Coun Peter Steen

Conservative group leader

WITH the Country in virtual lockdown, it may appear that way with Local Politics, however that view is deceptive.

Like a swan who appears to glide serenely against a fast flowing current its legs are paddling like mad under the surface. The same analogy can be used for Rossendale Borough Council.

Officers and staff are either in Futures Park or working from home to keep the administrative side running, for instance Capita and the IT team have pulled the stops out to ensure the software was in place so local businesses could access the small business grants.

During the briefing meeting I had with the Chief Exec last week he advised that only 25 per cent of those eligible had applied, so please if you feel you are entitled to these funds please access the RBC website asap and claim.

The Operations team are doing sterling work ensuring the refuse is collected on time, please assist them by where possible by cleaning the handles of your bin with either an anti-bacterial spray or wipe.

A major frustration, not only for the Ops teams, but also the general public as shown by the amount of comments elected members are receiving and on Social Media is the quantity of Fly Tipping.

To this end I have emailed LCC to see if they can organise a safe, phased opening of the Household recycling sites.

Having shared the good news above I must share a couple of concerns.

Because of the lockdown situation there is a lack of scrutiny of Council Business.

I am aware staff are working hard to set up meetings via Zoom, but being a “Techno

Dinosaur” (my granddaughters words) I am sceptical. I have so far taken part in one, a working group that takes no decisions, but simply offers advice to officers on planned projects.

As there were only five of us it worked reasonably well, but I am not sure about its effectiveness for a larger decision-making committee, for example Development Control.

Inevitably there are a large number of documents, diagrams, photographs, etc. Committee members, using a variety of devices will wish to comment, the Developer, members of the public for or against will want to be heard. I foresee a number of appeals.

The same problem with O & S and Audits where outside bodies will need access to current information and paperwork, as for a Council meeting of 36 members we will respond within current guidelines.

I fully agree with the recent article by the Scribbler in the

Rossendale Free Press discussing the lack of openness of Council Business.

It questioned why reports of the Standards Committee and Whistleblowing reports are held in private with no reports - how can the public have faith in the outcome?

The article also discusses the AAAW fiasco which I don’t intend repeating here, but a very valid point.

Finally; during Holy week leading up to Easter, Christians followed Government guidelines and stayed away from their Churches.

I hope that during the Holy period of Ramadan those of the Muslim faith can heed the advice of Government and their Imams and avoid attending Mosques to help prevent the spread of this foul virus.