YOUR VIEWS
FEARNS NEEDS OUR SUPPORT
LET’S take a stand together as one community and give all we can so LCC can help us 110 per cent to get the school we want, let’s be proud of Fearns not ashamed off it! Let’s take the fight to LCC.
Since the new head started there have been dramatic changes and as a parent it is clearly visible. It was never going to happen overnight the changes but they are clearly there now and can been seen everywhere.
Maybe if everyone stopped trying to get the school closed and supported it instead and challenged all the issues they think the school needs with LCC they might start listening.
Telling them your children will not attend no matter what is not helping the situation at all and I feel you should be fighting to help improve it with everything you are all saying and back it up 100 per cent.
Maybe then once LCC see the local residents are behind the school to help wherever possible they will help you all rather than refusing your child a place at an alternative school.
As a parent I have supported Fearns 100pc and helped them through this torment, we should all unite and ask for improvements wherever we all feel it needs improving.
Together we could ALL help this school get back on the radar quicker and actually be happy that we ALL helped the school get the Ofsted results it deserves.
Let’s all be on the same team and maybe then LCC will listen and back the school 110pc.
The fountain has over 600 signed names for the petition to restore a beautiful historic piece that belongs to Bacup, why can’t we do the same for Fearns?
Let’s get local businesses, local MP, radio stations, newspapers and social media involved to help raise awareness that we want to support the school not close it and stand as a community to help make a difference not keep slating it year after year after year because LCC are not interested as you know but maybe they will listen and help to improve the school and prevent kids filling up out of area schools.
Let our local school have our fantastic kids and watch GCSE results rise.
This won’t happen overnight but Fearns NEED ALL YOUR SUPPORT NOW not just parents saying how rubbish it is. We are all aware how the community feels so let’s take the fight to the top and get our school back on the map.
Let’s give it what other schools have and much much more. It’s easy to write disapproving letters complaining and appealing against decisions of entry but are you willing to channel all that and fight for what is ours.
Let’s get a community meeting organised and make a difference for our children’s futures and take away the dreaded time of year that letters are sent out to inform parents which school their child has been appointed.
Let’s stop moaning now! MrsSLCH ea ley Phillips Road, Bacup
IT’S TIME FOR NEW BLOOD
R C Barker of Stacksteads, and Derek Nuttall (no relation to me) of Edgeside Lane both make valid points in their letters published on March 16.
Rossendale Council would definitely benefit from having more councillors with experience of business and development issues.
Some of our current councillors do have expertise in relevant fields; for example I believe that the leader, Coun Barnes, has a background in social housing, something which should have helped her with the AAAW project.
And I’m sure there are one or two business brains among the current 36 councillors. But let’s not forget that a council is supposed to have members with a wide range of experience of life and who represent all their constituents rather than just small interest groups.
It’s certainly time that some of our long-term or ‘no show’ councillors stood down to be replaced with new blood, and preferably people with expertise in the kind of issues which a local council has to decide upon.
I did my stint a few years ago, so now it’s time for others. Perhaps R C Barker, Derek Nuttall, and maybe even ‘The Scribbler’ - who professes to know how to run both Rossendale and Lancashire Councils - would consider putting their names forward for election in May? They have until 4pm on April 6 to get their nomination papers delivered. Tim Nuttall Fern Street, Rossendale
CASH BETTER USED ELSEWHERE
I WOULD suggest to Councillor Tom Aldred that the only similarity between the Carillion debacle and the Empty Homes Scandal is that like the directors of Carillion, the members of the Rossendale BC Cabinet committee are in complete denial.
I am still trying to understand how AAAW was awarded the contract.
It is all very well for Councillor Barnes to state that the costs have been met through a reserve that was set aside (you can only sell the family silver once) and the council’s in-year savings. The fact is that the money could have been better spent elsewhere.
It should not be forgotten that Councillor MacNae (Portfolio Holder for Regeneration) presented the paper to the Cabinet which started the debacle and it was the cabinet led by Alyson Barnes that voted for it. Derek Nuttall Edgeside Lane Rossendale
GREAT NURSING AFTER KNEE OP
I’VE just had a whole knee replacement at Burnley General. I went in on Thursday, and was discharged on Sunday.
I’d just like to say that everyone concerned with my surgery and recovery were excellent.
From Mr Thomas, the consultant that led the operation, right through to Clair, the nursing assistant along with her colleagues, they left me completely satisfied with the whole procedure.
My second knee and second visit to Ward 15, and it went so smoothly. I cannot commend them enough.
Absolutely no complains about the food either. I wasn’t expecting cordon bleu, but it was tasty and edible and a good choice too. Thanks very much too all. Phil Amatt via email
ATTACK JUST NOT JUSTIFIED
I AM writing in response to Jake Berry’s unprecedented attack on Rossendale Council’s planning department, which strives always to secure the best and appropriate development within the borough, within legislation and guidelines set down by national government.
This can involve making some difficult decisions and not all development will be considered acceptable.
Notwithstanding this, the officers regularly work with developers to secure the right development for the borough.
I assume Jake’s reference to 80 jobs refers to the appeal decision at Cedar Lodge which, as noted by the Planning Inspector, will provide office accommodation for four staff members only.
