| Paul Hayhurst's Tribunal 1 February 2009
 Fylde's Councillor Paul Hayhurst is this week tried at the Dalmeny Tribunal. It will decide if he has committed misconduct by publicly calling for the resignation of those on the Council who overspent £1.2m of our cash. We provide day by day accounts of the proceedings..... |
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Snippets February 09 01 February 2009
 Swimming pools news, the 'Blue Route', the St Anne's Link Road, Staff transfer to Wyre council, School expansion and plans to cut the number of Fylde councillors...... |
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Exclusive. Standard Conduct? 26 January 2009
 Fylde's Councillor Paul Hayhurst was reported to, and investigated by, the Standards Board for England. He is now to be hauled before a Tribunal for alleged misconduct. What dreadful thing has he done? We bring you the background to a case to be held in public at the Dalmeny next week..... |
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Metacre Wakes Wesham 25 January 2009
 The recent 'Metacre' exhibition has awoken Wesham's residents. A public meeting packed by 200 people heralds the start of a campaign of objection. We bring you a report of the meeting..... |
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Town Council By-Election Result 22 January 2009
 We bring you the result of the by-election where the people of Fairhaven Ward have chosen for their new Town Councillor. We also speculate on the implications for the St Anne's on the Sea Town Council and the wider Fylde.... |
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Exclusive. Development Discord 16 January 2009
 We break news that Fylde's Development Control committee sees tempers flare and a Vice Chairman resign over the BAE Warton retail and leisure development that Fylde was set to oppose at a Public Inquiry this spring - or is it? Who was angry - and who has resigned?..... |
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Exclusive. Housing Growth 12 January 2009
 We break news of two secret plans to develop acres of housing in Fylde, the M55 Hub scheme is moving forward behind closed doors, and we also bring you Fylde's as yet unseen plan for 'Potential Urban Housing Extensions' Huge swathes around St Annes, Wesham, Warton, Lytham and the M55 Hub..... |
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Exclusive. TC Budget 2009-10 10 January 2009
 Saint Annes Town Council considers a draft budget for next year that would double the precept and spend £1,000 a week on admin and overheads. How popular is that going to be?..... |
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TC Runners and Riders 30 December 2008
 We bring you an outline of the four candidates standing for the Fairhaven seat on the Saint Anne's on the Sea Town Council. Who are they? What is their form?, and which should you vote for on 22 January if you live in the St Anne's part of Fairhaven...... |
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UK - Time for Change? 30 December 2008
 One of our occasional articles of wider significance than Fylde. With the New Year in mind, we look at the impact of what was almost global meltdown in the financial world, and we consider what the future holds for our society..... |
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Pontins Redevelopment 23 December 2008
 Northern Trust unveil a plan to demolish Pontins Holiday Centre and replace it with houses. But is it a real plan? We went along to find out more for our readers..... |
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Town Council Object to Queensway Plans 10 December 2008
 The Saint Anne's Town Council planning group voted 4 -0 with one abstention to object to Kensington's plans for Queensway. We bring you a report of the meeting and the voting..... |
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Town Council Vacancy 7 December 2008
 The Saint Anne's Town Council has a vacancy for a new Councillor in the Fairhaven Ward. Candidates are welcome to apply, no previous experience needed, but voters might not know an election is going to happen...... |
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Growing Pains 6 December 2008
 Blackpool objects to Preston's elevated status in the Central Lancashire plan, and to the Growth Point's massive Tithebarn development that will suck the financial lifeblood out of Blackpool and the fylde. Fylde says it's going along with Blackpool for the moment, but it isn't too sure...... |
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Refund Due? 5 December 2008
 After events at the Ratepayers 'Christmas Do' we wonder about the prospect of getting a Council Tax refund...... |
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Wesham Stirs 3 December 2008
 Medlar with Wesham Town Council calls a public meeting to gauge public opinion about a monster development planned for the edge of Wesham. In the quite countryside of Fylde something is stirring...... |
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Exclusive. CPA - Interim Results 24 November 2008
 Having 'bought' the CPA inspection result using all our money, the Commissar is likely to move up in the performance league table. But we say the skids are under him and we don't think he can last until the final results are declared...... |
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Snippets - Nov 08 23 November 2008
 Growth Point Scheme gets moving, Swimming uncertainty, Housing need, Hostel talks breakdown, Parking charges not to be lowered for Christmas, More FBC Constitution changes, St Annes Parish Council vacancy, Queensway objections and more....... |
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State of Emergency 23 November 2008
 Fylde's finances are so bad they declare the equivalent of a financial State of Emergency. How did that get explained away at the Cabinet Meeting that saw Fylde's worst ever financial position reported, and how is it going to be put right?....... |
