Late May saw the arrival of the villages lamp post baskets. This year the Council had expanded its scheme from 4 in the village centre and 2 on Chancery Road to 10 on Chancery Road and 5 in the centre.

They were ordered a little late and will take a couple of weeks to catch up on growing but the lengthsman, Robert and Jamie are watering and feeding them to ensure they survive the Summer weather.

Photographs will be posted when the baskets are a little more filled out.

Astley Village Parish Council, Vision Plan to 2011

A new vision plan has been prepared for 2006 to 2011 and agreed by your parish council at their July 2006 meeting. This plan incorporates many of the vision items included in the previous plan and also includes a number of new initiatives covering the environment and communal and personal security.

The full plan is attached on the right. Reports on progress of items in the plan can be read here by using scrolling down the page. The red items on the plan are the newest additions since the previous plan.

VILLAGE ENVIRONMENT

Lengthsman service – The cleanliness of the footpaths and village centre are a tribute to the work done by our two lengthmen.

Tree warden service – after a protracted wait for Chorley Borough Council to organise training courses for volunteer wardens we are delighted to say that a course is now imminent and we have two volunteers to attend.

Village signage and cycle rack outside shops are now complete.

Village centre improvements – in co-operation with Chorley Borough Council improvements to the village centre are ongoing.

Astley in Bloom – Our 2006 event was held on 9 July. Unfortunately this coincided with the wettest coldest day this summer so far. However, this did not deter visitors and we were delighted to have more entrants and visitors than last year. This will be an on-going event and we plan to make it our showcase for the village.

Westway Ponds – now complete but unfortunately already subject to some incidents of vandalism - read about the progress and history of the project using the link.

Euxton Brook - A new addition to our plan is 'Euxton Brook' walkway and picnic area. External funding is being sought to assist with this scheme and the plan will be to link up with Westway Ponds to create an enhanced asset to the village.

PEOPLE

Our major initiatives here are centred on Multi Sports activities during school holidays, and funding an out of school Art Club which is being managed on our behalf by South Lancashire Arts Partnership.

COUNCIL

Web Site - Those of you who are reading this need no introduction to our web site which is, along with our regular newsletters, our main communication channel to our residents.

Nominated Charity - It is our intention in future years to have a nominated charity to which we can donate proceeds of our Astley in Bloom event.

Information Sheet - We will produce a laminated information sheet to be posted to all residents which will give information on important aspects of living in Astley Village.

Attaining Quality Status - It is our intention to prepare and apply for parish council Quality Status. As residents, the most obvious change will be an increase in our newsletter to four issues a year. However, there are other less tangible benefits which should significantly improve and enhance the service you get from your parish council.

SECURITY - PERSONAL & COMMUNAL

Your council is very aware of the concern felt by residents regarding security and following on from the success of our CCTV installation and implementation of ASBO’s we intend to progress the following:

Annual Visual Audit - This involves Lancashire Police, Chorley BC, your parish council and other village centre stakeholders in identifying and rectifying possible and probable causes of disruption and vandalism.

Mosquito Box - This is a new weapon in the fight against vandalism and has already been successfully trialled in Chorley. It is an electronic device which emits a sound only audible to young people and can be turned on & off as required.

Security Gate - Installation of a security gate to restrict access to the flats above the village centre shops.

TRANSPORT

Our significant success here has been to influence the installation of cycle lanes within the village and these are now well on there way to being complete.

We will continue to lobby for a controlled pedestrian crossing over the Tesco gyratory east of the Westway/Southport Road roundabout.

As usual thoughtless parking when dropping off and collecting children at Buckshaw School is on our agenda.

We have also partitioned Lancashire County Council to have a 7.5 tonne weight restriction applied to Chancery Road to cut down on HGV’s using Chancery Road as a 'rat run'.