Annabel Shipley

Conservative opposition leader

FIRSTLY I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Scribbler for the positive response to my comments about the Haslingden Pool (Nov 3) and also the police counter closure (Nov 10). Two issues which still demand a fair debate.

It has been a busy month. I read and listen with interest the many letters, emails and phone calls I receive off local residents. Two issues that seem to dominate are rubbish and parking.

As a Haslingden resident and ward councillor for Greenfield, I find that the rubbish problem spreads far and wide. I have taken some pretty dismal photographs recently of grot spots in and around the town centre. Images of black bags ripped open by vermin, old mattresses and sofas dumped on service alleys, rotting vegetation and hardcore rubble.

Some items left because a cost would be incurred if it was taken to the tip.

So, we most definitely have a problem with fly tipping.

Now, don’t get me wrong, the Operations team work hard at responding to my requests to remove the rubbish but it shouldn’t be there in the first place. This is an extra cost to the council and an extra cost to you the rate payer.

At the last full council meeting in September, a recommendation was passed, not by all councillors I hasten to add, that a charge of £35 a year will be introduced to dispose of garden waste. I believe a full re think on how fly tipping is dealt with and educating people on the health risks associated with leaving household waste lying around in public places would be a more effective way of promoting the council’s corporate priority of a “Clean and green Rossendale”, and assist rate payers with getting the best value for money when it comes to refuse collection.

As for parking, well quite frankly I put that down to a lack of enforcement.

However, it can also be caused by individuals having no thought or consideration to others. It then becomes a community issue. One that needs to be resolved between individuals with courtesy, diplomacy and respect.

So for anyone with parking issues you can get advice off Lancashire County Council’s website. If the vehicle is causing an immediate obstruction you can ring 101.

It was great to see everyone including all local councillors and MP’s out and about last weekend, supporting our war veterans and remembering our fallen heroes, from all conflicts. It is so important this tradition is honoured and preserved for generations to come.

If you would like any help or advice your Conservative councillors are always happy to help. The council website has all our contact details should you need them and you can speak to us face to face at our surgeries. Your ward councillor can provide the details of the days, times and venue for these.