The Leader's Message

Ribble Valley Borough Council has published its 2008/09 annual report. This is an important document explaining the work of the council in clear, easy-to-understand language and my congratulations go to the council's communications unit for once again producing an excellent document. Copies of the report are available from the communications unit on 01200 414483.

Ribble Valley Borough Council has received the results of its CAA: Comprehensive Area Assessment. The council received an overall score of 2 out of 4. I believe this in no way reflects the excellent work undertaken by the council and its officers.

In fact, the Government's 2008 PLACE survey revealed that 94 per cent of Ribble Valley residents were happy with life in the borough, the highest satisfaction rate in the country.

Furthermore, some councils that poured money into Icelandic banks have scored 3 or even 4 out of 4 for their use of resources, whereas Ribble Valley Borough Council, which has excellent financial management and sound investments, scored 2.

All of this raises concerns about the validity of the CAA and I really question the value of these expensive inspection regimes.

Ribble Valley Borough Council recently consulted the public about the proposed Clitheroe Town Centre Masterplan and it is encouraging that we received over 200 responses. Many of the respondents were concerned with parking provision in the town and this is an aspect of town centre development that the council will be looked at on an ongoing basis.

The council has been informed that its housing allocation from the Government for next year will almost certainly be cut from £347,000 to £129,000. This funding is crucial and we use it to provide disabled facilities grants and landlord renovation grants, among other things. The disabled facilities grants have helped disabled people adapt their homes to improve the quality of their lives, while the landlord renovation grants provide a vital avenue to increase the borough's housing rental stock.

We do not accept the methodology used to calculate our share of the housing allocation fund, which was devised by Manchester and Merseyside, and in my view the sooner that regional government in any form is dissolved the better.

This time last year, the country was staring into the abyss of financial meltdown, but survived - only just. Now we are faced with years of repaying unsustainable levels of debt, with no clear idea of how and when. The only certainty is that there will be cuts in Government funding in all areas of the public sector. Ribble Valley Borough Council will not be immune and our officers will be working hard to continue providing the level of service that residents expect within financial constraints. There is no truth whatsoever in speculation that Ribblesdale Pool, the Platform Gallery or Clitheroe Castle will close. However, what is clear is that the council will have to manage its facilities with even greater efficiency.

It is easy to be downhearted and depressed in the face of the economic problems that the country faces, but there is light at the end of the tunnel and the council will be working with its partners to enhance and develop Ribble Valley for the benefit of its residents and visitors.

I wish you all a happy Christmas and peaceful and prosperous New Year.

Michael Ranson, Leader

Ribble Valley Borough Council