Annabel Shipley
ON behalf of the Rossendale Conservative group, I would like to extend a vote of thanks to another job well done by the Operations team in the successful convictions of two grime gurus. I do hope this serves as a warning to any more would-be offenders.
Great news to see that Pennine Lancashire has been chosen to champion a pilot scheme aimed at promoting people’s health and wellbeing. Another example of National Lottery money being well spent.
Promoting and supporting mental health features largely in my own job. Indeed there has been a time in my past when I benefited from a free counselling service fortunately provided by my employer. Mental health issues are just as debilitating as a physical illness, if not more so. Approximately 1 in 4 people suffer a mental health problem each year. I know that it is just as prevalent among our younger generation and accessing the much needed help can be difficult.
That is why it is great news for Rossendale that this money has been made available and why MP Graham Jones is correct in his comments that it is important that the money is used correctly and not wasted, so that the people who need it the most are the ones to benefit.
I really do not wish to make this a political point scoring exercise but it is great news that the government have put proposals forward in a green paper to address issues around this subject. This consultation will run for 13 weeks until 2 March 2018. Proposals to improve mental health support for children and young people are planned and over £300 million has been set aside to fund this, with a £1.3 billion spend overall for the NHS and mental health services.
The difficulty is technology and social media, as wonderful as it is when it is used positively, can play an integral part on the effects of mental health. Face to face contact and human interaction are featuring less and less in people’s lives, especially the young. We are social animals and need that smile, laughter and positive touch that you get from the company of others. How this is addressed in future remains one for further exploration.
On a lighter note and one that I do not mind making political is the latest announcement by this council that Rawtenstall Market and its ownership is to be put out to tender. Well,well well, are we to glean from this that common sense is starting to prevail and we are seeing the beginning of the end of their outdated attitudes towards development and progress.
Maybe this will extend to a couple of other Rawtenstall based council-led initiatives, freeing up funds to put back into statutory services instead of letting Rossendale service users foot the bill.
On behalf of Rossendale Conservatives I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year. As always you can contact me at: annabelshipley@ rossendalebc.gov.uk /07817 363358.