I hope you all enjoyed a great Easter break. There were loads of different events on around the valley over the weekend. I went up to the Easter Egg Hunt up in Cowpe with my grandson Lawrence. The Rossendale weather was at its best – all seasons in the hour or so we were up there! A big thank you to all the people who organise these types of events for the benefit of our communities. Duck races, easter egg hunts, easter bonnet competitions invariably being run from church halls and community centres. Like the raffle, these time honoured activities conjure up our own childhoods and speaks to a very gentle and much cherished aspect of our culture, long may these events continue.
You will, by now have received your new food waste bin, caddy and information about the new collections and how it will all work. This is a national initiative, not something the borough council has come up with, but it will have a direct impact on how we all manage our waste at home. There has understandably been some confusion about what this means in practice, and like all changes it will take time to bed in. In Lancashire, most of the food waste collected such as vegetable peelings and leftovers will not be turned into compost instead, it will be used to generate energy. This waste will be processed at the facility in Farrington in Leyland, where it can be converted into energy rather than going into landfill. The County Council is responsible for this part of the process and will receive income from the energy generated. Increasingly we are sorting waste rather than burying it – that must be welcomed.
You can find out more on the Council’s website, if you haven’t received the council’s booklet. https://bit.ly/RossendaleBCFoodWaste If you need a paper copy of the leaflet, please ring corporate support on 01706 217777.
Alongside this, there has been positive news for the borough with the Government backing the Pride in Place investment plan for Rawtenstall, Waterfoot and Crawshawbooth. This is a significant programme, with up to £20 million being invested over ten years in selected areas across the country. These areas were chosen by Government based on population numbers and national measures of need, not by the Council. This fund represents a real opportunity for the Valley.
Whilst the Council’s role is to act as the accountable body for the funding, decisions on how the money is spent are being led by a local board made up of engaged stakeholders and people from across the community. Over the past year, residents and stakeholders have helped shape the plan by sharing ideas and identifying priorities. The result is a programme that includes both smaller, immediate improvements to local spaces and longer-term investment in regeneration, businesses and neighbourhoods.
Work is also now well under way on Rawtenstall Market. The improvements were needed to maintain the market hall, which has not seen any real repairs or improvements for many, many years. As well as replacing the cabins, which were rotten, the roof, floor and electrics will all be renewed or repaired. Solar panels will also be fixed to the roof to reduce the running costs of the building. When it reopens next year, it will be a brighter and more welcoming space and fit for the next 100 years. In the meantime, it has been great to see the level of support for traders at the temporary market site in the town square. When the weather has allowed, it has created a lively atmosphere and brought more people into the town centre.
In Haslingden, I would like to thank both traders and residents for their patience while the work on Deardengate has been completed. It has taken longer than originally anticipated, but it is encouraging to see the finished result. There are now several events and different types of markets planned in Haslingden over the coming months, these events are designed to bring more people into the town centre. Please support these events where you can.
We are fortunate to live in a place with a strong sense of community and a great deal happening. As we move into spring and summer, and hopefully start to see more good weather, there will be more opportunities to get out, support local businesses and community groups and enjoy everything the Valley has to offer.
I will finish by congratulating and welcoming Laura Diamond, the winner of last week’s Hareholme and Waterfoot by-election to Rossendale Borough Council. Laura is relatively new to Rossendale; I am sure she will not regret her move up the valley from Ramsbottom. I look forward to working with her. I also offer commiserations to the other candidates. It takes a good deal of personal commitment to put yourself forward in this way, not to mention hard work. Particularly considering the very lively exchanges seen on social media these days. I hope all those who stood in this election had a much deserved rest over the weekend. We will no doubt see some of them contest future elections.
As ever you can get in touch with me by phone on 07817 414248 or by email at alysonbarnes@rossendalebc.gov.uk.