Leader of the Council's Monthly Update - May 2025

If you live in Rossendale, you will be aware that you have two councils delivering your services, not one council like parts of Greater Manchester, London and various other parts of the country. This means that some services - the refuse service, economic development activity and the management of our parks and open spaces are delivered by Rossendale Borough Council and our other services - things like adult social care, library services and highways are managed by the country council. This is called two tier local government.

This approach - two tier local government is old fashioned and not very responsive to resident's needs, that is why the new government has decided to scrap the two-tier approach and to create unitary councils throughout Lancashire – these changes are likely to come into effect by May 2028.

Reorganisation won’t be simple, and improvements will not be felt overnight. But the aim is clear: to deliver better value for money and services that are easier to access and more responsive to local needs. A modern model of local government isn’t about removing local voices – far from it. It’s about making sure decisions are made closer to the people they affect, with clear accountability and fewer hoops to jump through.

There’s still plenty to work out, and I’ll be making the case for a solution that reflects Rossendale’s needs. But staying the same isn’t an option. If we want to protect vital services and invest in our future, we must be open to change – and make sure we shape this change, rather than having change imposed on us.

That also leads me onto the upcoming county council elections. It’s worth remembering just how much of everyday life is shaped at that level. Things like road maintenance, support for children with special educational needs, and adult social care are all the responsibility of the county council. These are the big services that often sit in the background – until something goes wrong or you or someone you know needs them.

In Rossendale, like in the rest of Lancashire, these services touch the lives of thousands of people. Whether it’s getting a pothole sorted, accessing help for an elderly parent, or making sure every child has the support they need to learn – the decisions made at county level matter a great deal.

So, if you’re registered to vote, I’d encourage you to take part. It’s one of the simplest ways to have a say in how these important services are run.

I’d like to finish this month by thanking Cllr Judith Driver. As her term as Mayor comes to an end, I’d like to thank her - on behalf of the whole borough - for her dedication and energy over the past year. Judith and her consort Ian have been fantastic ambassadors

for Rossendale, bringing warmth and enthusiasm to every event they’ve attended. Judith has been especially passionate about supporting schools and young people’s services, always making time to listen, encourage, and champion the next generation. Alongside her consort, she’s also raised an impressive amount for her chosen charities this year, including Rossendale Hospice, the Rawtenstall-based M3 Project, which helps with housing, young parents and homelessness issues; and the Whitehorse Project that runs young people's activities at Newchuch Community Space. We’re incredibly grateful for her service.

As ever if you wish to contact me, you can do so by calling 07817 414248 or emailing alysonbarnes@rossendalebc.gov.uk