Author Archives: John Herbert

“Op Snap” initiative launched by Lancashire Police

Lancashire Constabulary are dedicated to making the roads of Lancashire as safe as possible and wish to create an atmosphere where people do not drive in a careless or antisocial manner.

They are introducing their secure online portal for reporting and submitting digital evidence of suspected moving traffic offences witnessed by members of the public. This is part of their response to the increasing submissions received from members of the public in relation to safety issues on our roads.

“Op Snap” provides a real and practical opportunity for members of the public to do their part to help keep their communities and roads safe by reporting unacceptable driving. The material submitted to the police must fit several criteria, which can be found on their FAQ page

If you believe you have witnessed a road traffic offence and have digital footage of this incident, this can be submitted to the OpSnapLancs team by visiting https://unitedkingdom1cpp-portal.digital-policing.co.uk/lancashire/appeal/public-dashcam-submission

The police respectfully ask you not to contact them on 101999 or online as other departments will not be able to advise you on the status of your submission.

Speeding in Scarisbrick

 

SCARISBRICK AGAINST SPEEDING CAMPAIGN

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The Parish Council receives many complaints from residents about speeding vehicles on our rural roads and the dangers that this causes.

We have been working hard to address this and are now ready to commence with Phase One of the campaign. This will include:

  • The purchase of 2 Speed Indicator Devices (SPIDs), which will be deployed around Scarisbrick, has been agreed. These will alert motorists to their speed and will also collect data that can be used to provide evidence for passing to partner agencies (such as Police and Lancashire County Council) for further preventative measures to be investigated. The data can also be published on the Scarisbrick Today website and speeding hotspots will be identified.
  • Providing households in Scarisbrick with speed sign wheelie bin stickers. This method has been introduced in neighbouring parishes where is has worked well at alerting motorists to the speeding issue. The stickers are currently on order and to make this initiative a success we are looking for volunteers who would be willing to deliver these around Scarisbrick. If you would like to get involved please email the Scarisbrick Parish Clerk at scarisbrickpc@outlook.com

Phase Two of the campaign will be the purchase of more SPIDs so that more local roads can be covered. If you have any suggestions for other actions against speeding please get in touch at scarisbrickpc@outlook.com or come along to our Scarisbrick Parish Council meetings (please see Scarisbrick Today website for details).

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Lancashire’s Public Health

Lancashire’s public health report for 2021/22 has been published and can be accessed here. The report analyses the issues affecting people’s wellbeing and explains the health inequalities between different communities.  It also highlights the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on people’s lives and livelihoods.

Some of the main findings of the report include:

  • Life expectancy has decreased overall during the last two years. Males living in the least deprived communities live 10.3 years longer than those in the most deprived. The gap is 7.8 years for females.
  • The overall health and wellbeing of children in Lancashire is worse than England as a whole when comparing local data with national averages.
  • The percentage of people who “often or always” felt lonely during the pandemic in Lancashire was reported to be 6.1%. For certain districts this figure was as high as 13.5%.

Some positive issues outlined in the report include:

  • Lancashire’s carbon emissions reduced by more than 32% between 2005 and 2019.
  • Health assessments and reviews with new mothers and babies continued throughout the pandemic, with thousands being assessed over the last two years.

Specific neighbourhood level intelligence at a district and ward level can be found here.

Report highway faults

Lancashire County Council’s highways maintenance service are working hard to improve your roads but they need your help. Last year, the team fixed almost 40,000 potholes and repaired 3,300 faults on street lights that have caused a light to be out. But with 4,600 miles of highways and 5,300 miles of footways to check and maintain, it’s vital for people to let them know if they spot any problems between their inspections.

Members of the public can report a highway fault online including potholes, street lights, traffic lights and broken signs. It’s quick and easy to do just visit lancashire.gov.uk/report

Alternatively, you can call Lancashire County Council highways on 0300 123 6780, or for out of hours highways emergency call 101.

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Green Homes Grant Scheme

The Green Homes Grant is a Government backed scheme delivered by Local Authorities to improve the energy efficiency of eligible homes, improving warmth and comfort levels whilst reducing energy bills, carbon emissions and fuel poverty.

