Lowestoft Town Council
Plenty of tasty treats were on offer at Lowestoft Town Council's Macmillan Coffee Morning today. We raised a brilliant £157.50 - thank you to everyone who contributed!
We look forward to welcoming you to our first monthly market on Saturday. If you are a trader interested in having a stall at this new market it is not too late. We are particularly keen that our shoppers have a wide choice and would welcome additional food and drink stalls. If you have already made contact with us but have not received confirmation please email admin@lowestofttowncouncil.gov.uk or phone 0330 053 6019 as soon as possible.
Read more on Statement of Persons Nominated 17th October Election
Dear Resident,
Apparent lack of news regarding crime doesn’t mean to say it isn’t happening and of course scams are no exception. However, I wanted to advertise those places to which you can guide members to report incidents. I am sure that some of you will have been asked by a member to report something. It is better if they are shown how to report matters themselves. This is particulary true for the police who do require the complainant to be the one to do the reporting. There will always be exceptions of course but as rule of thumb members should be encouraged to report the problem directly rather than through a third party.
Crime is the obvious first one. Suffolk Constabulary have a dedicated place on their website for this purpose. In fact, their website covers a whole range of situations were reporting a matter is not a matter of urgency. This not only covers crime related matters but also those situations that are community based, noisy dogs, noisy neighbours, fly tipping etc. Take a look before something needs reporting and familiarise yourself with the contents.
The site is: https://www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us/report-something Remember that if an incident is taking place or you feel in danger then 999 will always be the number to ring.
101 can be used but it if matter is not urgent and you have access to the computer then the website will often be the best means of reporting a matter.
Anonymity. For what ever reason some people feel unable to make a call that can identify them. Crimestoppers may be the place to go. This information is from the police website:
Crimestoppers is an independent charity helping to find criminals and solve crimes. It gives you the chance to give information anonymously either by phone or online.
Crimestoppers are not the police:
Crimestoppers has never broken its guarantee of anonymity. No one will ever have to know you called. Yet, the simple piece of information you give could help police make an arrest.
Problems with your local area, pavements, roads, signage then the website to visit to report these matters is Suffolk County Council. Suffolk Highways Dept-reporting road and footway faults : https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/highway... It will lead you to a map on which you can locate the problem and submit a report, including downloading of any photos you may have of the problem. It will also allow you to follow the progress (or otherwise) of any action they may take.
Suffolk Trading Standards. If you have issues which you think they should be dealing with or If you need advice, or want to report a scam or rogue trader, call them via 03454 040506
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SUFFOLK TRADING STANDARDS - this week they are warning us about -
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‘We have received a number of reports from residents across Suffolk who have been subjected to scam calls from someone purporting to be from "Suffolk County Court". The caller states that there has been a fine issued against the resident and that it must be paid, otherwise further action will be taken. The caller then goes on to ask for bank or credit card details. If you receive a similar call, HANG UP and do not give the caller any personal details.’ Report any such calls to us via 03454 040506. Staying safe is what Neighbourhood Watch is all about! Brian Sivyer Chairman Lowestoft Neighbourhood Watch Association |
Work is progressing at the Town Hall with emergency repairs to replace roof tiles, repair lead work and clear gullies and soffits. As well as making the roof water tight this will hopefully prevent unwanted visits from pigeons and seagulls! Just the first stage of plans for this historic building, with thank to Historic England for funding this important work. Follow the Town Council for further updates.
News from Historic England regarding the bid to create a High Street Heritage Action Zone for Lowestoft. This further Heritage Action Zone in Lowestoft has been approved.
This below map shows the extent of the proposed boundary. It follows much of the South Lowestoft Conservation Area boundary (being in a conservation area was a key part of the criteria). The boundary runs from the Surrey Street junction with London Road North to just north of the Carlton Road junction on London Road South in Kirkley. The boundary encompasses the South Lowestoft Conservation Area, the harbour, London Road South and the seafront. It also includes the key commercial areas of Station Square, a portion of London Road North and London Road South, which each contain a number of historically significant buildings.
In terms of the provisional programme of projects, these include:
This last weekend saw the start of Lowestoft Heritage Open Days. The Lowestoft Town Hall was open to the public on Saturday and Sunday and by all accounts was a smashing success. Visitors and citizens of Lowestoft had the opportunity to see displays of local history, learn more about the Town Hall, and see for themselves what a valuable asset this wonderful old building can be for the community.
Visitor numbers were up about 10% over last year at 547, which visitors coming in from all over. The Town Hall had visitors from as far away as Australia and a visitor from Scotland who came to Lowestoft specifically for Heritage Open Days. On Friday Heritage England for a private presentation of new research into the Heritage Action Zone are that was attended by the national director of Historic England, Sir Laurie Magnus.
The Mayor, Alice Taylor, wishes to give special thanks to Councillors Susan Barnard, Colin Butler, Alan Green, Graham Parker, John Pitts and David Youngman for their brilliant work at the Town Hall meeting, greeting and guiding for the entire weekend. It’s community spirit like this that makes it possible for a place like the Town Hall to participate in Heritage Open Days and is truly fits in with this year’s Heritage Open Day’s theme of “People Power”.
Even though the Town Hall is no longer open, HOD is still going on this week and through next weekend, so please take some time to visit the many other FREE sites and events in town.
On Wednesday 25th September the Lowestoft Job Center are hosting a Jobfair between 10am and 2pm
Hard work is underway to progress bringing the old Town Hall back to life. Since Lowestoft Town Council became the owner in 2017, it has improved the building’s appearance by installing artistic hoardings over the security sheets on the windows and has also undertaken routine repairs and maintenance when needed. It has also been able to open the superb historic council chamber for public events, such as Heritage Open Days.
However, permanent solutions are needed and the Town Council does not have the required significant funds to inject into major regeneration works. Its ambition is to explore all realistic options for the Town Hall’s future and there has already been a tremendous contribution of ideas from the public. The Town Council also needs any solution for the future of the building to pay its way; it is in everybody’s interests, especially the taxpayers, for a viable solution to be found which does not unduly pull on the public purse or harm the environment and which benefits the community.
Over a period of approximately 5 weeks from mid-September, contractors Purcell and MS Oakes will progress identified emergency repairs on the Town Hall, including to the roof and guttering.
These necessary works are totally funded by Historic England and are in partnership with East Suffolk Council and the Heritage Action Zone. Exciting things happen when we work together!
As part of the Heritage Action Zone, Historic England have also commissioned Colliers International Ltd, specialists in looking for practical and economically sustainable solutions for buildings like the Town Hall, to conduct a feasibility study on future options for the Town Hall and land adjacent to it, on behalf of the Town Council and East Suffolk Council. This exciting project will establish the best long term mutually supportive options for their regeneration.
All of the ideas given to us by the public over the last 2 years will be considered and with these experts, the Town Council and partners will put together a vision for the Town Hall and will apply for funding to make it happen. It is not too late for other ideas to be considered and any thoughts should be sent to admin@lowestofttowncouncil.gov.uk.