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Exclusive. MTFS UPDATE 2008 17 November 2008
 Fylde's Finance Chief prepares the Big Red Panic Button for the Commissar. Disaster looms large. The Town Hall Project is to be shelved, the pool sites are to be sold off, spending and recruitment are frozen, emergency powers to be given to individual councillors, and there is talk of redundancy to save money. The coffers are running on empty......... |
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CPA Inspection Due 1 November 2008
 External inspectors will spend 10th to 14th November looking at what Fylde Cabinet does and what people think of it. We explain the background, what's involved, and we provide contact emails for you tell the inspectors what you think...... |
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Queensway Quandaries 30 October 2008
 Kensington's planning application goes live with a lot of changes - and the Commissar is party to some 'agreements' that will change things even more, including roads that will probably not be built for years, reductions in community benefits if the cost of the roads goes up, and even further reductions in the number of affordable houses...... |
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Exclusive. Our next MP? 29 October 2008
 We take a light hearted look at the eight runners and riders that will be reduced to a final four next week, and suggest the odds we would offer if we were operating a book on the result...... |
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Bus Pass Update 28 October 2008
 The Commissar is crying Wolf again this year. We look at the overall figures and examine the background that produced them. We also have a look at how the scheme is working in practice, and wonder if Fylde might be losing out by joining the 'Lancashire Pot' scheme..... |
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QED Launched 14 September 2008
 Queensway Environmental Defenders is a new group set up to defend Queensway from the threat of inappropriate development. They are holding their launch night on 27 Septpember. We look at what's going on, and what are they about........ |
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Snippets August 2008 25 August 2008
 A Pandora's Box of news and views. Streetscene gets a new depot, Wesham is threatened with massive development, the Vogue nightclub is set to reignite anger in St Annes. They'll have to keep the flames well clear of Wyre's new gas plant, and the trouble Wyre's developments in Thornton will cause on roads in Fylde. We also look at some reader views you sent to us; the report that says we should all move south; and the troubles besetting the Les Dawson statue........ |
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Hey Houses 25 August 2008
 New Fylde Housing has run into serious financial trouble on its Heyhouses estate refurbishment programme and they want the Commissar to help out with some cash. They were going to sell some land to a builder but that looks to have fallen through. So now they need a lump of public funding. Will they get it? Well, it is the Commissar's own ward........ |
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Interim Housing Policy 11 August 2008
 Fylde approves its Interim Housing Policy that provides targets for the mix of affordable housing, market value housing and intermediate housing that must be built on any site that gets planning permission. But will the developers bite, and will it 'rebalance' our population as intended...... |
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What's Bugging You? 5 August 2008
 Seven of Fylde Council's officers are confirmed with powers to listen to your phone calls and read your emails. Big Brother (the real one) has arrived. Perhaps they will only use these powers for crime detection - but should they have them at all? And shouldn't crime detection be the job of the police?...... |
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'Masterplan' Considered 4 August 2008
 Councillors and the public get to hear the consultant's presentation of their new 'masterplan'. We bring our readers the story of the meeting. Learn all about 'Enabling development' like hotels and housing on the outer promenade to fund the development if it goes ahead at all....... |
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What Masterplan? 29 July 2008
 We take a first, but in-depth, peek at the much heralded SeaFront Masterplan that could put some new leisure uses and a hotel on the seaward side of St Anne's Prom. How does the pool fit in?, and why does it keep referring to residential use?....... |
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And There's More 25 July 2008
 Cllr Mrs Buckley complains to counterbalance about misrepresentation. We delve deeper to dig for the truth, but find mostly confusion. We also discover Monday's Council meeting may be told it cannot decide a matter that has been referred to it, but must pass it back to the Cabinet for them to decide. If this happens it is the final nail in the coffin of democracy....... |
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Asset Mis-Selling? 22 July 2008
 The Politburo is advised to sell land at Heeley Road worth around £500,000 for a pittance, but opts to sell it at "Full Market Value" - a valuation which itself has inbuilt price-depressing features. Then the Commissar adds insult to injury by giving the buyer a grant equal to the cost of the land. "Freebies R Us in Fylde". Read all about it........ |
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Exclusive. Save St Annes- Results Published 16 May 2008
 The results of the Save St Annes Public Meeting are published, and they make uncomfortable reading for the Town Hall. The pool closure plans are unpopular, but twice as many people are dissatisfied with the way the Council operates. 99% of respondents say Fylde Borough Council should take more notice of its electorate..... |
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Burying the Rubbish 12 May 2008
