Following our success in the local elections in May, I was appointed to the Executive, Licensing and Public Protection committees at Fylde Council.

I have also been given the shadow Well-being role.

The main current issue is the Wind Farm and this is giving residents of Kilnhouse Ward huge concerns. Some excellent letters have been sent during the consultation period and I hope that all the contributions will be considered. The plans for St Anne's Square is the other debatable problem.

I managed to help the residents of Queensway Court with their slippery moss problem - they had been trying for nearly a month to have the moss cleared.

I am still trying to have the exercise path around Blackpool Road North Playing Fields completed but there has been a change of officers at the Council, which has delayed any progress.

In October, I was made Mayor-elect for 2024/25 at Full Council meeting.

My Deputy will be Cllr Joanne Gardner and our charities will be Homestart Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre and the RNLI.

May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.

In May this year I had the honour of being re-elected onto Fylde Borough Council for the fourth consecutive time and I even topped the poll in Kilnhouse pushing the leader of Fylde Borough Council into 2nd place! May I extend my heartfelt thanks to all those who voted for me, and I can assure all the residents of Kilnhouse, no-matter how you voted, that myself and the Fylde Lib Dem team will continue fighting for our local residents, we will not let you down.

With the new Fylde Borough Council now in full swing, I have been appointed to the following Committees:

• Executive Committee, which is now the key decision making forum in the new streamlined Council.
• Licensing Committee, dealing with all licensing issues such as taxis, gambling, live music, etc.
• Public Protection Committee, which has powers in regards to noise, food storage, pet shops, etc.

I have met with the local PCSO and am in the process of arranging a community meeting to discuss the parking issue around Blackpool Road North Playing Fields, speeding on Singleton Avenue and other roads in the Ward. The PCSO is keen to have regular local drop-in's where residents would be able to air their concerns.

Together with Cllr Joanne Gardner, I continue to chase Fylde Borough Council about the Shell Garage site and I have contacted Highways at County Hall about the condition of Kilnhouse Lane near the mini roundabouts.

I am also requesting an increase to the "No Cold Calling" areas in the Ward, which were delayed by COVID.

That's all for the moment, and I will ensure that I update everyone on the above issues in the near future.

Report on my Fylde Council meetings from September to December 2022:

• Meetings in the first part of September were cancelled because of the passing away of Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II
• 27^th September - Code of Conduct meeting- Town Hall
• 12^th October - Full Council - Town Hall
• 15^th November - Environment, Health and Housing Committee – Town Hall
• 16^th November - Licensing Committee
• Public Protection Committee - Town Hall
• 24^th November - Carbon Neutral Committee – Town Hall
• 5^th December - Full Council – Town Hall

I was also involved in the following activities in our community:

• As a Patron, I attended the Homestart Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre AGM on 28^th September and organised a “Baubles, Bangles and Beads  “ tea party for them on 26^th October raising over £900.00.
• I visited the Wind Farm presentation at Lytham Assembly Rooms on Monday 21^st November to question the proposals.
• On 19^th December, together with other Councillors and Aldermen, I attended the Jewish community's Chanukah Ceremony at the Town Hall.
• December 24^th was Christingle at St Margaret's Church where I had written a nativity story “the Star of Bethlehem” for the Junior Church.
• Blackpool Road North Play Area
  • In November, the long awaited Play Area at Blackpool Road North Playing Fields was finally finished.
  • I am the Vice Chairman of the Friends Group and we had campaigned for a very long time for this work to be undertaken.
  • The Friends Group are now hoping to find funding to have the exercise path completed.
  • I also understand that new toilets have been installed in the Changing Rooms - another issue which I have highlighted.

Fighting for the community is always in the forefront of Lib Dems' efforts, and I look forward to keeping you updated with more news soon.

In summary, I've attended the following meetings and events on behalf of Fylde Borough Council:

• IT Planning Meeting
• Policing in the Fylde
• Housing for Ukraine
• Environment, Health and Housing Committee
• Carbon Neutral Group
• Full Council
• Mayor's Pizza and Prosecco Charity Night
• Centenary Anniversary of Lytham St Annes
• Blackpool Road North Playing Fields Meeting
• Fylde Council Annual General Meeting
• Mini Golf Meeting
• Coastguard Presentation.

In particular, I have been involved in a number of problems arising in the Kilnhouse Ward as follows:

• Highway Repairs: It's great news that Harwich Road is finally getting re-surfaced.
• Speeding: I have personally raised this with the Police.
• Fly-Tipping at the back of Derwent Road.
• Parking around the Blackpool Road North Playing Fields.
• Progress Housing issues.
• Drug dealing report.

As a member of the Fylde Borough Council's Carbon Neutral Group, I am focused on persuading Fylde Borough Council and Ribble Valley Council to sign up to the Climate Emergency Declaration, which will mean that all 14 Councils in Lancashire will be able to show unity on the matter. Wish me luck!

As to the Blackpool Road North Playing Fields, myself and Cllr Joanne Gardner are overjoyed that the design of the Play Park has finally been agreed and the contractors are now building the elements that will constitute this major renovation which is long overdue. It has been over 6 years since I helped to form the Friends Group which has had the path and benches installed and won an award for the the wildflower areas.

I will continue to represent the interests of our Kilnhouse residents and look forward to giving you another progress soon.