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Your Rawtenstall Labour Team, North West Labour Party, Suite 2b, Rutherford House, Warrington Road, Birchwood (2026)

30/09/2026

Your Mayoral update & Longholme Newsletter 📰

August/September 2026

From your local Labour🌹 Councillors Liz McInnes, Matt Norton and Samantha Harrison.

"The last two months have been very busy, we've enjoyed or endured several heatwaves but Autumn is very definitely with us now.

As ever, we've helped many residents with problems and queries including planning applications, repair work and tree maintenance. We can't solve every problem but we always try to find someone who can.

We're always here to help so please don't hesitate to contact us. You'll find our contact details at the end of this newsletter.

***************

Report from Mayor of Rossendale, Councillor Liz McInnes:

I've had a very interesting couple of months attending various functions and events, many of which I've posted about on my Councillor's page so do take a look there for updates at Councillor Liz McInnes. I've done so many things recently that I'm struggling to post everything but I do think it's important to highlight all the fantastic work that's done by Rossendale's community and voluntary groups.

Highlights include attending the very successful Dementia Awareness Day at the Ashcroft, Whitworth, meeting the High Sheriff for a tour of just some of the amazing work done by Rossendale's charities, visiting the Burnley Sea Cadets and opening the new Specsavers in Rawtenstall!

I've also had two very enjoyable fundraising events for my Mayoral Charities. Raising funds for local charities is an important part of Mayoral duties and I'm very grateful to my amazing fundraising team for their ideas and all their hard work, all given voluntarily. I'd be lost without them.

During my Mayoral Year I am raising funds for Rossendale Hospice, the M3 Project and Rossendale & Pendle Mountain Rescue.

It was also my pleasure recently to host a Civic Service at Rawtenstall Unitarian Church to celebrate Harvest Festival. It was lovely to welcome so many Lancashire Mayors to Rossendale and I am very grateful to everyone for their kind donations to the Unity Hub Food Support Group.

****************

Local Government Reorganisation:

The Government has confirmed that it is now reviewing its Local Government Reorganisation programme to make sure the process is robust, legally sound and aligned with its priorities.

As part of that, the proposals affecting Rossendale have been paused while further work takes place. This pause is intended to strengthen the process, not stop it, and councils across Lancashire will continue working together.

As soon as we have more details we will share them.

****************

Reporting water leaks:

During the heatwave in August, Liz noticed a persistent water leak on Barritt Road, which she reported to United Utilities. She was delighted to see the repair work begin very promptly and the leak was soon fixed.

If you spot a water leak, please do report it. It can be done very easily at www.unitedutilities.com

******************

Hall Carr and Bank St Levelling Up Update:

Our previous newsletter announced the postponement of this work so we're pleased to announce that the work will now commence on Hall Carr from 5th October and on Bank St from 12th October.

Drop in events will be held for both projects:

For Hall Carr, this will take place on Thursday 8th October between 4.30pm-6.45pm at the Scout Hut, Lomas Lane, BB4 6HA

For Bank St, this will take place on Friday 9th October between 4.30pm-7.30pm at The Unity Hub, Unitarian Church, Bank St, Rawtenstall BB4 8FY

Please do attend the drop in if you have any questions about either project.

*********************

Coffee with a Councillor

The Unity Hub, Bank St, Rawtenstall (former Unitarian Church) are holding a on Saturday 3rd October, which will also be the date of the next "Coffee with a Councillor" session. You can drop by and see us 10am-11am if you have an issue we can help you with. The coffee morning is 10am to 12noon and all are welcome.

Additionally you can always contact us by email or phone. Our contact details are below 👇

Thank you

Liz, Matt & Samantha"

🌹🌹🌹

Liz, Matt and Samantha are your elected representatives for the Longholme area of Rawtenstall, which covers the areas around Bury Rd, Haslingden Road and Haslingden Old Road, plus parts of the Town Centre and the Rawtenstall end of Burnley Road.