West Lancashire Borough Council is working with the Cosy Homes in Lancashire (CHiL) partnership, to deliver free energy efficiency measures to homes that meet the following criteria:

  • Have an energy performance certificate rating of D, E, F or G (This can be checked here.  If an EPC doesn’t currently exist, one can be undertaken as part of the scheme)
  • The household receives qualifying benefits or has an income of less than £30,000.

The measures can include anything from a simple loft insulation top up to new heating measures and renewable technologies.  The funding contribution can be up to £10,000 per property, however a contribution is required from landlords.

For more information and to apply for inclusion in the scheme, please go to the CHiL website www.chil.uk.com/green-homes-grant-scheme where you will also find the on-line application form. An information leaflet can be found here.

South West Lancashire Independent Community Advice Network

For 40 years South West Lancashire Independent Community Advice Network (SWLICAN or ICAN for short) has continued to work as a grass roots organisation providing quality advice and support on Employment Law, Welfare Rights and Money Advice.

From our newly refurbished I.T. suite we also provide training and support in basic and advanced I.T., as well as providing CV writing assistance, job search and much more. Our services are free, accessible and client friendly and are delivered from our base at the Ecumenical Centre in Skelmersdale and at a number of outreach venues.

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SWLICAN is a driver of social inclusion through the provisions of accessible resources, training and social activities for individuals and local Voluntary, Community and Faith organisations in West Lancashire.

ICAN’s basic philosophy is the empowerment of people to be active citizens who are able to help themselves, either by accessing services or volunteering and employment opportunities. We want people to be able to solve their problems themselves by providing them with the necessary life skills, confidence, resources and facilities to do so. We are currently offering a number of free courses via Zoom:

Click to find details of Money Management course.

Click  to find details of Welfare Rights course.

Click to find details of Getting the Right Care and Support course.

Visit our website by clicking here.

 

 

Scarisbrick Litter Group Needs New Members

PLEASE HELP KEEP OUR LOCAL ROADS AND LANES LITTER FREE

We are a friendly group of Scarisbrick residents who meet once or twice a month to collect litter from our local roadsides and verges. All you need is a pair of gardening gloves and some good footwear and we will provide the rest. All glass, cans and plastics are sorted and re-cycled. Please get in touch and join us.

Litter

If you can help please contact Mike Wilson on 07702 564654

Coronavirus Information – reliable sources and the CRAP test.

Links to reliable sources of information are provided at the end of this article.

It is important during the coronavirus pandemic that we keep ourselves well-informed. Unfortunately there is a lot of misinformation circulating, particularly online and in social media. Some of this will have been posted with malicious intent but for the most part it will be the result of genuine misunderstanding or wanting to be first with the latest rumour. It is also important to remember that even genuine information will quickly change as the situation rapidly evolves.

Information must therefore be approached with common sense, certainly apply the adage “if it sounds too good to be true it usually is”. Also consider the CRAP test in evaluating information (Currency, Reliability, Authority, Purpose). The test was developed for academics and students to assess online information but can be adapted to this situation.

Currency:

How current is the information? When was it posted? Has it been recently updated? Even genuine information from the most reliable sources can quickly become dated in rapidly evolving circumstances. For example, the modelling exercises on which government decisions are based involve uncertainties and assumptions. The advice changes as more becomes known.

Reliability:

Is the information based on someone’s personal opinion? If it is opinion is it balanced or one-sided? Does the author offer hard evidence which can be independently confirmed? Does the author stand to profit or gain in any way (not just financially)?

Authority:

Who is the author? What are his/her credentials? What do you know about the author? Is the author reputable? Is the site sponsored (including advertisers), if so by whom? We British have a healthy scepticism of people in authority and during the Brexit debate experts were often vilified. However, now is the time to take notice. These are likely to be the most reliable sources of information, your hairdresser probably isn’t. Information that comes directly from central government (.gov.uk), local government (.gov.uk), NHS (.nhs.uk), and police (.police.uk), is likely to be the most reliable. There is some good advice from charities/non-profit organisations but they should be mainstream organisations with names you recognise. Some links are included below.

Purpose/Point of View:

Is the author trying to push an agenda or particular side? Are the arguments obviously biased? Is it an attempt to sell you something? Are you being asked for money or bank details?

