Wyre Voice 2024

Wyre Council’s community newsletter...

WYRE VOICE

A message from Councillor Michael Vincent, Leader of Wyre Council

“Welcome to Wyre Voice 2024, in May this year we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Wyre Council. Inside you’ll find details of the successes we have achieved this past year and learn about a few of the projects and initiatives we are working on.

We hope it helps you learn more about what’s on where you live and what our priorities are looking ahead to a prosperous year and beyond.

We have a calendar full of events for 2024 which we hope you can attend. Wyre has enjoyed excellent visitor numbers over the past couple of years and we are working hard to continue to grow this and put Wyre firmly on the map as a must-visit destination, helping to boost our local economy and benefit our local businesses.

We have begun the delivery of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This £3.9m of funding is driving progress across vital projects throughout the borough including town centre improvements, leisure projects, arts, culture and tourism initiatives, business support and projects to reduce Wyre’s carbon footprint.

We have introduced our new Council Plan, which is our vision of success for the future. We want Wyre to be a place where everyone can prosper. We want everyone to have access to jobs and share the benefits of economic growth, live in thriving, safe, more environmentally sustainable and welcoming communities and be healthier and independent for longer.

We will continue to invest in the borough by developing new ways of generating income, bidding for external funding, sharing services with partners and driving efficiencies all to ensure the best future for our borough and our residents while charging one of the lowest council taxes in Lancashire.

We’ve celebrated many successes in the last 12 months, including:

• delivered around £1

million to support households 2023/24

• hosted and facilitated 100’s of events and activities including new events and old favourites returning for another year

• welcomed 4.4 million visitors to Wyre in 2022, an increase of 44% from 2021, which we hope to build on in the coming year

• delivered 230 disabled facilities grants totalling £2.2million to help Wyre a more equal and accessible place for all

• over 3.5m bins emptied

• 908 handy person jobs completed to support those in our community who need our help

• over 97% of council tax collected enabling us to keep the tax as one of the lowest in Lancashire

• almost 99% of business rates collected

• transforming how we work, reducing inefficiencies to save money while protecting front line services.

People and communities

Residents live happier, healthier and safer lives

Support schemes available for residents of Wyre

Household support fund

Since April 2023, we have awarded around £1 million to our most vulnerable residents, helping those who have been worst affected by the increases in household energy prices and cost of living pressures. If you need help this winter and are you struggling to buy food or to pay for household bills, then apply now. Please visit www.wyre. gov.uk/householdsupport to view the criteria and make an application. The scheme closes on 31st March 2024 or before if the funding is spent.

Cosy Homes in Lancashire

A one stop shop for warmth, offering advice and assistance for residents. A joint initiative between 13 local authorities in Lancashire, Cosy Homes provides access to cost effective ways of keeping your home warm whether you own or privately rent. It offers straightforward means of accessing grants to fund new heating measures, insulation and renewable technologies such as solar panels and air source heat pumps. Some grant funding schemes are dependent on household income (below £31,000) and the EPC rating of the home, some are dependent on postcode regardless of household income.

Visit the website www.chil.uk.com or call 03306 061 488 for more information.

Care and Repair

Have you heard of our Care and Repair service, which provides help for homeowners aged over 65 and adults aged over 18 with a disability? Our friendly team can help with repairs, home improvements, maintenance, adaptations and more. Please complete our application form online at www.wyre.gov.uk/careandrepair and one of the team will arrange to visit you in your home. You can also call 01253 887569 for more information.

My Home Choice, an affordable alternative to private home rental

Why not check if you are eligible for social housing and the opportunity to live in one of many new build affordable homes being built in Wyre. From flats to houses in a variety of areas, rent levels are cheaper than the private sector and whilst priority is given to those in need of rehousing due to personal circumstances, more households are eligible to apply than you might think. You don’t need to be in receipt of benefits and in some instances working households will be given priority. It’s the ideal way to reduce living costs as well as providing a secure rental agreement. Homes are advertised on the My Home Choice website.

To read more and to register visit www.myhomechoicefyldecoast.co.uk

To learn more about other types of affordable housing in the borough visit www.wyre.gov.uk/affordablehomes

Community Safety

Wyre Council continues to work closely with the wide range of partners to address key community safety concerns. By tackling key issues such as anti-social behaviour, violence, domestic abuse and substance misuse, we’re working to create safte environments, improve lives, reduce offending and support victims of crime. Visit www.wyre.gov.uk to find out more and follow our social media to hear about upcoming community safety events.

Health and leisure

UKSPF funds CCTV upgrades across Wyre

We’re currently in the process of upgrading our town centre CCTV network which is due to complete this year. This includes the replacement of all existing cameras within the towns of Fleetwood, Poulton, Cleveleys and Garstang, resulting in better imagery, particularly in low light. There’ll be extra speakers and additional cameras in known hotspot areas for crime and anti-social behaviour allowing better coverage of key areas of concern. The upgraded network will have increased resilience, with cameras feeding back to the council’s CCTV control room via a fibre network, and will allow both live and recorded footage to be shared instantly with the police.

