HYNDBURN Council has laid out its proposed capital spending programme for the next financial year.

And a council tax increase of £5 for band D properties for 2019/20 is also set to be approved.

Both measures will be decided on by members when the council's cabinet meets later today [DEL WED].

The £2.1m capital investment programme includes almost £900,000 to Disabled Facility Grants in 2019/20, to help those that suffer medical conditions so that they can continue to live independent lives in their own homes.

The money will provide stairlifts, toilet and bathroom adaptations, access ramps and other equipment, as well as grants for major structural alterations where needed.

The council will continue to assist in the regeneration of Accrington Town Centre, building on the major £2m investment it has already undertaken in recent years outside the Town Hall and Market Hall and along Blackburn Road, with a £50,000 scheme to improve Broadway.

There will be significant investment in the borough’s parks with almost a quarter of a million pounds dedicated to a major improvement to Milnshaw Park, following on from the regeneration of Rhyddings Park over the last few years.

In addition, almost £150,000 is committed to improving facilities for young people at Mercer Park and there is £25,000 this year to improve paths and walkways around our other parks.

Money has also been set aside in the capital programme to upgrade Hyndburn Sport Centre plant and there is a £36,500 loan to Hyndburn Leisure to allow them to develop a gymnastic facility.

The council will also be investing heavily in its key buildings, assets and infrastructure with £575,000 set aside for health and safety improvements, the upgrade of financial and information technology systems and vehicle replacements.

And £10,000 is being set aside for new Christmas decorations used at key shopping locations each year to help boost local trade.

Deputy chief executive, Joe McIntyre, said: "In recent years, the council has funded significant programmes of capital expenditure which have exceeded £15m per annum.

"In these more austere times it is not possible to fund investment into the local community at these levels.

"However the council is able to put forward a substantial capital investment programme of almost £2.1m, despite the severe reductions in public spending that have been necessary due to the recession."