‘Small step forward’ as Valley gets cash boost

THE government’s cash settlement for Rossendale council has received a cautious welcome.

Rossendale sees a £74,000 increase for 2022/23 on this year’s £2.2m.

The total sum allocated to Lancashire County Council - which provides major services including adult and children’s social care to 12 boroughs including Rossendale rises from £223.1m in 2021/22 to 224.1m in the next financial year starting on April 1.

Hyndburn Council’s stays steady at £5.2m.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Authority sees a rise from £24.3m for 2021/22 to 24.5m for 2022/23.

Coun Andrew Walmsley, Rossendale Council’s resources boss, said: “The provisional settlement will result in Rossendale Council’s baseline funding level increasing by £74k (three per cent) in 2022/23.

“Coming after 10 years of funding cuts the provisional settlement is a small step forward.”