Let’s get Wyre Moving More - new for 2024!

Following a review of our wider leisure provision and a public consultation, we’re introducing a brand new physical activity and sport initiative specifically designed to get Wyre moving more! We want to improve the health and wellbeing of residents and provide more opportunities for people to lead healthy and active lifestyles. We’re working together with leading local sport providers to put on a great range of opportunities across the borough and working hard to make it easier for people to access these. Wyre Moving More is due to launch after Easter so keep a look out on our website and social media channels to learn more.

Improving our leisure facilities

We’re delighted to have successfully secured £142,000 of funding for pools at Fleetwood, Poulton and Garstang leisure centres from the Government’s Swimming Pool Support Fund in November. This funding will help us to sustain these important and much loved facilities which play such an important role in the health and wellbeing of our residents and in teaching people to swim. Please make full use of the pools and support your local leisure centres. We are looking forward to hearing if we have been successful in the second round of funding soon!

Trysport - all free, all welcome!

TrySport offers kids the chance to try a wide range of free, fun sporting activities across the borough. Fleetwood Town Community Trust deliver the sessions and provide a packed timetable of activities every week including football, dodgeball, boxing, dance, rugby and basketball. For the current timetable visit www. fleetwoodtownfcct.com/trysport

holiday clubs!

Our popular holiday clubs are back this Easter for primary and secondary school children on benefits related free school meals. Keep the kids busy with a fantastic range of activities including sports, arts and crafts, swimming and much more, with a free lunch provided for everyone at every session too. Older eligible children can also access the gym for free at some YMCA leisure centres. Places need to be booked in advance and a unique booking code is required, which you can get from your child’s school.

Easter

2nd April – 12th April 2024

Summer

22nd July – 2nd September 2024

Christmas

23rd December 2024 – 3rd January 2025

www.wyre.gov.uk/holidayclub

passion volunteeryour...

Whatever your passion there’s sure to be a volunteering opportunity for you at Wyre Council!

Learn new skills and make new friends and make a real difference in your community, through our wide range of volunteering positions available. For more information and to apply, please visit www.wyre.gov.uk/volunteering or call our Volunteer and Community Engagement Officer on 01253 887504

Get on your bike!

Cycling is a great way to give your health a boost and there are some wonderful places to explore on your bike in Wyre.

If you fancy getting out in a group, join our free social cycling sessions every Friday from 10am until 11am. Bikes and helmets can be provided for adults, children are welcome but must have their own bike and safety gear. Sessions start at Marine Hall in Fleetwood from 5 April through to 25 October 2024. No need to book, just turn up!

We also run Wyre Wheelsa weekly cycling session at Memorial Park, Fleetwood for people with disabilities, those who have limited mobility, are recovering from illness or injury, the elderly, or people who just want to get back on a bike and increase their confidence. Join us every Friday between 8 March and 25 October 2024, 10.30am to 1pm. Sessions are £4 each.

www.wyre.gov.uk/cycling

Join Slimming World for free

Our successful partnership with Slimming World continues in 2024 with fully funded 12 week programmes available to people who live in Wyre. If you are new to Slimming World and have a BMI of over 30 you could be eligible.

To find out more and sign up go to www.wyre.gov.uk/ weightmanagement

Clubs and regular activities in Wyre

We provide a huge range of weekly activities and clubs across the borough, where everyone is welcome! Pick up a new hobby, get more active and meet new people.

• gardening clubs

• beach cleans

• litter picks

• social cycling

• art and crafts

• nature sessions and much more!

Learn more at www.wyre.gov.uk/ regularactivities

“Steve’s blood oxygen level was down to 88 to 92... now he’s up to 96. So that’s just...wow.”

Carol and Steve are a married couple who told us their amazing story. They self-referred through our online referral system. During the pandemic, Steve spent 10 weeks in intensive care due to his auto-immune disease and suffered difficulty breathing from then on. After losing 3 stone on Slimming World, Steve’s noticed a huge difference and can breathe much easier. Carol has lost 2 stone and both she and Steve feel happier and healthier than ever.

Free Dementia-friendly clubs and activities in Wyre

Many of our regular activities are also suitable for people living with dementia and their families/ carers. We understand how important it is to have opportunities to be active and connect with others and these sessions are a great way to do just that.

Just Reminiscing

Come along to our free, drop in sessions. See our interesting display of old artefacts, objects and scrapbooks from throughout the decades. We love to hear your happy memories of days gone by, please pop in and chat to us.

Fleetwood Market

First Friday of every month, 11am – 1pm

Cleveleys Library

Tuesdays 9 May, 11 July and 12 Sept, 10am – 12pm

Art sessions

Come and try your hand at painting and take home your creations. The sessions are led by experienced instructors and are free. No need to book, just turn up.

Fun Arts

Knott End Library every Monday, 1pm - 2.30pm

Art, Take Part

Garstang Library every Wednesday, 10am - 12pm

Fun Arts

Garstang library every Thursday, 9.30am - 11.30am

or

www.wyre.gov.uk

“I have become fully immersed in Fun Arts, I love it… I get a feeling of satisfaction and I feel energised by the sessions… very relaxing for me after caring all day. A very important part of our week, very welcoming, accommodating and stimulating. We both look forward to attending.”