Jake Berry also commented on the development proposals for the former Bacup Hub site.
As a council we are keen to secure new development within the borough, with associated job creation. However this will not come at the expense of securing a high quality development in line with National Planning Policy and the aspirations the local authority have for the future of Rossendale.
The original submitted scheme for this site incorporated a standard garage design which did not complement the site or the character of the surrounding area. This scheme was refused. However, since this decision the planning team have worked with the applicant and their agents to amend the scheme, with the result being a bespoke stone built building incorporating full height glazing and a good quality landscape scheme. The development now incorporates a high quality scheme which if constructed will enhance the site and the wider area, and incorporates the type of development this council wants to promote and secure for Rossendale.
We will not be an authority that accepts sub-standard development just because a site has been left derelict.
The local planning authority have worked very hard to develop a scheme for the regeneration of Rawtenstall town centre which has generated a lot of interest, including support from Historic England and the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce.
The council want to bring new investment and employment opportunities within the town centre which the new development will secure.
The Secretary of State did refuse the proposed wind turbines in the boundary of Rossendale.
However, the majority of the costs associated the consideration of the proposals related to a public inquiry which was a direct result of political pressure for the Secretary of State to call in determination of the application, rather than determination at local level.
The production of a local plan takes a number of years due to the numerous steps and processes dictated by national government.
There have been suggestions that this process will be simplified at national level.
The council’s housing target of 265 dwellings per year was the result of an assessment of housing need calculated by the consultants appointed to assess the borough’s housing need.
Hopefully this will reduce to approximately 212 per year if the government adopt the new calculation for housing need. We await their decision.
In respect of the access road referred to by Jake Berry the issue was that it did need planning permission, and the land owners were made aware of this.
This fact was also supported by the Planning Inspector who agreed that the owner should have applied for planning permission.
The Inspector did not consider the council had acted unreasonably in this and did not award any cost against the council. The local planning authority cannot and will not support unauthorised development within the borough.
All planning authorities work within a strict set of government regulations and policies.
The team are working hard to bring new investment and job opportunities into the borough.
I consider that our planning service is first class. Not only is their work being recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute, winning the North West Planning Excellence Award last year, the team has been shortlisted for a national prestigious award for Planning Team of the Year, one of only five local authorities in the UK to be shortlisted.
They are putting Rossendale on the map both regionally and nationally.
I do not consider this would be the case for a poorly performing planning authority.
The finals will be held in London in May and we wish them every success. Councillor Christine Lamb Portfolio Holder for Regulatory Services Hyndburn council
TIME does pass quickly, especially as one gets older, but this is the last official column I will be writing for you; local elections take place on Thursday, May 3 and purdah takes over when no political contributions can be made.
Whilst I hope my column has been devoid of political bias I must encourage you all to exercise your right to vote on election day.
I was invited to attend the AGM of Civic Pride, a local organisation which has done amazing things in helping tidy up our town, a point on which I added my congratulations and thanks. They thoroughly deserved their Queens Award for Volunteering last year.
We were treated admirably by the Rotary Club of Rossendale to a quality meal at Sykeside Country House Hotel in celebration of their annual charter dinner; just another organisation that does an amazing amount of good work for the community both at home and abroad. For example International Aid Trust, the charity I volunteer for, delivers well over 70,000 shoeboxes for Rotary over the Christmas period.
A massive thank you to all who helped in this to bring joy to some of the world’s poorest over the season of goodwill.
We were guests of the Mayor and Mayoress of Pendle at their entertaining ball held in Colne Municipal Hall. Music was played by Swing City, who were an excellent accompaniment to the whole evening, and the food was good (diet getting closer every day!)
Excitement akin to that of an impatient schoolboy grew throughout the week as the impending arrival of the Flying Scotsman on Saturday, March 10 grew nearer.
We had been invited to open a Tour of The Flying Scotsman. I’m of the age bracket to actually remember all the marvellous things that this locomotive achieved so it was a real honour and privilege to traverse the narrow crew tunnel through the tender to reach the footplate and actually sit on the driver’s seat. My wife was impressed when I managed to throw a shovel of coal into the boiler and hit the right spot – I was just surprised!
What a day, one I will remember for a long time. Thanks to East Lancashire Railway and to all the staff who helped make the visit so enjoyable; I do need to mention a few: Mike Kelly – chairman, Tracey Parkinson – general manager, Graham Law – station master and Robert Bullman who welcomed us so well!
A massive thank you to you all.
This week will see us visit Lancaster Castle for a tour organised by the High Sheriff of Lancashire; a ball given by the Mayor and Mayoress of Blackburn at Ewood Park and the week will conclude with the annual production by Cotton Shed which is an inclusive group of youngster of various abilities who together will truly entertain us.
Our term of office will come to an end in May but before that we have several events to go to including our Mayoral Ball and I hope to be able to bring you a report of all those events after the elections.
Both Denise and I want to thank the whole of Rossendale for making us feel so welcome wherever we have been but I think we do need to thank our attendants George Taylor and John Illingworth. They have both been absolutely fantastic, ensuring we always get to the right place at the right time, and to the background group of office girls who generally have been kept in some sort of order by Stephanie Carroll. Without them we would have been decidedly disorganised.