Bizarre
Boundary Proposal |
4/12/03 |
On
1st December the Boundary Committee for England
published their Draft recommendations for unitary
local government in Lancashire and are now "consulting"
on the draft options put forward for a period
of 12 weeks until 23 February 2004. Click
Here to view the full report. The recommendations
are founded on the findings of a "statistically
robust" Mori Poll of 300 West Lancashire
residents. Click
here for the Mori Report in full.
In
summary, the three options that the Boundary Commission
have proposed are:
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Option
1: We become part of a massive Lancashire County
Council "Unitary Authority"
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Option
2: We become part of a new "Sefton and
West Lancashire"
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Option
3: We become part of a new "Sefton and
West Lancashire"
Rather
bizarrely, our three options are actually only
two. You are asked to provide feedback on these
proposals but, to date, the supposedly convenient
Online Feedback Form on the Boundary Commission
website does not work and so any comments you
wish to make must be made as best you can using
pen and paper and it will cost you the price of
a stamp. We have informed the Boundary Commission
of this oversight and are awaiting a response.
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Block
Bogus Callers |
1/12/03 |
Tarleton
Village Design Group is working in partnership
with Lancashire Constabulary, West Lancashire
District Council Home Safe Scheme and Identislot
to encourage those people aged 60 or over who
live in their own homes to increase their security
to avoid bogus callers. The overall value of the
project to the area is £8,000 (£7,500
from West Lancashire District Council Home Safe
Scheme). Tarleton is being used as a pilot for
this project which it is anticipated to be rolled
out to the whole of West Lancashire.
There
is a package of a security measures that will
be made available, free of charge,
to people who may be vulnerable to distraction
burglaries. The package consists of:
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A
mechanism that is fitted into the door which
allows an identity card to be passed from the
caller to the householder without the door being
opened.
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An intercom system that allows the householder
to control the contact with a caller through
a viewcom.
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Upgrading of front and back door locks to 5
lever mortice systems, if not already fitted.
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Fitting of window locks to all ground floor
windows and those accessible from flat roofs.
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A bar system that allows the door to be left
open for ventilation or to view a caller without
fear of intrusion.
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A smoke alarm.
This
is quite a unique opportunity for older people
to increase security in their homes at
no expense to themselves. They will receive
a visit from the West Lancashire District Council
Home Safe Scheme to assess their requirements.
This
project is presently for Tarleton residents only,
however if people from other parishes wish to
register an interest they can do so. The project
is being coordinated by Dianne Hignett and John
Marriot Crime Prevention Officers at Ormskirk
Police Station who can be contacted on 01695 566353
or 566354. No names of any individuals wishing
to participate in the project will be shared with
anybody outside of the police and appropriate
staff from West Lancashire District Council and
Identislot who will fit the assessed equipment.
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Outlook
Wet for the Northern Parishes |
28/11/03 |

Get
the very latest
floodplain data direct from the
Environment Agency Website |
The
Environment
Agency's new Indicative Floodplain Maps
provide a general overview of areas of land
in natural floodplains and therefore potentially
at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea.
The maps use the best information currently
available, based on historical flood records
and geographical models. They indicate where
flooding from rivers, streams, watercourses
or the sea is possible. However the maps
do not show flood defences which offer vital
protection in many areas.
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The
Agency is making these maps widely accessible
to make it easier for people to find out if they
are in a flood risk area and what local flood
warning arrangements exist. They also inform planners
and developers and are a key tool in informing
decisions on controlling development in floodplains.
For more information and the answers to frequently
asked questions about flood plain maps, the impact
it has on properties, the impact on property insurance
and answers to general questions about flood risk
CLICK HERE
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More
White Vans Wanted |
14/11/03 |
All
members of the public are asked to be on the look-out
for the following 2 vehicles. They have been seen
recently acting suspiciously and it is also believed
they have been seen throughout the West Lancs
area. The vehicles are both White Transit vans:-
The whereabouts of these vehicles are wanted by
both Lancashire and GMP Police. One vehicle is
believed to be involved in theft of motorcycles.
Please be on the look-out for both these vehicles.
Any sightings should be reported to the Police
immediately.
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Water
Board Warning |
3/11/03 |
Message
from The West Lancashire Neighbourhood Watch Association
The
police are warning the public about bogus officials
who have been gaining entry to elderly persons homes
by posing as water board officials who want to check
water pipes. Once in the home the offenders have
stolen property.