Don’t

miss a new season of

Short guided walks

We host short guided walks as part of our calendar of guided walks and are open for anyone to come along, including those with dementia and their family/carers. There’s no need to book, just come along for a relaxed stroll with our friendly walk leaders. Each walk is around 2 miles and is a nice steady pace suitable for all. You can also book one of our all terrain Trampers to use during the walk by emailing greatoutdoors@wyre.gov.uk

Cherestanc Square, Garstang - Every Monday (except bank holidays) 11am – 12 noon

Cleveleys Community Centre - 11am – 12 noon, once a month.

Marine Hall Fleetwood - 11am – 12 noon, once a month.

Memorial Park Fleetwood – 11am – 12 noon, once a month.

Visit www.wyre.gov.uk/greatoutdoors for full dates and times.

If you run a dementia friendly group and would be interested in taking part in a group guided walk please email greatoutdoors@wyre.gov.uk

Congratulations to In Bloom winners across Wyre!

Catterall, Churchtown, Poulton, Garstang and Hambleton each won Gold in the Britain in Bloom North West judging and Churchtown in Bloom were joint winners for the Best Village in Great Britain. View a full list of winners at www.wyre.gov.uk/inbloom

Discover Wyre Trails

Take the family on the interactive trails across Wyre and discover a whole new side to our beautiful borough.

Finding Fleetwood

A growing collection of digital storytelling trails and experiences about and around Fleetwood. There are trails to follow exploring art, nature, history, and everything in between!

Festive Trail

Help Nic Clause find his way through the night sky by collecting his guiding stars that are lost in Fleetwood! Look out for this festive trail available throughout November and December.

Thank you to all the volunteers across the borough who help to keep Wyre looking bloomin’ lovely!

Cleveleys Mythic Coast

Explore the Mythic Coast and experience the Cleveleys seafront in an entirely new way with this augmented reality app, available on Google Play or the App Store. Simply search Wyre AR to download the app for free.

Garstang Heritage

Explore and discover more about the historic market town of Garstang with amazing pictures, films, audio recordings, and written pieces about the heritage of Garstang.

Find out more and follow the trails at www.discoverwyretrails.co.uk

Growth and prosperity

A thriving local economy and town centres

Project Neptune, Fleetwood’s new Fish and Food Processing Park, nets first tenants

The Neptune Food and Fish Processing Park has been purpose built to create a new home for some of the current fish processing businesses in the port, work is underway to prepare the units with energy efficient, high spec, ultramodern amenities, ready for the first tenants to move in. With a new fish auction hall, processing factory and plans for a new Training Academy, all helping to boost Fleetwood’s economy, safeguard the existing fish processing industry jobs, create up to 100 new jobs and maintain the town’s historic links with fishing and the sea.

Approx. £8 million investment

“Everyone at Midland Fish are extremely excited about the prospects of a new purpose-built factory and what we will be able to deliver to our existing and new customers… we feel that we are securing the future of Midland Fish Company whilst also playing our part in continuing to lower our carbon footprint and reduce our carbon emissions.”

£3.9 million secured in UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) funding and £400k in Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) funding

To secure this funding we worked in partnership with Wyre’s Town Centre Partnership boards and key stakeholders to submit an investment plan proposal to government outlining potential projects that the funding would be used for to support strategic business recovery and growth in key economic centres in the borough.

“We gained an understanding of the impact of funding on specific projects, their progress and relevance, as well as of the aspirations and future potential plans for the area.”

Carmen Suarez Garcia, Director for Levelling Up: Major Programmes.

In November, our UKSPF team secured the very first English district visit from the Government UKSPF Director helping to showcase the progress and positive impact of our projects.

There are many projects currently progressing across the borough, which range in scope from local creative activities like events, festivals and arts programmes, through to larger scale projects that support businesses, existing town centre CCTV upgrade, the development of community facilities and improvements to our parks and public realm, as well as a multitude of other exciting projects in between for heritage, climate change, community and voluntary group development and more. Learn more by visiting www.wyre.gov.uk/UKSPF

UKSPF projects overview

Learn more about the projects UKSPF is making possible at www.wyre.gov.uk/ UKSPF

Sign up to receive regular updates about the projects currently progressing all across Wyre www.wyre.gov.uk/ enews

Garstang

Community Matters Carers Group

Providing a comfortable, relaxed space for local carers of all ages and the person they care for, to share knowledge and support one another. First Wednesday of every month at Garstang Methodist Church.

REPF Canal Tow Path

Working with local councillors and Wyre Canal and River Trust to make vital improvements to sections of towpath in greater Garstang.

Public realm improvements

In partnership with the Greater Garstang Partnership Poard to improve Garstang town centre.

Cleveleys

Multiple Arts project Events include community arts projects to enliven the town and engage people.

Public realm improvements

In partnership with the Cleveleys Together Partnership Board to improve Cleveleys town centre.

