Councillors say market plans have 'no vision'

Clitheroe Market could get new stalls, electrics and a stone-surfaced area to replace uneven paving

Spending plans for a historic market have been described as having a "lack of vision" ahead of an upcoming budget announcement.

It comes after a pre-budget meeting of Ribble Valley Council, which is in no overall control by any political party, saw Labour members disagree over spending recommendations. This included how a £1m Jubilee Fund might be used to mark the authority's formation 50 years ago, in 1974.

A report to councillors said the spending recommendations were the result of hard work, and it included upgrades to Clitheroe Market.

But Labour councillors were unhappy with some recommendations, and some of the brand-new changes made at the committee meeting itself.

Cash for renovation and improvements will come from sources including central government schemes and the council's own money, such as the Jubilee Fund.

If the recommendations go ahead, Clitheroe Market will get new stalls, electrics and a stone-surfaced area.

The committee was told setts - small, square or rectangular stones that are used for paving - believed to have been laid in the 1980s were now uneven, a trip hazard and hard to clean.

The new recommendation is to put them in Clitheroe Castle's grounds with a flat surface laid to replace them.

Setts - small, square or rectangular stones that are used for paving - could be moved to Clitheroe Castle's grounds

Labour councillor Karl Barnsley said: "The Jubilee Fund has been set up for a year, and money might be allocated to the market but there's no vision.

"We should know what we want first. It's a scattergun approach which I find quite irresponsible."

Conservative councillor Mark Hindle rejected suggestions that the council's market activity lacked vision.

"To say there is no vision is scurrilous and inappropriate."