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I OmERDEADVERnSEKSTIlES Lucky escape from Gisburn crash


Two very young children and their grandmother suffered minor injuries in a car crash


in Gisburn on Tuesday after­ noon. IthappenedonMainStreet


(the.459) outside the former police house at the edge -of the Tillage at i-45 pm, -when a blue Honda hatchback collid­ ed with a stone wall, causing significant impact damage to the front ofthe vehicle. Police, an ambulance crew and the North West Air Ambulance all attended the scene. Theownerofthehousehad


onlyminutesbeforemovedhis brand new motorcycle from the driveway, nerd to the de­ molished wall, to washit at the rear ofthe property.


vwwditheroeadyertiser.co.uk Thursday.May8.2014


+ Thursday, May8,2014 www.clitheroeadvertiser.c6.uk


Care home boss failed to keep proper records


A Clitheroe care home boss has been banned from being acompanydirectorforseven years after failing to ensure his companies kept proper books and records. Kyle Ashley Goldsmith


(41), a director of Kymo Holdings Limited, Lanca­ shire Nursing & Residential Homes Limited and Care- croft Limited - all of which were involved with the op­ eration of a care home in Clitheroe - was banned fol­ lowing a hearing at Bolton County Court. His disqualification, ac­


Clitheroe’s new Mayor


The new Clitheroe town mayor was voted in at the traditionalMayorMaking cer- emonywhich took place at the MootHafl-nowpart of Clithe­ roe Library, on Tuesday. Coun.Val Cooper, who has


been the Deputy Mayorforthe past municipal year, was pro­ posed as Mayorhy the incom- ingleader ofthe town counciL Coun. MarjT Robinson. The new Deputy Mayor was also appointed and is Coun. .Tim Shervey. Coun. Cooper has been


a town councillor for three years and in her new role as Mayorshe automatically takes overthepresidency ofthePen- dle Club, a popular luncheon club for the elderly, of which she is currently secretary and a passionate advocate.


She commented: “It’s been


an amazing day and I’m in­ credibly proud to becomethe Mayorof Qitheroe.1 can’twait to get toknow all of Clitheroe’s organisations, charities and townspeople.' Coun. Cooper also ac­


knowledged that her pred­ ecessor, Coun. Kevin Horkin will he a hard act to follow. She said: “Kevin has done


a brilliant j ob throughout his term as mayor andraisedsuch a lot of money along the way. 1 can’t hope to match the amaz­ ing sums he’s raised, but I’m going to do my best - ray term will be ah about loving, caring, giving andsharing.withlots of laughter along the way’ I hope." The ceremony also saw


the traditional procession through Clitheroe.


Couru Val Cooper is the new Mayorof Clitheroe, voted into office this week


tive from April 24th, follows an investigation by the Insol­ vency Sendee and prevents him from acting as a compa- ny director or from manag­ ing or in any way controlling a company until 2021. The investigation found


that minimal records had been delivered up to the liq­ uidators of the companies following their failure in 2011 and 2012, and as a re­ sult it was impossible to ver­ ify the companies’ financial dealings, in particular, the extent of their assets and li­ abilities, the purpose of cash


transactions and the nature of inter-company transac­


tions. As a director, Mr Gold­ smith had a responsibility to make sure this was done.


Commenting on the dis­


qualification, Robert Clarke, Group Leader of Insolvent Investigations North at the Insolvency’ Service, said: “Di­ rectors have a clear, statuto­ ry duty to ensure that their companies maintain prop­ er accounting records, and, following insolvency, deliver them to the office-holder in the interests of fairness and transparency. “Without a full account


of transactions it is impos­ sible to determine whether


a director has discharged his duties properly, oris usinga


lack of documentation as a cloak for impropriety. “Mr Goldsmith has paid


the price for failing to do that, as he cannot now carry' on in business other than at his own risk.’ The companies had a


combined deficiency of more than £1.5 million, hav­ ing entered separate insol­ vency’ proceedings between May 2011 and February20i2.


Villages making" plans


Bolton-by-Bowland, Holden people as possible can put and Tosside held their first forward ideas. The first two Issues Workshop to collect are at Bolton-by-Bowland view’s on w’hat people would Village Hall on Tuesdays May like to see included in their 13th and 20th at 7-15 pm and Neighbourhood Plan. Three the last at Tosside Milage more workshops are now Hall later this month on a planned to ensure as many date to be confirmed.


