Council leader puts himself in firing line
Fylde Council's leader had the grilling of a lifetime in an exclusive Gazette webchat.
John Coombes
Fylde Council's leader had the grilling of a lifetime in an exclusive Gazette webchat.
Fresh from setting a budget which increased council tax by 4.99 per cent, Coun John Coombes contacted The Gazette and said he wanted to take on the public's questions and explain his decisions.
He logged on to www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk and discussed everything from the council tax rise to dog fouling, wheelie bins, youth crime problems and Fylde's tourism future.
Here are selection of questions and answers:
Terry, Weeton – Can you tell me why Fylde Council is always struggling for cash?
Since 1974, Fylde Council has consistently set the lowest council tax levels in Lancashire.
This year the council raises on average £1.2m less than other district councils in Lancashire. The cumulative effect of this avenue of funding has had a significant effect on what services the council can deliver.
Lytham John: What do you make of the fact Lytham is becoming a ghost town? The town's shopping trade is dying.
One of the key challenges relating to empty shops in Lytham is the high rental costs set by private landlords.
Some units would cost more than £20,000 per year in rent alone. This is unrealistic and unsustainable.
I've spoken with Michael Jack and the Local Government Association on this issue and hope the Government will give local councils greater flexibility in addressing either business rates or capping levels of rents in town centres that are struggling.
Peter: Does the council get involved with bringing the Open Golf Championship to Lytham?
We've had a significant input in the past two years in working with the Royal and Ancient for the return of the Open to Fylde.
The financial benefit of the event is estimated at £70m to the economy and that's why the council has given it a high priority.
Noodles: How can the council justify spending so much money employing staff with daft titles, yet many council taxpayers see little or indeed, nothing happening to better their community?
Fylde Council employs its staff on some of the lowest local government pay scales in England.
Although this is of benefit to the taxpayer, sometimes it does present a challenge in attracting qualified specialist staff to the authority.
Stan Pokery: Why are streets never cleaned in St Annes any more?
It would be useful if you could highlight which streets you are talking about. All ward councillors have access to a "report it, sort it"
mechanism and problems with litter would be addressed within 24 hours.
JohnBoy: Peter Callow (Blackpool Council leader) said in his webchat he wanted to bring Disney to Blackpool. If you could bring any attraction to the Fylde, what would it be?
Being a biker I would like to see a Daytona Bike week event come to Costa del Fylde.
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