Cleveleys mural

This project aims to create a stunning mural, which will highlight key locations in Cleveleys and work to unite the highstreet and the coast.

Poulton

Community Garden at Cottam Hall

Working with Poulton in Bloom to create community garden at Cottam Hall helping to expand the brilliant opportunities for people to get involved in the group’s wonderful work.

Cottam Hall Playing Fields Masterplan

Following an initial consultation in 2023, a second consultation will take place in 2024.

REPF Gateway to Wyre Estuary Country Park

This project will create a welcoming and accessible gateway to Wyre Estuary Country Park.

Fleetwood

Blue plaques trail

Creating a heritage trail around important historical significance in and around Fleetwood.

Community Dance Festival project

An inclusive dance, music and arts festival for the whole community at Memorial Park, Fleetwood in July 2024.

Tram Sunday and Spare Parts Festival

Enhancing and expanding the beloved Festival’s artistic parade through content made and cocurated by the community and professional artists.

Wyre wide projects

REPF Business Grant Programme

A partnership agreement with Lancashire County Council, to deliver the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) business grants programme.

Shaping Brighter Futures - Positive Footprints

Aims to change the way that primary school children in Wyre see themselves, their future and the world of work.

Together We Make a Difference

An asset-based community project, that aims to enhance the links between third sector organisations/community groups across Wyre.

Free business support for Wyre businesses

There’s plenty of ways we can help and support our local businesses.

Low Carbon Business

Businesses in Wyre can take advantage of the opportunity to work with Chamber Low Carbon, for free expert advice and support to transition to net zero. Available until March 2025.

Visit www.chamberlowcarbon.co.uk/contact or get in touch to learn more by emailing climatechange@wyre.gov.uk

Wyre Boost Business Support

We’ve entered into a new partnership with Boost: Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub to help Wyre businesses start, grow and thrive!

Learn more about this free business support at www.boostbusinesslancashire.co.uk

Help to access funding and grants

Find about where to access the latest funding and grants for your business on our website. www.wyre.gov.uk/business-support

Sign up to Wyre’s tourism network

Are you a tourism business based in Wyre? We’ve created a tourism network for businesses across the borough. It’s free to join and there are lots of benefits:

• Regular enewsletters from Wyre Council’s visitor economy team with latest news and information about what’s on in Wyre

• Free listing for attractions, events and accommodation providers on our website

• Promotion of your latest news and events via our Discover Wyre social media platforms

• Access to our photography library - a wealth of images and videos of Wyre that you can download and use in your own promotions

• Free sense of place marketing toolkit

Visit www.discoverwyre.co.uk/tourismnetwork to sign up. We look forward to working together to put Wyre on the map!

EVENTS BENEFITS

SUPPORT AND ADVICE

Join over 800 Wyred Up members and gain the benefits of our free business support network, specifically for businesses and organisations in Wyre. With regular news and advice, training and networking events, becoming a Wyred Up member is a must for all of our local businesses and it is completely free.

Upcoming events for 2024

• Monthly Business Support Clinic

• Navigating Net Zero drop-in

• Visitor Economy Networking

• Growing Your Business

To learn more and sign up to our free business support network, email regeneration@wyre.gov.uk

Sign up to our e-newsletter for regular updates www.wyre.gov.uk/enews (tick the business in wyre box) www.wyre.gov.uk/wyredup

Multi award winning Victorian market Open every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday between 9am - 4.30pm

Futureproofing Fleetwood MarketInvestment and Improvement works

We secured funding and invested £3.9 million for significant improvement and decarbonisation works to Fleetwood Market, with works ongoing throughout 2023. Vital improvements to energy efficiency, the reinstating of some key historic features in the market hall and the brand new roof, windows and doors are all helping to sustain its future as a key attraction for the borough. Visit Fleetwood Market and show your support for small independent businesses.

Wyre Business Awards 2024

Every year we are proud to host the Wyre Business Awards to shine a spotlight on the amazing businesses in our borough and celebrate their passion, success and contribution to Wyre’s economic development. Nominations for our 2024 awards will open soon!

Our 2023 award winners are...

Boost Growth Business of the Year

Sid Hill Transport Limited

Team of the Year

Coastal Child & Adult Therapeutic Services

Business Person of the Year

Sid Hill

Chamber Low Carbon of the Year

Fox Brothers Group

Corporate Social Responsibility

Coastal Child & Adult Therapeutic Services

Food and Drink Business of the Year

Pudalicious

Micro Business of the Year

Wyreside Mushrooms

Small Business of the Year

Sid Hill Transport Limited

“It’s amazing. It’s very rewarding to be recognised and it’s given me such a sense of self–accomplishment. I’ve been really thankful for the opportunity to start a business and be so passionate about something I love so much!”

Siabhan Swindells, Director of The Wok Box and winner of the Market Trader of the Year, who was able to start up her business with help from Wyre Council’s Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) scheme.

