Latest news with #RibbleValleyCouncil
BBC News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Clitheroe town centre roads closed to traffic for food festival
Roads will be closed and parking restrictions in place ahead of an annual food festival, which is expected to attract up to 20,000 town centre will be closed to traffic throughout the day on Saturday to allow visitors to enjoy "the finest food and drink producers in Ribble Valley and Lancashire".A large park-and-ride will be in operation at Clitheroe Auction Market, at a cost of £5 per vehicle, dropping off and picking up at the Clitheroe Newmark, chairman of Ribble Valley Council's economic development committee, urged visitors to use the park-and-ride or public transport "to help make your visit to the festival hassle-free". The festival starts at 09:00 BST and runs until 16:30 on relevant road closures and parking restrictions are detailed below:No parking in New Market Street from King Street, with the market car park closed until 08:00 BST on SundayNo parking in New Market Street from Parson Lane from 18:00 on FridayOn Saturday, from 06:00: Castle Street, Market Place, King Street and King Lane closed until 20:00Access to Wellgate and York Street via Church Street onlyAccess to Railway View Avenue for health centre visitors and residents onlyCouncil office car park closed to all but blue-badge holders and stallholders' vehiclesNo parking on the right side of Waddington Road, between the railway bridge and cemeteryNo parking on the left side of Eshton Terrace, between Woone Lane and the railway crossingNo parking on the right side of Pendle Road, between Hayhurst Street and mini-roundaboutNo parking on the single yellow line in Railway View Road, between Clitheroe Interchange and Waddington Road junctionThere will also crash barriers preventing vehicular access to Castle Street, except for emergency including blue-badge holders, are advised that vehicles parked in prohibited areas will be reported to the police and may be towed away. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
The Sun
29-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
20 Universal Credit freebies and discounts you can claim in August worth more than £17,000
MILLIONS of households on Universal Credit are missing out on thousands of pounds' worth of extra support – from free food to savings bonuses and council tax discounts. With food inflation still stubbornly high, energy prices creeping up again, and back-to-school costs around the corner, August is a crucial month to check what help is available. 1 If you're on Universal Credit or a similarly low income, you could be missing out on vital financial support, and many of these schemes don't need to be paid back. Here's a detailed breakdown of the help on offer this August, who's eligible, how much you might get, and how to claim. If you're eligible for all 20, you may be able to save more than £17,000 over 12 months. 1. Household Support Fund – Savings: up to £500 The Household Support Fund runs until March 2026 and gives emergency cash or voucher support to households struggling with essentials like food, energy, and white goods. Payouts and eligibility vary by local authority. For example: Brent Council offers up to £500 for struggling families. Apply at Doncaster pays between £100 and £300 to families on UC. See Ribble Valley gives food vouchers worth £200–£500 to households earning under £35,000. Visit How to apply: Go to your council's website and search for 'Household Support Fund' – the easiest way is to Google your council name plus the phrase. If your child gets free school meals, you can usually access the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, run in partnership with councils and funded by the government. Activities include football camps, arts, drama and free meals. In many areas, bookings are open now for August sessions: Leeds offers HAF places including hot meals and sports activities: Hampshire includes cookery clubs, forest schools and free meals: In Scotland, parents receive direct holiday payments instead of food provision. For example: Glasgow pays £135 for summer holidays per eligible child: Wales and Northern Ireland also run holiday support schemes via schools and councils – check with your local authority. Five key changes to PIP & Universal Credit as Labour's benefits crackdown unveiled 3. Warm Home Discount – Savings: £150 credit Eligible low-income households can get £150 off electricity bills automatically between October and March. You usually don't need to apply – energy suppliers apply the discount directly if you qualify. If you're on UC and meet your supplier's rules (especially if your home is classed as "energy inefficient"), the discount will appear as a credit on your bill. Check eligibility at 4. Discounted broadband and mobile – Savings: save up to £196.68 Social tariffs offer cheap broadband to people on benefits. Some of the cheapest include: Virgin Media Essentials: £12.50/month – save £137.88/year vs regular Virgin package. BT Home Essentials: £15/month for fibre + calls. Voxi for Now: £10/month for unlimited mobile data for six months – saving £150 vs regular deal. According to Uswitch, the average broadband bill in the UK is £26.39/month – switching to the cheapest social tariff could save you £196.68 per year. Compare all social tariffs at www. 5. Free school meals – Savings: save up to £503.50 per child per year If your child is at school and you claim Universal Credit, they may qualify for free school meals during term time. To be eligible in England, your household income (excluding benefits) must be under £7,400 a year. This limit also applies in Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, all children in primary years 1 to 5 get free school meals regardless of income, and older pupils may also qualify based on UC claims. The Food Foundation says the average cost of a school lunch is £2.65. Over 190 school days, that amounts to a potential saving of around £503.50 per child per year. Check eligibility and apply at 6. Council tax reduction – Savings: save up to £2,280 If you receive Universal Credit, you can apply for a council tax reduction of up to 100%. Every local authority sets its own rules, but many reduce council tax significantly for low-income households. If you live alone, you can also get a single person discount of 25%. For example: In Manchester, households on UC can get up to 100% off their council tax. Apply at Bristol offers up to 90% for most working-age households on benefits. More info at The average Band D council tax in England for 2025-26 is now £2,280, so a full reduction is worth that amount annually. 7. Help with water bills – Savings: save hundreds off your annual bill Water companies offer social tariffs or capped rates for those on UC and similar benefits. These schemes vary by supplier. For example: Affinity Water caps bills at £119.50/year for eligible households. See United Utilities offers up to 50% off for households with high usage or medical needs. More at According to Discover Water, the average water bill in England and Wales has risen to £603 in 2025. Switching to a capped or social tariff could save you hundreds of pounds depending on your supplier and usage. 8. Energy grants – Savings: up to £1,500 Several energy suppliers offer grants to help customers on low incomes clear energy debts or cover bills. For example: British Gas Energy Trust offers grants up to £1,500 even if you're not a British Gas customer. Apply at Next Energy Fund provides help with white goods and bill support. Visit You'll usually need to show proof of income, provide meter readings, and explain your situation. These grants don't need to be repaid. 9. Free prescriptions and dental care – Savings: variable savings Universal Credit claimants may be entitled to free NHS prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests and help with health costs. You'll qualify if: You're single and earn under £435/month Or your household earns under £935/month and gets the child element of UC or has limited capability for work These savings can quickly add up: NHS prescriptions in England cost £9.90 each A standard NHS dental check-up is £25.80 10. Help to Save – Earn up to £300 a year This government-backed savings account is designed to encourage low-income households to build a financial cushion. If you're on Universal Credit and meet the eligibility requirements, you can open a Help to Save account and get a 50% bonus on savings. You can save between £1 and £50 each month, and at the end of two years, you'll receive a bonus worth half of the highest balance you've saved. You can continue saving for up to four years, earning a maximum total bonus of £1,200 if you save the full amount every month. Payments can be stopped and restarted without penalty You can withdraw money if needed, but it may reduce your bonus Apply at 11. School uniform grants – Savings: up to £200 Buying new uniforms can be a major back-to-school expense. Fortunately, some local authorities offer school uniform grants to help cover the cost. These grants are often available if your child is eligible for free school meals and you're on Universal Credit. Examples include: City of London: £160 for secondary school pupils. Apply at Sefton Council: £45 for primary and £70 for secondary. See Wales: The Pupil Development Grant offers £200 to eligible families. More info at Grants are often paid as vouchers, bank transfers, or reimbursements. Deadlines and application processes vary, so check with your local authority. 12. Free or discounted travel – Savings: up to 50% off Help with travel costs is available in several forms if you're on Universal Credit and looking for work or studying: Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card: Offers up to 50% off rail fares. Available to jobseekers who have been claiming UC or JSA for at least 13 weeks (or longer depending on age). More info at 16–17 Saver Card: Reduces fares by 50% for young people. Apply at Student Oyster Photocard: Offers 30% off travelcards and bus passes in London. See Note: Eligibility criteria and application processes vary by scheme. Some discounts depend on your age or how long you've been claiming UC. Some councils also offer additional support, for example, Derbyshire County Council provides bus travel support through its Wheels to Work scheme. 