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COUNCIL SEEKS YOUR VIEWS ON TOWN HALL FUTURE
14/2/06: Under pressure from several quarters, including its own Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Council has decided to open discussion on the future of both Lancaster and Morecambe Town Halls to full public scrutiny.
The Council agreed to a full 'options appraisal' on the how the council's accommodation should be used at a Council meeting yesterday, and will now be asking a number of companies to quote for a commission to carry out a survey of face to face interviews with 1000 residents, to ask them what they think should happen to the area's town halls. (It is considered that a survey sample size of 1000 would give results that are an accurate reflection of the public view to within plus or minus three per cent). Once the survey has been carried out, the results will be reported to Council some time in the summer.
The Council also resolved to as for further detailed information from Lancashire County Council Museums Services as to how the idea to turn Lancaster Town Hall into a museum would be developed and funded.
After discussion on the matter by the Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee , the Council will also be publishing the cases for and against each of the options, in the next issue of the council magazine, Your District Council Matters, which will be published in May. The Council will ask for feedback from the public on this issue and those results will be reported back to Council.
All of this information will also be available on the Council's website, www.lancaster.gov.uk
A proposal to hold a series of workshops in each of the town halls to include a tour of the building and presentation on the issues and condition of the buildings was rejected, so as to reduce the overall cost and complexity of the consultation process.
"The future location of our services is one of the most important decisions we, as a Council, will ever have to consider," commented Coun Emily Heath, chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. "We have recognised that in order to enable members of the public to have a view as to which options should be taken to a full options appraisal there is a need for specialist skills and independence so that the results of the public consultation provide a representative view of public opinion on these issues."
The council says it is keen to keep people informed and up-to-date on the proposals for the Town Halls, and has produced a document offering a list of answers to the questions raised to date, available from the Council web site: www.lancaster.gov.uk or by calling 01524 582044.
The report and supplementary report to Council on the Town Halls , as well as press releases on the accommodation review, are also available from the Council's website.

SAVE OUR SETTS!
14/2/06: Local badger enthusiasts will be 'badgering' Lancaster's shoppers on Saturday (18th Feb) to encourage participation in the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) public consultation on a proposed widespread cull of badgers in the south west of England. An information stall with petitions and sample letters will be on display in Lancaster town centre from 11am to 3.00pm.
Badgers have long been blamed for spreading bovine TB (bTB) among cattle farms, and have been subjected to numerous culling programs since the 1970,s. The latest proposal, backed by the National Farmers, Union could involve complete extermination of badgers in several counties. But, says local campaigner Martin Watson, this is an ineffective way of dealing with the situation.
"Despite overwhelming scientific evidence that killing badgers does not reduce the incidence of bTB, and can even result in an increase, DEFRA still insist on using these gentle and fascinating creatures as scapegoats to appease the farming industry," he says.

"Over 30,000 badgers have been killed since the 1970s, but bTB is still increasing. The Government announced a 12-week public consultation period in December, to consider whether and how to kill badgers in an attempt to eradicate bTB. There are 14 million cattle movements in Great Britain every year, but there is no statutory requirement for cattle to be tested prior to movement. The test currently used to examine cattle for TB is unreliable, say campaigners, and this is considered to be a large contributory factor in the spread of bTB.
"The real solution involves better husbandry and stricter controls on the testing and movement of cattle," Martin argues. "Badgers are a protected species, yet they face the risk of being trapped in cages and shot, or having gas pumped into their setts to kill them."
A recent study, costing taxpayers £34 million, in which 12,000 badgers were killed over five years, found that killing badgers in one area resulted in an increase in bTB in the surrounding area. Conversely, in Northern Ireland the implementation of a strict cattle testing program has so far reduced bTB by 40%. The RSPCA, the Wildlife Trusts and the Badgers Trust have all registered their opposition to the proposed cull.
Members of the public have until 10 March to respond to the consultation, details of which can be found at www.stopthecull.info or by visiting the stall in Lancaster on Saturday.

Web Links:
• Details of the government's cull plans: www.defra.gov.uk
• The Badgers Trust (www.badgertrust.org.uk), a registered charity promoting the conservation, welfare and protection of badgers, believes that culling badgers can never be part of a viable strategy for dealing with bTB. This view is also held by the RSPCA (www.rspca.org.uk).