Finally, before passing on information it is important to take a step back. Consider the reason for having been sent something and the possible consequences of passing it on. Before passing on any online rumour, take the time to verify it. This can be done by checking how recently an account has been created, keeping a close eye on information from your local authorities, and searching key words to find another source.

Sources of information (click on the links below):

Government guidance on social distancing and protecting the vulnerable.

Coronavirus advice from the NHS.

Check if you have coronavirus symptoms.

Coronavirus – Lancashire County Council response.

Coronavirus – West Lancashire Borough Council response.

Number of coronavirus cases and risk in the UK.

Coronavirus and heart or circulatory disease.

Coronavirus and lung disease.

Coronavirus and diabetes.

Coronavirus and the elderly.

Lancashire Constabulary – Coronavirus – Stay in the Know.

 

Scarisbrick Parish Council – Flooding Questionnaire

The questionnaire appears in the Winter 2019 edition of Scarisbrick Village Matters (SVM). An electronic version is available for download here. This can be completed on your computer, saved, and emailed as an attachment to scarisbrickpc@outlook.com

The SVM article is reproduced below.

FLOODING: REASONS, RISKS, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

News programmes have recently been as depressing as the weather. Flooding in Northwich saw the Environment Agency (EA) and United Utilities bickering about responsibility. The gloomy point was made that any flood defence would eventually be overwhelmed – a fight with nature has only one winner. Climate change apparently increases likelihood that Southport will become an island. The article ignored that this involves large areas of Scarisbrick being submerged. Then there was the potato farm in Lancashire that flooding had turned into a jet-ski resort!

How much do we know about personal flood risk, what influences it, and who is responsible for managing it? The Parish Council wants your thoughts on flooding in Scarisbrick and asks that you complete the questionnaire in this edition.

Climate change debate is controversial but Met Office records for 2019 demonstrate extremes. Unprecedented temperatures were recorded in February followed by Storms Freya and Gareth. A sunny Easter preceded Storm Hannah. A new UK maximum temperature on 25th July was followed by twice the average rainfall in many areas. Winters of 2013/14 and 2015/16 were the wettest on record with widespread impacts. Intense rainfall plays a major part in flooding and can’t be controlled, but we can influence how rainfall is managed once it hits the ground. Land use, extent of local development, drain and watercourse maintenance all play a part.

Heatons Bridge-culvert under canal overwhelmed

Heatons Bridge – culvert under canal overwhelmed with overflow into canal.

Flood classification is useful when determining areas of responsibility. Coastal and groundwater flooding are unlikely in Scarisbrick whereas surface water (pluvial) and watercourse (fluvial) flooding are commonest. Backflow from sewers is a potential cause of flooded property and in Scarisbrick is the responsibility of United Utilities.

Pluvial flooding occurs anywhere at any time. Heavy and sudden rainfall causes rapid flooding which usually subsides quickly once rain stops. In extreme cases “flash flooding” is fast-moving and dangerous. Pluvial flooding is minimised by good drainage but is commonly seen where drains are blocked or overwhelmed – flooding of roads is an example. Run-off from flooded roads and inconsiderate driving can cause flooding of gardens and inside property. Lancashire County Council (LCC) maintains roadside drains whereas West Lancashire Borough Council (WLBC) clears gutters.

Run-off from fields

Run-off from fields.

Run-off from adjacent land can be significant if the ground is hardened by compaction (agricultural practices play a role) or prolonged hot spells. Road drains are designed to take water from roads and can silt-up or are overwhelmed in these circumstances. Overdevelopment increasingly causes absorbent ground to be lost. WLBC is responsible for planning but this isn’t simply about new development – we install patios or additional car parking on our properties which contribute to the problem. In rural areas road drains discharge into ditches that may themselves be full, this brings us to another problem.

Fluvial flooding occurs when watercourses overflow. Scarisbrick has many watercourses of various sizes because we live in an agricultural area where ditches drain land, but we also lie between Ormskirk and the sea. Hurlston and Sandy Brooks run through the parish and take the surface drainage of Ormskirk from Scarth Hill downwards. This is a particular concern because 100 year floods are now considered to be 30 year floods.

