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East Lancs News

People in Pendle are being urged to help reduce the spread of coronavirus, following a slight increase in the number of people testing positive for Covid-19 in this area.

Councillor Mohammed Iqbal, Leader of Pendle Council, said:

“The Director of Public Health for Lancashire has alerted us to a recent increase in Pendle.

“Whilst the overall rate and number of cases remains fairly low, there are signs that the virus is being spread, including between family members who share the same household.

 “We can all protect our family, friends and work colleagues by helping to reduce the spread,” he said.

Staying safe advice is on Pendle Council’s website www.pendle.gov.uk/coronavirus and people are being reminded to:
 
• Stay at home if you or anyone in your household has any symptoms of Coronavirus 

• Wash your hands regularly using soap and water and carry hand sanitiser when you go out

• Keep 2m distance from people not in your household 

• Avoid handshakes and embracing when meeting others 

• Wear a face covering in enclosed spaces 

• Avoid or limit large extended family gatherings inside.


“If you have symptoms of the virus, please get tested so that you can protect yourself, your family and friends and other people in our community,” he stated.

Free tests for anyone with symptoms are being carried out this week at a mobile testing unit be at the former fairground site on Carr Road, on the border of Nelson and Barrowford.

The unit is open daily from 10.30am – 3.30pm up to and including Sunday 19th July and people who’ve booked an appointment can come on foot or by car.

Testing at the unit is open to people of any age who have symptoms including children aged five and under and babies.

People need to book a test rather than just turn up and appointments go live around 8.30pm the night before on the Government’s coronavirus testing webpage 
www.gov.uk/coronavirus

They can also be booked in the morning for a test on the same day.

Anyone with symptoms must self-isolate for 7 days from the point their symptoms started.

“If you live with someone with symptoms, you must self-isolate for 14 days from the day their symptoms started, as it can take 14 days for symptoms to appear,” explained Councillor Iqbal.

“And if you have symptoms, it’s very important to stay at home, get yourself tested and follow the advice from the NHS Test and Trace service,” he said.

People can contact NHS 111 on-line for healthcare advice.

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, director of public health for Lancashire, said: “We need your help now to reduce the number of cases.

“With the slight increase in the Covid-19 infection rate in Pendle, it’s really important to stay alert to the risks. We should all do what we can to limit the spread of infection. 

“Please share this advice with your family, friends and work colleagues. It’s important that we get the message out and work together to keep our communities safe.”

East Lancs News

Wedding venues across Blackburn and Darwen are being reminded not to breach Government guidelines when holding wedding celebrations as marriages and civil partnerships start up again.

This comes after the Council has been contacted by a number of venues requesting permission for hundreds of guests at re-scheduled weddings.

Given the increased local risks we are currently facing, the Council’s Public Protection Service Is urging venues to adhere to the Government’s guidance

The  guidelines for weddings and wedding receptions state that no more than 30 people should attend a wedding and that social distancing measures should be obeyed.

For wedding celebrations, it states that receptions or parties after weddings should not take place, but small celebrations will be allowed if you follow the guidelines, meaning that only up to two households could meet indoors to celebrate.

Wedding venues should also be aware that failing to follow social distancing guidelines could invalidate their insurance arrangements.

Venues should also be aware that in English law it is not possible to disclaim liability through negligence for death or injury – so customers should not be asked to sign disclaimers allowing a venue to ignore Government guidance. The Council would regard this as an unfair contract term, and take action.

You should not interact with anyone outside the group you are attending these places with even if you see other people you know, for example, in a restaurant, community centre or place of worship.

You should not hold or attend celebrations, such as parties, where it is difficult to maintain social distancing.

It would only take one person to display any Covid 19 symptoms after an event such as this were held, for every person present (including staff and guests) to be subject to the track and trace procedure.

Every person contacted would then have to self-isolate for a period of time and every person they had been in contact with after the event would also have to self-isolate. Blackburn with Darwen is one of the Local Authorities with a higher rate of infection within the community which is at risk of being locked down should it see a further spike.

Councillor Jim Smith, Executive member for Environment, said:

While it is wonderful news that couples can go now ahead with their civil marriages and civil partnerships, after having to postpone them in the Spring, I can’t stress strongly enough to all venues at this time to be responsible and follow the guidelines and not put your staff or your guests at risk.

We all need to work together to keep each other as safe as possible and large gatherings go completely against this at the moment. Any breaches of this could lead to further outbreaks and further action from us and I’m sure that is something we all want to avoid.

A wedding should be a happy occasion, let’s not make yours a sad one.”