 To cover up the SreetScene debacle, Fylde implements its planned restructure of senior management. We show how these events are connected and give the background to StreetScene's magnificent £709,000 loss before it is buried forever..... |
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Exclusive. Management Shakeout 1 May 2008
 Embattled Fylde Council plans a shake-up and shake-out of senior management. We break news of the new structure that is expected to be reported to the Cabinet on 7th May. We speculate about why it is being done now, and analyse some of the implications of the proposed changes..... |
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Mayday MayDay Mayday 26 April 2008
 The Parish Poll where St Annes residents should exercise their vote to save the swimming pool will be held on 1 May between 4pm and 9pm. We explain some of the arrangements and look at the background. We also remember a big corruption case that rocked Local Government when bribes were exchanged for planning permissions a few years ago....... |
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Save St Annes 26 April 2008
 We report on the Public Meeting held by St Anne's on the Sea Town Council and Fylde Civic Awareness Group, where a vote of 'No Confidence' in the present Cabinet of Fylde Borough Council was overwhelmingly passed. Speaker after speaker denounced a Cabinet that did not act on the wishes of its residents..... |
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Snippets April 08 16 April 2008
An anthology of snippets: Public meeting news, parish poll news, Lytham Information Centre, Dune Conservation, Office Space and costs, High Performing Council 2, and High Performing Council 3 - (which gives life to the quote from HPC1 that "... All the while the council's services are going down the pan......". |
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Walking on Water 11 April 2008
At last the hidden agenda is exposed. Thanks to Kensington, we can all see it's not about the operating cost of St Anne's Pool, its about asset stripping public facilities to fund promenade re-development. But this time he's probably bitten off more than he can chew. His friends in Blackpool can tell him about demolishing the Derby Baths an act of municipal vandalism that still rankles with most folk around here - and that was 40 years ago..... |
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Pools and Planning 4 April 2008
In its plan to asset-strip the site of St Anne's Swimming Pool - probably to fund redevelopment of the promenade - Fylde Council seems to have forgotten its own planning policies prevent it from redeveloping buildings currently used for sport and recreational purposes for other uses. Is this another own goal?..... |
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Community Railroad 26 March 2008
The South Fylde line is on track to be designated a 'Community Rail Partnership'. So what's that all about then, and why are the local user group angry about Re:Blackpool's plans to run trams on the line as well as trains...... |
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Rubbish Charges 24 March 2008
Fylde introduces more on the spot fines with dog control orders, but says it won't use microchips for weighing waste. (That's going to be the job of a new QUANGO at least that's what the Government might have in store for us)...... |
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Borough Babes: OK? 21 March 2008
Two St Anne's Town Councillors vote to oppose closing St Anne's Pool, but then vote to close it at the Borough Council meeting. A member of the public tears a strip off them in the meeting for being two faced, and calls on them to resign..... |
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All Aboard ? 19 March 2008
Two weeks away from the Commissar's dreaded free offpeak bus travel for OAPs, we ask - will FBC go bankrupt to pay for them? Which bus services are eligible? Why is he offering extra non-statutory free travel? And what happens when you apply for a pass...... |
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Losing Ground 17 March 2008
As Council Tax bills drop through letterboxes this week, we do an in-depth look at why there are big new costs on this year's bill when increases are supposed to be limited to 5%. Is the Commissar conning us..... again?...... |
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SpinMistress 13 March 2008
The Commissar has been giving the media inaccurate figures recently. We look at Fylde's spinsystem, and the Media Policy it uses. Suzie looks to be in the clear, but the 'whole truth' seems to have gone down the pan....... |
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Road Going Nowhere 12 March 2008
The A585 relief road is more or less cancelled for the next 20 years. Is this good news or bad? Will it ever get built? Is it, like the Red Route, consigned to history because we chose the wrong option? ...... |
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Travesty of Democracy 8 March 2008
Exclusive.Our pen picture of the Fylde Council meeting that voted to close Saint Anne's Swimming Pool only 20 years after it was built. Who said what?, and who voted to close it?..... |
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High Performing Council ? 5 March 2008
We (exceptionally) publish someone else's view of just what a high performing Council Fylde is. You might be amused..... |
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Pool Transport 1 March 2008
See how the Commissar is using con tricks with bus pass spending to justify threatening to close swimming pools. But is he really going to close them? We expose the spin and deception in his justification, and look into some possible hidden agendas.... |
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Sink or Swim 25 February 2008
We look again at the threat to close the pools. Why have the operating costs been inflated? Is it an asset stripping scheme to release the site values for commercial development? It's starting to smell like that........ |
