South Ribble’s Neighbourhood Forums engage with people from across the borough, deliver community projects
and seek to improve our local area.
Across five footprints, elected members and officers work with residents, businesses, churches, schools and
community groups to define local priorities, identify local issues and provide workable solutions.
Each area has a Neighbourhood Plan – a live document which works on a rolling basis; a workplan of improvement
projects, based on local feedback.
Annually, these plans are approved by Council, then progress throughout the year as projects are scoped,
delivered, and new projects adopted. All potential projects are tested for demand, impact, value for money,
sustainability and community involvement.
All Neighbourhood Plan
projects work on the basis of
‘external funding first’ – this
means that all possible
resource options are
considered before committing
the Council’s money. The
collective annual budget for
the forums is £25,000; the
amount levered in is
consistently much higher.
Forums meet regularly; up to 3 times a year for public meetings, and more frequently for member planning
meetings, where discussions around projects are held and decisions around funding are made. In addition,
there are are a number of area specific meetings, such as Parish Council liaison, and MATAC (Multi Agency
Tasking and Coordination) which help to inform us of local issues.
Working in partnership is key to the success of My Neighbourhood Forums; as a relatively small local authority,
we always endeavour to be greater than the sum of our parts. Strong working relationships with statutory,
voluntary and business organisations help us to maximize capacity and align activity with best operational fit.
This includes, for example, South Ribble Partnership funding for Penwortham Live community music festival –
over 3,000 people involved each year, or Council support to the Leyland Festival Committee to oversee the
smooth running of the borough’s biggest annual event, with upwards of 15,000 people participating.
2017/18 has seen some exciting developments, excellent events and lots of improvements to our local
environment. We are proud of what our communities have achieved – the South Ribble Way.
My Neighbourhood Forums use a range of methods to communicate and engage with residents, and are always
looking for new ways to interact. Several times a year, we hold public forum meetings in community venues
around the borough – we showcase progress on our projects and councillors speak with residents.
Each forum has a facebook page, used to promote events, provide updates on projects
and seek feedback on ideas.
Local groups are encouraged to use the pages to share their own news; all pages are set up to be accessible to
anyone, with or without a facebook account.
Leyland - facebook.com/leylandforum
Central - facebook.com/mycentralforum
Eastern - facebook.com/easternforum
Penwortham - facebook.com/leylandforum
Western Parishes - facebook.com/westernparishesforum
In addition to the above, forums manage a range of other project or event based pages, e.g. Longton Live,
Penwortham Autumn Show, South Ribble in Bloom. We also support groups and individuals to manage their
own community facebook pages, providing help with set up and training with posts, uploading images,
messaging, etc. Working across the network of pages, we reach thousands of people.
Monthly ‘what’s on’ guides are produced for each of the neighbourhood
forums, directing people to both regular activities, e.g. swim sessions, and
one-off events.
These are displayed at forums, on notice boards around the borough, and distributed by members to local
venues such as churches, village halls and schools. There is a standing arrangement with community groups
such as parish councils to share details of their events, reciprocated with publicising forum news in parish and
village newsletters.
My Neighbourhood pages on the Council’s website offer further detail including:
Names and contact details for forum members & lead
officers
Up to date My Neighbourhood Plans for each area
Delegated decisions to show how funding has been agreed
Online entry for South Ribble in Bloom
E-versions of walking route cards for download
Annual timetable for forums
Links to facebook pages
Seasonal information on events, e.g. Penwortham Live,
Leyland Festival, Christmas switch-ons
For more information:
southribble.gov.uk/southribbleinbloom
facebook.com/southribbleinbloom
South Ribble in Bloom is a community gardening competition to add colour,
brightness and boost civic pride. Hundreds of people have been involved to date, as
indivduals and in groups - based on the success in Penwortham and Leyland, the
campaign has been rolled out borough-wide.
Each area has, or is working towards, a committee of volunteers who oversee the
promotion and management of the competition. Categories are:
Best Front Garden Best Hanging Basket / Window Box
Best Business Premises Best Church
Best Community Area Schools Challenge
The schools category is open to nurseries, primary, secondary and futher education
establishments; the theme for this year is ‘Coming of Peace’ – commemorating the
end of World War 1.
People from all backgrounds and all ages take part, from school gardening clubs to
residents of sheltered housing schemes. Committees organized launch events with
Q&A sessions, plant swaps and workshops for beginner gardeners. Free fertilizer has
been distributed to entrants, along with words of encouragement!
Entries increase year on year, with a huge amount of time and effort contributed. For
2018, an overall South Ribble in Bloom competition will run for the first time,
for winners of individual area contests to compete against each other.
