Social Value Ideas for Rossendale Borough Council

Major planning designation response

The government has placed Rossendale into special measures for major planning applications after the borough exceeded the refusal-on-appeal threshold. Officers said the measure only affects major deve…

“The government has now issued a designated notice to Rossendale for major planning applications, and I will briefly set out what that means, why it's …”

Approve new planning route

The committee overturned officers and approved conversion of an existing garage to a three-bedroom dwelling in open countryside, relying on a balance of factors including the reuse of an existing buil…

“>> Thank you. >> Okay. committee. Over to you, Jimmy. Bob. >> Okay. Thank you. Policy 8 011 doesn't say anything about the house having to be close to…”

Start new local plan

Council approved commencement of a new Rossendale Local Plan using £108,000 of MHCLG funding, with a June 2026 notice and a 20-month timetable. The report also delegated authority for timetable update…

“The the purpose of this report really is to formally commence a new local plan for Rossendale, to approve a timetable and delegated authority around t…”

Holiday let conversion approved

Members approved the conversion of a disused stable building at Culpit Lane into a one-bedroom holiday let. The officer case relied on tourism policy support, reuse of an existing rural building, acce…

“This application seeks full planning permission for the conversion of an existing disused stable building at landoff culpit lane in bakeup into a sing…”

National delegation scheme changes

Officers informed members that the new national scheme of delegation will come into force on 2026-10-31 and will change how planning applications are decided, with many moving from committee to office…

“Thank you. >> Thank you, chair. I'll just uh briefly introduce this one. Um it's a report for information only um for members regarding the introducti…”

Bulky waste charging review

Council approved an amended motion to simplify bulky waste charges and trial an annual bulky waste amnesty weekend. The final model discussed was £20 for up to three items, then £14 for each extra ite…

“So, the the revised resolution would read uh first of all to modify waste collection charges by introducing a revised simplified charging model for bu…”

Waste transfer station cost pressure

The council identified a major recurring revenue pressure of over £2m per year if waste continues to be hauled to Farington without an in-borough waste transfer station. Members said the station is ne…

“The one single and most significant issue is the waste and waste transfer station. Domestic and commercial waste will still need collecting. All six d…”

Food waste rollout investment

Quarter four performance reporting confirmed significant implementation spending on the borough-wide food waste collection service, including procurement of vehicles, equipment, additional staff, food…

“In relation to the high quality environment priority and there's been successes in relation to the preparation and work which were completed for the i…”

Waste compliance and capacity risk

Officers set out that the current waste arrangements are no longer tenable because of environmental regulator expectations, separate food waste collection requirements from April 2026, and the closure…

“Thank you, councelor. Let's go. >> No, I'm sorry. There's no supplementary for public. No, >> I'm sorry, but the public question time, it's just the t…”

£7m waste transfer station

Council approved proceeding with a new waste transfer station at Futures Park, with an indicative capital cost of £6.2m rising to around £7m once ancillary fees and contingency are included. The facil…

“Item C1 is the waste transfer station. Do I move for that report? Councelor Lithco, do I have a second? Um, I will second the report and reserve my ri…”

Treasury management policy review

The committee reviewed the annual treasury management strategy and procedures for 2026/27. The policy keeps borrowing within set limits, prioritises security and liquidity for investments, and require…

“Uh the report presents the treasury management strategy our annual investment strategy and the treasury management policy and practices for 2627. Thes…”

Financial strategy under service pressure

Officers reported continuing financial pressure across the sector and within the council’s own medium-term financial strategy. The 2026/27 budget is being shaped by service pressures of £1.2 million i…

“Um in terms of the rag ratings of our risks, we have two greens, seven uh ambers and one high risks. Uh the high risk is for is risk three within the …”

Capital programme and borrowing

The treasury management report showed a large capital programme of about £30 million in 2025/26, falling sharply the following year, driven by the levelling up fund and the waste transfer station. The…

“Uh our current borrowing is approximately 3 million which is well within these limits and with our forecast for uh capital expenditure over the next t…”