Live Ribble Valley Issue 135 September 2022

TEDD TALKS

Live Magazines’ Tedd Walmsley says more understanding is needed when it comes to private sector investment and asks why the council is 10 years late in implementing adjustments to its services for the disabled

I do hope you’ve all had a good summer? Let me start by thanking those of you who have taken the time to contact me and share your views. Let’s have a quick recap before we discuss the latest issues and problems that have manifested over the last couple of months.

Mumbai streets, sadly I’m told absolutely no progress has been made on taking forward the match funding for this project from LCC. I fear the money may be lost and the conservation area of Clitheroe tragically left to rot.

It was good to see the Ribble Valley put on some amazing events over the summer – notably the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Show and the Goosnargh and Longridge Agricultural Show, which were both huge successes and demonstrated great partnerships and collaboration. I’m told there were record attendances for both.

Clitheroe Food Festival went ahead, and the rain didn’t dampen the enthusiasm for the day, although I believe it was nearly cancelled with a shambolic mix-up regarding the ordering of marquees. A lastminute replacement was found, out of the area once again. I’ve been given mixed feedback from traders and local shop keepers so let’s see what happens next year. We need more events and innovations to drive footfall to businesses and worryingly, it appears occupancy rates are down in many of our lodges and B&Bs.

I’m still persona non grata having had no response to any communication with the council. I am however, delighted to include a page in this month’s issue, on the new Mayor of the Ribble Valley Stuart Hirst as we outline his plans for his year in office and the charities he hopes to help with a series of events to raise much-needed funds.

So, let’s now turn to what’s happened in the last couple of months. Firstly, a frantic last-minute bid for a slice of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund of around £2m – I’m told that an urgent council meeting was called with less than 25 per cent of the councillors in attendance. They were asked to put together some ideas on how the money was to be spent – this is a shambles and to me demonstrates apathy and a lack of urgency by members of both the council and the paid officers.

On the same subject, I had a call from a Whalley parish councillor frustrated beyond belief that despite contacting the Head of Economic Development on numerous occasions to articulate suggestions and ideas for Whalley, she hadn’t given him the courtesy of a response. Much-needed ideas such as new sports facilities, to match the increase in population, the all-important new car park to help attract people to shop with ease and a host of community-led ideas. In my mind it’s a disgraceful situation when such well-meaning pillars of the community and business owners are ignored. We must surely hold the officers to account for their behaviour.

I believe the July Planning Committee meeting was cancelled due to ‘holidays’, with very little notice. Sadly, the clue is in the title, ‘planning’! The fallout for this delay was that important decisions weren’t taken and pushed back until the end of August. This resulted in at least one business losing tens of thousands of pounds of lost earnings from a new project. There appears to be no understanding from the council, or its officers, about private sector investment.

I’m indebted to both a reader and councillor for pointing out a story in the local press that you may have missed. It would appear that RVBC are 10 years late in implementing adjustments to its services for disabled people. The social care ombudsman hauled the council over the coals and received a grovelling apology from the Chief Executive – the ombudsman had to chase RVBC no less than 16 times (sounds familiar) for evidence that policies were in place. These were finally completed in May 2022 and still issues prevail around keeping adequate records. My question is – how on earth is this acceptable?

Autumn looks to be just around the corner and I think we all see lots of challenges ahead for our business community. Please continue to be kind to one another and support, where you can, our hard-working independent shops and businesses throughout the Ribble Valley. •

The views above are my own and I’d be delighted to get some replies to my questions and will report back on any progress and positive outcomes.

tedd.walmsley@live-magazines.co.uk

TWITTER @TeddWalmsley