Clitlu-me J-M-Jj (Editorial), &32J (Advertising). Ihmiley 4‘


JM31 (Classified) CAMPAIGN UPDATE. ..CAMPAIGN UPDATE. . . CAMPAIGN UPDATE. . . CAMPAIGN UPDATE. . . CAMPAIGN UPDATE. . .CAMPAIGN UPDATE Too small claim ‘arrogance of size’ O


UNITARY authority go it alone activists in the Ribbl’e


Valley are up in arms about an apparent new assault on the area by Blackburn Council.


chief executive, Mr Gerald Davies, has written to the "Advertiser and Times" and his letter is printed in full below, suggesting that the Kibble Valley cannot


Blackburn Council’s


nomic sense says that small authorities will not be able to benefit from the economies of scale made possible by bringing all council services under one roof, nor effectively pro­ vide the many specialist services currently man­ aged by the county council. “Blackburn genuinely


He writes: “Good eco­ SPECIAL REPORT BY THERESA ROBSON


believes that the Commis­ sion will not accept proposals for the creation of lots of small unitary authorities. It is therefore proposing a merger with its neighbours and sup­ porting the Lancashire Association of District Council’s proposal for eight or nine new unitary authorities for Lancashire,


made up of the hi existing district councils. But Mr Martin James,


possibly survive. This is an arrogance of size.


of CAItVK — Campaign Against Kibble Valley’s Extinction — dismissed the suggestion that the Kibble Valley is too small to cope as “nonsense.” He said: “Blackburn


believes that anything smaller than it is can't


suggest that the Kibble Valley can’t run its own affairs. It has been doing so successfully for the past 20 years!"


“There is nothing to


Mr Davies’ chum that Kib­ ble Valley parishes in the


Mr James also dismissed


seemingly no reason. Mr Davies writes: “I


Blackburn hinterland have refused to meet him for


have twice written to the parish councils immedia­ tely north of Blackburn telling them what is going on in Blackburn and offer­ ing to meet them.


taken up that offer. What have they to hide from? Talking costs nothing and


“To date none have


will at least allow both sides the opportunity to hear views.”


“What Mr Davies fails to say is that those very parishes were NOT con­ sulted about their possible amputation from the Kib­ ble Valley and merger with Blackburn. These p a r i s h e s w e r e n o t approached initially, so it is rather too late now!”


But Mr James said: —


Blackburn’s chief executive would like to meet CARVE


1 WAS disappointed tu read one of CARVE’s pub­ licity handouts which said Kibble Valley people have been “misled” by Black­ burn Council into thinking the local government review process is cut and dried. Of course it isn’t! All


interested parties have until April 8th to get their c 0 m m c u t s to th e Commission. I am confident that


and decisions about how and where it is spent are made in Preston by county councillors who come from


right across Lancashire. Kibble Valley has only


Blackburn has been clear and accurate ill its press statements Snd in tile information it ha* given at public meetings. Indeed, 1 have written


four county councillors and, although they know the area, its people and its concerns very well, they are the only representa­ tives able to sec that Kib­ ble Valley people get their fair share. Thus decisions arc often


taken by committees on which there is no voice from the Kibble Valley. Blackburn genuinely


twice to all the parish councils immediately to the north of Blackburn, telling them what is going on in Blackburn and offer­ ing to meet them. To date, none have


r-DID YOU KNOW?


taken up that offer. What have they to bide from? Talking costs nothing and would at least offer both sides the opportunity to hear views. Like the Kibble Valley,


^rr-wn _


p , ------------'.*< ? ^ L E Y 'S V >


-* Sign of the Future ? d?


originates back in the lS-ltls, the purpose of the post being to address the unsanitary conditions under which vast sections of the


THU post of environmental health officer


population lived. Since these times, the emphasis of the job has changed and the environmental health service has


developed to encompass a wide range of related functions. These include food control, meat inspec­ tion, infectious disease control, health and safety,


environmental protection, pest control, dog warden service, monitoring of private and public drinking water supplies, health education and animal


welfare.


functions, involving routine inspection of fend pi cru­ ises. the investigation of food complaints and the routine sampling of foods. There are lists food outlets in the


Food control is probably tile best known of the , , , ranging from major manufacturers to cornel* sh o p s Kibble Valley,


and including :!2 dairies. Food premises are inspected on a routine basis —


the fretpiency being determined hv perceived risk — to ensure compliance with statutory standards. An important part of food control is the educa­


a card for CAR VE


A MASSIVE Valentine card is wending its way to Whitehall en route to the Local


Government Commission. The card, depicting the message: “We love the Uihhle Valley, don’t break our heart.” was signed by


over ;>00 local people last week. Kibble Valley MI’ Nigel Evans, who is to deliver


cialist services.” The card was presented to Mr Evans by Mr Peter


can't go it alone. It has proved itself capable of deliv­ ering services satisfactorily and there is nothing to stop the Kibble Valley Council from buying in spe­


tlie card to lead commissioner Mrs Anne Levick, said: “I have received more letters on this issue than on any other. The intensity of feeling is very much that people want the Kibble Valley to stay as it is. He added: "1 DON’T accept that the Kibble Valley


paign Against Kibble Valley’s Extinction. As thev were presenting the card, passer-by Mrs Kichenda Katcliffc, of West Bradford shouted: I agree* with what vou arc* doing. I he Kibble? \ alh?\ is a great area. Why split it up’MVe want to stay


Favoll and Mr Martin James, of CAKVH — Cam­


tion of food handlers and this is actively encouraged by the Kibble Valley t ’ouncil, which holds recog­ nised food handler training courses on a regu­


lar basis.The Kibble Valley Council has a statutory duty to provide a meal inspection service to the three red meat abattoirs operating within the borough. All cattle, slieep and pigs slaughtered lor sale are required to be inspected in strict accordance regulations and passed and stamped to ensure


believes that the Commis­ sion will not accept proposals for the creation of lots of small unitary authorities. It also firmly believes,


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as does Kibble Valley, that the two-tier system has bad its day and is no longer the right way to deliver services which take proper account of local interests. It is, therefore, propos­


Blackburn’s first response to the review was for a


unitary authority on its existing boundaries. But good economic


sense says that small auth­ orities (and the Kibble Valley only has a popula­ tion of Dl jiOO) will not be able to benefit from the economies of scale made possible by bringing all council services under one roof, or effectively provide tile many specialist ser­ vices currently managed by Lancashire County Council. Indeed, the Commission


therefore, is for a new all- purpose Wider Blackburn


has said it expects new unitary councils to serve populations of between If,I),(Mill anil 2f,0,000. Blackburn's first option,


Council, taking in the natural hinterland of the nine parishes to the north,


together. We want to be left alone." Mr Evans added: "If it was up to me, the Kimile


Valiev would have unitary authority status tomor­ row. When Anne Levick receives this card. she_ will be left in no doubt of the strength of feeling here.”


remember about the review is that, at the moment, between ST/? and DOG of all the council tax


Don’t miss Martin tomorrow FROM polar bears to Disneyworld — that’s the subject of an ‘‘Fve­


with fit-


ness for consumption. The service is also responsible for ensuring the


affecting their health. staff canteens.


welfare of animals awaiting and during slaughter. The Kibble Valley Council's environmental health


and “healthv eating” initiatives, hygiene training for all food'handlers and healthy eating menus in


In particular, this has involved 'stop smoking


tion subjects is available from the Kibble Valley Council Offices, Church Walk (Clitheroe 25111).


A TALK and video pre­ sentation on "Tractors old and new" was given by Mi- Bill Dixon, of Robert Hud­ son machine dealers, at a well-attended meeting of Clitheroe Young Farmers’ Club.


________ •\ range of promotional material on health educa­ , ,


T r a c to r s Mr I’eter Holt proposed •


H


t h e v o t e o f t h a n k s , seconded by Mr John


Cross. The group’s next meet­


ing will take the form of a trip to the Fire Brigade training centre at Churley.


M o u n t a in e e r s o n to p f o rm f o r


w e e k e n d c l im b s


TH E north-eastern Lake District was the set­ ting for a Clitheroe Mountaineering Club out­


climbing hut in I’atterdale was the base for 20 mem­ bers who enjoyed excel­ lent weather conditions for winter climbing. There was deep, crisp snow, steep patches of ice and clear, sunny views of dis­


ing at the weekend. The George Starkie


equipped with ice axes, crampons and warm cloth-


tant peaks. S e t t in g o u t well-


ing, different groups enjoyed a v ar ie ty of routes.


The ice-climbers tackled P e n d u l u m Gu 11 y on


Scrubby Craig in Link Cove and also climbed one of the gullies on the east face of Helvellyn, leading from above Red Tarn to the summit shelter.