Descriptions
of two offenders seen are males early 20's one of
whom had red hair and spoke with a stammer. He was
wearing a white anorak. Do not let persons into
your home without seeing proper authority or them
having made a written appointment.
A second problem concerns telephone calls to elderly
residents, saying that the Environment Agency wishes
to make an appointment to call. Their reason is
to give advice on Crime Prevention, mentioning security
alarms in the conversation. These calls do not have
any connection to any Professional body.
Please
do not let anyone into your home without first checking
their identity. If you require information on Security
alarms please contact the Crime prevention officers
at your local Police station. If you wish to contact
the Police please ring 0845 1 25 35 45 or in an
emergency dial 999.
If you wish to pass on information anonamously about
this or any other incident and then you can contact
Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. |
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Thefts
Continue |
16/10/03 |
The
Police are reminding everyone, once again, of an increasing
crime trend in rural areas of West Lancashire. These
are thefts from garages, farm buildings and driveways
of heavy equipment such as sit-on lawnmowers and farm
equipment including trailers. It is believed the offenders
are from the travelling community and are using white
transit vans as well as a dark coloured saloon car.
They are calling at premises offering landscape gardening
services. Within half an hour of their call equipment
has been stolen. Please be aware of these offences
and exercise caution with any unknown callers on your
property. If you are suspicious please notify the
Police. |
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Pumpkin
Wars |
14/10/03 |
A
worried "John Midgley"
Pumpkin late last night |
Trevor
Wilson and the Mere Brow Giant Pumpkins featured
on BBC Radio Lancashire this morning.
Trevor
remains confident in being this years contest
winner but, despite clandestine nightime surveilance,
John Midgley's entry remains shrouded in secrecy
and could pose a serious threat. Watch this
space!
The
big weigh in is this coming Saturday at Bungalow
Farm, Scarisbrick
PS
Trevor once paid £10 for 1 seed from
a 1000lb Pumpkin but don't tell his wife! |
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Wanted:
White Van Man |
13/09/03 |
All
farms and Neighbourhood Watch members are asked
to be on the lookout for the following vehicle:-
A white Transit Van reg. no. S817 SRJ.
This
vehicle was seen in suspicious circumstances in
Bickerstaffe at around 3:30 on Wednesday afternoon.
It is thought they may have been attempting to steal
a caravan but when challenged the driver( who spoke
with an Irish accent) said they were cutting hedges
and then made off towards Rainford. About 2 hours
later a shed was reported broken into when lawnmowers
and other property were stolen. Please be on the
look-out for this vehicle and report any sightings
to the Police immediately. To repeat:- A white Transit
van reg.no. S817 SRJ. |
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Tennis
Coaching a big hit |
15/08/03 |
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The
first of this seasons youth tennis coaching
sessions started today at Holmeswood with
an excellent turnout. The coaching is organised
by Holmeswood Sports Association Tennis
Club The next session is Tuesday 19th
at 9am. |
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Advance
on Western Front |
07/08/03 |
Planning
has been approved (with conditions) for a single
storey extension to the leisure lakes bar to accomodate
a dancefloor / stage and a games room / arcade.
Planning reference 8/2003/0725 was submitted by
Western Frontier Limited.
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Review
of Rufford Parish Council |
28/07/03 |
Following
a response to a petition from the residents of
Holmeswood, received prior to December 2000, seeking
the creation of a new Parish Council in their
area, the West Lancashire District Council have
decided not to proceed with a recommendation to
the Secretary of State to constitute a new parish
of Holmeswood, by the separation of part of the
parish of Rufford. At that time and at the present
date, Rufford Parish Council consists of two wards,
one for Rufford and one for Holmeswood.
When the Council first received a request to undertake
a review from the residents of Holmeswood, an
overwhelming majority (255 0f the 291 electors
-87.6%)signed the petition in support. On 4 April
2003 a letter was sent to all electors in Rufford
Parish, together with a questionnaire setting
out options available.
A response of 225 questionnaires was received
from the Parish as a whole, equal to 13.5% of
the total possible (1666 electors) Of the 225
questionnaires received only 76 were received
from the Holmeswood Ward of which only 58 supported
the option to form a new Parish Council for Holmeswood.
Of the 225 questionnaires received 105 votes were
in favour of leaving Holmeswood with Rufford,
111 to separate Holmeswood from Rufford and 9
in favour of Holmeswood joining Mere Brow.
The West Lancashire District Council in following
the advice and guidance of the office of the Deputy
Prime Minister (ODPM) concluded that there was
not sufficient support to make a recommendation
successful.
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