East Lancs News

Councillors are set to discuss a report on the potential financial impact the coronavirus pandemic is having on Burnley Council’s budgets.

The council is looking at a projected deficit of £3.4 million, around a quarter of its total annual budget, over the current financial year due to increased spending and loss of income as a result of the virus.

The report by the head of finance, Asad Mushtaq, says that the council’s reserves are not enough to meet the current funding shortfall and that further significant Government support is needed.

The longer the current crisis last, the greater the impact will be. The reports also warns that the impact of cornavirus on budgets will probably be felt for several years.

Councillor Margaret Lishman, the council’s executive member for resources and performance management, said: “We’re grateful for the Government funding we’ve received so far but it’s clear we need significantly more support if we are to balance our books.

“We are faced with the double whammy of extra spending and falling income. Council budgets have been under pressure for many years but we now face a financial challenge, the scale of which we’ve never seen before.

“We are keeping the Government informed of our financial position so that it has a clear picture of the support we need to maintain essential services and to successfully manage our way out of this crisis as our borough’s recovery takes shape.

“These are unprecedented times. It isn’t just the council that has been hit hard. We recognise that the coronavirus pandemic has also badly affected the finances of our residents and businesses who have also, in many cases, needed financial assistance.

“The council leader has met with our MP and we will continue to press for Government support for our borough and its residents.”

The issue is a national one, with councils across the country warning of the severe financial challenges they face. The Local Government Association, which represents councils nationally, is lobbying the Government for more support. The LGA said councils could need as much as £6 billion more in the current financial year to cover the costs of coping with the pandemic.

Burnley Council has played a leading role during the crisis including distributing business support grants to local firms, supporting the Burnley Together community hub to help local individuals and families in need, increasing provision for the homeless to get them off the streets and into accommodation, and providing advice and support to shops to allow them to open safely and follow social distancing guidelines.

The council’s executive is set to recommend to a meeting of the full council that:

· The financial impact is modelled and updated regularly so that action plans can be drawn up

· Managers continue to draw up options to reduce the potential financial impact

· The council, and other local authorities and partners, continue to lobby Government for extra funding

East Lancs News, East Sport

Stanley midfielder Sadou Diallo previews tomorrow night’s trip to face Shrewsbury Town. Having not had a game over the weekend, Accrington Stanley midfielder Sadou Diallo admits that it’s highly important to secure all three points away at Shrewsbury Town tomorrow night.

The Reds had been scheduled to play Bury last Saturday, but Diallo admits that all he and the rest of the squad can do is remain professional and keep training as they usually would. “Sometimes you don’t really want to have time off during the season, especially after a win.

“We’ve got to be professional though and we’ve got to go into tomorrow night’s game as we would do for any other. “If you have days off you don’t really train as a team, but we’ve had to make sure that we’re professional and do the right things. “If you need to do some gym work or do some running, then you’ve got to make sure that you do it in order to be ready for the next game.”

John Coleman’s side secured a 2-1 victory over AFC Wimbledon in their last time out, and Diallo wants to take that winning momentum into tomorrow night’s fixture at Montgomery Waters Meadow. “We’ve got to take the momentum from the win over Wimbledon into the game tomorrow night.
“We’ve got to ensure that we’re going into every game wanting to win and we’ve always got to be thinking about securing the three points.” Diallo has been operating in a more attacking role in recent games, and the Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee admits that he is enjoying his new role within the team. “I’m playing in a different role right now, but I’m just happy to be out on the pitch in whatever role the manager wants me to play.

“I’ve already gained a lot of experience during my loan spell with the club, so hopefully that can continue and I can keep learning more about the game.

“I’ve enjoyed playing further up the pitch because it’s allowing me the opportunity to have more chances in front of goal.” The 21-year-old also explained how he is enjoying being involved in creating chances as part of an attacking and exciting front four, along with Jordan Clark, Joe Pritchard and Dion Charles.

“We’re all on the same wavelength and we’re all excited to play.
“We saw glimpses of what we’ve got in our lockers in the build-up to Dion’s goal against Wimbledon, so hopefully we’ve got more of that to offer in the upcoming games.” Following Benny Ashley-Seal’s arrival on loan from Wolves on transfer deadline day, Diallo is looking forward to being able to play alongside his friend again at the Wham Stadium. “I played with him a lot last year so I know what his game is like and I’m just excited to play alongside him again.

“He’s a good player and he’ll also make you a better player, so I’m excited for the fans to see him play.” The Reds now have two games in five days and the midfielder is hoping that they can secure maximum points from the games against Shrewsbury and Lincoln City.

