Update to Boiler Upgrade Scheme

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The government recently announced that it has expanded the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to include air-to-air heat pumps and heat batteries.  The scheme currently offers grants of £7,500 off the cost of installing an air source or ground source heat pump, which can keep homes warm during the winter, and has been expanded to offer a £2,500 discount off the cost of installing an air-to-air heat pump providing heat in winter and keeping you cool in summer.

The grants are available to all households, and form part of the government’s £13.2 billion Warm Homes Plan. Households will also be able to claim £2,500 off the price of heat batteries, which can store heat overnight for use during the day. This is alongside a consultation on the role alternative heating systems, such as storage heaters, infrared panels or renewable liquid fuels, can play so that every household has a low-carbon option that is right for them.

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Notice from Lancashire Police
Our message is clear – don’t drink or drug drive
We are urging motorists not to drink or drug drive throughout the festive season. Offenders will face the full force of the law if they do, like any other time of year. Operation Limit is a national campaign that runs throughout December. It aims to prevent drug and drink-related casualties across the Christmas period .Extra road policing patrols will be out across the county, as well as using drink and drug check sites. The campaign also involves messaging on pub screens, petrol pumps and other locations. Last December, police conducted 307 drug wipes and 2,189 breath tests. Officers arrested and charged 314 people with either drink or drug driving. Each year, this figure sadly rises, particularly with regards to drug driving offences. Men between the ages of 20-39 make up more than half of all drink and drug drivers. Many of these men still test positive from drugs or alcohol consumed the night before. Supt Dave Hannan said: “We carry out activity all year round to keep our roads safe. But we know that Christmas is a busy time on the road network. With more parties and social events, people will potentially be indulging more. The wintry weather also brings extra risks. “Everyone on our roads has a responsibility to keep themselves and others safe. We have zero tolerance for those who choose to drive impaired. Regardless of how confident you feel about your driving ability under the influence, you are risking serious harm or death. It’s never, ever worth it. This is reckless, selfish and dangerous behaviour.” He urged people to think about their actions and to make appropriate arrangements for travel.  “There is no appropriate time for taking illegal substances and there is no way to guarantee how long it may take for drugs or excess alcohol to leave your system.“This is why our officers will be out on the roads, day and night, across the county looking for signs of impairment and stopping motorists at checkpoints doing alcohol and drug screening tests.“Our message is simple: say no to drink or drug-driving so everyone can stay safe and get home this Christmas. We also ask that if you know anyone who drink or drug drives, do the right thing and report it. You may save a life or prevent someone from injury. Friends don’t let friends put themselves in danger.”Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, said:”Driving under the influence of drink or drugs is completely unacceptable. Anyone who chooses to endanger the lives of others on our roads should expect to face the full force of the law.”Targeted enforcement operations like this are vital for improving road safety and sending a clear message that getting behind the wheel under the influence of drink or drugs will not be tolerated.“We know the devastation these reckless choices can cause. If you’re going on a night out, plan, nominate a sober driver, book a taxi, or use public transport. Don’t risk becoming the reason for a tragedy on our roads this Christmas.”Anyone who suspects that someone is either about to, or is currently, driving under the influence should call 999.For up-to-date Op Limit information and results throughout December, follow Lancashire Police across social media.

Temporary Road Closure Tennyson Avenue 26th-30th January 2026

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LANCASHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

(TENNYSON AVENUE, READ, RIBBLE VALLEY)

(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF THROUGH TRAFFIC) ORDER 2025

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Lancashire County Council intend to make an Order under Section 14(1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended, the effect of which will be to temporarily prohibit traffic on the roads set out in this notice.