Fluvial flooding from Sandy Brook (right)

Fluvial flooding from Sandy Brook.

Responsibility for watercourse maintenance depends on classification. Main rivers are the EA’s responsibility; the classification reflects significance rather than size and includes watercourses on Martin Mere. Others are “ordinary” watercourses where responsibilities lie with riparian owners and are defined by legislation. This applies to farmers but also homeowners with drainage ditches crossing or adjacent to their gardens.

Living in Scarisbrick means you are close to a geological bowl which is the pumped area of the Alt-Crossens drainage catchment. This contains some of the most fertile soil in the UK with importance to national food supply contributing £230m to our local economy. It is the lowest point of the Borough’s drainage system and water is pumped out to sea at Crossens. Pumping operations are currently threatened by government cuts. Pumping to protect agricultural resources is no longer considered viable, although no flood threat to property is anticipated. However, new data suggests flooding could be more widespread than predicted and may isolate Southport. The extent of surrounding ground saturation is difficult to determine and could also threaten infrastructure.

Alt-Crossens - pumped catchment (EA map)

Alt-Crossens – pumped catchment (Environment Agency map).

There is growing acceptance that flooding is inevitable but we need to mitigate impacts. Everyone plays a role which may be as simple as reporting blocked road drains or driving more considerately through floodwater. We should avoid covering gardens with impermeable surfaces and consider our carbon footprint. We should take riparian responsibilities seriously. We should hold local authorities to account and challenge policymakers whether this is over new development, pumping station closure, or how often gutters are cleaned. There is also emphasis on reasonable self-help such as purchasing sandbags, installing domestic flood barriers, or clearing grids outside our homes.

 

Useful resources:  

If floodwater enters your house, or is over halfway across the road, telephone:

    • 0300 123 6780 (Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm, excluding bank holidays). 
    • Otherwise telephone 101 (Police non-emergency number).
    • IF THERE IS A THREAT TO LIFE CALL 999.

 

If flooding is from sewers or burst water mains, telephone:

  • 0345 6723 723 (United Utilities)

Report blocked road drains:

https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/roads-parking-and-travel/report-it/flooding-and-drainage/

“Flooding in Lancashire” – what to do before, during, and after a flood:

https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/flooding/

Owning a watercourse – rules and responsibilities:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/owning-a-watercourse

“Know Your Flood Risk” – advice and links:

http://www.knowyourfloodrisk.co.uk/flood-advice-guidance

 

John Herbert

Scarisbrick Parish Councillor

 

Flooding – be prepared

Fortunately, the local flooding experienced at Christmas 2015 was not repeated this year. However, we cannot be complacent as we move into the New Year.

Lancashire County Council has produced some useful advice on its website about how people can be more prepared for flooding. Flooding can never be totally prevented but, if you are prepared, the impact to people and property can usually be reduced.  The information can be accessed at www.lancashire.gov.uk/flooding and includes the following contact information:

Lancashire Police – 999If there is an immediate risk to life call the police.

Environment Agency Floodline – 0345 988 1188 – To report a flood or if your property is at risk of flooding from a reservoir, river or coastal water.

United Utilities – 0345 6723 723 – If flooding is from sewers or burst water mains.

Power cuts – 105 – To report a power cut or get updates if your electricity has been cut off. 

Lancashire County Council – 0300 123 6780 – If flooding is from highway drainage, surface water, groundwater or watercourses.

 

The following video contains some practical advice:

 

Flood investigation report – December 2015 floods

Lancashire County Council, as Lead Local Flood Authority, has now published district level reports which provide affected communities with information about what the relevant risk management authorities are doing in their areas to help manage the risk of flooding from a variety of sources.

The reports provide information on investigations undertaken at each of the affected locations, flood risk improvements already completed as well as opportunities for further investigation and investment in flood-prevention measures.  They also provide information for concerned homeowners and businesses on what they can do to help protect their own properties from flooding in the future.

The West Lancashire District Flood Report was published in November 2016 and can be found at http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/media/900009/west-lancashire-stage-2-report.pdf

Scarisbrick Parish Council would be interested to hear your views on the report.