You can contact us on:

Councillor Liz McInnes 07817 363462
[email protected]

Councillor Samantha Harrison 07971 637081
[email protected]

Councillor Matt Norton 07703 832169
[email protected]

If you've enjoyed reading this newsletter please do share it with your local groups. We hope that you’ll share the newsletter in its entirety but if for some reason you choose to use screenshots then you must credit the source as follows - “Longholme Councillors Newsletter/Aug Sept 2026.”
Thank you 🙏

02/08/2026

Your Mayoral update & Longholme Newsletter 📰

June/July 2026

From your local Labour🌹 Councillors Liz McInnes, Matt Norton and Samantha Harrison.

"The last two months have been very busy and we've got a two month update here!

As ever, we've helped many residents with problems and queries including planning applications, road closures and abandoned vehicles. We can't solve every problem but we always try to find someone who can.

We're always here to help so please don't hesitate to contact us. You'll find our contact details at the end of this newsletter.

***************

Report from Mayor of Rossendale, Councillor Liz McInnes:

I've had a very interesting couple of months attending various functions and events, many of which I've posted about on my Councillor's page so do take a look there for updates at Councillor Liz McInnes.

Highlights included attending the very successful "Rossendale Means Business" Expo at the Ashcroft, Whitworth, meeting the High Sheriff along with other Lancashire Mayors at Queen's Mill, Burnley, and celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Duke of Lancaster Regiment with Mayoral colleagues in Preston.

I've also held two very enjoyable fundraising events for my Mayoral Charities. Raising funds for local charities is an important part of Mayoral duties and I'm very grateful to my amazing fundraising team for their ideas and all their hard work, all given voluntarily. I'd be lost without them.

****************

Local Government Reorganisation:

Following the Government announcement, we now know the make-up of the new Unitary Authorities in Lancashire.

Rossendale will form part of "Pennine Lancashire" in partnership with Pendle, Hyndburn, Burnley and Blackburn with Darwen - serving a population of 520,563 residents. Elections to the new Unitary Authority are planned to take place in May 2027.

Rossendale Borough Council will run alongside the new Unitary Authority for one year and the plan is that it will be dissolved in 2028.

****************

Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme (HARP):

Liz attended the Community Liaison Group meeting held on 7th July with United Utilities and the teams delivering this essential restoration work, Strabag and Cascade. The pipeline from Haweswater reservoir through Lancashire and down to Greater Manchester is in need of repair and replacement. The pipeline is 110km long and transports 570 million litres of drinking water daily. It was built between 1933 and 1955 - the HARP project is replacing 50km of tunnels to ensure that our water supply is fit for the future.

This is clearly a major project which will inevitably cause disruption as the work progresses.

Those of you who use Haslingden Rd and the Tesco Roundabout will be well aware of the works going on in this area and the fact that the slip road up from the Haslingden bypass is closed over the school summer holidays.

The road and compound works will last until the end of 2026 with construction starting on the site in the New Year. It is expected that the tunnel boring machines will start in 2028/29.

******************

Hall Carr Levelling Up Funds:

At a drop in session for residents and Councillors held at the Scout Hut on 20th July, residents were informed that the long awaited plans to make Hall Carr a greener, healthier and safer place to live would commence on 3rd August. All the residents we spoke with were excited about the plans and looking forward to seeing their area improved.

We were very disappointed, therefore, to learn recently that the start date for the work has been postponed, with a new start date sometime in September now being proposed. We know that this will be really disappointing for residents and we will endeavour to keep you informed as more information becomes available to us.

*********************

Coffee with a Councillor

The Unity Hub, Bank St, Rawtenstall (former Unitarian Church) have cancelled their pop up market over the Summer months. This will restart on Saturday 2nd October, which will be the date of the next "Coffee with a Councillor" session.

In the meantime you can always contact us by email or phone. Our contact details are below 👇

Thank you

Liz, Matt & Samantha"

🌹🌹🌹

Liz, Matt and Samantha are your elected representatives for the Longholme area of Rawtenstall, which covers the areas around Bury Rd, Haslingden Road and Haslingden Old Road, plus parts of the Town Centre and the Rawtenstall end of Burnley Road.