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Where's the Money Gone? 25 February 2008
We look into more of Fylde's financial incompetence. This time it's a £709,000 overspend in the Street Scene department. We get closer to what's happened, and why we might be subsidising Wyre's Council Tax...... |
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Growth Point Bid 19 February 2008
Fylde Council prepared to debate the 'Blackpool and Central Lancashire Growth Point Bid' that will see development on Fylde's green land but mostly benefit renewal and regeneration in Blackpool and perhaps Preston. What will it mean for us?....... |
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Stamp Them Out 18 February 2008
Lytham supports Mark Bamforth's Warton Street Post Office against closure, but the die is already cast by the EU. Thousands protest but 3,000 'uncommercial' post offices are to close. We used to have public services, but that's changed now business is governing us through Europe....... |
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Pools Protest 14 February 2008
Kirkhamites protest at plans to close their baths, and the Politburo Cabinet votes to close both them and St Anne's Pool. However, a Cabinet split appears as Dim Tim tries to get a new pool built at Mythop Road and Simon Renwick tries to keep Kirkham open - or it is all just good theatre at Lowther Pavilion........ |
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In Deep Water 9 February 2008
The Commissar is going to close St Annes Pool and maybe Kirkham Baths because his spending on the Street Scene department is "Spiraling out of Contol" But we hear he is going to blame St Annes and Kirkham Town Coucils for the closure because they refuse to rip us off........ |
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Top of the Pits 7 February 2008
The Government releases new stats about the most deprived areas in England. Blackpool is Lancashire's pits, and Fylde is Lancashire's second least deprived area. It that why they get an extra £85m and Fylde gets a cut? Does the Commissar want us downgraded for more cash........ |
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Settling In - Jan 08 2 February 2008
Fylde Council's new intake of Councillors will soon complete their first year. We give a snapshot of their situation, and the Council meeting. Who's doing well, and what's the Commissar up to now with this 'MAA' we wonder........ |
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Incompetence or Fraud? 28 January 2008
John Coombes hides a £609,000 overspend then threatens swimming pool closure (again). But his £1 million shortfall has already been solved by raiding Fylde's piggy-bank of 'Earmarked Reserves.' We ask is he incompetent or is it an intention to deceive that amounts to fraud?..... |
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January Cabinet 2008 20 January 2008
See what Fylde Council's Politburo Cabinet is up to this January. Tourism, Parish Charter, Open Space Management in Kirkham, New Office Accommodation, Financial Report, and the awful dropping of the Article 4 Directive, along with individual member decisions and a supposedly secret report that was published on the Internet. They're all in here..... |
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Hostel Plan Approved 18 January 2008
A process of attrition ground down the opposition, and Fylde's DC Committee approved Muir's plan to dump a hostel for the transient homeless in Heeley Road St Anne's. But is the fat lady singing yet?....... |
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Heeley Road Hostel Plans 11 January 2008
The meeting to decide Muir's application to build a hostel for the transient homeless is next Wednesday. The report recommends approval, the police say they expect trouble (and they upset the Meteoric Karen Buckley). We hear first hand from someone who lived near to a unit like this. She said "for Gods sake get it stopped." We have more ..... |
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Human Contract 20 December 2007
More Fylde staff are transferred to Blackpool, and the Commissar bends the rules to pay Blackpool Council £199,000 a year for the next six years for a 'Human Resource Service' - bloating his already swollen overheads still further. The payment includes a fixed cost of £119,000 payable irrespective of how many staff Fylde has..... |
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City Region Blues 17 December 2007
We take an in-depth look at the background to the Growth Point Bid that could change the look of our border with Blackpool. Just how did we become part of the Central Lancashire City Region and annexed by Blackpool?...... |
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Home Grown 16 December 2007
Councillor Tim Ashton tests the water with a planning application to see if he would be allowed to build on the Nursery Gardens on Mythop Road that has been his family business and a Lytham Institution for decades. Have we heard about this before?....... |
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Shuffling the Pack 13 December 2007
We learn of changes to the Independent and Conservative groups on Fylde Council. The Independents get a new leader, whilst some old-time Conservatives get dumped for fresh blood. So who's in and who's out? ...... |
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'Affordable" Housing 7 December 2007
We look at just what 'Affordable Housing' means, and how it was planned and implemented as a way to 'balance' the population of Fylde, with special reference to Lytham and St Anne's. Is it about to change again? ...... |
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Fylde's State 2007 5 December 2007
Fylde Council holds another 'State of the Borough' event, apparently to justify decisions already half-made. We look behind some of the issues and hear some alarming news about big housing developments off Queensway ...... |
