External links and web resources
We have a growing database of resources and external links that you may find useful. Select a category from the list below.
- Advice - Consumer
- Advice and Benefits
- Central Government
- Community, People and Living
- Development and Planning Services
- Education
- Environment
- Health and Social Care
- Jobs and Careers
- Software Tools
- Tourism
- Utilities
- Advice - Legal
- Business
- Charity Commission
- Council and Democracy
- Disabled Services
- Emergencies
- Health
- Housing
- Neighbouring Local Authorities
- Sport
- Transport and Streets
Note: Ribble Valley Borough Council are not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Advice - Consumer
Department For Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform - Consumer Direct
Consumer Direct is a telephone and online consumer advice service, providing practical, impartial advice to help sort out problems and disagreements with suppliers of goods or services. Help and advice is offered to every single consumer in Great Britain who is buying or has bought goods or services.
Financial Services Authority
The FSA aims to maintain efficient, orderly and clean financial markets and help retail consumers achieve a fair deal.
Trading Standards Lancashire
This site provides a wealth of information for consumers and businesses, schools, advice and information centres, community organisations, local councils, business support agencies and trade associations.
Advice - Legal
Children's Legal Centre
The Children's Legal Centre is a unique, independent national charity concerned with law and policy affecting children and young people. The Children's Legal Centre has many years of experience in providing legal advice and representation to children, their carers and professionals throughout the UK.
Compact Law
The leading law portal in the UK providing legal documents and services for English law.
Legal Services Commission
Looking after legal aid in England and Wales and responsible for ensuring that people get the information, advice and legal help they need to deal with a wide range of everyday problems.
Advice and Benefits
Age Concern
Age Concern is the UK's largest organisation working with and for older people. They provide vital local services as well as influencing public opinion and government. Every day they are in touch with thousands of older people enabling them to make more of life.
Appeals Service
The Appeals Service was formally launched on 3rd April 2000. The Service arranges and hears appeals on decisions on Social Security, Child Support, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Vaccine Damage, Tax Credit and Compensation Recovery, Child Tax Credit and Pensions Credit
Benefits Now
This site provides comprehensive information about Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance. Find out if you qualify and at what rate you are likely to be paid. Contains guidance on application, how the Department of Work and Pensions make decisions about Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance, and more.
Citizens Advice Bureau Service
The Citizens Advice Bureau Service offers free, confidential, impartial and independent advice. From its origins in 1939 as an emergency service during World War II, it has evolved into a professional national agency.
FindSupport
A free directory that lists self help groups, support groups and charities in the UK.
Inland Revenue
The Inland Revenue is here to ensure that everyone understands and receives what they are entitled to and understands and pays what they owe, so that everyone contributes to the UK's needs.
Business
Business Finder UK
Business Finder UK serves the UK public by providing Free Business Listing, Free Business Searches, Free Classifieds and Free Business Cards.
Business Link
Business link is a business support, advice and information service managed by the DTI, with local presence across England.
Central Government
Better Regulation Executive
The Better Regulation Executive (BRE) is part of the Department for Business, Inovation and Skills and leads the regulatory reform agenda across government. The executive works with other departments to improve the design of new regulations and how they are communicated; to work with departments and regulators to simplify and modernise existing regulations; and to work with regulators (including local authorities) and departments to change attitudes and approaches to regaultion to become more risk-based.
Cabinet Office
The Cabinet Office's role is to support the Government's delivery and reform programme.
Commission for Rural Communities
The Commission for Rural Communities aims to promote awareness of the social and economic needs of people who live and work in rural areas
Department For Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform
The BERR replaced the Department of Trade & Industry in June 2007. The BERR is responsible for creating the conditions for business success, developing deeper and more effective engagement with business, and with the ability to promote the competitiveness agenda across critical areas of Government policy.
Department For Communities and Local Government
The Department for Communities and Local Government replaced the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in May 2006. It sets policy on local government, housing, urban regeneration, planning and fire and rescue. It also has repsonsibility for all race equality and community cohesion related issues in England and for building regulations, fire safety and some housing issues in England and Wales.
Department For Culture, Media & Sport
The Department For Culture, Media & Sport aims to improve the quality of life for all cultural and sporting activities and through the strengthening of the tourism, creative and leisure industries.
