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Later Stories: 1-15 August 2006
Previous stories: 1 - 15 July 2006

COUNCIL CAPITULATES
31/7/06: Local residents group It’s Our City has greeted the City Council's decision to progress their deal with developers Centros Miller with disbelief and dismay.
The Cabinet voted to proceed with plans to develop the Canal Corridor North site last Tuesday (25 July) despite what IOC says is the failure by developers Centros Miller to provide detailed information on how the extra traffic generated would be dealt with and on how the development would affect existing city centres in Lancaster and Morecambe.
Green councillors have described the decisioon as 'Black Tuesday' (see story below), while Council leader Ian Barker argues the decision is just one small step on a very long road to a new future for the area, and still has many hurdles to cross (see story below).
IOC, which supports community-led development in Lancaster, says Cabinet members took this decision without all having seen the results of a survey of residents carried out last autumn by Centros Miller, and appeared to lack detailed knowledge of the scale of the proposals.
"Shockingly, Cabinet were instructed by the Chief Executive that Centros Miller would not finish their studies on traffic and the impact on Lancaster and Morecambe unless the Council committed to the plan," said an IOC spokesperson. "This appears tantamount to blackmail."
Despite the lack of information in support of the scheme, Cabinet members ignored the views of local residents – who packed the public gallery during the meeting – and the arguments of Councillors Barry and Whitelegg regarding the potentially devastating impact of the development on Lancaster and especially Morecambe.
“I was appalled that Councillor Alex Stone said that Morecambe would be better off with more car parks rather than more shops!" said IOC member Graham Wynne. "Is regeneration in Morecambe to be abandoned so that Lancaster can have a development that it doesn’t even want?”
The Cabinet also displayed a disappointing lack of imagination regarding other options for this site. “It beggars belief that particularly Abbott Bryning, who is a councillor for the ward where this development is planned, seems to know so little about what the area needs and what local people want," feels Emilie Secker. To say that this is the only option is both cowardly and out of touch."
IOC have vowed to continue the fight against this development. Whilst hopeful that the Cabinet would listen to local people, the group say they are hardly surprised that they took this decision, given Lancaster City Council’s previous record.
However, IOC are shocked by what they decribe as a display of "cowardice from our so-called representatives."

As a matter of record, the Cabinet voted as follows:
In favour – Ian Barker (Bulk, Labour), Eileen Blamire (John O’Gaunt, Labour), Abbott Bryning (Bulk, Labour), John Gilbert (Scotforth East, Liberal Democrat), Janice Hanson (Harbour, Labour), Pat Quinton (Lower Lune Valley, Liberal Democrat), Ron Sands (Heysham North, Labour), Alex Stone (University, Liberal Democrat)
Against – John Barry (Castle, Green)
Absent – Gina Dowding (Dukes, Green).
IOC are currently considering future options, including an election strategy for the local elections next May.

BIG BROTHER ISN'T JUST WATCHING YOU... IT IS YOU
31/7/06: Not content with multiple CCTV cameras, community wardens and police, the government and the City Council are now asking you to act as their ears and eyes, too -- in their war against litter.
Since April 2006 council staff as well as Police Community Support Officers have had the power to issue £75 on the spot fines to anyone dropping litter, including cigarette ends and chewing gum.
But you don’t have to be seen by a member of staff to get a Fixed Penalty Notice – evidence from any member of the public who witnesses someone dropping litter could lead to  that person being fined.
Recently someone threw a cigarette packet out of a car window in Scale Hall, Lancaster and received a fine for their trouble, thanks to a diligent member of the public.
The quick-thinking witness spotted someone launching a cigarette packet out of a car window, and picked it up off the ground and wrote the registration number of the car on it. He kept the packet, and handed it in to council staff, together with a bus ticket that he’d just got off, which had the time and date on it.
The DVLA led enforcement officers to the owner of the car, who was then issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice, which has now been paid.
So if you drop litter – watch out, because you never know who is watching.
Of course, it always seems to us here at virtual-lancaster that councils abroad don't have as much problem with litter because they spend more on cleaning it up, which helps people to appreciate cleaner streets. But then, in a lot of foreign places, the council's haven't allowed fast food restaurants to open on every street corner, and many discourage the 'disposable' culture endemic to Britain.
While we know Singapore can is pretty ruthless about chewing gum, is the stick always the answer? What about bring back anti litter campigns on TV?

