A 4-star council Awarded top marks by the Audit Commission May 2007 Providing • education • highways • trading standards • social services TEXTILES £250m FUTURE SAVE A STAMP You can help to pick up Sneak a look at Vision comps, letters the thread regeneration plans and picture – all online Page 9 Page 5 See page 3 FACT: Children thrive best in a loving family WE NEED 50more foster parents now THE SEARCH This coincides with a national the best place for children who is on for people awareness campaign, Care cannot live at home or with other Fortnight, from 14 to 27 May. family members." with hearts of The county council’s initiative He added: "Fostering still gold to dramati- will involve a two-week advertis- remains a major part of our chil- cally change the ing campaign and a series of local dren's social care policy for looked- lives of children information events where people after children. in Lancashire. considering fostering can speak to “We are seeking to recruit At least 50 more fos- current foster carers and find out around 50 more foster carers ter carers across the more about full-time, part-time across the county to provide vul- and respite fostering. nerable children with safe and county are urgently need- More foster carers are desper- caring homes on a temporary or ed to provide our vulnera- ately needed, particularly those permanent basis while they are ble children with safe and looking after sibling groups and unable to live with their own fam- caring homes. older children that can not be eas- ilies." Of the 1,250 children looked ily adopted and need a permanent "If you have the commitment after by Lancashire County foster home. and a desire to support children in Council, more than 750 are The county council currently care, then fostering could be for placed in foster care – with the enlists the support of over 650 you. We would love to hear from numbers being fostered falling. approved foster carers across the you." "A wider pool of foster carers county, as the single largest would drastically increase the agency in the North West. chance of finding the right foster Paul said: "Fostering helps pre- For more information family for the right child", says vent children being moved from about fostering in service manager Paul Hegarty. home to home, having to live a This month, the county council long way from their friends and Lancashire contact is launching a new recruitment family, and ensuring brothers and freephone 0800 195 1183 or campaign to appeal for more fos- sisters remain together. visit www.fosteringinlan ter carers. “Foster care is overwhelmingly cashire.co.uk 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 May 2007 Providing • nurseries • pedestrian crossings www.lancashire.gov.uk New look for outdoor Ask Shirley play at Don’t know who to contact when you need help? Are you baffled by bureaucracy? Ring Shirley on 0845 0530000 nursery or email Shirley on [email protected] BIG changes are planned for a small piece of land at Little Fishes IF you are having problems Nursery in Langho which will getting hold of someone to make a major difference to help, Lancashire County outdoor play activities for young- Council has staff trained and sters. willing to assist. Lancashire County Council’s Sometimes you just can’t think Community Design programme has who to ask - and this is where produced plans which will see a small Vision’s Shirley comes in. lawned area turned in to a vibrant Shirley answers all the letters outdoor planting and play facility. she receives and some will feature Caroline Pope, who is co-ordinating the on this page. Others may take a improvement works, said: “Thanks to the while as Shirley will seek respons- county council’s investment we are now es from other council teams. able to begin raising money for the proj- Shirley is not able to offer legal ect. The initial £500 the council has spent advice. designing the scheme will get the ball rolling and attract the funding we need to get the work done.” Blue badges in the pink Mr B from Preston writes: am in the process of filling in an application form for a Blue Badge. I I need a bit of help filling it in as I don’t understand one of the questions. As I understand it, all Blue Badge applications and renewals are being dealt with at the Red Rose Hub, so G could I arrange to come in to discuss SCHOOL dinners are getting tastier all the time - and cash help may be available (see Help with meals). this with someone? All that is done is a street sweeper Is the shopkeeper obliged to provide brushes the dirt off the concrete. Help! disabled access? urrently there is no front-facing service at the Red Rose Hub so you will not be ny problems relating to street lights or ain entrances should be accessible for C able to go in for advice. However, they overgrown trees positioned on the adopt- both able and disabled users alike, have an excellent telephone helpline for Blue A ed highway should be reported to M although there are some small shops or Badge queries. The contact number is: 0845 Lancashire Highways on 0845 053 0011 or businesses that do not comply. 0530049. by email at: [email protected] You need to contact Lancashire Highways A customer service officer will answer any and a customer service officer will arrange on the number below and they will arrange questions regarding your application. for the problem to be investigated. for a highways inspector to visit the shop When completed you should return the I have contacted Lancashire Highways and discuss access requirements with the form to Blue Badge Scheme, Red Rose Hub, and informed them of the footpath concerned owner. Bluebell Way, Preston, Lancashire PR2 5PZ. and they are looking into your enquiry. Lancashire Highways, telephone: 0845 053 0011; email: Ask Amey Help with meals [email protected] Mr J from Lancaster writes: Miss T from Chorley writes: Online vacancies an anything be done to clean up the y daughter is about to start at our M6 verges, particularly the slip local primary school this Mrs S from Preston writes: C roads around Lancaster and M September. I am a single parent y husband has recently been relo- GTIM Blythe is seen here handing over plans to Carnforth? and was just wondering if my child may cated to the Preston area by his It looks as if one authority cleans the M Caroline Pope, from Little Fishes nursery in be eligible for free school meals. employers. Langho, Jenny Pelech of the parent and toddler motorway verges and another the main If so, how do I apply? Until we moved house I worked as a roads but no-one ever does the slip group with Harry Pope (2), and Thomas clerical assistant for the local council so Woodward (3). roads. The only word for them is dis- ou would be entitled to free school meals I would be extremely interested in graceful. Y if you get Income Support; income-based working for Lancashire County Tim Blythe, from the Environmental Jobseeker’s Allowance; support under Council. Projects Team, explained: “It is far easier or queries regarding maintenance of part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act Where should I send my CV to? for active community organisations to see adopted roads within Lancashire you 1999; guarantee element of State Pension their local project ideas realised if they F should contact Lancashire Highways on Credit or if you get Child Tax Credits (but ancashire County Council only accepts have a decent set of professionally pro- 0845 053001. without any Working Tax Credit and have applications that are submitted using duced plans to work with and help them Depending on the nature and location of the L an income of less than £14,495). one of our standard application forms. along the way.” query they will establish who is responsible. This is a national policy therefore free All our job vacancies are advertised on our Motorways and slip roads are usually the school meals cannot be granted on a discre- website at: www.lancashire.gov.uk/vacan- responsibility of the relevant Highways tionary basis. cies Agency. To apply, you need to complete an applica- Each vacancy will include information on £12,800 path plan For this particular area you should contact tion form available from your child’s school how to apply and many have an online appli- Amey Mouchell Area 13 on: 0845 600 1628 or your local Area Education Office. cation form. AN area of Preston has benefited from or by email at: mac13.ncc@amey- Vacancies are also advertised in local £12,800 of improvements thanks to a mouchel.com Shopkeepers’ duties papers throughout Lancashire. major partnership project. Lancashire County Council environmen- Highways obstruction Mr B from Fulwood writes: tal project officers have been working with ust down the road from where I live Email: [email protected] or Holme Slack Community Primary School, Mr C from Lancaster writes: is a small grocery shop that I have Preston Council’s park section, and the here is a neglected footpath close to J problems getting into.