BATTLING Ribble Valley residents turned out in force for a public meeting to discuss plans to merge the rural borough with neighbouring authorities in a proposed local government shake-up.
The 'open floor' meeting in the Ribble Valley Council Chamber gave more than 60 residents the chance to have their say on plans by the Boundary Committee to merge Ribble Valley with Blackburn or other East Lancashire authorities if voters give a North West Regional Assembly the thumbs-up.
Ribble Valley councillors put forward proposals for an enhanced Ribble Valley Unitary Authority or Hyndburn merger to the Boundary Committee last August. But the Boundary Committee wants to merge Ribble Valley with Blackburn and Hyndburn or create unitary authorities covering the whole of Lancashire.
Mellor councillor Charles Warkman, who is Ribble Valley Deputy Mayor, added: "We should go down with our borough intact. The Boundary Committee has said it is unlikely to consider an enhanced Ribble Valley Unitary Authority, but it is up to us represent the wishes of local people."
A further meeting will take place on Thursday, February 19, at 7pm, in Longridge Civic Hall, Willows Park Lane, Longridge.
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