A reminder that a draft Play Area, Open Space and Playing Pitch Strategy has been drawn up which sets out how we plan to protect, manage, enhance and secure our open spaces over the next five years and beyond. It focuses on sites that need to be improved or sustained to mitigate against negative trends and recommends how any identified deficiencies in provision of open space should be addressed.

The consultation will run to 17 January 2014.

The annual Planning in Practice workshop for Borough and Parish Councillors will take place on Monday, 20 January 2014.

The topics covered this time will include; LCC highways input on planning applications, replacement dwellings in the green belt and CIL contributions.

The workshop will take place from 6pm to 8pm with food available from 5.30pm. Thankyou to those Parish Councils who have responded. If you haven't please submit the names of two representatives by Friday, 10 January 2014 to Louise Wingfield email louise.wingfield@chorley.gov.uk or 01257 515123.

Older residents in Chorley who struggle to pay their heating bills or have difficulties travelling to medical appointments, can get free help from the Council through the Keep Warm and Well this Winter campaign.

Just a reminder for Parish representatives on the Council's Neighbourhood Area Meetings that the next round of meetings starts on 16 January. If you are a rep you will receive a copy of the agenda in the post. Clerks also receive a copy electronically for their information.

The details of all the the meetings which are held in the Town Hall are:
Southern Parishes Thursday, 16 January at 5pm
Chorley Town West Tuesday, 21 January at 5pm
Western Parishes Wednesday, 22 January at 5pm
Clayton and Whittle Tuesday, 28 January at 5pm
Chorley Town East Wednesday, 29 January at 6pm
Eastern Parishes Wednesday, 5 February at 5pm
Euxton, Astley and Buckshaw Thursday, 6 February at 5pm
Southeast Parishes Tuesday, 11 February at 6pm

Community groups in Buckshaw Village are being urged to contact Chorley Council as it launches a review into community facilities available in the village.

Eileen Whiteford recently announced her resignation as Clerk to Clayton le Woods Parish Council after 30 years service, and the new Clerk with effect from 1st January 2014 will be:-

Tracy Morris, 10 Birch Field, Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley, PR6 7RE
Telephone: 01772 469034
Email:claytonparish08@btinternet.com

Eileen was presented with a commemorative plate by fellow Clerks and a bouquet of flowers by Chorley Council for her contribution to Chorley.

The Canals and Rivers Trust, the body that replaced British Waterways, will be undertaking essential maintenance works to trees along the length of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal this winter.

These works will include pruning and, where necessary, felling to ensure the canal is kept free of obstructions to allow the passage of boats and other users of the canal system. Some of the trees involved will be subject to a Tree Preservation Order.

As the body responsible for the maintenance of the canal system, the Canals and Rivers Trust, have the authority to undertake these works of essential maintenance without the need to obtain consent (consent to undertake works to a tree protected by a Tree Preservation Order or located within a Conservation Order) from the council.

For more information contact Stephen Leigh at the Canal and River Trust on stephen.leigh@canalrivertrust.org.uk, call 01942 405731, or Ian Heywood on ian.heywood@chorley.gov.uk

The Environment Agency has been developing plans for the implementation of a Flood Risk Management scheme for Croston Village. They have now decided on their preferred option and a public drop in session will be organised in the New Year for residents in Croston and the vicinity of the proposed flood storage area.

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There's lots of useful information on our website: