Futures Park the Future for Council - or is it?

Date published: 19 August 2009

At the full council meeting held at Hardmans Mill in Rawtenstall on Wednesday 19th August, the Council agreed to move its meetings to Futures Park in Bacup, along with some officers currently working above the One Stop Shop .

However, the move was not without its detractors, and only the Conservatives voted for the motion, the Labour and LibDem groups abstaining, bar one 'No' vote. 

One concern voiced was that alleged significant savings that would be made in such a move were not yet determined - indeed Councillor Essex, Porfolio Holder for Finance was clear that negotiations were not yet complete, and that he hoped that a better deal may yet be obtained.

The other, more strongly voiced objection from both opposition parties, centred round the wisdom of yet another move for the council, which may not be a long term solution, and a move that takes all the council affairs away from Rawtenstall, perceived as the centre of Rossendale.

Cllr Swain, Leader of the Council said that he expected all the council to move back to Rawtenstall one day, but that the move to Futures Park was the best option in the short to medium term.