Department For Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Defra (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) was created in June 2001 to drive forward the Government's programmes on the environment, food and rural affairs. They work for the essentials of life - food, air, land, water, people, animals and plants. Their remit is the pursuit of sustainable development - weaving together economic, social and environmental concerns.
Department For Health
Providing health and social care policy, guidance and publications. The Department of Health is committed to improving the quality and convenience of care provided by the NHS and social services. Its work includes setting national standards, shaping the direction of health and social care services and promoting healthier living.
Department For International Development
The Department for International Development (DFID) was established in 1997, as the successor to the Overseas Development Administration, previously part of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO).
Department For Transport
The Department for Transport's objective is to oversee the delivery of a reliable, safe and secure transport system that responds efficiently to the needs of individuals and business whilst safeguarding our environment.
Department For Works & Pensions
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for the Government's welfare reform agenda. Its aim is to promote opportunity and independence for all. It delivers support and advice through a modern network of services to people of working age, employers, pensioners, families and children and disabled people.
European Union
The European Union (EU) is a family of democratic European countries, committed to working together for peace and prosperity. It is not a State intended to replace existing states, but it is more than any other international organisation. Its Member States have set up common institutions to which they delegate some of their sovereignty so that decisions on specific matters of joint interest can be made democratically at European level.
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office provides a range of essential services to the public - from advising British travellers to issuing UK visas and promoting trade and investment opportunities overseas.
Government Office For The North West
The Government Office brings together the regional activities of our sponsor departments, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Department for Transport, the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department for Education and Skills, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Home Office.
Her Majesty's Stationary Office
HMSO delivers a wide range of services to the public, information industry and government relating to access and re-use of government information.
HM Customs and Excise
HM Customs and Excise is a Government department with responsibility for collecting billions of pounds in revenue each year in VAT, other taxes and customs duties. We also have a vital front-line role in protecting our society from illegal imports of drugs, alcohol and tobacco smuggling and tax fraud.
HM Treasury
HM Treasury aims to raise the rate of sustainable growth and achieve rising prosperity and a better quality of life, with economic and employment opportunities for all.
Home Office
The Home Office is the Government department responsible for internal affairs in England and Wales.
Info4Local
This site provides the first one-stop portal for local authorities to get quick and easy access to information they need on the web sites of central government departments, agencies and public bodies.
Ministry Of Defence
The purpose of the Ministry of Defence, and the Armed Forces, is to defend the United Kingdom, and Overseas Territories, our people and interests; act as a force for good by strengthening international peace and security.
Ministry Of Justice
The Ministry of Justice replaced the Department for Constitutional Affairs in May 2007. It is responsible in government for upholding justice, rights and democracy. They aim to empower citizens to obtain justice, safeguard their rights, and participate in a transparent and accountable democratic process.
Office Of The Leader Of The House Of Commons
This website highlights the many steps taken to give more accountable Government, enable Parliament to hold the executive to account and to provide the lively debate that every good democracy needs.
Stationary Office Official Documents
The Official Documents website contains a selection of Government titles covering a very broad range of topics including the economy, work and welfare, health, transport and the environment.
The British Monarchy
The official website of the British Monarchy.
UK E-Envoy
The Office of the e-Envoy is part of the Prime Minister's Delivery and Reform team based in the Cabinet Office. The primary focus of the Office of the e-Envoy is to improve the delivery of public services and achieve long term cost savings by joining-up online government services around the needs of customers. The e-Envoy is responsible for ensuring that all government services are available electronically by 2005 with key services achieving high levels of use.
UK Online
The website that takes you to the heart of government.
UK Passport Service
The United Kingdom Passport Service (UKPS) site aims to assist new applicants and existing passport holders by providing information and online facilities for all aspects of application, renewal and amendments of passports for British nationals resident in the UK.
UK Resilience
This is the website of the Civil Contingencies Secretariat in the Cabinet Office. It provides links to government and non-government sources on a wide variety of emergencies and crises that can affect the UK, plus emergency planning guidance and government information.
UK Trade & Investment
UK Trade & Investment's trade services offer support to companies based in the UK to achieve their export potential.
Charity Commission
Charity Commission for England and Wales
The Charity Commission is established by law as the regulator and registrar for charities in England and Wales. Our aim is to provide the best possible regulation of charities in England and Wales in order to increase charities' effectiveness and public confidence and trust.
