Leader’s Speech 14th October 2025
Whilst during the summer months we have had a break in our Committee meetings there has been considerable work being undertaken.
However, this period has also seen some sad happenings.
We saw the loss of a past Mayor of Howel Jones in August, an Honorary Alderman, former Mayor of the Ribble Valley from 1990 to 1991, and Leader of this Council from 1996 to 1999. … A man dedicated to public service; and we extend our sympathy to Beverley his wife and their family.
… and then
The tragic events outside the Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester on 2nd October are a sad reminder that communities are at risk. The attack on a Jewish community going peacefully about its business has led to a great deal of fear and concern.
…as a Council that has significant pride in Our place and community, I am sure that Cllrs will join with me in extending our sympathies to the families of the victims and those who were injured or impacted by the attack…. and confirm the importance of collaborating with all communities that make up our Borough.
Work continues particularly with regards to our three priorities; Local Government Reorganisation, our extensive Capital Programme, and the appointment of a new CEO.
…. Our Agenda this evening seeks to ratify a decision from Policy & Finance (P&F) on the first of those priorities that of the appointment of a CEO to follow Marshal Scott on his retirement.
The interview process was rigorous and challenging, and we are grateful to all the 24 candidates who applied, ….particularly those who went through the shortlist interview process….
…. And grateful to our head of HR and his team for pulling everything together and of course to Marshal, who although not involved in the interviews or decision, has given his guidance.
The final recommendation from P&F is subject to confirmation by Cllrs tonight after which we would hope to have the new CEO in place during January 2026.
Secondly our Capital programme is progressing.
Solar Panels on this Council building are at last in place and providing on average 20% of the daily electricity demand. At peak in the summer this should rise to 27% and the payback on the investment is around 7 years.
Investigations continue with Ribblesdale Pool where tests on the pipework and tank will be undertaken this month and the RIBA 4 report that has been commissioned should be with us by the end of the year, reporting to Community Committee in January .
…..The Football Foundation are progressing technical aspects required for 3 * 3G pitches and this Council are establishing the business case, with likely usage, for each potential facility, for presentation to the Football Foundation Board next February. Key risks are currently in obtaining planning permission for all 3 sites and ensuring that Langho FC are comfortable taking responsibility for managing what will be a community facility.
On the Castle Grounds a new Outdoor Gym has been tendered and awarded with work starting in November. The Multi- Use Games Area tender is with the procurement team. The major civil works to pathways, drainage, lighting, and seating is the subject of a committee report this month to agree a tender exercise for work to start in the Spring of next year. Consultation on the more specialist elements such as information boards and the Bandstand is taking place with community groups and will be the subject of a proposal to Committee in January. Officers are also working with the café on its longer-term sustainability.
…. And on the Castle Keep work is expected to start later this year.
Our Play Areas’ investment of £750k is underway:…..John Smith’s play area in Longridge will hopefully reopen for half term holidays this month; Hawthorne astroturf carpeting for the goal posts is being addressed now ….and at Edisford, tenders have been received, and the contract will be awarded this month, with work commencing just before or just after Christmas.
Finally on our third, and not least, priority Local Government Reorganisation.
In summary…. details will continue to be discussed with the LGR Working Group, and much was presented to the last Policy & Finance committee in September.
· The deadline for submission of Lancashire’s proposals remains as 28th November with a decision by Govt on the option after consultation.
· The 15 Lancashire Authorities and their Leaders have, in the main, identified which option thy are aligned to…. whether that be the 2, 3 , 4 or even a 5 Unitary option across the County.
· The intention is that one letter signed by all 15 authorities will be sent to Govt along with the varying options. This letter to show the single preference of each Council.
· The suggestion is that all Councils publicise their preference together to avoid last minute amendments to counter arguments submitted by other groups.
· RVBC remain in discussions with Lancaster and Preston over the 4 Unitary option and those discussions extend to Leaders and Chief Execs of the other councils favouring the 4 option, Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancs
· Blackpool have come in with a late alternative to a 4 option that links them with Preston and Fylde adding more of the Coastal area in the north from Lancaster to their boundary ….and inexplicably splits RV into 2 with Longridge and the north of RV going to Wyre and Lancaster and Clitheroe and south to Pennine Lancashire. This would appear to fail on the criteria advised by Govt not to split districts…..unless they have had agreement from the Govt of which we are not aware.
· Discussions continue with Chief Execs and Leaders. It is our intention to arrange a full RV Cllr briefing session on 18th November to discuss the final submission with an Extraordinary Full Council on 26th November to confirm the final preference and submission from RVBC.
· More Working group meetings will be arranged in the interim period.
· If the current timetable remains there would be an election of Cllrs for a Shadow Authority of the new Unitary Council in May 2027 with the new Unitary taking over control in April 2028.
Apart from those 3 priorities there are various other issues on which I wish to comment.
· In the High Court, Ribble Valley Borough Council have succeeded in a judgment against the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the applicant regarding a large single house development in Mellor. The High Court Judge ruled that inappropriate development was proposed, constituting a breach of Green Belt policy. Whilst the applicant may receive permission to go to the Appeal Court this judgement was accepted in full by the Sec of State and we are grateful to our director Nicola Hopkins in pursuing this case to protect our Green Belt.
· On the Punchbowl at Hurst Green this Council are continuing to pursue High Court proceedings against the site owners to ensure rebuilding of the premises in the original location.
· A report will go to Planning & Development this month with an update on HARP following discussions with UU and the contractor,
· The Shared Prosperity and Jubilee Fund working group have identified more projects where we are asking applicants to provide more information.
· Additional CCTV has been agreed for Whalley to pick up Queen Street and Accrington Road to link in with the Council system. It is intended that this will be installed after a consultation period.
· On Food Waste (a new statutory service that we are obliged to introduce), collection vehicles have been ordered with a delivery date of October 26. Options will be presented to Community committee to hire vehicles in order to start in April 2026 if essential. Whilst small in scale this will have a significant impact on residents.
· On Longridge Hospital some good news. In January this year, the service was relocated to an alternative part of the building reducing the number of beds from 15 to just 5. This was due to the building being found to be non-compliant with the national ‘fire compartmentation survey’ conducted on NHS properties nationwide in line with government guidelines post-Grenfell.
The Integrated Care Board has agreed to reinstate the service to full capacity. It is hoped this will be achieved by January 2026. The ICB recognises that this is a valuable community service that supports people to get better, closer to home and out of the main hospitals.
… and finally, it is important that we dedicate the Council resources in maintaining its budgeted statutory and agreed non statutory services along with the agreed priorities.
With Local Govt Reorganisation the workload on key officers is increasing and we are likely to see, along with all districts, added pressure to provide information. At P&F meeting last month approval given to the Chieh Exec to recruit additional staff as a result of added pressure from LGR and it is important that we avoid getting distracted by adding in new issues for which this Council either
· have limited involvement,
· limited ability to influence change.
· and/or no budget responsibility,
as that puts further pressure on Officer time.
Hopefully this gives all Cllrs a picture of what is happening.