NEW ROAD, CLEANER AIR CLAIMS 'BLUFF AND BLUSTER'
12/2/06: Council leader Ian Barker's claims that a new Heysham M6 link would help air quality in Lancaster have been savaged by Green Party councillor John Whitelegg.
Ian Barker claimed the road would improve air quality at a full Council meeting on Wednesday, after the Council was named by government ministers as one that has "taken too long to improve air quality".
After being questioned on the lack of action at last week's Council meeting, Council leader Ian Barker said that studies done for the planning application for the proposed Northern bypass showed that a net 14,000 plus households in the district would see improvements in their air quality if it was built.
"In Lancaster City Centre, the City Council has declared an Air Quality Management Area, because emissions of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) from vehicles were likely to exceed recommended limits, Mr Barker says. "The study showed that there would be a reduction of 22% in NO2 emissions in the Air Quality Management Area, or nearly 10 tonnes a years less of the gas.
"It's difficult to improve air quality for residents in the Lancaster City Centre because of the volumes of traffic, he claimed. "The situation is worst when traffic is stationary.
But John Whitelegg has hit back at the claims, telling virtual-lancaster "Coun Barker's reference to the new road is "bluff and bluster" in an attempt to dodge the matter I raised in full council.
"Lancaster City Council has been named and shamed by government for its failure to deliver an air quality action plan in the centre of Lancaster on time, he continued. "This is a disgrace and Ian Barker, as leader, has to 'carry the can'. He has let the citizens of Lancaster down and he doesn't like it when this is pointed out.
"His claims that a new road would improve air quality in Lancaster centre are nonsense, argues John, who is furious the council is proving so slow to act on clean air issues. "Most new roads are justified on grounds that they will improve air quality and this is not the case. New roads generate new traffic and the impact of extra traffic is to add to air pollution from exhaust emissions.
"County Councils get away with the "new roads reduce pollution" nonsense because they exclude the newly generated traffic problem, he continues. "In the case of the new-tolled motorway around Birmingham I was at the public inquiry and heard the promoter argue this same nonsense. The road went ahead and there is now much more traffic on the old M6 and the new road and the effect of this has been to add to air pollution.
"In the case of the Northern Bypass, Coun Barker should tell the residents of Torrisholme that this massive new road with thousands of cars and lorries per day will improve air quality. He could not be more wrong. Even their Labour MP has seen through this one and she opposes the road.
New roads also increase traffic levels, added John, pointing to reports in January that the Newbury bypass, opened in 1998, has generated much more traffic than the Government forecast and has led to far more vehicle journeys in and around the Berkshire town, confirming that road-building is not the solution to Britain's transport problems.
Although new clean air figures released in January showed that long-term improvements to air quality and low pollution levels are being maintained in the UK, 40 councils were identified as 'not making fast enough progress' in tackling air quality in their towns and cities - including Lancaster.
Local authorities are required by government to measure air quality in their areas, decide whether or not they exceed safe levels that are set to protect health and if they do exceed these levels then to declare an "Air Quality Management Area" (AQMA) together with an action plan to bring pollution levels down. Lancaster City Council has declared an AQMA but has not produced the action plan.
Air quality is a serious health issue. The Department of Health has estimated that in the UK between 12000 and 24000 deaths are caused by poor air quality each year and between 14000 and 24000 hospital admissions take place as a direct result of air pollution.
"Air pollution affects people's health and their quality of life, commented Local Environment Minister Ben Bradshaw in January, when he "named and shamed councils that were proving slow to act on the matter. "In general we continue to make progress but more needs to be done to tackle pollutant concentrations, particularly nitrogen dioxide, particles and ozone.
"Local authorities have an important role to play in helping the government cut pollution and make our air cleaner, and many of them are implementing measures or developing action plans. Local people have a right to expect their councils to do whatever they can to ensure cleaner air."
"I'm very disappointed indeed that the Council is dragging its feet on such an important matter, says John Whitelegg. "Improving air quality is of the highest importance to everyone and it is not acceptable that we are giving it such a low priority. I have asked council officers for an explanation of this poor performance and I expect to see some rapid improvement."
"I find it paradoxical that Councillor Whitelegg, who has been criticising the council for slow progress on this issue, opposes the building of the Heysham M6 Link, says Coun Barker. "This is the one measure which has been identified that will substantially improve air quality for the residents we both represent."