‘I feel like I am being penalised for sending my child to a Catholic school’ - parents speak out


• continued from page 1 Faith (4i),wrhoisateaching


assistant at St Michael and St John’s RC Primary School in Clitheroe, explained that she had been paying £380 for her son Elliot’s bus fare to St Au­ gustine’s. How’ever, follow­ ing a consultation exercise by LCC, this bill will increase to £475 a year from September. Elliot (12) is in Year Eight


at St Augustine’s. His brother Josh (11) is due to start St Au­ gustine’s in September mean­ ing Faith, of Newton Street, Clitheroe, will be faced with an annual bus fare bill of£950. . “Ifeellikelambeingpenal-


ised for sending my child to a catholic schooL’ she said. Rachel Stanworth (40), of


Mytton Mew, Clitheroe, is al­ so angry’ at the increase and described the public consul­ tation exercise by LCC as a


“joke". Her daughter Zara (13) is


in Year Nine at St Augustine’s while her son Matty (eight) is a pupil at St Michael and St John’s. Rachel said she had ob­


jected to having to pay for her children’s school transport when the charge was first in-- troduced three years ago, but these objections were just ig­ nored. “It’s our nearest catholic


high school and we are being penalised,” said Rachel, who is an assistant practitionerfor the NHS community/rehabili- tation team, “They’’re saying eitherpaythebusfare orsend them to a non-catholic schooL “Apart from thefaetthatit’s


a lot of money, it is the prin­ ciple. As always it seems to be theworHngdassfamiliesw’ho seem to be hit the hardest'


Head teacher of St Augus­


tine’s RC High SchooL Michael Wright said: ‘A number of parents have contacted school about the increased fees with very’ real concerns about the affordability of their children attending the schooL Under the changes made by Lanca­ shire County Council, fami­ lies now have two choices: either to move their children to schools which would not be their first preference, or to find the cost of transport themselves. While those on the lowest incomes will con­ tinue to receive free transport, the increased charges will undoubtedly cause financial difficulty’ for many families, particularly those with more than or e child. “We have already seen an


increase in families choosing to transport their children to


school by car, impacting on al-


ready congested routesat peak times, evenwhere car-sharing arrangements are used. This is likely to worsen from Sep­ tember when there will be a 25% rise in the cost of the bus pass. “It is a shame that Lanca­


shire County Council have chosen to address their fund­ ing difficulties by applying charges to families who have chosen a faith based educa­ tion. I am sure that many of these families will be disap­ pointed by the dismissive at­ titude ofthe council towards the consultation and won­ der where the council’s pri­ orities lie when they reflect on the sums of money spent on recent partnership agree­ ments.' However, County Coun. Matthew Tomlinson, cabinet


member for children, young people and schools, has de­ fended the council's decision. “As things stand, the coun­


ty council continues to bear more than half the cost of transporting pupils to faith schools, so we can hardly be accused ofreligious discrimi­ nation, especially as some lo­ cal authorities have removed the subsidy altogether. “Following a decision tak­


en in20io, parents were asked to contribute towards this, al­ though taxpayers continued to bear about 60% ofthe cost. There has been no increase in that contribution until the one approved in February this


year, to take effect in Septem­ ber. “The county cou n c i l


spends about £\,ooo per pu­ pil, per year on denomina­ tional transport, so parents


pay considerably less than the true cost. And those on lowin- come who are entitled to free transport will continue to re­ ceive that support ‘We need to close a fund­


ing gap of around £300m by 2017. This means that we have had to look at every area of our spending very closely, including school transport, which represents a very large annual use of public money.’ Mainstream school trans­


port cost £8.5m in 2012/13, about half ofwhich was discre­ tionary transport provision, outside the county council's legal obligations. The largest element of dis­


cretionary transport is de­ nominational transport and as Lancashire has an unusu­ ally high proportion of faith schools it accounts for almost half.


CUTHEROEADVERTISERSTIMES I New map promotes two-wheeled treks


Five treks for cycling enthu­ siasts have been set out in a new map produced by Ribble Valley Borough Council in partnership


with Lancashire County Council. The Ribble Valley Cycle Map features three short and two medium treks by road or fell suitable for both novice and experienced riders plus families. The routes take in numer­ ous Ribble Valley villages, including Downham, Chipping and Hurst Green plus the Upper Dunsop Valley and Gisburn Forest. The council's culture and leisure services manager, Colin Winterbottom, said: “With its quiet country lanes, breathtaking scenery and attractive pubs and cafes, Ribble Valley is the ideal destination for cyclists. “This new map is the perfect starting point for cyclists looking to explore our picturesque borough and stay fit at the same


■ time.” The new treks are part of the 260-mile Lancashire Cycleway that runs through Ribble Valley and takes in the famous Gisburn Forest Mountain Bike Trail.


has been finalised


byFaizaAfzaal faiza.afzaal@jpress.co.uk Twitter:@clithadvertiser


A controversial planning blueprintfor housing that details howthe Ribble Val­ ley should grow up to 2028 isfinallysettobesubmitted to the Government having undergone a series of crucial modifications.


The Ribble Valley Core Strat­ egy- the borough’s long-term development plan up until 2028 - will be considered at a meeting of the Planning and Development Commit­ tee meeting tonight (Thurs­ day) before being sent to the Governmentinspectorforhis final approval. It sets out plans to build an


annual average of 280 homes a year until 2028. As we reported earlier


Ribble Valley Borough Council culture and leisure services manager Colin Winterbottom.