Helvellyn via Striding and Swirral Edges and other summits in the area were visited, such as Nether-


Other groups ascended


mos t l i k e , Dol ly wagon Pike, Sheffield Pike and


the weekend was a com­ munal Saturday night din­ ner prepared by members Dave Grosvenor, Marion Hargreaves, Erie Mans­ field, Alistair Patten and J a n e P y z n u i k , who received a vote of thanks from club vice-chairman Godfrey Metcalfe for the


Raise. One of the highlights of


excellent cuisine. The next outdoor meet


will be a family weekend at the Little Langdale climbing hut on March


officers are actively engaged in increasing the awareness of the general public in many matters


„


iling with Martin James,” to he held tomorrow. The event, which will include a prize yaffle, lias been organised by CARVE —


Campaign Against the Kibble Valley's Extinction. Mr James will give an illustrated talk on Ins travels round the world, I nun


the iev wastes of Canada to the razzamatazz, of Disneyworld. Refreshments will be served at tile event, which will be held m the Kibble


Valiev Council Chamber, Church Walk, at 7-20 p.m. gets big boost


Area’s battle for survival


RIBBLE VALLEY’S fight for unitary status was given a new boost this week, following clarification of local government review guidelines


front Whitehall.


Couii. Bill Fleming, who called for clarification, told the “A d v er tise r and Times” lie was feeling con­ fident that the Kibble Val­ ley's case met the criteria set out in the guidelines.


Borough council leader


ley’s s tren g th s were twofold:


He said the Kibble Val­


already put forward in RibbleValley’s favour to show that tile council could handle unitary status responsibility.


• The tremendous work


identity emphasised in the guidelines for unitary status.


• Strong community


meeting at Clitheroe Cricket Club on March 17th, when John Town, of Ilkley, will give an illus­ trated lecture entitled “Mongolia’s Holy Moun­ tain,” about the first Brit­ ish mountaineering expe­ dition to Mongolia in 1991.


11th and 12th. There will be an indoor


step of calling for clarifica­ tion from Environment Department Undersecre­ tary Tony Baldry, follow­ ing Lancashire County Council’s victory over the Government in the High Court over the guidelines.


Coun. Fleming took the


claimed that one of the guidelines made its aboli­ tion all but a foregone con­ clusion and the judge ruled that it was unlawful and should be struck out.


The county council Coun. Fleming felt that


this change, although it does not directly affect Kibble Valley’s own fight for u n i ta ry s ta tu s , p r o in p t e d e x t r a clarification.


He said: “ 1 am sure that, after studying the


reply from Tony Baldry, as a result of the work dime hv council members, officers and staff over the last IS months we will put forward a firs t class submission.”


excellent work of CARVE — tile organisation formed to fight the carve up of the Kibble Valley — and the continued support of the public, together with the council’s submission, “should ensure that Kibble


He added th a t the coln's Inn Fields, London


SW1A OAA. The reply from Mr


Baldry points out that the review is continuing and that the Government would not he appealing against the High Court ruling. He enclosed the follow­


ing statement by Environ­ ment Secretary Mr Cum­


mer: “The aim of the local government review con­ tinues to he to provide effective and convenient local government which takes account of commu­ nity id e n t i t ie s . The Government believes that unitary authorities will often lie the best way of achieving these objectives. “In those cases they will


Valley becomes a unitary authority.


but not complacent and I rgi______


“We can be confident,


public who live in the Kib­ ble Valiev to continue to make their views known to the Local Government Commission,” he declared.


mission at Dolphyn Court, 10/11 Great Turnstile, Lin­


They should write to the Local Government Com


be able to reduce costs and improve the quality and co-ordination of services.


They will, therefore, often provide the best form of local government. Deci­ sions will be taken on Commission recommenda­


tions in that light. “However, there is no


national blueprint and the Government does not rule out consideration of two tiers in particular circum­ stances, with or without changes to the status quo, where a strong case for that is made.”


r


as well as Hyndburn, giv- ing a p o p ula tion of 2211,200.


ing a merger with its neighbours and supporting the Association of District Councils’ proposal for eight or nine new unitary authorities for Lancashire, made up of the 1*1 existing district councils. This would mean tile


O A f T H E


Clitlieroe Advertiser & Times, February 24th, 1994


end of the county council and would create new councils big enough to be viable, both financially and in terms of service deli­ very, yet small enough to bo closer to the people they serve than Lanca­ shire County Council can ever lie. 1 appreciate the very


A U L


real concerns in the Kibble Valley and would welcome ail opportunity to meet C A It V E , o r a n y o 11 e included in the ‘Wider Blackburn’ area, to talk about all the issues involved.


GERAl . l ) L. DAVIES, Chief execut ive. Blackburn Borough Council .


The important tiling to


C A L L A N On S a t u r d a y u liri.m Johnston \v;ilkcd mu, die p.ivilhon. It the Messiah l limself


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