You can contact us on:

Councillor Liz McInnes 07817 363462
[email protected]

Councillor Samantha Harrison 07971 637081
[email protected]

Councillor Matt Norton 07703 832169
[email protected]

If you've enjoyed reading this newsletter please do share it with your local groups. We hope that you’ll share the newsletter in its entirety but if for some reason you choose to use screenshots then you must credit the source as follows - “Longholme Councillors Newsletter/June July 2026.”
Thank you 🙏

05/06/2026

Your Mayoral update & Longholme Newsletter 📰

May 2026

From your local Labour🌹 Councillors Liz McInnes, Matt Norton and Samantha Harrison.

"May has been a very busy month with Liz being elected as the new Mayor of Rossendale.

As ever, we've helped many residents with problems and queries.

We're always here to help so please don't hesitate to contact us. You'll find our contact details at the end of this newsletter.

***************

A new Mayor for Rossendale:

Councillor Liz McInnes was elected as the new Mayor of Rossendale for the 2026/27 municipal year. Liz's partner, Steve Duxbury, will serve as her consort.

Liz takes over from Councillor Michelle Smith, who in her turn has taken over Liz's previous Cabinet role as lead member for Communities, Housing, Health & Well Being.

Liz wishes Michelle well in her new role and thanks her for her year of exemplary service.

Liz has already attended several Mayoral events and is settling into the role as Rossendale's Ambassador.

Alongside the new Mayor for Hyndburn, Noordad Aziz, Liz ran the Manchester 10K last weekend, raising over £1000 for one of her chosen charities, Rossendale Hospice. Thank you to everyone who donated.

****************

Local Government Reorganisation:

Many of you will be aware of plans to reorganise our two tier council system in Lancashire and many of you will have taken part in the consultation around the make-up of the new Unitary Authorities.

Following the public consultation, the decision is now being made by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

We should hear in July how we will be working in the future and elections to the new Unitary Authority are planned to take place in May 2027.

Rossendale Borough Council will run alongside the new Unitary Authority for one year and the plan is that it will be dissolved in 2028.

****************

Rawtenstall Library:

A major programme of refurbishment work is continuing at Rawtenstall Library, with work on the roof and upper floors.

During this period, the main lending library on the ground floor will remain open although some areas, including the community history service, will be temporarily unavailable.

The second phase of work is expected to begin in July and will involve significant restoration of the ground floor which will mean that the library has to be closed for up to 14 weeks.

We'll share further information as we receive it. Details of alternative library provision will be available and library accounts can be managed online as usual.

******************

Refurbishment of Whitaker Park play area:

Rossendale Borough Council, in conjunction with Friends of Whitaker Park and Civic Pride Rossendale, has secured funding to improve, refurbish and replace play equipment for younger children in Whitaker Park.

The work will be done by Kompan, who installed the very successful and popular play area for older children.

As local councillors we have received very many complaints about the younger children's play area so we're delighted to work with Rossendale Borough Council on bringing about these improvements in line with the Whitaker Park Masterplan.

The work commences on June 8th and the play area should be ready in time for the school holidays, making Whitaker Park a fantastic destination for children of all ages.

*********************

Coffee with a Councillor

The Unity Hub, Bank St, Rawtenstall (former Unitarian Church) are hosting a pop up market on the first Saturday of every month. At this event, there will be a regular "Coffee with a Councillor" session from 10am to 11am where you can meet with your Rawtenstall councillors from Longholme, Hareholme & Waterfoot and Cribden Wards.

The next surgery is on 6th June and the pop up market is also well worth a visit😊.

Thank you

Liz, Matt & Samantha"

🌹🌹🌹

Liz, Matt and Samantha are your elected representatives for the Longholme area of Rawtenstall, which covers the areas around Bury Rd, Haslingden Road and Haslingden Old Road, plus parts of the Town Centre and the Rawtenstall end of Burnley Road.

