Previous stories: 1 - 15 February 2007
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COUNCIL SURVEY: LESS THAN 3% OF SHOPPING MONEY IS SPENT OUT OF DISTRICT

22/2/07: In a vehement attack on the newly nveiled Green alternative plan for Lancaster's canal corridor, Lancaster City Council's Labour Group claim that Centros Miller's massive retail development proposal is essential for the town so that "people will no longer have to travel to Preston and Manchester for their shopping".
However a packed public meeting of local residents, organised by Lancaster Green Party heard last Tuesday that the results of the Council's own most recent shopping survey, carried out by an independent firm, (read it here) showed that 99% of the total shopping spend by residents of Morecambe was done locally as was 96.9% of that done by Lancastrians. Any identifiable leakage came from areas peripheral to the district, such as Pilling and Carnforth (81%) where the proportion spent in the local community dropped slightly, but this could be explained by a higher proportion of residents in those areas commuting to Preston and Kendal and further afield for work, and shopping there to save time - a pattern unlikely to be affected by the proposed development. Since the survey was carried out the most significant change in shopping patterns has been the continuing increase in internet shopping.
Retail Invasion
Green Councillor Chris Coates told the meeting that the figures demonstrated that Centros' proposed development which includes a huge 39,700 square metres of new retail space (the whole city centre currently has roughly 55,000 sq metres, including vacant premises) meant that competition for trade from the competing new city centre would drive local and independent retailers out of business and damage existing businesses in the current centre. The only way the development could be successful for Centros Miller would be by depriving existing businesses of trade, or by doubling the number of people currently shopping in the town by drawing them in from elsewhere. If that happened the problems of traffic congestion and pollution, which were already unnacceptable, would become disasterous.
Cllr Emily Heath said that Climate Change measures meant that local communities should be sustainable - as much shopping should be done locally as possible.

The Planning Brief
In order for any proposal to obtain planning permission it has to satisfy the Planning Brief, which states: "developers will have to demonstrate that there is a need for the type of retailing proposed which cannot be accommodated within the City Centre. Major retail schemes will need to provide an up-to-date demonstration that there is sufficient capacity within Lancaster and Morecambe for the scale of development proposed." (Read the Council's Canal Corridor Planning Brief here)
The Brief also states, under the heading of 'Social Inclusion'; "The Council intends to progress the development of the area in a way which maximises the involvement of local people and which reflects local concerns as much as possible. This could mean involving local residents in the nature and detailed design of proposed improvements and hopefully engendering a sense of ownership in the outcome.
The Council will continue to consult widely as the proposals are developed and involve many different bodies in the process. The Alfred Street/Bulk Road Home Zone will offer opportunities for ‘Planning for Real’.
Sadly Council Planning staff have ignored the findings of the Real Planning Consultation, and have steadfastly declined to attend the many public meetings organised by local residents' group 'It's Our City' to debate the proposals. It is not clear why key figures on the Council and in the Planning dept should champion this particular development company to the extent of muscling aside the increasingly vocal concerns of the constituency, refusing to countenance any form of competitive tendering and flying in the face of the Council's own development brief for the project.

Financing the Plan
The Green Plan, developed by Lancaster Green Party to give people a concrete example of a workable plan and a transparent planning process against which to contrast the Centros proposal is estimated to cost several £millions less and would be financed by the sale of 300 housing units within the development, rents from retail and workshop units, the inclusion of a car park / office building attractive to outside investment and nationally funded grants for the provision of green spaces and sustainable developments. The amount of extra traffic it would generate was assessed as approaching 1,000 vehicles per day. Using the same national standard traffic planning assessment tools the Centros proposal would result in 10,000 additional vehicles per day joining the Lancaster congestion area (Centros say the figure should be nearer 4,000 but their measurement tools remain a mystery).
The plan was developed using an internationally acclaimed process pioneered by ward-winning architect Christopher Alexander, called 'Neighbourhood Unfolding' and the meeting last Tuesday watched with great interest as Cllr Coates showed in visual presentation how the plan was developed.

Compare the two plans:

Links:
● Lancaster Green Party Alternative Plan
● Centros Miller Proposed Plan
● Lancaster City City Council Canal Corridor Planning Brief
● Lancaster City Council Shopping & Town Centres Monitoring Report
● Real Planning for Lancaster Canal Corridor Development Public Consultation report

