Statement from Cllr Miles Parkinson on Council Tax freeze

I am pleased that for the sixth successive year Council Tax will not increase for local residents for Hyndburn Council services.  There remains great pressure on the Council to continue to make savings, as the Government continues to reduce the funding it gives to local government.  This year we have saved over £670,000 from right across the Council by reducing staff numbers, efficiency improvements and working smarter and harder.  This has allowed the Council to avoid having to raise Council Tax while achieving a balanced budget.  We have continued to prioritise achieving savings in the Council’s back office functions to ensure that services to the public are impacted as little as possible.

We are also continuing to work hard to ensure that we bring investment into the area and this year we will commence the work to boost Accrington Town Centre using Lottery Funds and our own money.  This £3m+ investment along with the building of a new Bus Station over the next few years should give the Town Centre the boost it needs to continue to provide an appropriate shopping facility for Hyndburn and allow local businesses to thrive going forward.

Many people in Hyndburn face challenging health issues and we are investing this year significant sums to provide new leisure facilities and update existing ones to ensure that the facilities exist and are suitably attractive and well maintained to encourage people to take up physical activity and look after themselves by adopting healthier lifestyles.

Regeneration activity is also continuing with our partners KeepMoat and Place First with new houses being built along Blackburn Road and our major refurbishment programme in Woodnook already taking shape and transforming the area.  The investment we have made over the last few years has been significant and more monies will be devoted to these important investment activities over the coming twelve months.

We continue to live in tough and turbulent times but as a Council we are committed to improving the local area, keeping council tax increases to a minimum and protecting front line services.

Cllr Miles Parkinson

Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council