Social Media of the Year

Glazey Days Ceramic Studios

Market Trader of the Year

The Wok Box

Community and Charity Organisation of the Year

Fleetwood Beach Wheelchairs

Tourism Business of the Year

Affinity Outlet

Business Start Up of the Year

Sustainable Talent

Rural Business of the Year

A&G Precision Limited

Town Centre Business of the Year

Blackpool Skip Hire Limited

Wyre Business of the Year

A&G Precision Limited

Place and climate

A cleaner, greener and more sustainable place

Explore Wyre’s Great outdoors –enjoy our wonderful borough from coast to countryside

We coordinate an annual programme of fantastic events and activities that all take place in Wyre’s great outdoors! Running all year round there are hundreds of activities to choose from including guided walks, conservation days, wildlife and nature activities, family fun and much more.

Many of the activities are free and they are great way to explore our beautiful coast and countryside, give your wellbeing a boost and get a breath of fresh air. You can pick up a copy of our Great Outdoors guide at your local library including our tourist information point in Garstang Library, the Civic Centre in Poulton, Marine Hall in Fleetwood, Rossall Point Tower and the café at Wyre Estuary Country Park, Stanah.

You can also view the calendar and book online at www.wyre.gov.uk/greatoutdoors

Caring for our beautiful borough

We are extremely proud to have achieved Green Flag awards for five of our parks across the borough in 2023.

• Vicarage Park in Poulton-le-Fylde

• Hawthorne Park and Wyre Estuary Country Park in Thornton

• Memorial Park and The Mount in Fleetwood

All five parks are vital green spaces for the community in Wyre, bringing people together and providing opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles. The staff and volunteers do so much to ensure that they maintain the high standards of the Green Flag Awards and everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.

Pick up a copy or view online!

Garstang Walking Festival is celebrating it’s 20th anniversary!

With over 40 walks for all ages and abilities, the festival is the perfect chance to experience the best of springtime in the countryside around Garstang, rural Wyre, the Forest of Bowland and the Fylde Plain. Choose from a huge range of walks, including the three day Wyre Way Challenge, easy access short walks, family activities, wildlife strolls, heritage rambles, dog friendly trails and everything in between.

Find out more and book www.wyre.gov.uk/

Co-ordinated by Supported by

Respect our great outdoors

Thank you to all of our residents who take pride in our borough and appreciate the marvellous parks and open spaces we get to enjoy every day and that benefit us so much. Our staff and volunteers work hard to keep the borough looking beautiful and we love to see our residents respecting our open spaces. When you are out and about please do not litter, dispose of your waste responsibly and pick-up after your dogs.

Reminder to all dog walkers

From 1 May - 30 September, dogs are not allowed in our designated bathing areas on Marine Beach in Fleetwood and Cleveleys beach between cafe cove and Wyre boundary. There’s still plenty of other beach to walk your dog and plenty of parks and open spaces too.

Sign uP fOr oUr

Subscriptions run from 1 July each year. You can still sign up now for the rest of this year, or if you are already subscribed you will need to re-subscribe so that your collections continue. We will email you when it’s time to re-subscribe, please look out for our email and check your junk email so it doesn’t get lost. If we don’t have an email address for you we will write a reminder letter.

You can sign up at any time of the year but all subscriptions run out on 30 June.

Only garden waste may be placed in your green bin. If you are unsure of what you can put in your green bin, scan the QR code or visit www.wyre.gov.uk/binsandrecycling

Collections are fortnightly, please note there are no collections over the festive period however we offer a free Christmas tree collection.

Waste and recycling

We make it easy for you to recycle batteries, small electrical items, clothes and textiles

Simply put these items into seperate carrier bags and leave beside your blue or red-lid bin.

Please put batteries in clear bags and leave them on top of your blue or red-lid bin. Do not put batteries in your grey bin, as they can cause fires!

Bulky waste matters

Take the heavy work out of getting rid of your old furniture and other large items with our bulky waste collections service. The cost is £20 for up to 3 items, and £7 per extra item. If you receive council tax support or housing benefit you may be eligible for a discount! Find out more at www.wyre.gov.uk/ bulkywaste

1 July to 30 June £35 ForThe Year

You can share the subscription with a

Sustainable Wyre

Growing towards our tree planting targets

We’ve planted approximately 16,760 trees as of early 2024, bringing us 67% towards our target to plant 25,000 trees by 2025!

Electric vehicle charging points

Wyre Council has now installed 23 fast charging points and 5 rapid charging points across our car parks in Wyre, to enable the successful uptake of electric vehicles for our residents and work toward our climate objectives. Charging points are available at the following locations:

• Marine Hall, Fleetwood

• Custom House Lane, Fleetwood

• Thornton Little Theatre, Thornton

• Derby Road West, Cleveleys

• Derby Road East, Cleveleys

• Wheatsheaf Way, Poulton

• Civic Centre, Poulton

• Quail Holme Lane, Knott End

• High Street, Garstang

• Rough Lea Road, Cleveleys

Report it!

Help us and report it! If you see something that we need to be aware of please let us know and report it direct at www.wyre.gov.uk/reportit

You can report

• fly tipping

• dog fouling

• graffitti & fly posting

• littering

• abandoned vehicle

• anti-social behaviour

• missed bins and more!