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!!
22/2/07: This Sunday 25 February from 12 noon a Chinese New Year Celebration will be taking place in the Lancaster Room at St Martin’s College for the third year in a row, with the proceeds going to the NSPCC and the LMBCCA Chinese Sunday School.
Everyone is welcome to an afternoon of Chinese music, singing, entertainment and dancing that the whole family can enjoy. There will also be traditional Chinese food available as well as a raffle. More Music have organised many of the performances with members of the LMBCCA. Those invited to the event include local MPs, councillors and representatives from the Chinese Consul of the People’s Republic of China. There will also be stalls where people can have their name written in Chinese symbols and their Zodiac signs in Chinese plus opportunities to learn more about Chinese culture. Tickets cost £6 for adults and £3 for children under 12 years old and can be bought at the door or booked over the phone by calling 07861 655006 or 01524 66223.
Kim Leong, Chairman of the LMBCCA and St Martin’s Senior Lecturer, said:
“In the past few years, this celebration has become a really enjoyable day for families from the whole community, not just Chinese families. As always, we want this to be a fun inclusive event for all as well as a worthwhile one, as we are also raising money for charity.”
Known as Chinese New Year in the West, the Spring Festival is the oldest and most important festival in the Chinese year. It’s a celebration of the earth coming back to life after the long winter and the start of spring. Each Chinese New Year is named after an animal and this is the Year of the Pig. The date of the holiday is determined by the lunar calendar so it varies from late January to mid-February. Many people attending both celebrations will be wearing traditional Chinese dress.

WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE!

22/2/07: Those of us who frequent the city centre will be familiar with the heady aroma of roasting coffee beans from J. Atkinsons on China Street – the retail and wholesale tea and coffee specialists. Thousands of Lancastrians make and drink coffee every day – but do you know what it is that you are tasting? With five generations of trading experience Atkinsons is known for its bespoke training of fellow professionals in the trade and specialist ‘baristas’. Now they have launched a series of Academy classes aimed at the gourmet amateur who fancies developing their coffee-drinking experience into something more profound.
The first class is on Wednesday 7 March 2007 from 6pm to 8pm. It’s called ‘Bean to Steam – Espresso Tricks of the Trade’ and it covers general coffee knowledge from basic bean information on regions and growers to the beginners’ guide to espresso based drinks. Learn some of the tricks of the trade to enhance your Espresso and Cappucino drinking pleasure!
Then on 21 March 2007, again from 6pm to 8pm you can learn about ‘The Art of Cupping – Coffee Tasting Techniques’. “With over 60 Coffees to choose from come and experience the forgotten art of cupping. Learn to "sniff, slurp and spit" with confidence and explore the secrets and language of aroma perception.”
Both classes cost £20 per person (including a goodie bag) and a Booking Form is available from Atkinson's Website www.atkinsonsteaandcoffee.co.uk (click on Academy). Info tel: 01524 65470.

CITY COUNCIL PROTESTS OVER RAIL CUTS
22/2/07: Lancaster City Councillors have backed a motion to write to the Department for Transport to protest about new rail franchises due to come into effect in December which will mean fewer direct trains stopping at Lancaster.
The proposed reorganisation of the Virgin Cross Country rail franchise will mean an end to direct trains to the south west, so that any passengers wanting to travel to the south west from Lancaster will have to change at Birmingham.
Virgin Cross Country services between Scotland and London will be transferred from the west coast to the East coast mainline and rail services run by TransPennine Express, including services to Lancaster, and connections to Barrow, Windermere and Leeds will be affected, as will airport services between Barrow, Windermere and Manchester Airport. The full extent the changes isn’t yet known.
The proposed re-organisation of the Cross Country rail franchise will come into effect from December 2007 despite many objections raised since the first ‘consultation’ last July.
It could mean the end of some direct trains from the west coast to Glasgow stopping in Lancaster, with passengers forced to change instead in Preston.
Council will write to the Department for Transport , and to Geraldine Smith MP and Ben Wallace MP, for their support, and to the rail campaigning group TravelWatch NorthWest, objecting to any loss of services for Lancaster and its surrounding areas.
Cllr Janice Hanson, cabinet member for transport issues, said: “We must protest in the strongest terms against any loss of rail services to Lancaster and the surrounding connections, given the importance of rail transport for business travel, tourism and for the residents of the area.
“If the Government wants to do anything about climate change, and persuading people to use public transport, not to mention maintaining the health of the economy in the north west, it must preserve essential rail services and not leave timetable programming decisions to market forces.”

IT’S CARNIVAL WEEKEND!!!
22/2/07: This weekend is Carnival weekend, time to have fun - and why not - to help someone in need: Lancaster Homeless Action presents a weekend of frolic and fun at the Gregson Centre.
Friday 23rd from 7.30pm – midnight is Cabaret Night: an evening of comedic and musical entertainment. Enjoy yourself with: Gonzoid, Kr!ss Foster, Mollie Baxter, Marian Hughes, Nisha, Goldmundo, Indymedia Films, Chris Gregory, Connal & Chris and Mr Entertainment. Entry is but a trifling £3.
This Saturday 24th from 1-5pm there’s a Fancy Dress Workshop for children, creating masks, costumes and all the paraphernalia you can think of! Entry free!
Then on Saturday night from 8pm – midnight is the Masked Ball! This is an adults only gig so enjoy yourself dressing up as you wish, it will be music and cotillions! Entry just 3 of our sterling pounds.
And finally on Sunday from 2-5pm there will be a Children’s Party - entertainment for the little ones. Entry 50p, under-5s free!
If you want know more, or you’d like to help - a last minute help is always a blessing! - contact Gabriella at the Homeless Action Centre tel. 01524 842008

