Awards for Local POP Stars
Three of Blackpool and Fylde’s most innovative partnership initiatives have been awarded at this year’s De Vere POP awards this week.
Fylde LSP Logo
The Park View 4U initiative, from Fylde, the Clare Street Anti Social Behaviour campaign and Yourspace (both from Blackpool) won the Fylde and Blackpool categories of the Problem Orientated Partnerships (POP) awards, designed to recognise responses to problems that have used partnership working. Park View 4U took the coveted De Vere overall prize as the best initiative.
Councillor Tony Williams, Chair of BSafe Blackpool, who organised this year’s awards, said: “All the initiatives nominated for awards deserve recognition not just the winners. They show how, by working together, the different agencies across Blackpool and the Fylde can tackle issues that threaten the safety of residents and visitors.
“The winning initiatives worked particularly hard and made a huge difference to the lives of the community. They truly embraced the philosophy of sharing expertise and resources and set an example to all community groups.”
Clare Street had been suffering from incidents of anti-social behaviour involving groups of young people engaging in drinking and criminal damage. The response involved staff from the police, BSafe Blackpool, Council Social Services and Occupational Health staff and Blackpool and Fylde College. It involved dealing with a family who were having problems and the college speaking with the young people to deal with their issues. Meetings with residents highlighted the causes of some of the problems which could then be dealt with and railings were put in place in some areas to reduce congregational space available to the young people.
The Yourspace initiative took joint first place for Blackpool. This is an initiative to combat youth nuisance by providing diversionary activities for the young people in South Shore. A weekly activity group now meets at Palatine Leisure Centre offering young people between 11 and 17 years of age the chance to try their hand at cheerleading, MCing and football. At the meetings Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service officers provide demonstrations and advice and police officers get involved with playing games to help engage with the young people. The scheme quickly became very popular with another group now being formed which involves giving the young people access to Palatine Library for an evening.
Fylde took the overall prize which gives them £1,000 from the De Vere. Park View 4U was designed to deal with criminal damage to street furniture, juvenile antisocial behaviour and an apparent lack of facilities for families in the Lytham area. Road safety partners were involved in making Park View road in Lytham safer by altering its layout in some areas and also reducing the number of cars parked on the road by introducing a new car park on the site of the park itself. This encouraged more local residents to make use of the park and to encourage further use of the park two new cycle paths were added. The council dealt with drainage issues to make the land in the park suitable for four new football pitches. A BMX track was introduced and this has seen the development of a club that meets at the park on a weekly basis.
To encourage the use of the park by all ages a toddler play area was designed and installed within the park near to a skate park for teenagers. Even senior citizens were catered for through the installation of eight pieces of Thai Chi equipment.
The scheme has brought the community together to enjoy their local space. It has provided them with things to do and encouraged respect for the area. It was recognised as having a huge impact on the community and it is hoped the scheme will develop even further to include development of café and toilet facilities.
Bryan Ward, Community Safety Manager at Fylde Community Safety Partnership said: “I am delighted that the overall winner is from the Fylde but must say that all the initiatives involved are truly excellent and have all done a wonderful job in protecting our towns.
“The Park View 4U was a huge project at the time and has received a tremendous response from local residents. It was truly partnership led and is well deserving of this accolade and I add my congratulations to all involved.”
Chief Superintendent Russ Weaver, Divisional Commander for the Western Division of Lancashire Constabulary, presented the awards and said “These awards aim to recognise the excellence in achieving solutions to local community problems.
“The entries demonstrated the fantastic work that goes on in Blackpool and the Fylde to improve the quality of life for residents. It provided an opportunity to recognise these achievements and to celebrate the effects that they have had on the local community.”
The Lancashire POP awards will be held in May.
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