“We’re investing in jobs and economic growth.”
That’s the message from Coun. Linda Crossley, who oversees Pendle Council’s finances.
She made her comments at the review of the council’s final accounts for the last financial year at the last Executive meeting.
Coun. Crossley explained that the council had made almost half a million pounds worth of savings on its budget last year.
She said: “Despite these tough financial times, through our careful financial management, we’ve managed to save a substantial amount of money.
“We’ve done this while still maintaining the services we provide.
While these savings are the result of hard work, we continue to face difficult times.
“Looking ahead, our funding will be based on growing local businesses and so we’ve set aside £300,000 funding to compliment our other work on this.”
Coun. Paul White, who leads on economic development, enterprise and growth, welcomed this additional funding.
He said: “It is vitally important that we help budding entrepreneurs and established businesses alike to grow and to create jobs for our local area and get the economy moving.
“Already, we have been successful in securing £100,000 for our high streets and a further £100,000 from the Portas Pilot.
“And we’ve increased to £50,000 the funding available to provide small grants to businesses.
“This additional £300,000 is big news for us.
“My number one priority is the young people in Pendle.
“We have to get them in to work.
“We’ll shortly be announcing how we intend to do that, through several new schemes”.
coun. crossley
Coun. white