Web Links:
. Government report from SACTRA on how new roads generate new pollution
• Friends of the Earth Press Release: Newbury - 10 Years On

GEORGE FOX SIX: APPEAL IN MARCH
12/2/06: The six students and members of the local community who are facing jail for taking part in a peaceful demonstration against multinational corporations meeting at Lancaster University in September 2004 will have their appeal heard on 13 March.
The six accused were convicted of Aggravated Trespass last September and found guilty of "momentarily disrupting a conference". They were ordered to pay £1800 costs and given a conditional discharge for two years.
The prosecution proved a big mistake and has proved nothing but bad publicity for Lancaster University. Shortly after the trial the Vice Chancellor, Professor Paul Welings, was reprimanded by staff, both in an open letter and at the next Senate meeting. His plans to shrink democracy by 'streamlining' the university's structure were rejected by the University Council a few days later.
It appeared to many that until that week the VC was unaware of the impact of his decision to support the prosecution of the six: but he continues to support, or at least has not withdrawn support for, the prosecution. When directly asked to refute claims that the six had thrown chairs at him during their demonstration he remained silent, but has continued to maintain that the prosecution was justified.
The University's authorities also appear to be burying their head in the sand over the reaction to the prosecution. After letters of protest to the Univeristy's official newsletter appaeared to consistently go astray, a new independent staff newsletter - subtext - was set up, which has published more reporting on the GF6 issue, and the original issues the six were protesting about - commercialisation of research and a frigtening lack of ethics at the university. "Free speech is now more than an issue than when the six were charged," said a spokesperson for the George Fox Six. "We have been shocked by how many academics and management at the university were too frightened to speak out, or to stand as witnesses at the first trial.
"The university were caught taking down Freedom of Speech related posters at the university, letters to the staff newsletter haven't weren't published, there's been a smear campaign against the six, and the university actively supported the prosecution to the end (and continue to do so) - to the extent of the University Secretary going into conference with the prosecution during the trial."
The appeal will be heard from the 13th March and will probably last three to five days. It will take the form of a whole new trial, and because of this the protestors will be re-sentenced if found guilty, once again potentially facing three months in prison. "There is real concern that the verdict against the six last September has encouraged universities throughout England and Wales to crack down on student protest and staff unrest," say the protestors. "For this reason, and the fact that the six feel the verdict last time went against the weight of evidence they have decided to appeal, despite the risk of heavier sentencing.
The protestors are appealing for people to let the University know what they think about the prosecutions, and to sign the online petition at www.petitiononline.com/gfox6/. Please encourage others to do the same.
• For more information please go to: www.georgefox6.co.uk

To protest, write to:
• Roderick O'Brien, Director of Enterprise and Commercialisation Email: h.lowe@lancaster.ac.uk
• Vice-Chancellor Prof. Paul Wellings E-mail: m.needham@lancaster.ac.uk
• Prof. Gary Cooper, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for External Affairs Email: g.wood@lancaster.ac.uk
Address: University House, University of Lancaster Lancaster LA1 4YW

SLICES RECALLED
12/2/06: Iceland Foods Limited and Wm. Morrison Supermarkets PLC have recalled all batches of their own brand 6 Cheese and Garlic Slices due to the possible presence of small pieces of plastic.
Iceland Foods Limited and Wm. Morrison Supermarkets PLC have undertaken a recall of the affected products: Iceland's Frozen 6 Cheese & Garlic Slices and Morrisons 200g Frozen 6 Garlic Bread Slices Topped with Cheese. All batch codes and date codes are considered to be affected, and no other Iceland Foods Limited or Wm. Morrison Supermarkets plc products are known to be affected.
Please contact Environmental Health 01524 582711 for further information.

STRIKE AT UNIVERSITY?
12/2/06: Online Uni newsletter subtext -- the modern-day equivalent of Comment magazine, perhaps -- reports the AUT has recently sent ballots to its members on the matter of industrial action ( www.aut.org.uk/paybacktime).
According to the AUT, university income in the UK is expected to rise by 25% over the next three years. Universities UK agreed that it would use a significant proportion of this extra income to address the long-term stagnation of our salaries, which have fallen by 40% relative to comparable professions over the last two decades. However, even after the 2004 industrial action, it seems that the struggle continues for staff to receive fair pay and conditions (as reported in subtext 2, staff can perhaps take some solace in the VC's recent substantial pay, and might even enjoy the extra income vicariously).
With the possibility of industrial action, other issues warrant attention, too, such as: the misuse of temporary contracts; proper pay for postgraduates (see letters below); fair workloads; problems with bullying; the prosecutorial proclivities of the university; and larger concerns about promoting equal opportunities. So, although the issue at hand is pay and conditions, the vote is also about trying to win other struggles as well.
The deadline for receipt of ballots at Electoral Reform Services is this Thursday, 16 February.

SPRING CLEAN YOURSELF!
12/2/06: Notice something fresh in the air? It's that time of year again. This time round why not do something different. Rather than your shelves, give your inner life a sorting! Lancaster psychotherapist, Steve Lewis, is offering you the chance to do just that with three one-off, one-day workshops in February, March and April called 'Spring Clean Yourself'.
It seemed a useful idea, at this time of year, to offer people the chance to attend to their psychological worlds as well as their material ones." explained Steve, who is a UKCP registered psychotherapist and Relate certified counsellor with 15 years experience of working with individuals, couples and groups in NHS, voluntary sector, educational and private settings.
The first of the series, Playing The Voice, is on Sat 25th February 10.30 - 4.30pm at the Friends Meeting House, Meeting House Lane, Lancaster.
It's for people who are a bit scared of 'singing' and also for those that aren't but want to get to know their voices better. I'll be showing people how to improvise with all sorts of vocal sounds. Lots of fun and games. But with the opportunity on offer to perhaps make some emotional discoveries at the same time
Other workshops Steve has planned are the men-only Blokes, Sat 25th March which will look at what it's like to be man these days and Lifechanging on Sat 29th April for people who feel stuck in their lives or want to make some sort of change but don't know what or how.
All the workshops are on Saturdays 10.30 - 4.30pm at the Friends Meeting House and cost £50/40. For more details have a look at Steve's website www.lewistherapy.co.uk or contact him on 01524 35193.

THREE AGES ON TOUR
3/6/06: Shambolic Lancaster three-piece The Three Ages of Elvis will be spreading their cheer to Lancashire audiences starting with a gig at The Vic, Lytham St. Anne's on 17 February where they will join Fylde voodoopunkblues merchants Razordog for an evening of fuss-free rock and roll.
The following evening (18 Feb) the feisty trio will return to pleasure a local crowd at The Yorkshire House, with support coming from much touted Blackpool combo Litterbug. The gig will kick off at 9.00pm and admission will be just £3.

Nigerian poet Akanimo Odon

RHYMES FROM THE HEART
1/2/06: Nigerian PhD student Akanimo Odon's poetry has just earned him some top awards. Akanimo, who is studying Environmental Science at Lancaster University has just had his new book of poetry, Rhymes from the Heart, published by the Author House Publishers. The book containing 82 poems which he wrote within a space of two months during the last summer.
"I had submitted some of the poems in the book to the International Library of Poetry," says Akanimo, "and have just received the Editors Choice Award from the International Library of Poetry for 2005."
Born and raised in Lagos state, Nigeria, Akanimo earned a scholarship to study environmental rehabilitation for his master's degree at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth on completion of his first degree, which first brought him to Britain. He's always loved creative writing as a hobby and has written many articles for different magazines. Akanimo, now busy with his first novel, a romantic novel, says he finds inspiration from everyday issues and documents it in a way he feels all will enjoy.
Rhymes from the Heart is available from Waterstones, ISBN 1425906230
• Buy the book online from Amazon.co.uk: Click Here
• More info and poetry preview at: www.authorhouse.co.uk

The Superkings -- Under new management

TAKING ON THE SUPERKINGS
1/2/06: Top local events music organisers Feedback have are now managing the Superkings, who have a string of really great gigs lined up this month. Highlights include the 10 February at Feedback at the Farmers Arms, Lancaster, supporting Jim Noir and The Lodger; 14 February at Manchester Night and Day Cafe supporting Isobel Campbell of Belle and Sebastian fame; and 17 Feb supporting The Research at 53 Degrees in Preston. Tickets are £6 and available at Feedback nights (alternatively you can e-mail Feedback and they can arrange somewhere to meet and 'do the deal'. Or if you know the band you can buy tickets from them directly.
If you aren't already familiar with the Superkings we suggest to get over to their website and listen to some tracks! You can find them at www.superkings.org and www.myspace.com/thesuperkings.

