The Home Secretary, Rt. Hon. Priti Patel MP, visited Clitheroe today to support Andrew Snowden the Conservative Candidate for Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner, and Sue Hind the Conservative County Council Candidate for the town.
Andrew Snowden commented “The Home Secretary’s visit is to highlight the importance of electing a Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner she can work constructively with to make Lancashire safer. Under the current Labour PCC we have seen a retreat from rural policing, which has impacted Clitheroe and the surrounding areas. Ribble valley is the largest rural borough geographically in Lancashire and does not have a police station which the public can visit. Residents needing to speak to the police in person have to go to Accrington, Blackburn or Burnley. If elected Police and Crime Commissioner, not only will I deliver improvements in front line rural policing I will open up Clitheroe police station to the public. The police should be at the heart of the local community keeping our area safe and keeping that connection with residents who need to report crime and feel the police are there if they need them.”
“I will work directly with Priti and her team to get the continued investment into Lancashire to recruit more police officers and put more police on the beat - as a visible police presence is crucial to making our streets safer. The fact that Priti Patel has taken the time to come and meet me here in Lancashire shows the relationships I am building, to help me deliver my plan to make Lancashire safer, even before hopefully being elected.”
Sue Hind added “The Home Secretary is here to support the role of the Conservative controlled Lancashire County Council which has prudently managed the £880 million budget and provided quality services delivered by the 42,000 employees. When the vast majority of our population is vaccinated the Conservatives Councillors on LCC will help to direct the regeneration of the Lancashire economy.
In Clitheroe we propose to:
Revitalise the town centre by recreating the Town Team made up of all sections of the community to devise a regeneration plan revitalise our retail heritage and hospitality offerings to attract more and tourists.
Improve train links to Hellifield and Manchester Victoria
Facilitate a Neighbourhood Plan for Clitheroe to be voted on in a referendum by all residents and make developers pay to improve the infrastructure – school places, parks, bus services, roads, GP services and recreational facilities.
Build a new primary school at Standen to reduce class sizes in our schools.
Reduce carbon emissions across Lancashire and improve air quality.
Support funding for more youth workers and centres.
Drive up standards in social care.
With Andrew re-open the Clitheroe police station and reverse Labour’s retreat from rural policing. Together the Lancashire Group of Conservative Councillors and Andrew Snowden plan to Build Back Better in Lancashire after the pandemic to make a difference in improving the lives of our residents.”
