Labour takes aim at ‘vanity projects’ after win in council elections
AN EAST Lancashire local authority’s new Labour rulers have promised to review its finances and eliminate the ‘wasteful vanity projects’ of the previous Conservative-led administration.
The party took control of Hyndburn Council in Thursday’s local elections. Now its Labour group has taken to social media to celebrate its victory and outline its priorities for the future.
It has promised to ‘deal with the black hole in the finances’ as part of an immediate review of council spending. The Facebook post on Hyndburn Labour also celebrates the victory in Rishton ward of 19-year-old Ethan Rawcliffe over sitting Tory councillor Carole Haythornthwaite and the defeat of veteran former council leader Peter Britcliffe, father of the local Conservative MP Sara, in Oswaldtwistle’s St Andrew’s ward.
The post says: “We are delighted to announce that Hyndburn Labour have taken control of the council with an empathic win, taking 10 out of 12 seats in the local elections.
“The council previously had no party in overall control with the Conservatives running the council with the support of the Greens and Independent. The council now consists of 22 Labour, 11 Conservatives, one Green and one Independent.
“The election saw the MP’s dad, Peter Britcliffe, lose his seat after 40 years and Labour win Baxenden for the first time since the early 1990s, with Labour electing six new council
lors including one of the youngest councillors in the country, Ethan Rawcliffe, who is 19.
“A huge congratulations also to Clive Grunshaw on his election success as the Labour Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire. We know we have a big job on our hands as we deal with the black hole in the finances with the wasteful, vanity projects that the Conservatives have committed the council too, which will
require reviewing immediately. During our election campaign we committed to tackling the issues at the heart of our communities and begin a fresh start which is what we intend to do. We would like to thank each and every person that supported us, campaigned with us in which ever way they could.
“Commiserations to those who didn’t make it over the line and we thank them for putting themselves
forward. It was an incredibly hardfought campaign with our councillors, members, volunteers and candidates working extremely hard and credit to the whole team.
“Our leadership and cabinet will be announced in due course.”
Hyndburn Conservative group leader Cllr Marlene Haworth has been approached for comment. Peter Britcliffe remains the Lancashire County Councillor for Oswaldtwistle.