Ribble Valley Council could invest millions of pounds on Ribblesdale Swimming Pool, Clitheroe Castle, new artificial sports pitches in Longridge, parks and other sites, to fast-track spending over two years as local councils face potential reform or abolition by Westminster.
The council’s Community Services Committee has agreed ideas to shorten proposed timetables for spending an estimated £6.7 million on major, one-off ‘capital’ projects from five years to two years. Other council committees will be involved in discussions aiming to get agreement by the spring.
It comes against a backdrop of Westminster ambitions to restructure English councils. Some proposed developments first emerged under previous Conservative governments, including the disputed Lancashire devolution ideas, while others have been added by the new Labour government. In December, the new government unveiled its English Devolution White Paper. That includes policies to create new new councils covering bigger populations and more mayors. But nothing is confirmed.
This week, Ribble Valley’s Community Services Committee discussed earmarking around £2million or more for Ribblesdale pool work, £1million for Clitheroe Castle, £1.2million for Longridge artificial sports pitches, £750,000 for play areas and £250,000 for parks.
‘Not a political issue’
Conservative Coun Stuart Hirst, the committee chairman, said: “We are facing a different national context now. We’ve had discussions with various councillors across different groups and senior officers. This is not a political issue. This is about Ribble Valley resources for the Ribble Valley. It is felt we should be a bit more ambitious with our capital programme, by bringing five-year schedules down to two years and adding some schemes already approved in principle. Now, we need to know what councillors say.”
Costs are currently estimates and more work will be needed to firm-up details. But Coun Hirst said: “If we don’t set the ball rolling now, this won’t happen. Other council committees will be involved and proposals will eventually go to the full council.”
Labour Coun Michael Graveston said: “I welcome an ambitious capital programme. We were elected with a mandate to try to get a bit more from the council although I appreciate this is not set in stone.
“But how confident is the council that Ribblesdale Pool is refurbishable? Also how plausible is it to spend £6million in two years? In the capital programme for this year, only £1million has been accomplished. There are reasons for that and my question is not a slight on council officers.
“But if some things do or do not happen, we could end-up committing a lot of money to things which might not be wise or achievable? Also, I’m interested in the Longridge artificial pitches idea but where has that come from?”
Sports pitch study
Council community services director Adam Allen said: “Achievability is crucial. We’ve got to consider how we procure some work and ensure it’s done in time. We are well-versed on playgrounds. Some work could be done in-house and some put to tender. With tenders, we might lose a bit of control but we can get certainty using conditions.
“We’ve done a sport pitch study and we need more artificial pitches. Some provision is missing in Longridge. New pitches could be at a school or Mardale but neither is perfect. So we are in discussions including with football clubs. However, we have done artificial pitches before and are pretty convinced we could do it in 12 months. We are pretty certain of artificial turf costs but the swimming pool is unclear.”
Regarding Clitheroe’s Ribblesdale Swimming Pool, Mr Allen said this was a much bigger project. He said: “It would cost £1million to progress pool plans and could be one or two years before a spade goes into the ground. Options include refurbishment but that would involve some closure. We could put in a steel pool but that would include new pipe systems. There may be other options too. But tonight, we are saying can we look at all options in earnest and get on with it?”
Labour’s Karl Barnsley said: “I’m a bit concerned that if we set aside £3million for the pool refurbishment, that would set the direction of travel.”
Could Ribble Valley get a £20m leisure centre?
Coun Hirst said: “You’re right. However, if the council’s finance committee said let’s go for a £20million scheme, we could do that. For now, this recommendation allows officers to do more work on options.I would love to see a £20million leisure centre. If we had more time, we could really address that. But my concern is that we fall between two stools and end-up with nothing.”
Conservative Coun Richard Newmark welcomed the ideas and said: “We’ve done studies about Ribblesdale Pool for two years and had reports. The pool is very much in demand. Other councils are having to close pools but we don’t want to be one of them. New artificial pitches are also much needed. In Clitheroe they are already a fantastic asset. I’d support them for Longridge too, which is also getting a cycle pump track.”
Other councillors spoke including Lee Street, Ryan Corney and Stella Brunskill. She said: “The pool is especially important for families. Regardless of how it is done and the cost, the last thing we want is to lose it. We really need to do something.”
Speaking afterwards, Coun Hirst added: “No doubt, further enhanced capital programmes will be proposed by other council committees soon. All these resource allocations are from reserves accrued over many years as a result of careful and prudent financial planning. Ribble Valley will still remain a debt-free authority with the lowest council tax in the county.”
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