Highlights from Central Farington Park Gym
Following an extensive consultation exercise, which
showed overwhelming support for creation of an
outdoor gym, we worked with Farington Parish Council to
make it happen. Funded by the Parish Council and
Farington Community Fund, six pieces of kit have been
installed. The new facility is already proving to be
popular with local residents and we are working with our
partners at ABL Health to deliver induction / coaching
sessions over the coming weeks and months
Lostock Hall Arts Trail at St Catherine’s Park
Working in partnership with Lostock Hall Academy, Brothers
of Charity and St Catherine’s Hospice, we have created an
arts trail which will run through the newly created park,
starting at The Mill Café and finishing up at the WW1
memorial on Lostock Lane. The beginning & end of the trail
will be marked with butterfly and kingfisher wooden
sculptures and will feature 250 yellow clay butterflies, which
have been made by pupils who attend the school’s art club.
The trail complements the latest addition to
St Catherine’s Park – a natural play area to be
opened in April 2018.
Borough War Memorial
The War Memorial, opened in November 2015, continues
to be a popular feature for visitors and local residents
alike. We have received wonderful feedback and some
incredible pictures from photographers who have been
inspired by the soldier silhouette. The popularity has led
to some issues with parking, and complaints about cars
being left in front of the memorial, impeding the view
from the road / roundabout. New planters along the
footway will prevent access for cars mounting the kerb
and further enhance the iconic feature.
Highlights from Eastern
Bamber Bridge Regeneration
The central corridor of Bamber Bridge, along Station
Road, is being transformed as part of the multi-million
pound City Deal Programme. Achievements in 2017/18
included the installation of a community garden area,
with name plaques for special ‘Briggers’ as nominated
by neighbours, friends and family. New, wider
pavements are much smarter, with design feature bus
shelters, planters and benches. Extra on-street car
parking was requested by residents and businesses –
delivered with additional lay-bys. Cycle parking has also
been introduced to encourage sustainable travel.
Walton Park
The Friends of Walton Park do a fantastic job in their
work to improve and enhance the grounds. With
support from the Council this year, they have
secured external funding from LCC and Tesco. We’ve
helped to plant a bluebell meadow, create a willow
walkway and raised beds. A new pond dipping platform is in place, with
nets, kit and an information board. Surrounding planting has been
designed to attract wildlife, including butterflies and dragonflies. New
workwear for the group has been funded too, so they are fully kitted out
for their next round of projects!
Walking Routes
In response to feedback from residents, four local walks have been identified and mapped; clear, user friendly route cards have been published and distributed for people to collect and follow.
Tram Road / Walton le Dale - Bamber Bridge / Walton Park Coupe Green / Gregson Lane - Nabs Head / Samlesbury
As well as promoting walking for exercise and enjoyment, we hope this will bring more of our footpaths back into regular use. If this proves to be as popular and successful as we anticipate, more routes will follow in 2018 & beyond.
Leyland Warriors
Reducing Social Isolation
Leyland Forum has worked hard through 2017/18 on a number of measures
to help combat loneliness and isolation. Local business and organisations
have been very supportive; allowing staff to volunteer. Highlights so far
include training market traders (and others) to be dementia friendly, an
annual social event for older people to signpost support services, and a
monthly information hub at Leyland Market. To be continued, watch this
space……
Malt Kiln Fold (Moss Side Playing Fields)
Leyland Forum has worked in partnership to secure funding, gain permissions and
deliver a huge improvement scheme at Malt Kiln Fold (previously Moss Side Playing
Fields.) To date, this includes:
Bridleway extensions (with Ulnes Walton Bridleway Association)
Bore Hole and water pump (with Barratt and Jays Angling Club)
New sports pavilion & changing rooms (with Sport England & Leyland Warriors)
Car park extension (with Leyland Warriors)
The collective value of these investments is in excess of £500,000, with benefits
for sports teams, horse riders, dog walkers, anglers, neighbours and more. Over
30,000 people use this space each year, both longstanding and new visitors – feedback has been fantastic.
Highlights from Leyland
Bobby the Horse
Possibly our most popular gateway feature yet, Bobby the Iron Horse has
pride of place on Longmeanygate. Funded by the City Deal Programme,
with a contribution from local timber merchant C and W Berry, incorporating
horseshoes donated from nearby stables, Bobby truly is a Leyland icon. We
are incredibly proud of this piece of work, and it seems the public are too:
‘The maker wants publically commending, it's an amazing piece of art.’
‘It gives a sense of pride and that we care about our heritage and town.’ ‘Bobby the horse is beautiful – thank you’
‘I think it's a stunning piece of artwork! It's beautiful’
Highlights from Penwortham
Penwortham Autumn Show
Penwortham Show began as an idea of a
resident, who wondered if there might be some
local interest in a growing, baking and craft
show….. one hard-working committee & four
shows later, around 5,000 people have been
involved (volunteers & participants.)
