Tourist centre axe is 'harebrained'

Councillors said they were outraged at the controversial move over Clitheroe's Tourist Information Centre in Market Place at last night's Lancashire Local meeting in Longridge.

They claimed they had been left in the dark about the county council plan to switch services to the town's library, with the loss of four jobs.

Ribble Valley Liberal Democrat Frank Dyson he was "disappointed" at the lack of consultation.

The St Mary's ward councillor said: "The tourist information centre is part of the life blood of the Ribble Valley.

"To use the library would be inappropriate. Any idea that there's room to spare in the library on any floor is completely wrong. The people who sat in Preston drawing up this harebrain scheme should get out there and see for themselves."

Finance chiefs say the move is necessary as part of a bid to make savings totalling £12.5million from next year's budget.

Similar county funded tourist offices in Chorley and Lytham are also under threat as the authority looks to save £100,000 in rental fees at the sites.

Lancashire County Council's David Ainscoe said: "The council has been considering its budget for the last two months.

"Just for it to stay still and deliver services we need an increase of about 6.9 per cent in our budget, which is a considerable increase if you compare it to inflation.

"Another cause for concern is the Government grant, which is expected to increase by just 4.9per cent next year, leaving a significant gap.

"We would have to raise council tax by eight per cent if we were to do nothing else. Cabinet members have voiced their intention to keep it to five per cent or below and are keen to do that.

"The county council has to find £12.5million worth of budget reductions. We have already identified £10million in efficiency savings but £2.5million is still needed to bridge that gap."

A final decision will be made by the county's cabinet in February.