News: October 2011

Welcome to my October Newsletter as Champion for Parishes

County Councillor Mike Otter

Downholland Parish Council The Chairman and members of Downholland Parish Council kindly invited me to attend their civil service, which was held on Sunday 2nd October at St Thomas' Church of Parish Church. The Service was then followed by a reception with light refreshments at the Village Hall.

I am pictured above with Chairman of Downholland Parish Council, Owen Connolly and C.C. David Westley in his role as a West Lancs Borough Councillor.

Petition from Members of Council to keep the Garstang HWRC open. Members of Garstang Council attend County Hall to present their petition to Keep Garstang HWRC open.

Picture from left to right on the back row -Town Councillor Graham Salisbury, TC Lynn Harter, TC Alan Cornthwaite, TC Gordon Harter, TC and WBC Cllr. Tom Balmain, TC Clerk Edwina Parry, Robert Lobell from STING, Dulcie Atkins, WBC Cllr. Roger Brooks and myself.

Champion for Parishes

Longton Parish Council On Tuesday 4th October I had pleasure in attending Longton Parish Council to present them with a cheque for £250 to support the Sports and Social Club with community activities through the Parish Council.

Presenting the cheque to Chairman Graham Gooch

Waddington Parish Council On10thOctober. I attended a Waddington Parish Council Meeting to present a £400 cheque to Chairman Councillor Doug Parker. The grant will go towards the cost of installing a new water supply to the Parish Allotments.

I am presenting the cheque to Chairman, Cllr. Doug Parker, with, Parish Councillors Ken Staines, Ken Jackson, Carol Baird (clerk), Liz Howarth and Ray Edmondson.

Parish and Town CouncilRepresentatives attend briefing for Three Tier Forum I chaired the first meeting of the nominated three tiered forum representatives which was held on Wednesday 13th October at 7.00 pm Association of Local Council Offices at Howick House, Penwortham. Those in attendance:- Cllr Gill Smith - Cllr Rennie Pinder – Cllr Michael Helm – Lancaster Cllr Eileen Murray – Preston Cllr Rosemary Robinson – Cllr Margaret Sumner – Cllr John Roe Elswick – Fylde Cllr Gurth Wilson – Wyre (he will be sharing his experience of being on the Wyre Forum)

Jo Turton – Executive Director for the Environment Directorate Debbie Thompson – Localities Team Manager Colin Everett – Specialist Advisor – Localities and Communities Denise Partington – Chief Executive Community Futures Mark Gutteridge – Business Director Community Futures Marion Gelder – Executive Secretary LALC

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Newburgh Parish Council Visit to the Waste Technology Park On 26th October I accompanied a group of Newburgh Parish Councilors on a trip to the Farington Waste Technology Park.

The Councilors from Newburgh Parish Council thoroughly enjoyed the tour.

Lancashire Association of Local Councils Autumn Conference The L.A.L.C held it's Autumn Conference at The Leyland Hotel on Saturday 29th October. The day was well attended by Parish Councilors and included an • update on National Matters by John Findlay OCE, Chief Executive of NALC. Mr. Findlay covered the following: influencing government, the localism agenda, cross party support, community Right to challenge and the possibility of CIL money and a share of business rates going to P & T Councils; • Andrew Fallow, Chartwell Finance Management Ltd, and Ian Birley, Aviva, gave a presentation on clerk's pension rights from 2012 -2016 • Partnership Working Response to Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Encampments – Paul Lowe, Merged Crime and Disorder Reduction Manager for and South Ribble they gave a presentation on how well the partnership protocol was working; • Linda Anderson, of Lancashire County Council Public Rights of Way, gave an update to delegates on the lengthsman / right of way pilot's.

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Environmental Education Centre

The Environment Education Centre (linked to Farington Waste Recycling Plant via an

enclosed walkway providing visitors with a bird's eye view of the process) is almost fully booked with schools until December 2011. Readers are invited to use links with local schools to encourage their participation in this free service. For more information click here If members would like to arrange visits for their Parish and Town Councils or interested groups please contact [email protected]

Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter.

I do hope you have found it of interest and if you require any further information on the above please do not hesitate to get in touch with me on 01772 423623 or via email to [email protected]

Thank you to all the Parish and Town Councils who have applied for grants for 2011 – 2012. Regrettably I have to inform you that all my funding has now all been allocated. Further funding will hopefully be available from April 2012.

Regards County Councillor Mike Otter Lancashire County Council Champion for Parishes

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