The end of December saw the retirement of our chief executive Marshal Scott after 37 years, having joined Ribble Valley in 1988 and being appointed as chief executive in 2009.
I described him as “a quiet man with a wealth of knowledge and experience, whose wisdom had guided many officers and councillors over decades”. He has worked with 5 different leaders as CEO.
“Marshal is leaving a council that is well respected in Lancashire, with the lowest council tax in the county and high resident satisfaction rates. We are extremely grateful to him for his dedication and proving that smaller councils are more than capable of delivering excellent services, while skilfully managing finances.
We hope that the ‘Ribble Valley way’ will be incorporated into the new unitary authority”, as local government reorganisation goes ahead, and on behalf of councillors across the chamber I wish Marshal the very best for his retirement.”
Then in January we welcomed Sarah Threlfall as our new CEO. Sarah was previously the deputy CEO at Preston City Council and it has been a hectic first month for us as Sarah gets to know the Borough in detail.
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Back in May 2025 at our Annual Council I set out this Council’s priorities for the year
· The appointment of a new Chief Exec
· Local Government Re-Organisation
· And our extensive capital programme
· We also commented on issues around Licencing and HARP (Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme)
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Local Government Reorganisation is continuing at a fast pace across the country.
In March 2025 RVBC expressed that our first wish was to remain independent…. but suggested that, should there be reorganisation into a Unitary Council, our preference is to link with Lancaster and Preston City Councils.
Over the past 10 months RV along with other Lancashire Districts have worked collaboratively on the future so that our residents can have a unitary authority delivering high quality services – and that, we believe, is the Four Lancashire model (linking RV with Lancaster and Preston). Local Government Re-organisation – Ribble Valley Borough Council
The submission to Government was completed in November along with options from other Councils for 2,3, 4 and 5 Unitary Councils. The proposals will go to public consultation in February for a 7-week period; albeit that this consultation will be managed by Government.
Government will then decide on the Unitary Map for Lancashire by June/July this year. Let’s hope we get the option of Four Lancashire that we have suggested.
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The RVBC capital programme continues.
- Scaffolding is being erected on the Clitheroe Castle Keep with work being completed by mid-year.
- Public consultation on the Castle Grounds has concluded with over 500 responses. Work has started on an Outdoor Gym with work on the pathways, the bandstand and planting areas later in the year in to early 2027 to complete a £2.3m project.
- A report was commissioned on the Ribblesdale Pool with a recommendation going to Policy & Finance Committee in February to proceed in spending over £4m.
- A new play area and pump track at Edisford are planned for 2026. Work has already been completed in Longridge on a Pump Track.
- A further round of funding was announced last month for projects from the RV Shared Prosperity /Jubilee Fund. Many community lead projects have been approved for the villages.
- Bids are being prepared for new 3G pitches for submission to The Football Foundation in February 2026.
Further updates on these projects will happen throughout the year.
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And Finally….
On Licencing there remains concern over premises in Whalley with anti-social behaviour and noise. The Council continue to conduct noise checks on premises and are also arranging to install additional CCTV to assist in gathering information on anti-social behaviour.
On HARP a principal contractor has been appointed by UU and a broad timetable advised giving an indication that highways work will start towards the end of 2026 with the main construction work on site from 2028. The contractor is also recruiting a community liaison officer as part of that agreement and RVBC have appointed a planning officer to assist as the project develops.
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We will continue to try our best to retain the ‘Ribble Valley’ values that we know residents want as the year progresses towards the election of a Shadow Council for the new Unitary in May 2027.
Cllr Simon Hore
Leader Ribble Valley Borough Council