The forum has ‘incubated’ this event; that is,
supported it initially, whilst establishing a
financially sustainable model of delivery for
the committee. September 2017’s event covered
all costs and generated a surplus for future years.
Penwortham Live
Penwortham Live music festival is now in its sixth year, with performances to suit all ages and tastes. Hosted by over 20 venues across the town, including coffee shops, churches, restaurants, the local Spar and an estate agents. The event is designed to bring the community together, whether performing, volunteering or enjoying the entertainment. A £5 wristband can be purchased from any performer or venue for access to all venues, all weekend. 2017 was a complete sell out; 3000 wristbands sold and record levels of revenue for venues – so 2018 will be bigger and better, with more venues to add capacity.
Heritage Trail
Residents expressed an interest in Penwortham’s history, following schemes such as Greenbank Road Conservation Area. Local historian Elizabeth Basquill has worked with the forum to produce a series of Heritage Trails – mapping sites of historic interest which are publicly accessible residents and visitors to enjoy. In 2017/18 the following booklets were produced, with a further one to follow: -
Lower Penwortham
Higher Penwortham
Trams and Trains Due to overwhelming popularity, all trail booklets have gone to re-print, with 10,000 distributed so far.
Highlights from Western Parishes
Longton Live
Longton Live uses the same operating model as Penwortham,
with the shared aim of bringing the Western Parishes
community together. The village comes alive over the
festival weekend; footfall is significantly increased – 2017 was
once again a sell out at 3000 wristbands, plus more than 100
venue hosts and volunteers.
Feedback from businesses, groups, residents and visitors
demonstrates the value of the event to the village, and wider
area. ‘Longton Live, what can I say – a great night out, for all
ages. Something for everyone with a real community feel, I love it,
We all do.’
Walmer Bridge
2017/18 saw some big changes to the village centre in
Walmer Bridge – a new look for the area outside the
shops with a contemporary feel, yet reflecting the mill
heritage. The forum led consultation work with
residents, businesses and Little Hoole Parish Council.
Their feedback, combined with research into the history
of the village, inspired a loom feature noticeboard,
planting in a silk thread pattern and mulberry trees
(once used to feed silk moths.) Seating was improved,
pleasing older neighbours and short stay car parking has
been enhanced for visitors & shop customers.
Longton Village Market & Welcome Café
The monthly market at St Andrew’s Church Hall provides
crafters, bakers & traders with a retail outlet, the local
Women’s Institute with a coffee shop, and an opportunity
to ‘shop local.’ The forum supports the market with
promotion, securing stalls and set up / set down.
Alongside the market, a free dementia-friendly welcome
café has been established inside the church – enabling
carers to visit the market, reassured that the person they
care for is in a warm, safe environment with drinks, snacks,
entertainment and trained volunteers
Truck Trail Launch Manchester Vigil
Launch
My Neighbourhood Forums also supported:
Teddy Bears’ Picnic Penwortham Open Gardens Lostock Hall Spring Market
Much Hoole Spring Fete Lostock Hall Carnival Farington Family Fun Day
Longton Health Mela Walmer Bridge Beer Festival
Windrush Festival Leyland Festival
Taste of Leyland Spring
Social
My Neighbourhood Forums also supported:
Volunteer Recruitment Event Lostock Hall Halloween Hunt Truck Trail Close
Priory Democracy Day Bug Hotel Workshops Friends Group Network
Much Hoole Christmas Market Pumpkin Patch Workshop International Women’s Day
Christmas Tree Switch ons at: Longton, New Longton, Bamber Bridge & Leyland Cross
Community clean-ups
Bamber Bridge Walking Nativity South Ribble Big Do
Leyland Christmas Festival
In Bloom Awards Ceremony Lostock Hall Christmas Market
The Council is committed to offering good value, high quality services for the benefit of South Ribble
neighbourhoods.
With this in mind, it is vital that we are always seeking to evolve and adapt
to the needs of our communities.
We have committed to producing a bi-annual newsletter – updating
residents on activity in their area and seeking their feedback and views.
We will continue to work in partnership and bring in external funding
wherever possible; we recognise the need to make the Council’s money
go further.
We will work closely with colleagues from across the Council, especially in
Neighbourhood Services, to offer efficient and joined up front line services.
We will always endeavour to innovate, think differently & empower our
communities to help themselves.
We will listen, respond & remain customer focused.
We will work in line with the Council’s Corporate Plan to make sure everything we do contributes to our
Corporate Priorities.
Do you have a project idea you would like to discuss?
Are you part of a group or organisation that needs some support to grow & develop?
Do you want to get more involved in your local area?
If yes to any of the above, or if you have any queries, questions or comments, we would love to hear from you.
You can reach us via:
01772 625224
southribble.gov.uk/myneighbourhood
Community Works Team, South Ribble Borough Council, West Paddock, Leyland PR25 1DH