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More Muir 30 November 2007
200 people pack a meeting at Mayfield School to protest at plans by Muir Group and Fylde Council to build a hostel for the transient homeless off St David's Road North. Find out who said what, and what it might mean...... |
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A Shambles 29 November 2007
The Council meeting becomes a shambles. Procedure is now all but forgotten in the battle to get one over on the opposition. We take a look at how and why Fylde Council has been turned into a war-zone, and whether the November meeting managed to get any proper business done at all...... |
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Bus or Busted ? 22 November 2007
When the over 60s and the disabled get free off-peak bus travel anywhere in England from next April, and journeys are charged to the Council in whose Borough they start, how much is it going to cost Fylde taxpayers? Has Commissar Coombes made the right decisions? ...... |
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Plans to Expand 19 November 2007
A late item sneaks quietly through Fylde's Politburo Cabinet. If agreed by Government it will bring dramatic planning changes. Find out more about the Central Lancashire and Blackpool Growth Point Bid...... |
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More Fyreworks? 18 November 2007
The agendas for the Joint Meeting didn't get sent to Fylde's Councillors, now some are angry they knew nothing about it, and plan to raise the matter at next Monday's meeting of the full Council...... |
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A Flying Tackle? 15 November 2007
The airport land swap is back on the table. What does it mean for St Anne's and local residents. Who's getting the millions? We pitch in and look for a referee in this supposedly sporting swap...... |
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Don't Have Any Muir? 10 November 2007
The Muir Group's plan to build a hostel for homeless transients in St Anne's generates a lot of anger in the town - not all of it well informed. Why are the sedate people of St Anne's revolting. We look into the causes and predict more anger to come ...... |
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Two's? Company 8 November 2007
We take another look at Fylde Council's recently formed 'arms length' company 'FBC Solutions Ltd' It hasn't traded yet, but it might we planning to do so soon. We speculate about its future....... |
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Progress? 7 November 2007
We review the directional changes being made by Blackpool's new Conservative administration and quite like what we see, even though we're not ready to join them anytime soon...... |
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Joint Meeting Snapshot 6 November 2007
Get the flavour of the meeting that heralds the demise of Fylde Borough Council, and sets a clear path toward one single Council covering Fylde and Wyre (and possibly Blackpool)..... |
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Wylde Fyreworks? 1 November 2007
Fylde's Commissar Coombes plans to abandon service delivery by Fylde Council and have almost everything run from Wyre. Around 60% of Fylde Council staff are to be pruned out in the first move. We break this exclusive story for our readers..... |
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Pooling Resources 1 November 2007
After months of uncertainty and abortive spending on reports and plans to privatise its swimming pools, Fylde Council looks set to keep the pools in-house..... or does it ??? |
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Key Lessons 2 October 2007
Fylde Council makes a proper, old-fashioned planning decision and throws out a plan to develop a small house into a school...... |
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Being Positive for Once 1 October 2007
counterbalance is criticised for being negative. Ever helpful, we offer the accountingly challenged Fylde Council some positive suggestions ....... |
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Call-in Lowther Parking 30 September 2007
The follow on from the plan to charge for parking at Lowther Gardens, or - "When is a Charitable Trust not a Charitable Trust? when its run by a Council." See if you can work out which who actually decided to implement charges...... |
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No Accounting for Fylde 12 August 2007
There is a serious financial muddle at the Town Hall. The brave new world of outsourcing, and the new accounting system has gone awry. So has the man in charge. He is also going. Find out more............ |
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Lowther Car Park Carping 27 July 2007
An individual decision by a Cabinet member plans to impose parking charges in Lytham's Lowther Gardens. What's behind the move...... |
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A Town Council for Lytham? 22 July 2007
After months of saying "No" - the Commissar's supporters are proposing a Town Council for Lytham. What's going on, and why now? We answer some of the questions and rectify some of the mis-statements....... |
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The Dust Settles 20 July 2007
Things are settling down in Blackpool, St Anne's and Fylde Councils after the election. We have a look at the first meetings and see what's going on ....... |
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Election Results 2007 4 May 2007
Shocks for many in Fylde's election results. A sea of blue sweeps over Blackpool and Wyre. Fylde is less clear cut. We're one step nearer to the 'City of the Fylde' as a result. ...... |
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Election Special 2007 1 May 2007
We look at the political landscape, review some of the runners and riders and dabble in the black art of forecasting results...... |