Scan the QR code to report!

Environmental crimes, including dog fouling and littering, are not tolerated in Wyre! Our WISE enforcement officers will issue Fixed Penalty Notices if they find environmental crimes happening in our borough.

Climate change action

We have made significant progress on climate action, providing free business support to help businesses transition to net zero, planted thousands of trees, installed local electric vehicle charging points, worked on improving the energy efficiency of our buildings, agreed to swap to Hydro treated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel to power the council’s vehicles and more.

Along with our many climate change achievements over the past year, we’re working on a new Climate Change strategy which outlines how we plan to tackle climate change by reducing our emissions and supporting our communities and businesses to do the same.

Read more at www.wyre.gov.uk/ climate-change

Protecting our coastline

Wyre Beach Management Scheme success

We’re progressing our vital £40m coastal defence scheme with Phase Two work underway at Fleetwood, following the success of Phase One works in Cleveleys during 2023. This important project will help to significantly reduce the risk of coastal erosion and flooding to over 11,000 properties and critical infrastructure in Fleetwood and Cleveleys.

Phase One works saw the construction of the works compound in Cleveleys, the construction of rock groynes and concrete ramps between Wyre’s boundary with Blackpool and Rossall School and construction of rock armour toe protection at Rossall Beach. Similar works will take place at Fleetwood this year, from Rossall up to the boating lake.

A site compound is being constructed next to Rossall Point car park and once complete, work will begin and continue until summer 2025.

Royles Brook Restoration Project in final phase

The final phase of the Royles Brook Restoration Project is almost complete at King Georges Playing Fields. A new 300m surfaced path has been created and 25m of boardwalk will be created to ensure that green and blue spaces continue to be accessible to the public. The work is being undertaken by the Wyre Rivers Trust and Wyre Council’s Coast and Countryside Service and their volunteers.

Our Future Coast

The Our Future Coast programme aims to work with nature to safeguard coastal communities, testing and implementing nature-based solutions at 14 sites across the North West including Pilling, Knott End and Fleetwood in Wyre.

Natural interventions such as the creation of natural buffer strips around the coast, developing salt marsh, creating dune systems and intertidal lagoons and reclaiming redundant brownfield sites will help to mitigate the consequences of climate change including flood risk and the loss of biodiversity.

“Working with Wyre Council and being supported by their skilled volunteers is a tremendous asset to the delivery of the restoration project.”

We are working with the Wyre River’s Trust on a number of important projects reducing the flood risk to Thornton, Scorton, Garstang, Churchtown, St Michaels and Great Eccleston.

Our Future Coast continues to work with communities to find out more about their views around changing their coastline as we all experience the impact of climate change. Recent workshops led by Our Future Coast engagement officers have been important in the project’s co-planning and co-design ethos; attendance has been fantastic, and participation has been meaningful and informative for all involved.

Be prepared for flooding - what you can do

Flooding has affected Wyre several times in recent years and one in six houses in England is at risk of flooding in the future. Being prepared could help you protect your home and your belongings next time there is severe weather.

There are many things you can do to prepare for flooding:

· Check your long term flood risk and current flood warnings at www.gov.uk – search for flooding. Or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188

· Sign up for free flood warning messages from the Environment Agency at www.gov.uk or by calling 0345 988 1188

· Check your home insurance covers you for flooding

· Keep your drains and gutters clear. If you notice drains on your road are blocking up, report it to Lancashire County Council

· Know how to turn off your water, gas and electricity. You can call 105 to report or get information about power cuts in your local area

· Protect your home. Use flood defence products such as flood doors, flood boards, airbrick covers and non return valves on your drains, pipes and toilets. While it’s impossible to completely flood-proof a property, there are lots of things you can do to reduce the damage flooding can cause. Don’t wait until flooding is imminent as you won’t have time. A variety of products are available which can be found on the Blue Pages directory at www.bluepages.org.uk

· Identify vulnerable neighbours and relatives - check they know how to prepare for flooding too

· Join a community flood action group. These groups work with the council and other authorities to find ways to reduce flood risk and raise awareness of flood risk to the wider community

During a flood it’s important to know who to report flooding to.

Flooding to highways and footpaths

Call Lancashire County Council on 0300 123 6780 or report online at www.lancashire.gov.uk

Flooding from sewers or burst water mains

Call United Utilities on 0345 6723 723

Flooding from a watercourse, river, coastal water or reservoir

Call Environmental Agency Floodline on 0345 9881188

Find out more at www.wyre.gov.uk/flooding

For all other incidents call Wyre Council on 01253 891000.

If there is a risk to life – call 999

Innovative and customer focused

A well run, forward thinking council that puts customers first

Go

paperless and view your bills online with myWyre

Manage your bills and account information quickly and easily using our online portal, myWyre.

You can use your myWyre account to access a range of services at a time that suits you. You can:

• Set up or amend your direct debit details

• Check your council tax balance

• Report a change in your address or circumstance

• Sign up for ebilling

For more information and to register your myWyre account, go to www.wyre.gov.uk/aboutmywyre

Work for us

Working at Wyre Council can be extremely rewarding with a variety of opportunities to progress and develop your career. We offer a range of rewards and benefits including competitive local government salary, excellent pension benefits, hybrid working, free onsite parking and extensive personal development opportunities that allow you to develop and grow.