You can contact us on:

Councillor Liz McInnes 07817 363462
[email protected]

Councillor Samantha Harrison 07971 637081
[email protected]

Councillor Matt Norton 07703 832169
[email protected]

If you've enjoyed reading this newsletter please do share it with your local groups. We hope that you’ll share the newsletter in its entirety but if for some reason you choose to use screenshots then you must credit the source as follows - “Longholme Councillors Newsletter/May 2026.”
Thank you 🙏

04/05/2026

Your Longholme Newsletter 📰

April 2026

From your local Labour🌹 Councillors Liz McInnes, Matt Norton and Samantha Harrison.

"April has been a busy month so this newsletter might be slightly longer than usual. As ever, we've helped many residents with problems and queries.

We're always here to help so please don't hesitate to contact us. You'll find our contact details at the end of this newsletter.

***************

Update on Food Waste Recycling:

Food waste collections have been in full swing since the beginning of April and the majority of households seem to have adapted well to the new system. We're now collecting large amounts of waste food which would have previously gone into landfill, and converting it into energy and fertiliser. Collections are every week, and don't forget that when you get to your last caddy liner, simply tie it round the handle of your bin and you'll receive a new roll.

****************

Local Government Reorganisation:

Many of you will be aware of plans to reorganise our two tier council system in Lancashire and many of you will have taken part in the consultation around the make-up of the new Unitary Authorities.
Following the public consultation, the decision is now being made by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
We should hear in June/July how we will be working in the future and elections to the new Unitary Authority are planned to take place in May 2027.
Rossendale Borough Council will run alongside the new Unitary Authority for one year and the plan is that it will be dissolved in 2028.
Please note that due to a decision to move to four yearly elections for councillors on Rossendale Borough Council, that Rossendale is not holding local elections this May.

****************

Rawtenstall Library:

A major programme of refurbishment work is set to begin at Rawtenstall Library. Work has already begun on the roof and upper floors.
During this period, the main lending library on the ground floor will remain open although some areas, including the community history service, will be temporarily unavailable.

The second phase of work is expected to begin in July and will involve significant restoration of the ground floor which will mean that the library has to be closed for up to 14 weeks.

We'll share further information as we receive it. Details of alternative library provision will be available and library accounts can be managed online as usual.

******************

Leisure Review/The Hill:

Rossendale Borough Council has commissioned an independent review of leisure services which will be discussed at Full Council on 6th May.

The report makes recommendations for the future of our leisure services, including The Hill (Ski Rossendale) which is recommended to be retained under Rossendale Leisure Trust operation.

Some of you may have seen scare stories that The Hill is to be closed. This is not the Council's intention. The Review acknowledges that decisions about this aging facility are genuinely difficult and recommends a further detailed options analysis for the future of The Hill.

*******************

Planning application for HMO:

Under the new Article 4 regulations adopted by Rossendale Borough Council, change of use of dwelling houses to small HMOs (Houses of Multiple Occupation) must now go through the full planning procedure.

This enables the planning committee to ensure that HMOs are appropriately sited and that the conversion work is done to a high standard. It also ensures that the Council will be able to map HMOs to ensure diversity of housing.

An application has come in for a 5 bedroomed HMO on Burnley Rd, Rawtenstall, which we believe is the first one to come in since we adopted Article 4. The application number is 2026/0084 and it can be viewed on the Planning section of the Council's website and is currently still open for comments.

*********************

Coffee with a Councillor

The Unity Hub, Bank St, Rawtenstall (former Unitarian Church) are hosting a pop up market on the first Saturday of every month. At this event, there will be a regular "Coffee with a Councillor" session from 10am to 11am where you can meet with your Rawtenstall councillors from Longholme, Hareholme & Waterfoot and Cribden Wards.

Our surgery on 2nd May was very successful and the pop up market is also well worth a visit😊. Please look out for announcements of further surgeries.

