Lancaster Civic Society was founded in 1967 and since that time has overseen the preservation of the heritage of the Lancaster and Morecambe district, its outstanding natural beauty, whilst assisting in its future development.
Our heritage is impressive as Lancaster has more listed buildings than any other area in the North West of England with the exception of Liverpool. Our District also boasts two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Morecambe Bay which is the largest expanse of intertidal mudflats and sand in the United Kingdom, as well as having the second largest gas field in the UK.
In 2022 we changed our name to Lancaster Civic Vision (LCV) in order to both better reflect our ambition and align the branding and focus of our organisation.
LCV is the premier non-partisan organisation in the Lancaster and Morecambe District representing all views and outlooks and is the principal campaigner for the protection of our heritage, improvements to the environment and local economy, and enhancing our visitor experience.
Membership of Lancaster Civic Vision gives you the opportunity to become actively involved in ‘Celebrating and protecting our heritage’ and ‘enhancing our environment’ whilst ‘shaping our future’.
Please fill in our ‘contact and join us’ form at the bottom of this page.
Who Are We?
Lancaster Civic Vision is dedicated to improving the quality of life experienced by the residents of Lancaster District. We define Lancaster District as the entire administrative area of the City Council. This includes Lancaster, Morecambe, Carnforth, Heysham and surrounding areas.
Originally established to promote and encourage the highest standards of architecture and town planning, and to preserve and improve buildings and areas of architectural and/or historic significance. Whilst these remain core aims of Lancaster Civic Vision we have, more recently, expanded our focus to include regeneration and environmental issues.
This diverse area includes the major communities of Lancaster and her impressive heritage assets, and Morecambe, a vibrant seaside town, flanked by highly attractive villages, beautiful countryside, and a stunning coastline.
Lying just 15 miles from the centre of the UK – at Dunsop bridge – local transport links are superb with the M6 and the West Coast Mainline for travel to the north and south, and the M62 and the Leeds/Morecambe trainline for east and west travel.
Lancaster District is also home to two leading universities which strengthen the area’s diverse and innovative economic base including brewing, the flourishing and expanding Port of Heysham, a nuclear power station, and an emerging digital sector.
Our District has one of the largest cultural clusters in the North West with a wealth of facilities and talent.
Please fill in our ‘contact and join us’ form at the bottom of this page.
What Do We Do?
Our traditional role was one of working with regulatory bodies and local stakeholders however Covid created the need to rethink and re-organise our strategies and since that time we have become very much a campaigner for particular practical aspects and developments.
Amongst our members we have a pool of talent, experience and expertise which we can call upon to help in any particular project. They actively help our work by supporting our efforts with stakeholders and anchor institutions such as local authorities, universities and colleges, the NHS and others.
We work in a way that seeks to capitalise on this community capacity which can assist City and County Councils, who increasingly find themselves underfunded to take on or start specific projects, and LCV are therefore, in effect, a free local, experienced and qualified resource .
Some of our more recent projects are:
- Electrification of the Lancaster – Morecambe Rail line – we are spearheading a campaign in partnership with local MP’s and leading City and County Councillors and councillors to secure national funding for this project to improve public transport links to Morecambe Eden
- “War on Weeds” – a project to improve the physical appearance of our streets and open spaces. We secured £200,000 through the United Kingdom Shared Prosperity Fund and have formed a partnership with the local authority to deliver the improvements
- Housing Policy – we are members of the Council’s Housing Task Force and have actively supported the development of the Lancaster Homes Strategy
- Campaigning continuously to ensure that this District is ready and prepared for the opening of Eden Project Morecambe to ensure that the whole area benefits economically from the ‘Eden Pound’
- Development of a strategy to create a Community Wealth programme to encourage a ‘Buy Local’ policy at all levels of procurement
- Regeneration – we are working to influence the development of major regeneration schemes such as Canal Quarter and South Lancaster and the forthcoming revised local plan
- Northern trains amended change of timetable for late evening trains from Manchester & Airport to Lancaster and South Lakeland
- Championing gender equality by ensuring that notable women were properly recognised with Heritage Plaques in the area some of whom are – Emily Williamson founder of RSPB, Sr Aine Cox founder of the Lancaster Hospice movement, Janet Raby and Beatrice Parkinson Cockersand and Plover Scar Lighthouse Keepers and Jennie Harris Dick Kerr and Lancaster Town footballer all having plaques unveiled
- Petitioned that Carnforth to be nominated for the HQ of new Great British Railways
- Campaigned for a new road bridge over the River Lune from Lune Industrial Estate to Heysham bypass
Our work is directed by an Executive Committee which meets monthly – more details below
Please fill in our ‘contact and join us’ form at the bottom of this page.
Our Members:
Our membership is drawn from a range of local residents who have a passionate interest in the area where they live. Some have lived here all their lives whilst others have moved to the area and decided that this will be their home.
They come from diverse backgrounds with junior and senior management experiences across:
- Industry
- Commerce
- Academia and education
- Local Government
- Architecture
- Banking
- Sales and Marketing
- Design
- NHS
- Distribution
- Manufacturing
- Transport
As we embark on new initiatives our membership is expanding.
