Good News for You and Your Family
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A 4-star council Awarded top marks by the Audit Commission August 2007 DOG DAY SUMMERSSTUDENT FINANCE UP YOUR STREET Children rise to Kipper Visit our helpful Detectives’ hit the dog’s challenge roadshow this month and run case Page 8 Page 3 page 7 County steps up to new fight LANCASHIRE County Council has welcomed moves to extend economic opportunity for all. New responsibilities for councils were announced by Whitehall recently. Future prosperity depends on a reinvigora- tion of the area’s economy. And that means there 50,000 jobs • support for a high-tech future must be an effective way of working with business to • transforming East Lancashire • tourism and better support future busi- ness growth. rural development • new business parks County Councillor Hazel Harding, Lancashire County Council leader, said: “We believe that Lancashire’s local authori- Good news for you ties have the working knowledge to empower businesses and communi- ties in regeneration from a and your family grassroots level. “The county council has this theme at the heart of its Corporate Strategy and economy of our area to grow identified six key A NEW blueprint for its role in the Lancashire Lancashire has been even further.” priorities: I Partnerships’ Local Area unveiled which aims The Lancashire The redevelop- Agreement.” to create 50,000 jobs Economic Strategy aims to ment of Preston The review will require in just three years. regenerate deprived areas, as the North all councils in Lancashire establish new business West’s third city to look at the way they The plan aims to make parks, boost higher educa- I Transforming Preston into the North work together to support tion and training; and East Lancashire economic growth. West’s third city, while attract new businesses to I Transforming building business parks The county council will the county. Blackpool into a also play a leading role and other enterprises The LEP is a strategic world-class resort across Lancashire. in developing future eco- body which brings together I Improving skills nomic and regeneration By 2010, the Lancashire Lancashire County Council, across the workforce to Economic Partnership policy. district councils, business increase employment (LEP) plans to boost the The county council support organisations and I Support for aerospace economy by securing an already has its own eco- education representatives. and advanced manufac- nomic development com- investment of around turing to ensure global £1.6bn in tourism, business This new blueprint aims pany – Lancashire County competitiveness and leisure. to promote economic Developments Ltd I Tourism and rural devel- County Councillor Hazel growth and prosperity (LCDL). opment supported – to Harding, leader of the coun- across Lancashire. The company has sup- ty council and chair of the It is based on the most boost the economy, promote ported more than 300 Partnership Forum, said: extensive research ever quality of place and max- organisations in the last “This plan will provide a undertaken into the state of imise opportunities for resi- two years alone. Each of strong base for economic the county’s economy and dents and businesses in the organisations is com- development in the county. after widespread consulta- rural areas. mitted to getting people “Across Lancashire we tion with more than 250 Over 100 specific projects back into the labour mar- already have many world- organisations. have been identified and ket. beating companies and The plan is not just about fully costed. They add up to County Councillor Niki through this plan, we will creating new jobs and an investment of £1.6bn Penney, LCDL chair, said: see the development of industry: it also aims to in Lancashire’s future. “Getting people back into many more businesses. achieve a more sustainable Funding will come from work is a gateway for “By supporting the exist- economic environment for the private sector, the them to a brighter future. ing industries and encour- existing jobs. Northwest Regional “People don’t want aging the creation of new The Lancashire Development Agency and hand-outs. They want the ones, we can help the future Economic Partnership has other public sources. chance to build a better future for themselves.” A cassette version of Vision is now available for visually impaired people from Galloway’s Society for the Blind by calling 01772 744148 The presence of promotional leaflets delivered inside Vision does not imply Lancashire County Council endorsement. YOUR LANCASHIRE: A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE MATTERS 2 August 2007 Providing • nurseries • pedestrian crossings www.lancashire.gov.uk Musical Gemma’s Ask Shirley high note Don’t know who to contact when you need help? Are you baffled by bureaucracy? Ring Shirley on 0845 0530000 or email Shirley on [email protected] Shirley can’t help with purely personal problems, such as romance! IF you are having problems getting hold of someone to help, Lancashire County Council has staff trained and willing to assist. Sometimes you just can’t think who to ask - and this is where Vision’s Shirley comes in. Shirley answers all the letters she receives and some will feature on this page. Others may take a while as Shirley will seek respons- es from other council teams. Shirley is not able to offer legal advice. Bringing up baby TALENTED Gemma Wild has Mrs P from Singleton writes: been named winner of this year’s y youngest daughter is starting Christopher Brooks Memorial Prize of “Lancashire Young school this September. Until now G M my husband has gone out to work HAPPINESS at school is essential - but how do you choose a school at which your child will excel? Composer of the Year”. in the daytime and I have gone out to (see “Choose a school”). The prize, awarded by the Lancashire work in the evenings so that we could Sinfonietta and supported by both spend as much time as possible www.unitedutilities.com. chool performance tables can be viewed Lancashire County Council, is an annu- with her. There are two different sizes, a space sav- S on the Department for Education and al award open to composers in the However, I will now be able to work ing mini butt kit will cost you £34.95 and a Skills website www.dfes.gov.uk and all North West aged 16-25 who are trying during the day while she is at school complete water butt kit is priced at £39.95. OFSTED inspection reports on the OFSTED to develop their skills in writing for but the only problem would be the To place an order you should visit: website: www.ofsted.gov.uk orchestras. school holidays. www.uu2u.com or telephone: If you do not have access to the internet or Gemma (24) has won a commission I have been considering becoming a 0845 6588686. have any further questions please contact worth £1,000 for her new work – childminder as this would obviously fit Lancashire County Council’s Professional “Butterfly Effect” - and will also around my lifestyle but I haven’t a clue ...for walking Support Team 01772 531555 who will be become Young Composer in Residence where to start. Do you need qualifica- happy to help you further. for the orchestral season 2007-08, work- tions? Would I have to be registered? Mrs C from Preesall writes: ing on further commissions and within I would appreciate any information s summer is now eventually here I Mrs G from Carnforth writes: the orchestra’s vibrant community and that you could give me. A would like to get out and get some education programme. exercise while enjoying the Happy families For further details about the ou should ring the Childcare Lancashire countryside. Lancashire Sinfonietta visit Y Information Service on 0800 195 0137 Where I can get information on y partner and I have been together www.bluefroguk.com, or contact and they will send you a pack contain- planned walking routes and maybe M for five years and we have six Fiona Sinclair on 07967 091 327 ing a leaflet and two booklets to help you some walking clubs in the area? grown-up children between us. We decide whether or not childminding is for have been thinking about becoming fos- you. ou can find information about walking ter carers but we are not sure if we If you decide to go ahead they will book Y routes on the Lancashire County would meet the criteria. Investment puts you a place on a pre-registration briefing ses- Council website Where can we find information on fos- sion. At the end of the session you will be www.lancashire.gov.uk tering and also find out if we are eligible? given an application pack. There are routes included with different staff on track for Registration usually takes approximately degrees of difficulty and safe ways to plan he fostering service arranges the tempo- three months. your walk. T rary placement of children with foster public service For further information on a career in Also on this website there is an events carers when they are unable to live at childcare you could visit: program where there are lots of guided home for a variety of reasons. LANCASHIRE’S largest employer has www.childcarecareers.gov.uk walks that have been organised for through- There is an ongoing need to recruit foster proved its commitment to providing out the year. carers to look after these children. good services to the public by being one If you do not have access to the internet Foster carers need to be able to show a These butts please contact the Countryside Service and commitment to children and work as part of of the fastest organisations of its size to staff will be happy to give you more informa- a caring team.