WRVS
WRVS is one of the UK's largest charities and volunteering organisations. Through its voluntary work, WRVS aims to give older people the opportunity the choice to get more out of life.
Community, People and Living
Awards for All
Awards for All is a Lottery grants scheme aimed at local communities, awarding grants of between £500 and £5,000 in a simple and straightforward way. Awards for All can fund projects that enable people to take part in art, sport, heritage and community activities, as well as projects that promote education, the environment and health in the local community.
Crime Reduction
The Crime Reduction Website provides information and resources for people working to reduce crime in their local area.
Crimestoppers
Crimestoppers operates across the UK to help identify, prevent, solve and reduce crime. This invaluable community service enables anyone with details of criminal activity to pass them on anonymously, without fear of exposure or retribution.
Fire Kills
Stop a fire happening in your home. These webpages explain what to do, what to check and what to avoid doing.
Trinity Community Partnership
Trinity Community Partnership is an Independent Development Trust working for sustainable solutions for communities through social, cultural, environmental and economic development.
Council and Democracy
Audit Commission
Audit Commission is an independent public body responsible for ensuring that public money is spent economically, efficiently, and effectively in the areas of local government, housing, health, criminal justice and fire and rescue services.
Local Government Ombudsman
You can use this website to make a complaint to the Ombudsman or to find out more about the Ombudsmen's work.
The Electoral Commission
An independent body that was set up by the UK Parliament in November 2000. It's aim is to increase public confidence in the democratic process within the United Kingdom - and encourage people to take part - by modernising the electoral process, promoting public awareness of electoral matters, and regulating political parties.
Development and Planning Services
Department For Communities and Local Government - Business Regulations
Building Regulations Division deals with Building Regulations, which ensure the health and safety of people in and around buildings by providing functional requirements for building design and construction. The regulations also promote energy efficiency in buildings and contribute to meeting the needs of disabled people.
Local Authority Building Control
Local Authority Building Control (LABC) is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards in building design and construction. LABC is a publicly accountable, independent building control provider. Our aim is to assist you in producing high quality buildings that meet the minimum requirements of the Building Regulations in a time scale which keeps your costs to a minimum.
Online Planning Offices
This website provides information on all aspects of planning and building control, including building regulations, listings of Council Planning Offices and local relevant services and suppliers.
The Land Registry
The Land Registry guarantee the title to registered land in England and Wales and hold records for land ownership and interests.
The Planning Inspectorate
The Planning Inspectorate's main work is the processing of planning and enforcement appeals and holding inquiries into local development plans. They also deal with a wide variety of other planning related casework including listed building consent appeals, advertisement appeals, and reporting on planning applications.
The Planning Portal
The Planning Portal offers a wide range of services and guidance on the planning system.
Disabled Services
British Council of Disabled People
The British Council of Disabled People (BCODP) was set up by disabled people in 1981 to promote our full equality and participation within society. We are an umbrella organisation that represents some 130 organisations run and controlled by disabled people. BCODP is the only national umbrella organisation to be democratically set up by disabled people themselves to represent their interests at the national level.
Disability Access Charter
The Disability Access Charter monitors and advises on services and facilities for disabled people in all kinds of venues from major factories and exhibition centres to health trusts and housing associations.
Equality and Human Rights
The Equality and Human Rigths Commission replaced the Disability Rights Commission in September 2007. Their role is to protect individuals against discrimination, to enforce the laws on eqaulity and to promotew fairness and human rights for everyone.
Education
Bullying Online
Bullying Online was founded in April 1999 by Liz Carnell and her son John, as a direct result of their experience of dealing with school bullying. They decided to share their knowledge with other parents and pupils and identified the Internet as the most cost effective medium. Bullying Online became a UK-registered charity in May 2000 and has four trustees.
Curriculum Online
Curriculum Online is central to the Government's drive to transform teaching and learning in schools by improving access to ICT and multimedia resources for all pupils. This website exists to bring teaching professionals and multimedia resources together. It offers an easy, pinpoint searching through multimedia resources, aligned with the curriculum of subjects taught in schools in England.
Department for Education and Skills
The Department for Education and Skills was established with the purpose of creating opportunity, releasing potential and achieving excellence for all.
