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On the 4th May 2017 residents of St. Anne’s on the Sea will vote on their Neighbourhood Plan. If the Plan is approved it will be the most significant day in the history of the town since the Town Council was formed.
The decision to produce a Neighbourhood Development Plan was made by St. Anne’s on the Sea Town Council in June 2013. The period between then and now has seen the project grow from zero knowledge and experience to a fully consulted complex 110-page document.
Two public consultations have taken place including holding themed groups, market research in Supermarkets, St. Anne’s Square giving away freebies (pens and bugs) to residents, press releases, online questionnaire which returned over 750 responses, stalls at local events including the Carnival, Photography competition in association with LSA Technology & Performing Arts College (the winning photo is included in the Neighbourhood Plan. Full Council meetings, held every quarter, are open for members of the public to attend. Standard forms of communication have been used throughout including notices in our noticeboards, on our website and social media. Our Newsletter has been released on a seasonal basis and has been delivered to 14,000 homes in the Parish.
The Town Council has actively sought the knowledge of experts to ensure the Plan was expedited and promoted as efficiently as possible.
The Public Hearing of the Neighbourhood Plan took place on the 7th June 2016.
Fylde Borough Council approved the plan on the 2nd March 2017 and since then the Town Council has been actively promoting the Referendum date.
Social Media: Posting regular updates (videos, posters etc.) on Facebook, Twitter and Next Door. We have also paid for advertising on Facebook. Information on our website with a countdown clock and electronic versions of the Newsletters.
Media: Articles sent to Lytham St Annes Express (LSAE) and Blackpool Gazette. Advertising paid for in the Local List and the LSAE. A dedicated segment was broadcast in April 2017 on That’s Lancashire TV.
Offline: SATC Newsletter delivered to 14,000 St. Anne’s on the Sea homes. Posters in our noticeboards. A Neighbourhood Plan display in our office at the West Lodge (entrance to Ashton Gardens).
Other Promotions: At STEP meetings, Car Stickers, General Information leaflet, Badges, Small round stickers, Window stickers for local business, shouts by the Town Crier – Colin Ballard, Posters at Fylde Council and the library; train station noticeboards, communications to local MP and LCC candidates requesting they promote the Plan in their campaign literature, e-mails and letters to local community groups / interested parties / schools / statutory consultees encouraging promotion of the Plan, leafleting doctors / dental surgeries / care homes / hairdressers etc., posters and information to allotment sites.
Referendum Week: In the week leading up to the 4th May we will continue much of the above but also add additional promotional avenues including further A3 posters around town, banners on railings, garden stakes etc.
On Referendum Day, the Town Council will provide a helpline (01253 781124), visit the Farmers’ Market and display A Boards outside key locations (as reminders to vote).
With a staff of 4 (two full-time and two part-time), for the last two years, every effort has been made to reach and inform local residents. Of course, no process is perfect and if we have not been able to make all residents aware of the plan, we apologize. It hasn’t been for want of trying!
The most important form of promotion left to us now is Word of Mouth. Please spread the word to vote on Referendum Day.
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