Residents will receive their 2020-21 Council Tax bills next week. You will be aware that this year Chorley Council's element of the bill has not increased. However, other parts of the council tax bill have increased as show below:

Chorley Council: 0%
Lancashire County Council (General): 2% (1.99% rounded)
Lancashire County Council (Adult Social Care): 2%
Police & Crime Commissioner for Lancashire: 5%
Lancashire Combined Fire Authority: 2%

After taking into account these changes and any Parish Council charges, the total council tax bill has increased by 3.6% on average.

More information, including the Council Tax charges for each band/parish and frequently asked questions, is available online using the links below.

This is an extremely busy time for Customer Services so your patience is appreciated if you need to contact us during the next few weeks.

The wife and son of a much-loved Chorley councillor have been presented with a wooden gavel in his memory.

Councillor Joyce Snape and son, Russell Snape were presented with the wooden gavel by local wood turner Peter Corbett, as a tribute to Chorley’s longest serving councillor, Ralph Snape MBE who died last year.

Talented local wood turner, Peter Corbett created the striking wooden gavel and sounding block to be used for proceedings in the Council Chamber dedicated to Councillor Snape, whose colleagues from Chorley Council arranged for an inscription to be created for it.

Mayor of Chorley, Cllr Hasina Khan, welcomed Cllr Joyce Snape, Russell Snape, Chorley Council’s Chief Executive, Gary Hall and Peter Corbett to the Mayor’s Parlour at Chorley Town Hall where the presentation took place.

Councillor Joyce Snape said: “I am thrilled that this has been created in his Ralph’s honour, it’s a fitting tribute and he’d enjoy the fact that he’s still part of the proceedings in the council chamber.”

The gavel was then presented by Cllr Joyce Snape back to Mayor, Cllr Hasina Khan, so it can be used at the Council Chamber at the Town Hall. Mayor, Cllr Hasina Khan commented “It’s great that this fantastic gavel has been created by a local craftsman, using materials steeped with local history and has been dedicated to Cllr Snape so he’ll remain part of the council.”

The gavel, made from bog oak from Croston Finney Moss, is said to be between 2000 and 5000 years old. The wood was discovered after farmland was ploughed on the Isle of Man Farm in Croston, where Mr Corbett lived many years ago. The farmland has links to Myles Standish, known for the Mayflower Voyage that celebrates it’s 400 year anniversary this year.

Mr Corbett said “I’d met Ralph several times over the years and sharing memories gave me the idea of creating this gift. I thought the sound of the gavel ordering proceedings in the Council Chamber might serve as a reminder that a wise and thoughtful counsel may always be the way forward.”

We have received the attached order from Lancashire County Council which will bring new measures on stopping and waiting on school keep clear markings on Brookwood Way, Buckshaw Village, from 31 January 2020.

Abbey Village Play Area has been given a makeover in partnership with Withnell Parish Council and spruce the parks.

New play equipment has replaced old boring equipment and the Probation Service have planted a native hornbeam hedge and three trees to go some way to greening up the site. Steetscene have also given the whole area a tidy up.

Primrose Gardens has hit a hat trick of achieving shortlisting for prestigious industry awards. Further to being a finalist in the Inside Housing Design Awards before Christmas, last week officers received confirmation Chorley Council have not only been shortlisted for RTPI awards for Planning Excellence 2020 (award for excellence in planning to deliver homes) but also the RICS Social Impact Awards for residential category.

What’s Your Story, Chorley? and the Book Bench trail are back this year.

Between 11am and 4pm on Saturday 28 March, the following venues will be hosting presentations.
- Union Street Civic Offices
- Chorley Library
- Ebb and Flo Bookshop
- Chorley Theatre
- St Laurence’s Church

A year of exciting events is planned in Chorley to commemorate the 400 year anniversary of the Mayflower sailing to America. Details for Mayflower 400 events taking place March - June 2020 will appear in the next issue of What’s Happening Magazine

The Sustainable growth index has been developed by Grant Thornton (the Council's external auditor). It seeks to define and measure the components that create successful places. The index, currently in its third year, extends beyond the traditional economic measures of success to provide a framework for a broader assessment of sustainable growth across the country.

Chorley ranks 143 out of 324 local authority areas. It ranks above average for inclusion & equality. Prosperity and community, trust & belonging rank below average.

Grow to Show is an event aimed at allotment holders and gardeners alike to gain information and advice about showing flowers and vegetables.

The event will be held on 10 March at 6.30pm in the Lancastrian and is a free event, but please note that tickets are required.

Lancashire County Council Road Safety Team and Lancashire Road Safety Partnership are hosting the eighth workshop for senior road users to help reduce the number and severity of road casualties in the age group 60+ and to increase physical activity levels to help maintain lifelong safe & independent mobility.

The event is being held at Mere Brow Village Hall, Preston, PR4 6JX on Thursday, 26 March 2020 10-2pm. Attendees must book in advance.