Fundraiser boost for care of police’s canine helpers


A coffee morning held to raise cash for the Retired Police Dogs’ Benevolent Fund raised £630. Dozens of people, includ­


ing Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans and Whalley council­ lor Joyce Holgate, attended the fund-raiser aimed at sup­ porting ex-police dogs. The cake stall itself made


over £100. the book stall al­ most sold out and the scarf and bag team did a roaring trade in scarves. Mrs Sheila Maw, organ­


iser and founder ofthe char­ ity, said: “There were two demonstrations by the police


dog team, which were greatly appreciated and many peo­ ple were astonished at the work that they do and their tremendous ability-and obe­ dience. “Compliments abounded


from everyone. The police dog handlerswere complimented on their skills and the under­ standing way they put it over to the people. “Also in attendance was


Hirro - a recently retired G.S.D. (German Shepherd) now living the life of luxury with a couple in Cliviger - Mr and Mrs Cannon. “Jim Cannon is a retired po­


liceman andagreatsupporter ofourfund.” Mr Evans said: “When a


police dog is retired from ac­ tive service there is no finan­ cial support in place to ensure that they are looked after. “They are wonderfully ef­


fective in the fight against all sorts of crime, from antisocial behaviour and protecting of­ ficers from violent criminals to the detection of drugs. “ Police dogs perform a


great public service and they ought to be looked after in their retirement, jus t like anybody else retiring from the police force.”


Campaign aims to help Valley people falling prey to conmen


A new campaign has been of these scams. His vulner- country and to prevent UK- launched to alert Ribble Val- able father, who suffers from based distribution centres ley people to the latest scams, mental health problems, sent profiting by sending them out. May is National Scams off cheques for hundreds of Research shows that the


Awareness Month and Lanca- pounds after receiving sacks majority ofscamsgo unre­ shire County Council Trading full of letters with details of ported, and estimates put Standards plus the Citizens fake lottery scams, to name the real cost to Lancashire Advice Bureaux want to re- just one, as a result of being residents at £6401 annually, veal more about the methods on what the criminals call a with 76,000 peoplebecoming being used by criminals to “suckerlist”.


victims every year,


con members of the public He eventually managed to CAB staff and volunteers through online scams, postal persuadehisfathertohavehis will be working with Trading cheats, phone cons and door- mail redirected to him, so that Standards to visit venues and step rip-offs.


he could deal with the letters, community groups through- The son of a Clitheroe but said Government legisla- out the campaign to offer in-


76-year-old knows only too tionisurgentlyneededtostop formation and advice, well about the consequences these scams coming into the County Coun. Janice Han­


son, cabinet memberforpub- the scams that are out there Ifyou thinkyou have been


lie protection, said: “Anyone the more we can do to moni- scammed report it to Action can fall foul of a scam and tor trends and warn others. Fraud on 0300 123 2040 to thousands ofpeople lose mon-


ey or are conned out of their fraudsters is to know what ers. personal details every year in to look out for and we’ ll be


Lancashire alone, with some focusing this month on warn- services by credit card you losing huge amounts.


“The best way to beat the ■- help stop it happening to oth- Ifyou’ve paid for goods or


ing people about the latest have more protection and i f


organised criminals. Some are ble ifyou thinkyou have been be able to ask your bank for a relativelyeasytospot.Butoth- affected.”


ers are much more convinc- You can keep up to date . You can also get advice and ing, and with so many people on any new scam alerts by report it to Trading Standards


•beingaffected, nobody should “liking” Lancashire Trading through the Citizens Advice feel embarrassed to report Standards’ Facebookcharac- consumerserviceono845404 them and seek advice.


terScambusterStanatwww. oso6oronlineadviceatwww. “The more we know about facebook.com/StanleyDards.. adviceguide.org.uk


“Scams are big business for scams, and the advice availa- you used a debit card you may chargeback,


this year, planning inspec­ tor Simon Berkeley, who was examining the strategy docu­ ments, asked the council to


look again at seven issues. He reached the “firm view” that further changes were neces­ sary for “soundness”. In a letter to the council’s


head of regeneration and housing, Mr Colin Hirst, the inspector raised points on housing levels, how houses were distributed, the treat­ ment of villages and land allocation. As a result, Mr Hirst outlined a programme of work, including establish­ ing a sustainability criteria to be applied, an accessibil­ ity assessment for defined settlements, reviewing the capacity for growth, identi­ fying key constraints such as the Green Belt and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, determining what needs to be allocated, drafting modifica­ tions and give a sustainability appraisal. These modifications have


now been detailed in a new submission document by Mr Hirst, which states: “In allocating development, the council will have regard to the AONB, Green Belt and similar


designations when establish­ ing the scale, extent and form of development. “A key change is the need


to work to the higher hous- ingrequirementof28o dwell­ ings per year, which is based upon our existing evidence base provided by the previous housing requirement review considered by members." The report adds: “Em­


ployment development will be directed towards the main settlements of Clithe­ roe, Whalley and Longridge as the preferred locations to accommodate employment growth, together with land at Barrow Enterprise Site, the Lancashire Enterprise Zone at Samlesbury and locations well-related to the A59 corri-


, dor.TheCoreStrategywillbe subject to a monitoring proc­ ess to ensure its policies are addressing the aims and ob­


jectives ofthe plan and also it is kept up-to-date with regard to any implications of chang­ es to the underlying evidence base or legislative or national policy framework.”


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