FLORENCE RETURNS
31/7/06: This year's Morecambe Heritage Gala, to be held on Sunday 10 September, promises to be the most spectacular yet. Regular features, such as the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight air display and the Bradford to Morecambe Historic Vehicle Rally, will be complemented by a packed programme of traditional seaside fun and frolics.
For the first time, the Gala will literally go out with a bang when, at 8.00pm, a massive free fireworks show is launched from the resort's Stone Jetty.
Of particular local interest will be the appearance of Florence, a 1948 AEC Regal, 33 seat coach, previously owned by Florence Motors of Morecambe. The coach will be providing a special express service along the prom, from outside the Platform entertainment venue, to Happy Mount Park and return - the park being the venue for Brass Band and Punch and Judy performances on the Gala Day.
Florence, now owned by Cumbria Classic Coaches of Kirkby Stephen, but resplendent in Florence Motor's green and cream livery, has previously worked at a variety of Lancaster City Council's festivals and events. She has also made appearances in several TV dramas, including Heartbeat, Born and Bred and Island At War.
Recent family history research, undertaken by Morecambe resident Alan Stansfield, has uncovered some fascinating information about Florence Motors, including the sad circumstances resulting in the company's name being adopted. It seems that the business was founded by Ephraim Stansfield, who moved from West Yorkshire to Thornton Road, Morecambe, around 1920. He operated seven motor coaches, as well as several taxis and haulage vehicles, from premises in Alice Street, off Thornton Road. He and his wife Mary had a daughter, Florence, who survived only five days. The coach company was named in memory of her.
Local newspaper adverts for 1948, show that Florence Motors coaches travelled all over the country, especially to the South Coast resorts, Scotland and even an Autumn excursion to Paris. Ephraim Stansfield was a well known civic figure, being an Independent member of Morecambe Borough Council for 28 years. Elected Alderman in 1949, he declined the mayorality six times. His business was sold in the 1950s and he died in 1955.
On the 10 September, visitors and local people will have many opportunities to experience a ride on this special piece of Morecambe's history. The first service departs from outside the Platform at 11.00 am, with the last return trip from Happy Mount Park at 6.00pm. The single fare for each journey will be 75p adults and 50p accompanied children under 16. Passengers will receive special 'period style' souvenir tickets.
• The Morecambe Heritage Gala is funded and produced by Lancaster City Council. A free programme giving full information of the events will be available from the Morecambe and Lancaster Tourist Information Centres, at the beginning of September.

YOUTH GAMES TRIUMPH FOR LANCASTER
31/7/06: Lancaster have returned from the 2006 International Youth Games in Holland with a bag full of medals.
53 local boys and girls aged between 14 and 16 years old took part in a range of athletics, badminton, dance, golf, swimming, table-tennis and tennis events, against teams from Almere (Holland), Haapsalu (Estonia), Rendsburg (Germany) and Vaxjo (Sweden).
The team was accompanied by 10 adult leaders and a Civic delegation from Lancaster City Council of the Mayor, Mayoress and Councillor Bryning
Overall the Lancaster team won 21 gold medals, 18 silvers and 12  bronze, which meant success in every event they were involved with. In swimming Brett Sharpe won the 200 Metre Breast stroke in a new record, whilst Rebecca Kershaw won 6 individual Golds and two relay golds and received the record for the 50 Metres Backstroke. In Badminton, Jack Mitchell reached the quarter-finals in the boys singles and along with his doubles partner Aiden McQuinn reached the boys doubles quarter-finals. Gemma Miller and Bennath Mitchell reached the quarter-finals in the girls doubles. In the Golf competition, against some stiff competition, the Lancaster team played well to win a bronze medal in the overall team event, with Sam Armer collecting a bronze and Mark Walsh collecting a bronze and a silver medal.
For the first time, the 2006 International Youth Games, incorporated dance - and a group of 10 dancers from the Tina Donald School of Dance in Morecambe represented the District. Despite the heatwave conditions the dancers performed well throughout the week and on the Wednesday night gave performances to a packed audience in the Metropol Theatre as part of the Cultural Programme.
"The International Youth Games are unique in that the children and leaders are accommodated by host families," says David Owen, Lancaster City Council's Head of Cultural Services. "It's always pleasing to see how well the young people represented themselves, their District and their sports.
"Although in Holland for only a week the experience of staying with host families leads to a better understanding of life and culture in Holland and the other twin town competing in the International Youth Games."

BLACK TUESDAY AFTER COUNCIL CABINET VOTES CENTROS MILLER INTO TOWN
31/7/06: Green councillors have spearheaded condemnation of the Council's decsion to vote in favour of progressing a deal with developers Centros Miller over the future of Lancaster's Canal Corridor area.
Last Tuesday, the Council's cabinet approved the deal with Centros Miller to deliver a retail dominated development.
Greens say the plans fly in the face of the results of public consultation, ignores strong community opposition, and ignores the financial risks involved.
Cabinet member and green party councillor Jon Barry proposed that the deal should not go ahead because insufficient information had been given to cabinet members to assess the development proposals.  This proposal was not supported and nor was Cllr Barry’s proposal to triple the size of the green space, create a new youth facility and halve the size of the retail space.
“The meeting was one of the most farcical I have been involved with on the Council," says Jon Barry. "Council officers failed to provide councillors with the information they needed to make an informed decision.  It was clearly evident that several of the councillors had very little idea of what the make-up of the proposed scheme was.  
"Councillors have voted to hand over control of their land for 250 years to an offshore development company.  Quite frankly, the people of Lancaster have been sold down the river.  And the people in Morecambe will suffer as shopping facilities in their town drain away still further.”
Councillor John Whitelegg spoke against the development on grounds that no information was provided on public consultation, that there was no proper assessment of Centros Miller’s plan, that the development could lead to a massive increase in traffic and because of the financial risks associated with the deal.  
Because of council rules on “exempt items” Councillor Whitelegg is not allowed to discuss what these financial risks are and members of the public are not allowed to know what they are.  
“This was black Tuesday," feels John. "Cabinet decided to proceed with a major development that exposes the Council to substantial financial risks and will add thousands of extra cars each day on our congested roads.  
"To add insult to injury members of cabinet made this decision in the complete absence of the results of a household public consultation.  This contradicts Council policy and is a snub to local residents.”
The debate could still continue if the cabinet’s decision is “called-in”.  Green councillors will be attempting to get the necessary signatures to make this happen.  However given Labour and LibDem support for this plan, they will be looking to Morecambe councillors for support.