View our current vacancies at www.wyre.gov.uk/jobs and follow us on social media to be notified of new vacancies.

Schools celebrate democracy in Wyre

In October Wyre Council celebrated local democracy and were joined by primary and secondary pupils from schools across the borough who enjoyed a look around our civic centre, followed by an interactive session in the council chamber.

Children from local primary schools got stuck into an activity where they could think about how they would allocate money across our services. They also had the chance to ask questions to our Chief Executive Rebecca Huddleston, Cabinet member Councillor Le Marinel, Lead Member for Children and Young People Councillor Baxter and Wyre’s previous Mayor Councillor Alice Collinson.

Secondary school pupils from Saint Aidan’s High School and McKee College worked together on a lively debate around which services they view as most important to them, and learned more about their local authority, how decisions are made and how to vote when they turn 18.

Remember to register to vote

Learn more at www.wyre.gov.uk/ elections/voting

Your vote is important. Register easily online at www.gov.uk/vote-uk-election by 5pm Tuesday 16 April.

No ID, no problem

New requirements for Voter ID were introduced by Government last year for anyone wanting to vote in elections. Visit www.electoralcommission.org.uk/ voting-and-elections/voter-id to find out more.

If you don’t have accepted photo ID, you can apply for a free voter ID document, a Voter Authority Certificate. The deadline to apply for free voter ID for the elections on Thursday 2 May is 5pm on Wednesday 24 April.

Apply online for absent (postal) or proxy vote

There’s new regulations for absent (postal) and proxy voting as part of the Elections Act 2022. Visit www.gov.uk/how-to-vote/ voting-by-proxy to find out more. Apply online at www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote by Wednesday 17 April.

Register to vote in the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Elections 2024

The PCC elections are taking place this year on Thursday 2 May 2024. PCCs are elected to make sure that local police meet the needs of the community. You can contact your local PCC about:

• how your area is policed

• the police budget

• the amount of council tax charged for the police

• the information you get about what the local police are doing

Important dates

Deadline to register to vote:

5pm Tuesday 16 April

Deadline to apply for Voter ID: 5pm Wednesday 24 April Deadline to apply for absent (postal) or proxy vote online: 5pm Wednesday 17 April

“We are proud of our Year 6 children who represented us at the Wyre Council Local Democracy Day today. They were excellent ambassadors for our school and were able to put their questions to the Chief Executive, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet members with total composure and confidence”

Your council tax explained

Council tax is made up of a number of payments to the authorities that provide services in the area. Wyre Council is the billing authority and collects council tax on behalf of all these agencies. However, Wyre’s portion represents just 10%* or £219.74 (on a band D property) of the total annual amount of your bill, with the majority being passed to Lancashire County Council.

Lancashire County Council (74%)

Police Commissioner (12%)

Wyre Borough Council (10%)

Combined Fire Authority (4%)

(The figures shown above are rounded to the nearest 1%.)

For every £1 the council recieves in income it spends it in the following areas:

At 60p per day for a Band D property based on 2023/24 rates*, we deliver a wide range of critical services, providing good value for money for our residents.

*These figures are based on 2023/24 council tax rates. 2024/25 figures were not available at the time of printing Wyre Voice, but they can be seen on your bill enclosed.

Explanatory notes Council Tax

These notes form part of your Council Tax bill. This also relates to the County Council, Police and Crime Commissioner and the Fire Service. For information about how we spend Wyre’s portion of your Council Tax bill, go to www.wyre.gov.uk

Council Tax is charged on most dwellings whether rented or owned, empty or occupied. Each household gets one bill, although occupants may be jointly responsible for payment.

Each home is placed in a valuation band. It is the Valuation Office Agency, not the council, who allocates this valuation band to every home. The council uses the band to work out your Council Tax bill.

You may be able to appeal against the valuation band if you have moved in during the past six months, or there has been a change in the building or the physical state of the local area which could affect the value of your home.

For more information visit www.voa.gov.uk or call 03000 501 501. You must continue to pay your Council Tax until a decision has been made about your appeal.

Reducing your Council Tax

Not everyone has to pay the full amount. There are several ways your bill can be reduced depending on your personal circumstances or circumstances relating to the property itself, for example, if it’s unoccupied and unfurnished.

If we already know about your circumstances, the reduction will be shown on your bill.

You must tell us immediately if you have any change of circumstance that might affect the amount of reduction.

Properties exempt from Council Tax

We do not charge Council Tax for homes which are lived in only by:

• people under the age of 18 or full time students (including halls of residence) and/or school leavers or people who are severely mentally impaired.

We do not charge Council Tax for empty properties which are:

• owned by a charity (exempt for up to six months).

• empty because the owner/tenant has died and the grant of probate or letters of administration have not been obtained, or have only been obtained within the past six months.