“With not having a game over the weekend, we just want to get the three points tomorrow night and then move onto the next game. “We’ve got two games in five days now, so we’ve got to be aiming to secure maximum points and hopefully we can do just that.”

East Lancs News, East Sport

Defender looking to kick on after helping revive Clarets’ fortunes. Matt Lowton is aiming for a big finish when the Clarets get back to Premier League duty. Sean Dyche’s men have dug deep to transform their fortunes in a superb three-match unbeaten run.

After slipping down the table on the back of a four-match losing streak post-Christmas, Burnley have bounced back to beat Leicester City and Manchester United and take a first point from Arsenal in 11 attempts. And after the chance to re-charge their batteries in the Premier League’s first winter break, Lowton will be looking to pick up where he and his team-mates have left off.

“They’re three tough games we’ve just played and we’ve got the points there so we are all buzzing,” said the Clarets’ defender, who has bounced back himself after a tough time either side of the festive programme.“It’s a nice break now to get the legs rested and then we’ll be looking to finish the season off strong.

“We have put ourselves in a great position and we will keep building to put points on the board and try and finish as high as we can.” Lowton helped the Clarets keep a second successive clean sheet as he bagged the man-of-the-match honours in Sunday’s 0-0 draw with the Gunners.

And with 13 games to go, Dyche’s side have lifted themselves back up to 11th place in the table – seven points clear of the drop zone – by playing some of their best football of the season. “I thought the performance was bang-on,” Lowton added after Arsenal were left hanging on at a buoyant Turf Moor. “We didn’t quite get the finishes we needed to get three points.

“But as long as the performances are there and we keep building. “The last three games have been tough on paper and we’ve come out with seven points, so we’re going in the right direction. “Three games ago we were looking over our shoulders with three tough games coming up. “But it shows the character and the squad depth we’ve got to come away with seven points from those three games and now we’re looking to build on it.”

East Lancs News, East Sport

Rovers can confirm the departures of our two longest serving players – Jess Holbrook and Alex Taylor. Holbrook, 27, made 165 appearances in blue and white after joining from Manchester City, scoring 37 times from the middle of the park. The former England Youth international scored Rovers’ 100th goal of the 2016-17 campaign before being named Managers’ Player of the Season the following season.

And last season, the midfielder was named Rovers’ Ladies Footballer of the Year, as well as picking up both Managers’ Player and Players’ Player of the Season at Rovers Ladies’ End of Season Awards. She had made 14 appearances this campaign, with two assists in Rovers’ first Championship season.

Taylor racked up 158 games in six seasons for the Blues, netting 21 goals in the process. She was Rovers’ Players’ Player of the Season in 2017/18 and picked up the Goal of the Season Award the previous campaign. Known as a utility player, she played in almost every position for the club, with a record-breaking three-minute hat-trick after coming off the bench at home to Middlesbrough in 2018-19.

The 24-year-old played 12 times this season, scoring a goal of the season contender at Villa Park back in September. We would like to wish both players well for the future.

East Lancs News

Colne Town Council are excited to be able to now offer the Town Hall as a wedding Venue. Following major changes to the downstairs layout, Colne Town Council are delighted to be able to offer Colne Town Hall for use as a wedding venue for the Solemnization of Marriages and Registration of Civil Partnerships.

In addition to the Council Chamber being licensed, the Mayors Parlour can be used for ceremonies. This allows Colne Town Council to be able to cater for small ceremonies of up to 15 people in the Mayors Parlour & up to 70 people in the Council Chamber. With the changes to the downstairs of the Town Hall, there is also ample space for drinks receptions.

For more information about this please contact the team at Colne Town Council on admin@colnetowncouncil.org.uk or 01282 861888

East Lancs News

Nelson is gearing up to bid for up to £25 million for a Town Deal from the Government’s new Towns Fund – through a transformational Town Investment Plan.

Nelson is one of 100 places in England which have been chosen to develop proposals which seek to drive the economic regeneration of towns. “We’ve been chosen because of our proud industrial and economic heritage,” explained Councillor Mohammed Iqbal, Leader of Pendle Council. “And it’s recognised that we need investment to transform Nelson’s prospects for stronger economic growth in the future,” he stated.

“I’m confident that 2020 will be a turning point for Nelson,” he said. “This is a once in a generation opportunity with the potential to create a strong impact across the whole of Pendle,” said Councillor Iqbal. This week, Pendle Council agreed on a Nelson Town Deal Board to oversee the development of the Town Investment Plan and the Nelson Masterplan.