CABINET VOTE 'NOT THE FINAL WORD' - BARKER
31/7/06: The Leader of Lancaster City Council has written to residents concerned about the proposed Centros Miller development on the Canal Corridor recently discussed by the council's cabinet.
In a six page letter Councillor Barker, who supported the proposals to progress the financial agreement with Centros Miller told residents it was important to realise that the Cabinet's decsion was not the final word on the development.
"Any agreement will depend on the development getting planning permission and to do that it will have to clear some pretty high hurdles," he says. "We are still a long way from a planning application being submitted and Centros Miller will have to do a lot of work before then. I have promised residents that if they cannot produce a robust solution to traffic problems or show that the expansion of the retail capacity of Lancaster is justified, then I will oppose planning permission.
"I think it is possible for Centros Miller to produce a satisfactory planning application in line with the development brief," feels Barker, "but they have not done so yet."
"The Council has commissioned an independent study of the retail potential of the District as part of the preparation of the Local Development Framework," he continued. (You can read the report by consultants White Young here - PDF format). "This concluded that a substantial expansion was needed if Lancaster was event to retain its market share and stop more and more of Lancaster’s shoppers for "comparison" goods going down the motorway to Preston or the Trafford Centre.
"A popular department store like Debenhams will certainly help with this," feels Barker, although the report actually suggested a major food store.
"The study also noted that pull of Preston would increase with the planned 100,000 sq m Tithebarn development," he argues. "We have to respond to this if the Lancaster City Centre is to remain attractive, but we need to get it right. That’s why a robust retail study is needed."
"Similarly we know that handling the extra traffic will be crucial and will require changes to Lancaster’s traffic system if it is to succeed. Centros Miller’s traffic consultants have produced some interesting ideas which they say have the potential to intercept a lot of the traffic before it gets on the main one way system and even reduce some of the traffic on Bulk Road. What they need to do is to test these ideas rigorously and have their work independently verified.
"I don’t believe some of the alarmist estimates about extra traffic but neither am I prepared to accept some of the proposed solutions unless they are backed up by serious and believable analysis."
Despite favouring Centros Miller, Barker remains guarded. "There is a long way to go," he feels. "I am absolutely clear that we need a development that has affordable housing, cultural facilities, and open space as well as retail development and parking. We have secured a development that could give us all these. We still need to finalise the details and we crucially need robust traffic and retail capacity assessments. I will not support anything that doesn’t give us this."
• Read Ian Barker's letter to residents in full (PDF)

Colin Hastings during the National Music Day in Ryelands Park, 1992.

IN MEMORIAM: COLIN HASTINGS
28/7/06: virtual-lancaster is sorry to report the recent death of Colin Hastings, a local talent who will be much missed.
What follows is a tribute to Colin by fellow musician and performer Tim Stevens, read out at last week's Spotlight Club at the Yorkshire House.
"I'd like to take a few moments to pay tribute to a close friend who died last Saturday, some of whose finest creative moments were in this very room. Perhaps none of you here tonight will know Colin Hastings, but my good friend Ron Baker and I remember him well as a singer, comedy sketch player and all-round good bloke. He and his wife Fiona came up to Lancaster in 1990, and the overtly Scottish, short and follicly challenged Colin wasted no time breaking into our social circle. Initially at the Gregson, where he first burst onto the stage with an outrageous dancing routine during a piss-take of "So Macho" by Sinitta, and then during the "Comic Relief" sketch nights we did, Colin had a real thirst for shameless performance.
He teamed up with Ron and I to form a trio called "Rain Check", to which he contributed fine harmonies and a couple of egg-shakers, and then, when a local free-sheet advertised us as "Raw Cheek" by mistake, we thought "that's a good name for a comedy outfit," and promptly resurrected the sketch shows here at the Yorkshire House for as long as we could get away with it. Then came "Poems and Pints", to which Colin was a regular contributor, and eventually, the Spotlight Club, which, you may have noticed, is still going today!
Colin's real forte, though, was music, becoming Lancaster's very own version of Christy Moore, looking a little like him, but definitely sounding like the great Irish troubadour. He performed at a couple of Spotlights, singing and playing guitar, but on the quiet he could also play the drum. (But not very quietly.)
Above all, he was a great friend and drinking colleague and  regularly had us all in stitches round the pub table. Warm-hearted and generous beyond belief for a Scotsman, those that knew him will miss him a lot.

Previous stories: 1 - 15 July 2006