• the responsibility of a trustee following bankruptcy, or a mortgage lender following repossession.

• empty, but usually lived in by a student or a minister of religion or a prisoner or someone who has moved to receive or provide personal care.

• not able to be leased separately or part of forces accommodation, including married quarters and temporary accommodation for members of visiting overseas forces.

For further information, visit our website at www.wyre.gov.uk

Council Tax

Discounts

If only one adult lives in a property as their main home, Council Tax is reduced by 25%. When counting adults, we do not include:

• full time students, student nurses, apprentices and youth training trainees.

• people staying in hospitals, care homes, prisons or certain hostels or night shelters.

• care workers working for low pay (usually charities).

• people caring for someone with a disability who is not their spouse, partner or child under 18.

• 18 and 19 year olds who are at school or have just left school.

• people who are severely mentally impaired.

• members of visiting forces.

• members of religious communities (monks and nuns).

If, after disregarding people in the above classes, there is only one adult living in the property, Council Tax is reduced by 25%.

Empty property discount

If a property is unoccupied because it is in need of, or awaiting, major repair or structural alteration, a 25% discount applies for a maximum of 12 months.

If a property is unoccupied and substantially unfurnished, a 100% discount is awarded for one month. Thereafter the full Council Tax charge becomes payable.

A property that is no one’s main home, but remains furnished, will attract a 100% Council Tax charge.

Reductions for annexes

You do not have to pay Council Tax for an annex if it forms part of a single property that includes another dwelling that cannot be let separately from the main building due to a planning restriction, or is occupied by a dependent relative, for example a person aged over 65, or someone severely mentally impaired or substantially and permanently disabled. Where an annexe is rated separately and used by the occupier of the main building, or a member of their family, a 50% reduction will apply.

Disabled relief

Your bill may be reduced if you, or someone who lives with you, has a permanent disability and there are certain features in the home which are essential, or of major importance, to the disabled person’s wellbeing. These features include:

• a room other than a bathroom, kitchen or toilet, which is used mainly by the disabled person.

• an additional bathroom or kitchen for use by the disabled person.

• extra space inside your home for use of a wheelchair.

Appeals

If you have been refused a discount, exemption or relief, or don’t think you should be paying Council Tax, tell us why you think your bill is incorrect.

We will look at your case again and we might ask for more information. If we do not change our decision and you still don’t agree, you can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. See www.valuationtribunal.gov.uk or contact us for details.

You must continue to pay your Council Tax until a decision has been made about your appeal. If your appeal is successful we will refund any overpaid Council Tax to you.

Council Tax Premiums for unoccupied properties

From 1 April 2024 an additional amount of Council Tax will be charged to a property, when a property has been unoccupied and unfurnished for a year or more. A change to ownership will not affect the premium. The premium can be removed by bringing the property back into use that results in a period of occupation of 6 weeks or more. Any periods of occupation will not be included in the calculation of the one year empty period.

From 1 April 2024 we will levy an additional premium on long-term empty properties vacant:

• for over 1 year at the maximum permitted level of 100%. The resulting charge will be 200% of the standard council tax.

• for over 5 years at the maximum permitted level of 200%. The resulting charge will be 300% of the standard council tax.

• for over 10 years at the maximum permitted level of 300%. The resulting charge will be 400% of the standard council tax.

Properties not affected by the premiums

• A property that forms part of a single property like an Annexe.

• A property that is left empty by a member of the Armed Forces who is away due to their service.

How we collect and use information

Lawfulness of Processing

Processing your data is necessary in the exercise of official authority vested in the council. Wyre Council (The data controller) will use and share your personal information where we have a legal obligation to do so. We will use your data in the main to administer Council Tax and for the general prevention and detection of fraud. In order to do this, we will share your data with the National Audit Office to participate in the National Fraud Initiative exercise, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Valuation Office Agency, the courts, and debt enforcement/collection/ tracing agencies employed by the council. These agencies include Bristow Sutor, Jacobs and Rossendales.

Council Tax support

This can be claimed by anyone who is responsible for payment of Council Tax and in receipt of a low income. The amount of Council Tax support you receive will depend on the income, savings and the circumstances of all those living in the household.

Second adult rebate

You may be eligible to get help to pay your Council Tax if you are a pensioner and share your home with another adult, who is not your partner and is on a low income. It does not matter how much income and capital you have. The calculation of how much you are entitled to is based on the income and savings of the second adult, or adults, who share your home.

Council Tax online

Did you know you can now receive your council tax bill online, plus you can check your account and payments, set up and amend a direct debit, or report a change in your circumstances.

To register for your online account go to www.wyre.gov.uk/ mycounciltax

Data Retention

We will retain any financial data we hold for you on your Council Tax account for a period of six years following the last date that there is any activity on that account. After six years the data will be deleted from our records.

Your rights

You have the right as the data subject to access your data. Please go to www.wyre.gov.uk for further information. If you feel the data we hold is inaccurate or incomplete, you are entitled to have your personal data rectified. You also have the right to contact the Information Commissioner if you are unhappy with how we are handling your personal data. You can contact them using the address; The Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.