Thank you

Liz, Matt & Samantha"

🌹🌹🌹

Liz, Matt and Samantha are your elected representatives for the Longholme area of Rawtenstall, which covers the areas around Bury Rd, Haslingden Road and Haslingden Old Road, plus parts of the Town Centre and the Rawtenstall end of Burnley Road.

You can contact us on:

Councillor Liz McInnes 07817 363462
[email protected]

Councillor Samantha Harrison 07971 637081
[email protected]

Councillor Matt Norton 07703 832169
[email protected]

If you've enjoyed reading this newsletter please do share it with your local groups. We hope that you’ll share the newsletter in its entirety but if for some reason you choose to use screenshots then you must credit the source as follows - “Longholme Councillors Newsletter/April 2026.”
Thank you 🙏

02/04/2026

Your Longholme Newsletter 📰

March 2026

From your local Labour🌹 Councillors Liz McInnes, Matt Norton and Samantha Harrison.

"A quarter of the way through 2026 already! Where does the time go? As ever, we've helped many residents with problems and queries and there is a lot going on in Rossendale at the moment.

We're always here to help so please don't hesitate to contact us. You'll find our contact details at the end of this newsletter.

***************

Update from February's newsletter on Rawtenstall Market:

Refurbishment work is now in full swing at the old Rawtenstall Market and the area is fully fenced off and secured. The traders seem very happy in the new temporary market on Rawtenstall Town Square and it's good to see the town centre so busy, particularly on our rare days of sunny weather.

****************

Thanks to Rossendale Borough Council's waste collection team:

We noticed last Saturday morning that a large quantity of waste had been left uncollected at the Haslingden Old Road/Oakenhead Wood Old Road junction, Rawtenstall. This is the usual collection point for local residents but it is usually collected on Fridays.

We asked Rossendale Borough Council's waste collection team if they'd remove the rubbish as soon as possible and we were really pleased and surprised to see that they removed it on the Sunday morning. We're very grateful to the team for doing this and would like to say a big thank you for acting so quickly.

****************

Damaged kerb at Bocholt Way:

Rawtenstall drivers, walkers and cyclists will have noticed the damaged kerb at the exit from the Gyratory onto Bocholt Way.

We reported this problem to Lancashire County Council, who are responsible for highways, over a month ago. When we chased it up we were informed that Lancashire County Council had no record of the complaint.

The complaint has now been resubmitted and we are hopeful for some action soon as this area is becoming more and more of a hazard.

******************

Update on recycling:

New leaflets on recycling are being distributed to every household by Rossendale Borough Council. The leaflet gives full details of which items go in which bin and also of how to use the new food waste caddies.

Most residents should have received their Food Waste Caddies by now. The weekly collections will start next week, commencing 6th April. Simply put your kerbside caddy out at your usual collection point, starting from next week.

*******************

Coffee with a Councillor

The Unity Hub, Bank St, Rawtenstall (former Unitarian Church) are hosting a pop up market on the first Saturday of every month. At this event, there will be a regular "Coffee with a Councillor" session from 10am to 11am where you can meet with your Rawtenstall councillors from Longholme, Hareholme & Waterfoot and Cribden Wards.

We look forward to seeing you there on Saturday 4th April 😊

Thank you

Liz, Matt & Samantha"

🌹🌹🌹

Liz, Matt and Samantha are your elected representatives for the Longholme area of Rawtenstall, which covers the areas around Bury Rd, Haslingden Road and Haslingden Old Road, plus parts of the Town Centre and the Rawtenstall end of Burnley Road.

You can contact us on:

Councillor Liz McInnes 07817 363462
[email protected]

Councillor Samantha Harrison 07971 637081
[email protected]

Councillor Matt Norton 07703 832169
[email protected]

If you've enjoyed reading this newsletter please do share it with your local groups. We hope that you’ll share the newsletter in its entirety but if for some reason you choose to use screenshots then you must credit the source as follows - “Longholme Councillors Newsletter/March 2026.”
Thank you 🙏

Your Rawtenstall Labour Team

30/09/2026

02/08/2026

05/06/2026

04/05/2026

02/04/2026

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