For example, I recently visited the council's offices in St Annes and was surprised by the excellence of the environment despite the obvious need to spend additional £5 million pounds on new premises.
I fully support the head of the council in his determination to take this action and firmly believe the town and the rest of the Fylde will reap the benefits.
In addition, I understand Kensington Properties have stepped forward in support of the council by offering to develop the beach site when, the somewhat, unnecessary eyesore of a swimming pool has been closed and, hopefully, demolished.
The rather selfish attitude demonstrated by those who seek to save the pool must not be allowed to detract from strengthening the influence and commercial stature of those who offer to enliven the environment through alternative progressive development.
It is my view that the residents of the Fylde should be more courage as they move forward into the new millennium. For example the future viability of Fairhaven Lake is under question.
I respectfully suggest that because of its size and central location, serious consideration should be given to it becoming a fully commercial 24-hour landfill site taking refuse from not only the Fylde but other friendly boroughs and towns.
This attractive project could be let to a suitable contactor and generate substantial income for utiilisation in other progressive schemes such as funding the construction of the new town hall.
In conclusion, The Fylde should be proud of its council and what they stand for. They have achieved so much and possess both the vision and tenacity to achieve so much more.
I therefore ask each resident to stop bickering about what is right or what is wrong but to find ways in which to support the good honest hardworking members of the council.
Tobias Breame
Pately Bridge
West Yorkshire

Consultation is just a sham
I don't know why the council are asking for the public's view on the possible new developments at Pleasure Island.
They don't take a blind bit of notice of what the public think, and do exactly what they want to do.
Prime examples include the closure of the swimming pool, the possible buildings of homeless flats in the Highbury Road area, parking meters in Lowther Gardens, £7million pounds on a new town hall, etc.
Also very unpopular with visitors is the policy of pay as you go toilets, with many having to queue up on busy days, while if you wish to spend the day on the North Beach or Sand Dunes, you are more unfortunate than ever, for the Beach toilets on the North Beach car park have been closed completely
For holiday resorts to stop this level to raise revenue while squandering hundreds of thousands of pounds in other areas is a pathetic way of handling the town's finances while also driving visitors away.
RH Caradice
St Annes

Park needs conveniences
I must say how impressed I was recently on a visit I paid to Park View with my daughter and grandchildren.
It was a cold and windy day, yet there was plenty of kiddies, teenagers and adults alike all enjoying themselves.
I wish they had something like this when I was a lad. My grandchildren didn't want to come away. It will come as a great relief during the six weeks school holidays that parents can take their kiddies there without having to spend a penny.
Talking about spending a penny, surely the glaring omission is the lack of public conveniences. You cannot have kiddies running into the bushes.
What about that dilapidated hut? It could be converted into something like a cafe or tuck shop.
The good people of Lytham and lottery grant have played their part so come on Fylde council dig deep. Don't spoil this ship for A'peth of Tar.
Thomas Dixon
Freckleton
Preston

Councillors' bad manners
Since we arrived in St Annes in June this year we have encountered many friendly, considerate and helpful people of all ages. these people have been found in various situations ie church, shops, hotels, restaurants, cafes swimming pool, cinema, newspaper, tourist information and council offices and the street of this lovely town.
Unfortunately contacting certain councillors gave us an alternative view of St Annes.
Normally after writing letters to people a reply is forthcoming but not here. I was brought up in a society where manners meant something and I expected some form of acknowgement to an enquiry as a matter of common couurtesy.
I was advised that I would not get any kind of reply before I sent my letter but I could not believe that councillors would behave in that manner.
A Greenall
Links Gate

Punished for free speech
I TOO wish to complain about the way the meeting at Fylde Rugby Club was conducted (Express, July 24).
This is supposed to be a country which allows freedom of speech, among other things, but it would seem to me that three members of the council are being castigated for excercising that right.
The meeting was a shambles, but not because of anything those three councillors did or said, nor because of the behaviour of the audience, but because the people in charge of the meeting were trying to force something through which was obviously not for the good of the town.
Calling the police was a pointless, childish, petulant and an "I've got a bigger stick than you" type of gesture. Whose life and property was in danger?
For really heated debate, where freedom of speech is allowed, these people should listen to Westminster Hour – then they would realise that they got off pretty lightly.
The thing that really saddens me is the way some councillors took the party line, rather than the line their electorate would have them take – oh ye like sheep!
Mrs Val Andrews
Chatsworth Road
St.Annes

Stumped by phrase
WHAT on earth is meant by the phrase, 'Stumps, 1pm', in connection with Lytham's cricket match last Saturday (Express, July 24)?
If it means that the match starts at 1pm, it should say so, or use the proper phrase of 'wickets pitched'.
'Stumps', which is an unwanted import from Australia, indicates the close of play – so has not the slightest relevance to denote the start.
Brian Bullick
Durham Avenue
Lytham