If you would like to help us achieve our ambition to become the area with the best quality of life in the North West please join us as a member, part of our Executive team or as part of one of our sub groups.
Please fill in our ‘contact and join us’ form at the bottom of this page.
Our Team:
All of our team are elected yearly at our Annual General Meeting held on the second Wednesday each June. Members wishing to stand for a Principal Office or the Executive Committee are nominated and seconded and subject to ballot by the LCV membership.
Chair – The chairperson is the lead of the executive committee and is responsible for directing activities. This includes planning executive meetings, presiding over them and setting resolutions. More particularly first-hand involvement in all of our projects
Deputy Chair – Assist and support the Chair in providing leadership to the executive whilst also acting as a ‘sounding board’ and confidante to the Chair in the execution of their role
Secretary – Provides administrative support to ensure the LCV’s operations proceed smoothly, arranging meetings, taking minutes and distributing key documents such as agendas. The role also includes ensuring the executive committee implements what was agreed at meetings.
Treasurer – Typically manages the finances of LCV, reports on its financial performance and spearheads any fundraising effort to ensure the club has the necessary funds to be successful.
Membership Secretary – The Membership Secretary will accept new and renewing membership payments, keep accurate records and ensure that payments are paid directly into the bank. The role also involves activities toward membership retention and membership recruitment
Communications Lead – To portray LVC’s values, plans and ambitions by establishing relationships with media outlets, developing strategic marketing plans and handling public relations issues that arise internally or externally. These include press releases, public campaigns, membership recruitment, up-dating members, communications with City and County – officials and councillors, web page management and up date, social media outlets, representing LCV at external events and public relations issues internally and externally as they arise
Member Meeting Programme Coordinators – Schedule and organise member meetings and events, as well as keep track of the agenda. Ensure that technology is available for all activities (video conferencing, presentations etc.) Prepare necessary paperwork and ensure that all risk assessment procedures are in place and have been complied with. Support membership growth and programme development
Executive Team Committee Members – General LCV members who through their skills and experience can assist in the development and growth of Civic Vision may be elected or co-opted to the Executive Committee who meet monthly by Zoom on the first Wednesday of each month. It is because of the wide range of experiences within our membership that we sought after to become involved in diverse projects across the district.
All members of the Lancaster Civic Vision Executive Committee automatically become a Trustee registered with the Charity Commission
What does being a Trustee entail?
Trustees come from all walks of life, and we welcome anyone with an interest in the Lancaster and Morecambe District generally and the work of Lancaster Civic Vision particularly who have the relevant skills needed to be an effective trustee.
LCV believes in equality and diversity and welcomes those who might not usually be represented including younger people.
Trustees are expected to:
• be ambassadors for the charity
• promote and champion our work, its ambition, vision and objectives to stakeholders, local communities and relevant organisations
• play a full and active part in Executive Committee meetings, contribute knowledge, expertise and experience
• support LCV and its development at a strategic level
• agree business plans, budgets, and allocation of resources
• exercise balance, good judgement and respect
• ensure that we fulfil all legal requirements
• encourage best practice, and strive for high quality, and excellence
Further details about the responsibilities and obligations of Trustees is available on the Charity Commission Website at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/charity-trustee-whats-involved
Please fill in our ‘contact and join us’ form at the bottom of this page.
Our Sub-Groups:
Planning Scrutiny Group – Lancaster Civic Vision is a statutory consultee on planning applications for Listed Buildings and some parts of a Conservation Area submitted to Lancaster City Council. The Planning Scrutiny Group is made up of a proportion of members of Civic Vision who after discussion among the group, comment and recommend to the Planning Department. Through the efforts of this Group Lancaster Civic Vision seeks to protect and enhance the existing townscape of our fine city and to try and ensure that developers, architects, builders and planners remain true to the unique nature of the City and its surrounding landscape.
Regeneration Group – LCV established a Regeneration Sub-committee to take forward the past work of Lancaster Vision with membership being open to all members. Between 2012 and 2022 Lancaster Vision became actively involved in working with other local stakeholders to help improve the fortunes of the city. Currently we are involved in such projects as the electrification of the Lancaster-Morecambe-Heysham railway line, community wealth building, Canal Quarter regeneration and development of a District Transport Master Plan
Please fill in our ‘contact and join us’ form at the bottom of this page.
Download these details in brochure form and then fill in the application form below the brochure:
Why Not join Us?
Download the below application form and forward it and your payment to the details noted – or complete and send your details through our ‘Contact & Join Us’ link:
Email: admin@lancastervision.com
Follow us at –
Web page: https://www.lancastercivicsociety.uk/
Contact & Join Us: https://www.lancastercivicsociety.uk/contact/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lancastercivicsociety
Twitter: @civic_society
Blog & News: https://www.lancastercivicsociety.uk/blog-and-news/
Guides & walks: https://www.lancastercivicsociety.uk/guide-leaflets-and-walks-to-the-lancaster-and-morecambe-district/