DfES Adult Learners' Gateway
Developed by the Department of Education and Skills (DfES), and partner organisations, way to learn is a web portal for adult learners. The portal pulls together, in one convenient place, links to all the information that adult learners may need. This will help you make better-informed decisions about learning.
National Grid For Learning
The gateway to educational resources on the internet. The NGfL provides a network of selected links to websites that offer high quality content and information. Whether you are learning, supporting, teaching or managing, there are resources on the NGfL for you.
National Institute of Adult Continuing Education
The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) aims to encourage all adults to engage in learning of all kinds.
Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted)
Ofsted is a non-ministerial government department established under the Education (Schools) Act 1992 to take responsibility for the inspection of all schools in England. Its role also includes the inspection of local education authorities, teacher training institutions and youth work. During 2001, Ofsted became responsible for inspecting all 16-19 education and for the regulation of early years childcare, including childminders.
Skills Funding Agency
The Skills Funding Agency's mission is to ensure that people and businesses can access the skills training they need to succeed in playing their part in society and in growing England’s economy.
UCAS
UCAS is the central organisation that processes applications for full-time undergraduate courses at UK universities and colleges.
Emergencies
Preparing For Emergencies
This website includes the common sense advice found in the Preparing for Emergencies booklet, and information on what the government is doing to protect the country as a whole.
Environment
Chartered Institution of Wastes Management
The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), is the professional body which represents over 6,000 waste management professionals - predominantly in the UK but also overseas. The CIWM sets the professional standards for individuals working in the waste management industry and has various grades of membership determined by education, qualification and experience.
The Environment Agency
The leading public body responsible for protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales.
Health
Health & Safety Executive
Britain's Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are responsible for the regulation of almost all the risks to health and safety arising from work activity in Britain.
Health Protection Agency
The Health Protection Agency is a new national organisation for England and Wales. It is dedicated to protecting people's health and reducing the impact of infectious diseases, chemical hazards, poisons and radiation hazards. It brings together the expertise of health and scientific professionals.
NHS Direct
NHS Direct operates a 24-hour nurse advice and health information service, providing confidential information on what to do if you or your family are feeling ill; particular health conditions; local healthcare services, such as doctors, dentists or late night opening pharmacies, self help and support organisations.
The National Health Service
This site connects you to your local NHS services and provides national information about the NHS. Find out what the NHS is, how the NHS works, and how you can use it.
Health and Social Care
Al-Anon Family Groups
Al-Anon Family Groups provide understanding, strength and hope to anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else's drinking.
ChildcareLink
As part of the National Childcare Strategy, ChildcareLink aims to help people back into the workplace by removing the childcare barrier. The ChildcareLink service is funded by the Department for Education and Skills and the Scottish Executive.
Family Rights Group
Family Rights Group (FRG) was established as a registered charity in 1974 to provide advice and support for families whose children are involved with social services. FRG works to improve the services received by these families.
Independent Living
The UK's leading site for disabled and elderly people, carers and healthcare professionals, with information, news, views and products.
Mencap
Mencap is the UK's leading learning disability charity working with people with a learning disability and their families and carers. Mencap offers information and advice on a range of learning disability issues, provide support, including housing, education, employment and leisure activities and campaign to bring about positive changes in the people's lives.
Samaritans
Samaritans is available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide.
The Care Quality Commission
The Care Quality Commission replaced the Healthcare Commission, Commission for Social Care Inspection and the Mental Health Act Commission on 31st March 2009. It is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. Our aim is to make sure better care is provided for everyone, whether that's in hospital, in care homes, in pesople's own homes, or elsewhere. They regulate health and adult social care services, whether provided by the NHS, local authorities, private companies or voluntary organisations. And, we protect the rights of people detained under the Mental Health Act.
Housing
Abbeyfield Housing Society
The Abbeyfield Society is a UK-wide volunteer-led charity providing housing with care for older people.
Anchor Trust
Anchor Trust is a not-for-profit organisation, dedicated to helping older people to live safely, securely and independently with a choice of services to suit all needs.
Community Council House Exchange
Join the FREE online Forum of Council Exchanges, add your Home to the Council Exchange Community, view Exchanges and reply to ones of interest.
Council Tenants Advice Bureau (UK) Ltd
CTAB is a provider of information and mortgages for council tenants - recommended by local authorities and housing associations. A one-stop-centre for advice and help with right to buy and rent to mortgage.
