Leader of the Council, Alyson Barnes, monthly update for January 2025
As 2025 begins, it’s a good time to reflect on what we achieved in 2024 and to look forward to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. This past year has been a significant one, not least because of a change in government, which has brought renewed focus on how best to deliver for local communities. Here in Rossendale, we’ve been working hard to ensure progress continues the issues that matter most to our residents.
Our ambitious multi-million-pound regeneration programme is now well underway, with upgrades to our markets in Rawtenstall, Bacup, and Haslingden. I’m pleased to report that the Haslingden improvements have already been completed, and work continues to revitalise the other areas. Alongside this, we’ve been addressing some long-standing practical challenges, such as improving traffic flow in Rawtenstall town centre. I appreciate this has been difficult at times, and will continue to be so, until work is completed but it is an important project that will make a real difference to daily life for residents and visitors alike. We will also continue to push our delivery partners Lancashire County Council to make sure they stay on track and give as much notice as we can to residents and businesses of impending works.
2024 also saw great success in maintaining and enhancing Rossendale’s green spaces. Stubbylee has retained its coveted Green Flag, and we’re proud to have secured another for the Memorial Gardens in Rawtenstall. Civic Pride Rawtenstall and Bacup Pride, with their brilliant volunteers, have once again brought home a raft of RHS awards, showcasing the beauty and community spirit of our borough. Their efforts, along with the dedication of countless other volunteers, are what make Rossendale such a wonderful place to live.
Improvements to parks and play areas have been another key focus, with upgrades completed at Victoria Park, Edgeside Park, Fairview Recreation, and Moller Ring play area. We’ve also celebrated the culmination of the Rossendale Forest project, which saw over 16,000 trees planted - one for every child in the borough.
In addition to these local initiatives, we’ve taken significant steps towards our environmental goals, securing £3.1 million in funding for net-zero projects, installing 30 EV charging points and supporting 40 residents into employment or training through Rossendale Works.
Looking ahead to 2025, the big news just before Christmas was the government’s proposal to reorganise local government structures. After 14 years of austerity and funding challenges, it’s clear that the two-tier system of local government no longer serves our residents as effectively as it should. A review of council structures is long overdue, and
while change can be daunting, it also presents opportunities to rethink how we deliver services and better support our communities.
Devolution is a key part of this conversation, and larger councils could bring economies of scale, savings, and efficiencies. But we must ensure that decision-making remains rooted at a local level. It’s vital that future changes preserve the local accountability and connection that are so important to our residents.
There’s also a need for strong leadership to secure a devolution deal, including a directly elected mayor. A deal could bring much-needed investment to the county and allow us to tackle pressing issues like poorly managed road networks and underfunded services. However, we’re unlikely to see major changes before 2027, and until then, our focus remains firmly on delivering statutory services and continuing the capital projects that are transforming our borough.
Rossendale has achieved so much in 2024 thanks to the collective efforts of residents, volunteers, and council teams working together. As we enter 2025, I’m confident that by maintaining this spirit of collaboration, we can continue to build a borough that we’re all proud to call home.
As ever, if you need to talk to me, please get in touch on alysonbarnes@rossendalebc.gov.uk or 07817414248. I will be happy to hear from you.