how your son ordaughter can get involved visitwww.lancaster.gov.uk/playschemes

Then, on 29 August, Salt Ayre ishosting a day of celebration tomark the beginning of theParalympic Games. On offer willbe a range of sports includingarchery, football, athletics,cycling and swimming.

Adults will be able to access afree swim in the morning andsign up for two activities in theafternoon.

Children can sign up for twoactivities in the morning and accessa free swim in the afternoon. Eachparticipant will receive a LancasterCity Council Gold Medal!

This comes along with the usualbenefits of free parking, on sitecafé and full use of the relaxationand sauna areas.

The offer is only available untilAugust 31 so call Salt Ayre SportsCentre now to make your firstappointment on 01524 847540and start on your way to shapeup by the end of summer.

For more information [email protected] or visitwww.lancaster.gov.uk/saltayre

useful contact numbers Main contact details for keylocal services in the district

Lancaster City Council

Customer Services: 01524 582000

Domestic Waste and Street Cleaning:01524 582491

Homelessness and Housing Standards: 01524 582257

Elections: 01524 582905

Out-of-hours Emergencies: 01524 67099

Website: www.lancaster.gov.uk


Lancashire County Council

LCC General Enquiries/Switchboard:0845 053 0000

Social Care: 0845 053 0009

Highways: 0845 053 0011

Registrars: 0845 053 0021

Welfare Rights: 0845 053 0013

Website: www.lancashire.gov.uk


EducationWhite Cross Education Centre

Telephone: 01524 60141


Website: www.lancashire.gov.uk

Lancaster and Morecambe College


Website: www.lmc.ac.uk

Lancaster University


Website: www.lancs.ac.uk

University of Cumbria(Lancaster campus)

Telephone: 01524 384384

Website: www.cumbria.ac.uk

Emergency servicesLancashire Police

Telephone: 101In an emergency always dial 999.Contact information for your local neighbourhood police team can be found atwww.lancashire.police.ukFollow us on Twitter @LancsPolice

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service

We can provide a free home firesafety check, fit smoke alarms if needed and give you advice on what to do in the event of fire. Call Freephone 0800 169 1125.

HealthNHS Direct: 0845 46 47 or www.nhs.uk

Stop smoking service: 01524 845145

Drug and alcohol service: 01524 834210

To access a dentist: 01253 306378

To find your nearest pharmacy:text ‘pharmacy’ to 64746

Voluntary sectorHelp Direct

Telephone: 0303 333 1111

Website: www.helpdirect.org.uk


Lancaster District CVS

Telephone: 01524 555900


Website: www.lancastercvs.org.uk

Published by Lancaster City Council.

your district council matters - issue 27

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