English Churches Housing Group
English Churches Housing Group is one of the country's largest housing associations, providing homes for over 26,000 people through a range of affordable general needs, sheltered and supported housing services. Working in 168 different local authorities, it has established a positive reputation for working in partnership with other agencies.
Home Housing Association
Home Housing Association provides a variety of affordable homes for rent and shared ownership throughout the North of England, Yorkshire and the Midlands. They currently manage over 23,000 properties and help people from all backgrounds to find homes and neighbourhoods they are happy to live in.
HousingNet
A UK Housing Association & Local Authority Information Directory. Home of the AddressBook, a standalone database of HA & LA contact information for list building.
Shelter
Shelter is a national organisation with local solutions working to improve the lives of homeless and badly housed people. They provide free, professional and independent advice to over 100,000 people each year throughout England and Scotland.
Jobs and Careers
Charityjobs
Bringing the job market directly to your desktop, Charityjobs is the UK's premier Charity job site for those looking for Charity work across the UK and Europe.
Connexions
13-19? Living in England? If you want information and advice designed just for you, or just someone to talk to, then Connexions has it all - and if you're 16 why not sign up for an exclusive Connexions Card?
Jobcentre Plus
This site provides help and advice on job hunting and extra support, help and advice on making a claim for benefit, Information for organisations working with and alongside Jobcentre Plus.
Jobseekers-uk
Jobseekers-uk.com is a service provided by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation to assist you in locating a recruitment agency best suited to finding you work - on a permanent or temporary basis.
Jobsite UK
The original, award-winning UK job search and jobs by email service. Want to find your next job as quickly and easily as possible? Start searching for jobs now with Jobsite and send your CV straight to the top recruitment agencies and employers in your sector.
The Prince's Trust
UK charity that helps young people overcome barriers and get their lives working.
WorkTrain
Worktrain is part of the Department for Work and Pensions. The Worktrain website provides job, training, learning and career profile searches and related information.
Neighbouring Local Authorities
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
The Web Site for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.
Burnley Borough Council
The Web Site for Burnley Borough Council.
Craven District Council
The Web Site for Craven District Council.
Hyndburn Borough Council
This is a link to Hyndburn borough council.
Lancashire County Council
The Web Site for Lancashire County Council
Lancaster City Council
The Web Site for Lancaster City Council.
Pendle Borough Council
The Web Site for Pendle Borough Council.
Rossendale Borough Council
Rossendale borough council is the local council within the area of Rawtenstall and Bacup
South Ribble Borough Council
The Web Site for South Ribble Borough Council.
Software Tools
Sport
Active Places
This website allows you to search for sports facilities anywhere in England by a number of different ways. You can browse an interactive map of the country, search for facilities in your local area, use the name and address of a specific facility to find out more information.
Clitheroe Canoe Club
Clitheroe Canoe Club is a not-for-profit family oriented canoe club, based at purpose built facilities in Chatburn near Clitheroe in the Ribble Valley, Lancashire. Our primary focus is to promote the sport and recreation of canoeing to residents and visitors of the Ribble Valley and surrounding areas.
Pendle Ski Club
Skiing at Pendle has been a popular activity for over 30 years. Over this time the main slope has developed to a length of over 130 meters and in addition there is a large training slope offering many exciting and unusual features. Two button lifts give adequate uplift and all the equipment is modern and maintained to a high standard. The main slope features a mist lubrication system installed in 1993.
Roefield leisure
Roefield Leisure in Clitheroe, Lancashire, offers sport and leisure opportunities for all the family. Roefield Leisure is a registered non-profit making charity. You can rest assured that your money will go back into developing sport and leisure in Clitheroe and throughout the Ribble Valley.
Tourism
English Heritage
English Heritage make sure that the historic environment of England is properly maintained and cared for. By employing some of the country's very best architects, archaeologists and historians, English Heritage aim to help people understand and appreciate why the historic buildings and landscapes around them matter.
Transport and Streets
National Express
The UK's largest scheduled coach company.
Traveline
A service which provides impartial journey planning information about all public transport services - buses, coaches, trains, ferries, trams, metro and underground - throughout England, Wales and Scotland. At present it offers information based on details in published timetables.
