Liberal Democrats help take control

12.35.37am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 19th May 2007

Blackburn with Darwen Liberal Democrats have joined with Conservatives and For Darwen parties to form a Partnership to run Blackburn with Darwen Council. This ends over 20 years of Labour rule. The Partnership have 33 seats on the Council and Labour have 31.

Commenting on the change Liberal Democrat Leader and now Deputy Leader of the Council, David Foster said, " We have formed the Partnership not for the sake of power but because there are things that we want to achieve. This is an exciting time for the borough and all members of the Group are looking forward to the challenges ahead."

The Liberal Democrats are now running the 3 portfolios: Adult Social Care, Children's Services and Housing & Neighbourhood Services.

They also have Lead Members in Adult Social Care, Citizen & Consumer Rights, Leisure & Culture, Regeneration and Resources.

The Partnership will be looking to

A review of waste collection, recycling and disposal with a view to introducing weekly collections as soon as practical

Review of Darwen Leisure Centre.

Review of our Housing Market Renewal.

Review of the traffic systems in Blackburn and Darwen.

Review of community safety to include the manning of Darwen Police Station and the introduction of gated back streets. Commission the Police to introduce additional Beat Managers in Blackburn with Darwen.

Review of the Redearth Rd. triangle with a view to its future development together with the Darwen Academy and its location.