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What a Load of Bankers 19 April 2007
We go interantional and look at the changes proposed for the IMF. How they are failing their mandate to provide a universal bank of last resort to ensure global economic stability, and how the changes will make it worse rather than better...... |
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A Wing and A Prayer 19 April 2007
A plan for Blackpool Airport might be more than it seems. They could be hoping we're asleep as they try to slip an application past Fylde's Planners to turn green belt into industry..... |
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Miscellany - April 2007 16 April 2007
A multi-subject issue of counterbalance. We hope you find something palatable..... |
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Road Relief.. For Some 14 April 2007
Fleetwood's relief road to the Motorway gets a step nearer as the Yellow route moves up a notch and becomes 'the people's choice'. (or so they tell us)...... |
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Pre Election Review 10 April 2007
As the campaigning moves into gear, we look at some of the candidates standing for Fylde Council in the May elections What's their background, and what's the result going to be?..... |
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Sold Down the River 7 April 2007
Preston City Council wants to dam the Ribble and sell off land for 4000 homes on the floodplain to prove its civic manhood. What's going on?..... |
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City Sickers 14 March 2007
The City of the Fylde is on its way now the Commissar is supporting joint working with Blackpool. Fylde's Independent councillors are concerned. So are we....... |
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Any Play Dough? 07/082 March 2007
Fylde Council approves the Politburo's budget for 2007/08. Everyone wants playground equipment but no one gets extra. Queen Elizabeth says it is a "Fur coat and no knickers budget"....... |
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Flagging Support 26 February 2007
The Commissar's plan to raise his profile before the election and strike a blow against political correctness with St George's flag backfires....... |
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Cabinet Budget 07/08 23 February 2007
The Commissar's draft budget is debated by the Politburo in preparation for a nod through at the next Council meeting. What stayed in and what went out?....... |
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Declaration of Independents 17 February 2007
Fylde's Ratepayer and Independent councillors join forces to launch a new group, and they call for independently minded people to join them...... |
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The Eyes Have It 12 February 2007
A wonderful new website you must visit. The Politburo are transported to safeguard Middle Earth (Watch carefully - no doubt they'll introduce the Cabinet system there!)...... |
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Who's Bidding?11 February 2007
Fylde's planners want to bid farewell to the design for St Annes latest auction house when they can't even get it right themselves....... |
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Doing the Business 10 February 2007
FBC goes into business - what's behind this move and is it going to cost us more. We look at the possibilities and the threat (or promise?) of fines in the future..... |
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Estimating for 2007/08 8 February 2007
Shocks are in store for Fylde's taxpayers if the budget plans are approved next week. 'Double taxation' is in the way - if the Commissar can get away with it..... |
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The Great January Sale? 3 February 2007
A secret, four page list of saleable assets has been put together for the Cabinet Politburo. Consultants are valuing the land as you read this. Are they are planning to sell off your park?....... |
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ASBO or Anarchy? 2 February 2007
Our friend Howard Clemmow wonders where we are being taken for a joy-ride, and treats you to a personal perspective that counterbalance just couldn't miss..... |
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Listening Day 2006 28 January 2007
Results of FBC's day spent listening to what we think. We're less happy than before, but don't expect anything to change....... |
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Weaving the Rules 8 December 2006
Should our police be striking deals with offenders? Is it their job to 'interpret' the law? Can we now dispense with courts and judges?..... |
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Prophet and Loss 7 December 2006
FBC's medium term financial strategy creates a half a million pound slush fund to iron out all those little imperfections...... |
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Have They No Scruples? 29 November 2006
Lythamites are getting restless again because FBC is planning to liquidise more than their assets on Lytham Esplanade...... |
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Ashton's Gardens? 14 November 2006
Get the lowdown on Fylde Council's plans for Ashton Gardens. Is it to be a Garden or an outdoor Leisure Centre? See the plans as they change once more, "before your very eyes". |
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Red and Yellow and ....... 23 October 2006
A new road is to link Fleetwood to the M55, We assess which route is likely to be chosen and look at the implications for local people...... |
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Budget Busting Bus Blues 12 October 2006
He started with £486k. He snaffled £205k, now he's going to spend £550k. Find out why the Commissar can't even manage his bus tickets..... |
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Even More Equitable 9 October 2006