13. Flexible Support Fund – Savings: no official cap Administered by your Jobcentre, this discretionary fund can help cover work-related expenses to support you into employment. Unlike Universal Credit, this isn't a fixed payment and is granted based on individual need. You might be able to get: Up to £150 for tools, uniforms, or work clothing Travel costs to interviews or training Short-term childcare support For example, one claimant in Leeds received £120 to cover train tickets for job interviews. To apply, speak directly to your work coach, who can authorise support. 14. Maternity grants – Savings: £500 per child The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-off tax-free payment to help with the cost of a new baby. You don't have to repay it, and it won't affect other benefits. You'll get £500 if: It's your first child You're expecting twins or more, and already have children Applications open from 11 weeks before the due date until 6 months after birth. You must be on Universal Credit and not already receiving other maternity payments. Download the SF100 form at and send it by post. 15. Healthy Start vouchers – Savings: up to £442/year Eligible parents can receive prepaid cards that are topped up every four weeks, helping you buy healthy foods and milk. It's designed for pregnant women and parents of children under four. £4.25/week if pregnant (from week 10) £8.50/week for children under 1 £4.25/week for kids aged 1–4 In a child's first year, this adds up to £442, and about £221 per year after that. You're eligible if you're on Universal Credit with earnings below £408/month. Apply online at 16. Funeral expenses payment – Savings: up to £1,000 If you're arranging a funeral and receive UC, you might qualify for this payment to cover necessary costs. This payment is usually made to the funeral director. You can get up to £1,000 for: Flowers Funeral director's fees Travel costs Burial or cremation fees may also be covered separately. Payments depend on your relationship with the deceased and other contributions (e.g. from insurance). Find out more at 17. Legal aid – Savings: varies by case Legal aid can cover the cost of advice or representation for those facing serious legal issues. If you're on Universal Credit, you may qualify if your case meets the criteria. Support is available for: Domestic violence and child protection Housing or eviction cases Discrimination Immigration or asylum matters You may have to contribute towards costs depending on your income or assets. Check eligibility at 18. Childcare support – Savings: up to £1,769/month If you're working at least 16 hours/week and on UC, you can claim back 85% of childcare costs: £1,031.88 for one child £1,768.94 for two or more children The money is paid after you've submitted evidence of payment each month. There are often delays, so it's important to budget carefully or ask providers if they'll accept delayed payment. Apply through your UC account at 19. Free childcare hours (England only) – Savings: up to £7,500 From September 2024, parents of 2-year-olds in working families can access 15 free hours of childcare per week. From September 2025, this extends to 30 hours for children from nine months old. To be eligible: Both parents must be working (or one, in single-parent households) You must earn at least £183/week and under £100,000/year The Government says this will save families an average of £7,500 a year. More details at 20. Discounted glasses and eye tests – Savings: up to £233.56 NHS optical support includes: Free eye tests every two years Vouchers for glasses or lenses worth between £42.40 and £233.56 depending on your prescription Some opticians apply the discount automatically if you show your UC award letter. Check the NHS guide at
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Record-breaking food festival attracting huge interest for this summer's event
Demand for businesses across Lancashire, and beyond, wanting to take part in this summer's Clitheroe Food Festival is double last year's figure, councillors are being told. Food and drinks businesses from the Ribble Valley, Preston, Blackpool, Lancaster, Rossendale, Pendle, Hyndburn, Leyland and Lytham are among those signed-up for stalls at the August event. Currently, 31 Ribble Valley firms are registered. But others are coming from further including Cumbria, West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside. The year's main food festival is on Saturday, August 9. And a programme of smaller events at different locations, called Ribble Valley Taste Fest, will be held in the five days before, starting on Monday, August 4. Ribble Valley Council organises and subsidises the festival, with the main Clitheroe town centre event being free to access for the public. It is seen as a key event to promote the area. Last year's main festival attracted record crowds and cost Ribble Valley Council less than was originally expected. The borough's Economic Development Committee is due for an update on this year's plans at its meeting this week. More: King Charles makes stop in Clitheroe during Lancashire visit More: Thousands descend on town centre for annual food festival A new report for councillors states: 'The council's website application portal for businesses to apply for stalls opened in January. A total of 144 applications were received and all stalls have now been allocated. Officers are maintaining a reserve list to fill any stalls if a business drops out. To put this into context for the growing popularity of the food festival, at