The new board will include representatives from local businesses, the community, Pendle Council, Lancashire County Council, the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, local voluntary organisations, Pendle’s MP and young people.

“It’s vital that our local community is involved in helping us develop plans which will make a real difference to people in our area,” said Councillor Iqbal. A dynamic new Masterplan for Nelson will be drafted in early 2020 and completed by the summer, with another public consultation event being planned for the end of February.

“The Nelson Masterplan will be the blueprint for the future direction of the town over the next ten years and the positive effects will be felt far beyond this,” explained Councillor Iqbal. “The Board will ensure that the multi-million bids for the town dovetail for a brighter future for Pendle,” said Councillor Iqbal.

The opportunities include a bid for up to £25 million from the Future High Streets Fund to help provide a long term sustainable future for the town centre. “Nelson is one of the first 50 towns in the UK to reach round two in the Future High Streets bidding process and we’ll be submitting our final business case in April 2020,” explained Councillor Iqbal. “If we’re successful in both these bids they could add up to £50 million of investment,” said Councillor Iqbal.

“We are working hard to maximise the investment we can win for Pendle and I’d like to thank everyone who is involved in supporting our efforts,” he stressed. A wide range of organisations with a stake in the area will also be consulted on plans for Nelson including the Pendle Leisure Trust, voluntary sector organisations, the Police, Jobcentre Plus and providers of affordable housing such as Together Housing.

Membership and arrangements for the new Town Deal Board were agreed at Pendle Council’s Policy and Resources meeting on Thursday 16 January. At this meeting it was also agreed that the Policy and Resources Committee will approve the strategies and proposals of the Nelson Masterplan, Future High Streets Fund and Town Investment Plan.

East Lancs News

Alkincoats Park in Colne is now being managed by Colne Town Council as part of a series of transfers by Pendle Council to local town and parish councils, to help sustain Pendle’s parks despite financial challenges. This follows the transfer of Victory Park, Letcliffe Park and Valley Gardens to Barnoldswick Town Council two years ago.

And Pendle Council expects to complete the transfer of Barrowford Memorial Park and Pendle Heritage Centre to Barrowford Parish Council within the next few days.

Trawden Forest Parish Council has also now agreed to take the transfer of Ball Grove Park in the coming months. Leader of the Council, Councillor Mohammed Iqbal, said: “Over the next three years Pendle Council needs to save around £3 million – and it’s a tough task! “We will continue to work with other town and parish councils by asking them to take on the ownership of other parks and green spaces.

“I would like to congratulate town and parish councils who are helping us deal with the cuts,” he added. “We will be holding discussions with Nelson Town Council about the possible transfer of Marsden, Walverden and Victoria parks in Nelson. “And also with Brierfield Town Council about Heyhead park, and Earby Town Council and Kelbrook and Sough Parish Council about Sough Park,” he explained.

Dean Langton, Pendle Council’s Chief Executive said: “We’re still in a very challenging financial position so it’s important we continually identify ways we can save money and raise income. “We are taking steps to deal with our budget deficit and transferring parks and some of our facilities and services to be run at an even more local level is an essential part of our strategy,” he stated.

For the full report on Transfer of Services and Facilities to Town and Parish Council see Agenda item 11 on the 16 January Policy and Resources meeting on www.pendle.gov.uk/council

East Lancs News

Burnley Council is organising a collection of any unwanted blue recycling boxes from homes across the borough. Residents can book a free collection by visiting https://your.burnley.gov.uk/service/Return_Recycling_Blue_Box- you will be asked to go on but it is not a requirement. You can also book by calling 01282 425011 and asking for streetscene.

Collections must be booked by 5pm Thursday 6th February; the boxes will be picked up from 6.30am on Monday 10th February. The service covers the whole borough and not just those homes that switched to a new wheelie bin recycling service in the autumn.

Councillor Cosima Towneley, the council’s executive member for community and environment services, said: “Over the years people have collected blue recycling boxes for various reasons and we’re happy if they want to keep them to use for collecting recyclable rubbish or anything else they might get used for. “However, when we launched the new wheelie bin system for around half the homes in the borough a lot of people asked what they should do with their blue boxes.

We wanted the new system to bed in before we went around to collect any unwanted boxes. “I’m sure some people have found imaginative ways of re-using them but if you don’t need them this is a chance to get rid of them. We will recycle the recycling boxes and keep them in store for those residents who are still on the box system and may need extra ones in the future.”

Residents still on the blue box and white sack system need to keep enough boxes to be able to collect their recyclable rubbish in, but can use this collection to get rid of any unused extra boxes they no longer need.