Ken Hartley

Good morning Barnoldswick, I would like to thank all the residents of Craven ward who voted during the elections on May 3rd.

I feel very honoured to be able to represent you on Pendle Borough Council and will dedicate myself to represent fully and fairly all of the electorate. I will try my best, for the town, its people, its industry and its commerce. If you have a problem, and you feel that I may be able to help then please contact me.

Preparations are well underway for this year’s “Northwest in Bloom” competition, which Barnoldswick has entered for the first time. Judging will take place on the morning of July 6th 2011 so we need to pull out all the stops. A hands on Working Group of volunteers has been working towards this deadline and the town centre already looks much improved. Part of the Judging process includes a 15 minute presentation including a dossier and short Video on what steps the Town has taken to prepare for the Competition, followed by a walkabout so the judges can see for themselves the impact of efforts to enhance the beauty of our Town.
Although the Judging is a summer event we need to build on our efforts all year round, it needs to involve our Commercial, Industrial and Educational partners to make this event a truly inclusive effort for the whole of Barnoldswick. If you would like to Join our team, or you wish to comment on what we are doing, please contact your local Councillor or use the “Contact” link on the left of this website.

A recommendation has been submitted by The Lancashire Police Authority and Lancashire Constabulary to close front desk services at both Barnoldswick and Earby Police Stations. In addition it is also proposed to close fully the Earby Police Station and sell the building as part of a scheme to save £42 Million over the next four years. A twelve week consultation period with the General Public and Vulnerable Groups will be launched on July 1st 2011. Your Liberal Democrat Councillors on Barnoldswick Town Council have expressed their concerns about this proposal and strongly oppose these recommendations. What are your views on this topic? You can comment on these proposals using the “Contact page” of this website or get in touch with your local councillor. The Lancashire Telegraph featured this story last week, you can read the full story by inserting the following link into your browser http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/pendle/barnoldswick/9080683.East_Lancashire_police_stations_set_to_close/?ref=rss

Initially a community project, funded by The Princes Trust, this Community Garden is now staffed and run by a dedicated group of Volunteers. I visited the Project on Saturday 11th June and was impressed by the scale of the project and the ambitions of its members.
The project has an impressive track record reaching out to a wide range of community sectors from Primary School pupils to Retired or Infirm members of the local community. It teaches Gardening Techniques to those who are willing to learn and instills a real sense of confidence and acheivement through hands on experience.
On Saturday I met up with a young man who had been referred to the project by a local Job Centre, and like myself, it was his first visit to the project. In just a short while he had already picked up on the tangible enthusiasm that pervades the garden and was beginning to realise the value of being an active part of the group.
The Project also offers an oasis of tranquility to it’s members and the satisfaction that is unique to the “Grow your Own” community.
Sadly, in common with many other community projects, it is desperately short of funding to enhance the scope of its activities, Short of land, to extend the experience to a greater number of those who desire to cultivate their own unique plots, and short of new and perhaps younger members to share the load of keeping up the high standard demonstrated by it’s long serving members.
If you think you can help in any way, a few hours per month of your time will yield rich rewards.
Please use the contact form on this website, or contact your local Councillor, if you are interested in helping with this Project, any offers of assistance would be gratefully received.

Youth Clubs at Barnoldswick’s Youth and Community Centre are being axed by Conservative Councillors on Pendle Borough Council. The cuts also include axing all community sessions at the Station Road Centre.
“This is a massive blow” said David Stead (Pictured Left with Janine Throupe). “Opportunities for teenagers to be involved with positive activities will be very much reduced.”
Use the “Contact” link on the left panel to let us know your views.

Town Councillors Lindsay Gaskell, Ken Hartley and Janine Throupe say No to Green Field Building. Conservative Councillors proposed allocating fields at Clifford St. and open space at Parker St. as housing land at the first meeting of the Pendle Council Executive following the May Elections. The plots of land are owned by Lancashire County Council and Pendle Borough Council, both of which are run by the Tories.
LibDem councillors forced a deferment of the decision, pointing out that there had been no Public Consultation at all on the proposals. The LibDem team are fighting against the Conservative plans. Lib Dem councillors will be out and about in the Town over the next few days collecting signatures on a petition to stop this autocratic proposal. Please help our campaign by contacting a member of your local LibDem team.

I would like to thank all the persons who voted in the Local Elections on 5th May 2011 and commit to serving all the residents of Barnoldswick to the best of my ability. If you have concerns or problems on any issues associated with Barnoldswick please do not hesitate to contact me or any other member of the LibDem team.