this stage last year, 75 stalls had been allocated.' Live music is planned for two stages on King Street and Castle Street, organised by Duncan Sykora and Ivana Douglas of Ribble Valley Arts They have organised music at previous food festivals. Regarding income for the council, two headline sponsors have been secured for this year's food festival. They are Compleat Food Group and Fort Vale Engineering. Other sponsorship opportunities are still available and being promoted. Regarding the week-long Ribble Valley Taste Fest, the report adds: 'The aim of the Taste Fest is to highlight the amazing range of food experiences available across the wider Ribble Valley. Not only will this spread the economic benefits of promoting local food but provide visitors with reasons to stay longer in the days leading up to the main festival. The programme is currently being formulated.' Last year's Taste Fest included food and drink tasting sessions, walks connected to rural pubs, and events in locations including Holmes Mill in Clitheroe, which is home to various food, drink and hospitality businesses including the Bowland Brewery.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Communities offered £500 VE Day grants by council
Communities in the Ribble Valley are being encouraged to take up the council's offer of free road closures and £500 grants for VE Day street parties next month. May 8 marks the 80th anniversary of victory in Europe over fascism in 1945, which led to the end of the Second World War. Some fighting continued across parts of eastern Europe further into May, including part of Latvia and Prague, then part of Czechoslovakia. Conflict also continued in the Far East until victory over Japan in August 1945. Anniversary plans in the Ribble Valley include the borough council raising the official VE Day 80 flag at 9am. The Mayor will hold a beacon lighting ceremony at Clitheroe Castle at 9.30pm, in co-ordination with others being lit nationwide, and read a tribute of remembrance. There will also be music from Clitheroe Town Band, with the hymn I Vow to Thee My Country suggested, which will be sung by those in attendance along with other songs. VE Day community events and grants were discussed at Ribble Valley Council's latest policy and finance committee meeting. Speaking at the meeting, Marshal Scott, the council's chief executive, said: 'The council has a proud record of supporting national events and commemorations. "This year's VE Day will be the 80th anniversary, so it's a special date. "We aim to do something at the castle, and we are also suggesting £500 for every parish or town council in the district.' Conservative Councillor Kevin Horkin said: 'In the past, other events have worked well. "Will this £500 grant be automatically sent to parishes, or will there be some process involved?' Mr Scott said: 'It is public money so it's got to be accounted for properly. "We can't just give it out, but we'd aim for a simple process. We're suggesting a total of £20,000 to be taken from the council's general balances. 'The government's idea is that on the May Day Bank Holiday communities can get together and have street parties. "We are planning to waive the fee for street closure procedures and trying to encourage events.' Tory Cllr Sue Bibby said she understood one local parish had, in the past, declined a similar grant. Councillors suggested the VE Day grant process be made as easy as possible, within reason, with the council pro-actively 'offering' grants to parish and town councils. This motion was agreed.
BBC News
18-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Clitheroe: Labour councillors say market plans have 'no vision'
Spending plans for a historic market have been described as having a "lack of vision" ahead of an upcoming budget comes after a pre-budget meeting of Ribble Valley Council, which is in no overall control by any political party, saw Labour members disagree over spending recommendations. This included how a £1m Jubilee Fund might be used to mark the authority's formation 50 years ago, in 1974.A report to councillors said the spending recommendations were the result of hard work, and it included upgrades to Clitheroe Labour councillors were unhappy with some recommendations, and some of the brand-new changes made at the committee meeting itself. Cash for renovation and improvements will come from sources including central government schemes and the council's own money, such as the Jubilee the recommendations go ahead, Clitheroe Market will get new stalls, electrics and a stone-surfaced committee was told setts - small, square or rectangular stones that are used for paving - believed to have been laid in the 1980s were now uneven, a trip hazard and hard to clean. The new recommendation is to put them in Clitheroe Castle's grounds with a flat surface laid to replace them. Labour councillor Karl Barnsley said: "The Jubilee Fund has been set up for a year, and money might be allocated to the market but there's no vision."We should know what we want first. It's a scattergun approach which I find quite irresponsible."Conservative councillor Mark Hindle rejected suggestions that the council's market activity lacked vision."To say there is no vision is scurrilous and inappropriate." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
