The equivalent of thousands of new schools may be needed after official estimates showed that the pupil population will rise by 1m within the next decade. Data published by the Department for Education showed that the number of children in the state system will top 8m by 2021 – the highest number in 50 years. […]

According to the Daily Mail on 22nd Feb county roadas are the deadliest place for drivers.  This will come as no surprise to residenst in Preston West where many rural roads are delimited.  “This is very dangereous” says County Councillor Bill Winlow, “because many drivers seem to think that is is safe to go at […]

Regional authorities will have to compete with each other for funding for transport, skills and housing developments under plans to be unveiled by the Government today. The Coalition is planning to pool billions of pounds of regional spending into a single fund in a bid to decentralise public spending and boost economic growth outside London. […]

Ofsted have ruled that three of the first seven free schools championed by Michael Gove are “not good” schools. Each school now faces another full-scale inspection within the next two years. Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: “It is dreadful therefore that schools which the Prime Minister and the Education […]

“The invidious “bedroom tax” is causing  a lot of financial problems locally for those who can least afford them The statement below goes a long way to helping those who are Foster carers or in the armed forces and that Discretionary Housing Payments remain for those whose homes have had significant adaptation for disability and/or medical conditions that make sharing a […]

Today’s Financial Times  carries a letter from a coalition of councils, developers, housing associations, professional bodies and academics, headed by Sir Steve Bullock, executive member for housing at London Councils; Liz Peace, chief executive of the British Property Federation and Grainia Long, chief executive of the Chartered Institute for Housing. The letter urges the Government […]

The Financial Times reports that local authorities across Britain will urge the Chancellor to use the Budget to end restrictions on their ability to borrow money allowing them to build more homes. The Local Government Association will back an amendment to the Growth and Infrastructure Bill which is being discussed in the House of Lords […]

The Guardian looks at the escalating problem of potholes and suggests measures that consumers should take if they hit a hole or notice one. David Weeks, from the Asphalt Industry Alliance, comments that the current “patch and mend” system of dealing with potholes is inefficient. He comments: “What is needed is for the Government to […]

The following paragraph from LGIU Daily News tells us that we are not alone in facing predatory developers in Preston. Fortunately we have a Local Development Framework which is in its final stages and awaits sign off by Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Covernment, but just think how much worse things […]

“Housing developments in Preston West will affect all of us with traffic problems and congestion unless there is a real strategy from Lancashire County and Preston City Councils working in harmony on these issues” says County Cllr Bill Winlow. “After drawing local residents attention to Preston’s Preferred Site Allocations at Stoney Butts and off Dodney […]