Families set to get £4.9m health boost

Local authorities, as well as the police and fire service, will receive a share of the £89.4m Transformation Challenge Award for four projects in the county. Leaders have welcomed the news about the funding, which is aimed at improving people’s health.

Coun David Borrow, deputy leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “I welcome this announcement and it is significant that, once again, Lancashire councils have succeeded in getting more than their fair share of money through a government competition.”

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and Lancashire Police, as well as Blackpool Council, have been awarded £1.54m, to support vulnerable people in leading healthy lifestyles and reduce the dependence on public services.

Lancashire County Council and Lancaster City Council have been awarded £1.2m, for a scheme which aims to improve private rented accommodation and improve the social and health needs of residents.

The county council, Chorley Council and Rossendale Council have been awarded £1.23m to improve the health and wellbeing of residents.

Preston Council, Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Burnley and Hyndburn councils have been awarded £950,224 in partnership with the Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner to tackle organised crime.

Local Government Minister Kris Hopkins said: “Lancashire has shown what can be done to improve services and reduce the costs of public services. By working with others, public bodies are eliminating waste and creating services which help people first time – not services which send people from pillar to post to get problems sorted.”

All of the bids were submitted by partnerships which set out how they would work together to eliminate duplicate services and provide more coherent support.