See the last ditch bid to save the discredited "Equitable Taxation" scheme that would cost all of us more, and mean Elswick villagers paying £79 a year more than other Fylde taxpayers..... |
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Winning the Pools 29 September 2006
Plans to privatise Kirkham Baths and St Annes Swimming Pool are afoot. The Commissar admits managerial incompetence and wants to hand them over to the private sector..... |
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Flight of Fancy 26 July 2006
What's been happening at the Airport? See plans to increase traffic by up to 1000%. Do more flights mean more noise? What is Fylde Council doing to protect the green belt. ..... |
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Greater Expectations 25 July 2006
Fylde Council votes itself a pay award and the Conservatives refuse to allow a record of which way they voted on the matter ..... |
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Candyfloss to Casinos 25 July 2006
Get the low-down on Re:Blackpool, the company appointed to deliver the Masterplan. Will the Masterplan work? What is the aim of it all? What happens if we don't get the Super Casino? Is there a "Plan B"..... |
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Snapshot of Fylde Council: 25 July 2006
What are the dynamics of Fylde Council today? Who is in and who is out? Who's doing well and who isn't? See our pen picture of their meeting at Fylde Rugby Club at Ansdell ..... |
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St. Barbara Goes Solo 22 July 2006
Barbara Pagett, suspended for voting against the party line, has quit the Conservative group on Fylde Council, and in future will be independent of the Tory whip.... |
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Salting it Away 30 June 2006
Find out how Commissar John Coombes has salted away just over three quarters of a million pounds into special reserves. This gives him a 'back-pocket' of cash outside the normal revenue and capital accounts.. |
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Fylde's Accounts 2005-2006 28 June 2006
See what the Commissar has been wasting your money on. He went from a projected deficit of £700,000 to an underspend of £339,000 in just four months, and he expects us to trust what he says ..... |
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Hostelry, History, Mystery 19 June 2006
A triplet piece including redevelopment plans for a wine bar, a new history of St Anne's, and a parking mystery in Blackpool. |
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Citizens Advice Bureau is Fired 16 June 2006
The Commissar succeeds in closing one of the most cost effective advice and debt counselling services in Fylde. Maybe he wants the building for himself..... |
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Obituary Alderman Eileen Hall JP 14 June 2006
We pay tribute to, and to mourn the passing of, a truly great Fylde Councillor |
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Missing the Point? 4 June 2006
The current knife 'amnesty' catches our attention. We pronounce it a PR stunt with propaganda overtones to subliminally soften the nation up ready for a complete ban on 'non-domestic' knives and a new law outlawing the purchase of any knife from an unlicensed knife supplier....... |
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Aldi - What's in Store? 2 June 2006
Another building of character faces demolition as Aldi, the budget supermarket buys the Conservative Club and plans a new store and apartments. What will it look like, and what does it mean for St Anne's future? |
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Flying a Kite 31 March 2006
Fylde Council fails the tourism industry, fails its recreational mandate and hides its incompetence behind a ban on kite flying. More importantly, it demonstrates that concentrating power into the hands of a few politburo cabinet members is likely to cause this sort of problem again and again. |
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Fares Fair? 23 March 2006
We accused Commissar Coombes of snaffling £205,000 that should have been for OAP free bus passes, to cover up his overspending elsewhere. Dick Turpin rides again........ |
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Long Live the King 31 March 2006
The Council decides on an internal appointment for a new Chief Executive and management team. Who is in the frame, and what does it mean for Fylde. |
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Moving the Goalposts 23 March 2006
Kensington and Fylde Council are preparing the ground to sell off Blackpool Road North Playing Fields for housing, and develop a new playing field on the Airport........ |
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Town Hall is Reprieved 22 March 2006
Fylde Council find the road to Damascus through a labyrinth of Affordable Housing.... |
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Area Forum for Lytham? 6 March 2006
Fylde Councilors meet the great and good of Lytham as part of its plan to create an Area Committee for Lytham. Get the lowdown on what you're not being told by others. |
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WyldeFyre on the Cards 5 March 2006
Fylde and Wyre are to form a joint working committee, and Local Government in our area might soon be re-organised again. What does it all mean? |
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Citizens Advice ? 2 March 2006
With reserves of £4.8 million, Fylde Council chops £36,800 from the Citizen's Advice funding. |
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We're in the Money 28 February 2006
After crying wolf again, the Commissar says he is £700k short. What he didn't say is that he's hanging onto the £2 million he paid in to his special reserve accounts this year, and to the £846k in his general reserve. Oh yes, he and also nicked £205k from pensioners bus pass money. |