JUNK MAIL BLUES
22/2/07: Do you ever despair at the heap of junk mail that arrives at your home each day?
The local Recycling Forum decided to address this growing mountain of unwanted waste. They sent a postcard (recycled) to all households in Lancaster district informing local residents of how to reduce unsolicited mail early last year.
Since receiving the postcard, an amazing 5,500 local households have now signed up to the Mailing Preference Service (MPS). This is an increase of 63%, meaning 14,000 local households in Lancaster district are now saying no to unsolicited mail. You can do it yourself now by registering with the Mail Preference Service at www.mpsonline.org.uk. Lona McCarthy of the Recycling Forum said: “Remember to list all the people at the address that want to be removed from the lists. Then, over the next few months, watch your junk mail reduce in quantity.”
(You can also put a stop those intrusive tele-marketing phone calls by registering with the Telephone Preference Service at www.tpsonline.org.uk.)
For more information about this and many other ways in which you can reduce, re-use and recycle your waste, go to the local recycling directory website: www.recyclelancaster.org.uk
The Recycling Forum for the Lancaster District is part of the Lancaster District Sustainability Partnership. If you want to get involved, please contact Lona McCarthy (Secretary) on 01524 383784.

LOCAL LABOUR PARTY FIGHTS NHS PRIVATISATION
22/2/07: Councillors and members from Lancaster Labour Party have unanimously called on the Government stop a move towards towards privatising the NHS in the Lancashire and Cumbria.
They are appalled that the proposed Clinical Assessment, Treatment and Support Services (CATS) for Lancashire and Cumbria is to be awarded to the private-sector company Netcare (UK).
Cllr Jim Blakely said: The idea behind CATS to improve services is good, however the decision to appoint the profit-making company Netcare (UK) as the preferred bidder in a process that omits to let the NHS bid for services is disgraceful.
"The consultation for these changes is ridiculous; The public and NHS staff are only being consulted on where they would like centres located. These changes need to be urgently reconsidered before tax-payers’ money goes to shareholders of private companies rather than public services.
James Groves said: "We have called on the Government to urgently reassure NHS staff that their jobs are safe and will remain secure."
"These proposals will mean huge changes where profit-making companies will be in control of the vital areas of assessment, treatment and support services."

A TASTE OF SPRING AT MYERSCOUGH
22/2/07: Do you fancy yourself as the next sporting prodigy or gardening expert but are not sure how to get into your dream career?
Myerscough College (near Garstang) is running unique Taster Courses where you can try out a subject you are interested in and experience College life, to help you take the first step towards achieving your goals. The College is holding a number of one and two day Taster Courses during the Easter holidays at all its centres across the North West, in exciting subjects from Motorsports and Golf to Animal Studies, Countryside Management and Garden Design.
You will also get the chance to find out about potential careers, discuss the courses available to you with College staff and receive individual careers advice.
Courses are available at the main campus in Bilsborrow nr Garstang and are also offered in Blackburn, Burnley, Liverpool, Manchester and Stockport. There are a series of one and two day options and the two day events at Bilsborrow have a residential option where you can choose to stay on campus in the modern accommodation and experience the Myerscough student lifestyle. You can enjoy social events in the campus bar the Stumble Inn in the evening, meet new people and find out why Myerscough is so popular. The one day courses are free of charge and the two day residential events cost just £20 including accommodation and main meals. It is recommended that you apply to come on a Taster Course early to avoid disappointment, as they are already proving popular and are quickly filling up.
Further Education Taster Courses are for school leavers in years 10 and 11 and the Higher Education Taster Courses are aimed at both College leavers and mature students wishing to take their studies to degree level or wanting a career change. If this does not suit you, everyone is welcome to come to one of the Open Mornings, held regularly throughout the year. For dates and details visit www.myerscough.ac.uk, contact 01995 642314, or email schools@myerscough.ac.uk.
The College is also holding two open weekends in March for the spring lambing season. Visitors can get the chance to watch lambs being born, hold them and learn about how they are looked after at Myerscough College’s Lee Farm in Bilsborrow.
Katy Roberts, Schools Manager at Myerscough College, said:
“We had a great turnout for the Lambing Weekends last year with over 1000 visitors. The children loved seeing the lambs and there were plenty of activities for them with colouring in, making face masks and making hats out of hay. They were still normal working days for the farm and people enjoyed seeing the daily shepherd duties and learning about farm life.”
The College’s Lee Farm is open to the public on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th March and on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th March from 10.30am-3.30pm. Visitors can have a fun day out on the farm and see the new born lambs and there will be children’s arts and craft activities taking place in the barn all day long. Admission is just £1 per person including refreshments.

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