  1. No person shall cause any motor vehicle to proceed over that length of Tennyson Avenue, Read from its junction with George Lane to its junction with Church Street.
  • Nothing in this order shall apply to persons engaged in the carrying out of the works.
  • The prohibition will be operative from 0800 hours on 26th January 2026 until 1700 hours on 30th January 2026 or until completion of the works within this period.  
  • Vehicular access for residents will be maintained whenever and wherever possible. Pedestrian access to properties will always be maintained.  Access for emergency services will be maintained. 
  • An alternative route for vehicular traffic affected by the closure is via: –

                    George Lane – Whalley Road – Church Street

The temporary prohibition is necessary to allow Network Plus on behalf of Electricity North West to carry out essential works on their assets.

Authority given for this Order to be made:

Amanda Meldrum,

Streetworks Team Leader

Highways Network Management

Highways and Transport

03001236780

[Ref: HRiT/64926/KF]

LCC Winter Campaign

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lcc-logo

We’ve launched our second #LancsWinter campaign. It brings together everything Lancashire County Council offers to help residents stay safe, well and supported this winter.

The campaign runs until the end of February. It covers all areas of the council and aims to meet people where they are, providing the information they need.

Themes include:

Winter Ready
Winter Wellbeing
Winter Support
Winter Travel
Winter Fun
Winter Opportunities
Winter Flooding
Winter Gritting
From low-cost festive family fun and Warm Spaces to road safety and self-care, we’ve got it covered.

Visit the campaign webpage: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/winter

Follow the campaign, share your ideas and tips, and help spread the word. Use the hashtag #LancsWinter to join the conversation.

Consumer Alerts – November 2025

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Locksmith scams  

Locksmith scams often target people in desperate situations, escalating prices and doing unnecessary work.  Be careful if searching for a locksmith online, make sure the locksmith you choose is a known local trades person, not a fake business listing.  Be suspicious if you are quoted an extremely low price over the phone and then are pressurised into making a quick decision for extra work that inflates the cost, or if the locksmith arrives in an unmarked van, typically locksmiths arrive in branded vehicles. 

A Preston resident recently rang a locksmith after searching online, just to enquire about costs, no visit was arranged or work agreed.  A few hours later the locksmith arrived, the customer was out and the locksmith is now demanding a call out fee.   

The Safetrader scheme can help you find a trader in your area, contact 0303 333 1111 or go to www.safetrader.org.uk.  

WhatsApp Gold scam

Beware receiving a WhatsApp message promoting a sham version of the messaging service calling itself ‘WhatsApp Gold’ which supposedly has special features that can be unlocked by clicking a link.  The link may lead to malware being downloaded to your device.  This is a longstanding scam that it is understood may have resurfaced. 

Be cautious of any messages promoting ‘WhatsApp Gold’.  To report the sender on WhatsApp, open the chat, tap on the sender’s contact details and select ‘block and report’.

Insurance review phishing scam

A Burnley resident received a telephone call from a business claiming to be offering advice on life insurance.  The caller knew the residents name and address and requested further personal details including medical information and details of their current provider.  Options available were to be provided by email and then a call back, neither of which came.

Beware receiving an unexpected call or an advert pop up on social media encouraging you to review your life insurance policy.  The fraudsters may claim they are from a reputable insurance company or that they’ve been asked to do this by the regulators – all in a bid to gain your trust.  They may offer lower premiums but not mention your cover will be reduced, or they are simply phishing for personal information. 

Report scam mobile calls by forwarding to 7726, texting the word ‘call’ then the number.  

Contact the Trading Standards Service via the Citizens Advice consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.

Check out our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/StanleyDards/

Report it to Action Fraud via www.actionfraud.police.uk or on 0300 123 2040. 

Meetings Schedule 2026

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  • Wednesday 7th January 2026
  • Wednesday 4th February 2026
  • Wednesday 4th March 2026
  • Wednesday 6th May 2026 – Annual Parish Council Meeting & Annual Parish Meeting
  • Wednesday 3rd June 2026
  • Wednesday 1st July 2026
  • Wednesday 2nd September 2026
  • Wednesday 7th October 2026
  • Wednesday 4th November 2026