Coun Alyson Barnes
Council leader
THIS will be my last column for a few months as the local elections in May mean that we will be entering what’s known as a period of ‘heightened sensitivity’.
During the time immediately before an election or referendum there are specific rules which restrict political activity and communications. So, I’d better make sure I give you as much information as possible in this column – no pressure then!
You will probably be aware by now that council tax in Rossendale will be increased this year.
This is in line with the majority of other local councils and isn’t a decision we have taken lightly.
After over a decade of deep funding cuts from central government to local councils and the impact of Covid-19 we were left with no choice.
The majority of your council tax goes to Lancashire County
Council, Lancashire Police and the Fire Service.
Just 14 pence out of every pound comes to Rossendale Borough Council to fund vital services such as refuse collections, improving housing, maintaining our parks, planning applications – the list goes on. We also work closely with community groups to help support our residents and this has been even more important since the pandemic struck almost a year ago.
The work we have done with these groups and the assistance that has been provided has been a lifeline to many, especially to those most vulnerable and we must ensure we can continue with many of these services.
The council have provided extensive support to our local business community, many of which have sadly seen their livelihoods decimated.
Workshops, grant funding and free advice have all been essential to try and ensure that our local economy is in as strong a position as possible when restrictions begin to ease and we begin move out of this difficult period.
It’s incumbent on us all to try and ensure that our young people, who have already been hit hard, have jobs and better prospects to aspire to.
Our budget this year also sees a commitment to try to do something practical to address the effects of climate change in our borough.
We have pledged £250k over a four-year period to help address this urgent matter.
There will be a strong focus on tree planting, but we also want to work with others to look at how this fund can help to mitigate issues like flooding which has hit many in the valley over recent years, as well as traffic congestion to improve the air quality.
Despite the restrictions placed on all councillors, and my lack of ‘radio contact’ during the period of heightened sensitivity, the message is as ever, that we are here to help.
ANNE Knight, of Patrick Crescent, Higher Cloughfold died on
Friday, February 19, aged 66.
Anne worked at Valley Supplies.
She liked knitting and made squares to make blankets for the cats at Bleakholt. Anne also enjoyed music; she was a Monkees fan for many years.
Anne leaves husband Raymond, daughter Sarah and partner Josh and grandson Jason, and leaves her Aunty Doreen and cousin Christine.
A funeral service will be held at 11am on Thursday, March 4 at the Chapel of Rest, followed by interment at Bacup Cemetery.
Family flowers only, with donations to Pendleside Hospice.
Donations via tribute/ donations page on Fred Hamer website.
Due to current restrictions numbers are limited at the chapel and cemetery.
Funeral director: Dawn Winfield, Fred Hamer Funeral Service.
A VIRTUAL festival was hosted by the Women of Whitworth Project to entertain families over the half-term break.
The group, a community initiative which recognises outstanding contributions of females in Whitworth, held the festival online which was attended by over 100 children.
Families, who all received a festival pack including wristband, were invited to take part in fitness, dance and craft sessions via a private Facebook group.
Kimberley Ashworth, founder of The Women of Whitworth Project, said it was a great way for families to take a break from the current pandemic in the comfort of their own homes.
She said: “I wanted to bring joy and happiness and visualised a virtual festival for families to take part.
“However, the success of the event has really made us think longer term.” Kimberley also ran a session about Census 2021, which is due to take place on March 21, with her daughter Eden.
The pair encouraged families to draw pictures of what they love about the area they live in, which they hope to display around Whitworth to showcase the festival.
The project would like to thank Emma Dalton, who arranged a festival craft session.
They would also like to give special thanks to Council For Voluntary Service, Rossendale Council, NHS East Lancs, Rossendale Leisure Trust and a number of private benefactors that have supported the festival.
For more about The Women of Whitworth Project, go to facebook. com/ thewowproject2018.