Conservative Leader of Ribble Valley Council Councillor Stephen Atkinson today set the record straight over the policy of  the  Conservative controlled Ribble Valley Council on  support for business after the pandemic,  hardship payments to families in distress and carbon emissions. 

Councillor Atkinson stated; ''The Conservative controlled Ribble Valley Borough Council  had 3 aims in the pandemic - 

1.To preserve jobs and businesses and

2. Help residents suffering hardship or who are isolated & vulnerable through the community hub

3. Support the NHS with free parking for the vaccination roll out, local test and trace and supporting our businesses to adhere to the rules

After the pandemic we aim to play our part in ^Building Back Better' by helping businesses recover, assisting residents who need help and grasping  the problems of climate change in particular reducing carbon emissions. 

''I am proud of the performance of Ribble Valley Borough Council in reacting to the needs of the community during the pandemic and planning for the post pandemic period in 3 policy areas.:-  

Supporting the local recovery

Ribble Valley Council has been one of the highest performing councils in the country by rapidly getting money out to support Ribble Valley businesses, Twelve different grant schemes have been processed  to over 1,900 businesses, a total of  £27 Million pounds. This  is a lifeline to our businesses and the council  estimates it will pay out a further £5 million pounds in the next few months to help our economy recover. At the time of the budget debate when council tax was set The Council has already distributed £750,000 to help businesses in the supply chain or in shared accommodation and still has a further £1m to help these businesses which are an essential  part of our economy. This funding will be distributed in the coming months to provide vital support to those eligible.

Helping those most in need

Throughout the pandemic the Council  has rapidly processed self isolation payments and  paid a £150 Council Tax Hardship payment to 1720 households within the Ribble Valley, over £250,000 in supporting  our residents most in need. The  Ribble Valley Council has the most generous Local Council Tax Support Scheme in the whole of East Lancashire and we have an ambition to make it among the most generous in the Country. We have also supported over 2,000 shielding residents through the community hubs, provided local Covid testing in the Council Chamber and helped our businesses comply with the rules during the pandemic.

Tackling Climate Change

Ribble Valley Council has set up the Climate Control Working Group in which there are a majority of Conservatives  as the largest party on the Council. The Group has yet to report and when it does the Council will consider what action needs to be taken and allocate the resources required.Any decisions taken  before before the Group  reports will  be premature. In particular the group are looking at different technologies and processes to see how the Council can reduce its carbon emissions.''

We will continue for the foreseeable future to support the government's programmes to assist business, help families suffering  hardship and the NHS  with the vaccination programme.''