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Last Rites for Democracy 28 February 2006
Fylde's last gasp for the oxygen of democracy is suffocated by Commissar Coombes and his merry band. |
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First Politburo Meeting 15 February 2006
Learn about "Blue Peter" decisions, the gagging of your elected Councillors, and the £4 million Fylde has squirreled away in its reserves this year! |
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Who's in the Politburo 14 February 2006
The Commissar has chosen his Politburo Cabinet. Find our who's in and who's out....... |
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The Cabinet is Formed 13 February 2006
Fylde Council loses the will to exist and accedes to John Coombes installation as Commissar Leader. Next he will choose his Politburo to run the Borough........ |
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Chief Exec Departs 23 November 2005
Fylde's Chief Executive Officer suddenly retires early. Reports say he didn't want to go. What does this mean for Fylde and how long can Commissar Coombes last now |
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Equitable - It's not 1 November 2005
Fylde Council's Conservative group is outvoted and common sense prevails on the plan o tax us twice. Star performer Councillor John Bennett says "for every £1 we draw in, we are spending £1.10, and this is just a con trick to let us spend £1.15" |
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State of the Borough 26 October 2005
Fylde hosts a 'State of the Borough' focus group event. They take up 85% of the time spouting propeganda, and allow a limited series of predetermined answers to preordianed questions. Listening was never easier.......... |
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Another Equitable Scandal 24 October 2005
Fylde Council tries once again to persuade Town and Parish Councils to become accessories before the fact in their tax hike con. |
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Say NO Protest at Lowther 18 October 2005
Fylde Council feel the pressure of people power and refuse permission for Kensington developments on several sites in Lytham. |
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Double Your Money 7 October 2005
An independent report recommends that Council Leader John (The Commissar) Coombes is to get a 100% increase in pay from you. "Because he's worth it"........ |
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The Commissar Strikes 7 October 2005
An fist of iron, a heart of steel, and a brain of lead, Commissar Coombes cracks the whip in more ways than one. Collateral damage hits those trying to protect democracy and represent their electorate, and the Truly Independents look as though they're anything but. |
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Death of Democracy 6 October 2005
John Coombes and Simon Renwick lead their troops into the wilderness and us up the garden path. Not content with selling off our heritage, now he's really lost the plot and killed off almost all semblance of democracy. |
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Town Hall Mk 2. 6 October 2005
Thwarted by not being able to use Lowther Pavilion for Council meetings, the minions have been scurrying in the background to whip up some new plans to asset strip St Annes. Discussed in secret, the plans will cause a storm of protest. It has started already. Get the lowdown inside. |
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Licence for Anything 5 October 2005
The all new independent licensing committee takes heed of public opinion and compromises on opening hours for the nightclubs. What joy, now it is only the same nights as usual that will be ruined. |
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Lowther is Charity Case3 October 2005.
Councillors get all petulant when their unlawful plans are spoiled. The big unanswered question is how much of our money they wasted on abortive preparation. |
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Town Hall Demolition Plan25 September 2005
John Coombes has a 'defining moment'. Right on, biker! |
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Planning to influence? 10 September 2005
Frightened of being influenced by hearing public opinion, John Coombes blasts his own planning committee for making "wrong decisions" on part of Kensington' s Disneyland Dream for Lytham. He says the have to lighten up. What was that about prejudicial influence? |
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Shifting Expenses 4 August 2005
Having planned the asset stripping of St Annes, John Coombes is now looking for ways to sidestep capping laws so he can extract more taxes from us. |
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Cooking the Books?31 July 2005
Fresh from the mauling over the external auditors report, Fylde's accounts for April 2004 to March 2005 are finalised. John Coombes headlines a 'loss' of £0.5 million, but at the same time, he quietly had £1.1 million paid into some 'Special Reserve' accounts - several of which were only created this year |
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Lytham Quays 5 July 2005
Kensington's unpopular plan for redeveloping a large part of Lytham's frontage on the river estuary will have far reaching consequences and a disastrous affect on the character of Lytham . |
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Council Funding 3 March 2004
A briefing note originally prepared for the St Annes Town Council Steering Group explaining how Councils are funded, and how Fylde is hoping to sidestep regulations to charge us more. |
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Nightclubs Should Pay 19 February 2004
A paper that argues the case for making nightclubs pay for policing costs associated with their activities. Originally prepared for Government and the Police, it was favourably received and has resulted in action. |
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