PLANNING THE FUTURE
1/2/06: With several new developments in progress around the area, Lancaster City Council is looking for your ideas, help and support on the overall vision for the future of the District.
The Core Strategy is the Council's first development plan document, prepared under the Government's new planning system, which contains a 'Spatial Vision' for future of the District, to guide how future planning decisions are taken. Spatial planning is all about a concerted effort to achieve communities which are sustainable in environmental, social and economic terms. This will be done both by controlling land-use through planning permission but also by steering other activities which affect communities and the environment.
The Strategy is part of a what is known as the Local Development Framework. This bundle of documents comprises the Council's planning policies, which will be prepared over the next few years and will include Development Control Policies, setting out how planning applications will be determined and a Land Allocations Document, which will identify sites for new housing and employment development.
All the Council's future development plan documents must be consistent with the Strategy and Spatial Vision contained in it. Together they set out how development, providing homes and jobs, will be fitted into the District, as well as the areas to be regenerated and those to be safeguarded. Although it sets out general principles it doesn't allocate specific sites.
The Council has considered six options for its "Preferred Core Strategy" and decided the key principles are:
• Urban Concentration - concentrating decent new homes, jobs, shops and community facilities in sustainable locations within existing urban areas
• Helping the Local Economy to Grow - developing key economic drivers such as higher education and adopting light touch regulation where possible
• Maintaining Lancaster District's distinct identity as a sustainable self-contained and varied group of communities comprising:
• Morecambe - a confident community with a regenerated living, working and leisure environment
• Lancaster - a prosperous historic city with a thriving knowledge economy
• Carnforth - a successful market town and service centre for north Lancashire and south Cumbria; and a conserved and diversified countryside with a network of vibrant rural communities that will lead the North West in its quality of life and environmental and design standards and within which sustainable housing, economic and retail development meeting local needs will be supported
• Regenerating Areas of Need - helping Morecambe to become a sustainable community and local economy and regenerating other areas of need such as Luneside
• Sustainable Development - ensuring new development, infrastructure, renewable energy and resource extraction activity is sited, designed, built, operated and removed to minimise environmental harm and maximise environment and community benefits
• Enhancing the Urban and Rural Environment - by ensuring that new development is designed to high standards and looks right for its setting.
• Helping to Meet Rural Needs - for affordable housing, services, employment and community facilities.
The Strategy is out for consultation now and runs until 17 March 2006. You can either submit your comments in writing or by e-mail to: forwardplanning@lancaster.gov.uk
The Council has also produced a simplified version of the key principles in a consultation booklet. Copies of this and the full version are available to view at the Council planning office, Dalton Square, Lancaster and at Morecambe Town Hall. They can also be viewed at libraries across the District or downloaded at the Council's website www.lancaster.gov.uk.
There will also be a series of exhibitions (see below) when Council staff will be present. Times and locations may change so please check the Council website or call Michelle Williams on 01524 582383 before making a special trip.

February
13 -16 - Lancaster, St Nicholas Arcade, 12-5pm
17 - Lancaster University, 12-5pm
20 - 22 - Morecambe, Arndale Centre, 12-5pm
23 -24 - Heysham, Douglas Park Community Centre, 12-5pm

March
1 - 2 -Carnforth Civic Centre, 12-6.30pm
3 - Bolton-le-Sands Community Centre, 12-6pm
7 - Hornby, St Margaret's Church, 12-6.30pm
8 - Galgate Institute, 12-6.30pm
9 - Victoria Institute, 12-6.30pm
10 - Silverdale, Gaskell Memorial Hall, 12-6.30pm

iNCINERATOR CAMPAIGN MOUNTS
1/2/06: The Government is about to publish a draft England waste strategy for consultation. On Tuesday 17 January, BBC News reported that this strategy was going to propose a massive increase in incineration, with up to 25 per centof the England's waste being burnt.
The BBC report says government ministers believe more burning is justified as it provided a green source of energy, reduced our dependence on foreign fuel, and health risks from emissions were small, our correspondent said.
But Michael Warhurst, of Friends of the Earth, said Britons should be concentrating on recycling more and burning less.
In 2000, Lancashire County Council was widely condemned for proposing plans to build the incinerators to tackle the huge amount of waste in the region.
Friends of the Earth is appealing to anyone worried by this to help them make it clear to the Government that expansion of incineration is not an acceptable way forward.
• More details from the FOE web site: Click Here

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