A NEW partnership which aims to improve Pendle's social, economic and environmental well-being has received government backing.

The Pendle Local Strategic Partnership will bring together the public, private, voluntary and community sectors to provide better and more co-ordinated services to local people.

It will be made up of 52 members, including Pendle Council, Lancashire County Council, East Lancashire Health Authority, the Probation Service, the police, primary and secondary schools, major employers, the Learning and Skills Council and a variety of voluntary and community groups, including ethnic minority groups.

The Partnership will work to develop the local economy, lobby for funding from the government and other external bodies, and provide a forum for debate and discussion in relation to improving the quality of life of residents in Pendle.

It will also be responsible for developing a community plan and all other bodies providing services to local people will ensure that their services follow the objectives in the plan.

Stephen Barnes, chief executive of Pendle Council, said: "I look forward to the partnership being a great success for the borough.

"Pendle Partnership has dealt in the main with the single regeneration budget bidding, whereas this one is a strategic partnership which will cover the activities of all the partnerships currently operating in the borough and will form a plan of activities for the borough.

"It will deal with housing, employment, transport, education and attainment and environmental issues. All the main programmes affecting the borough."

A number of strategies will be produced, including a neighbourhood renewal strategy, rural strategies, an economic development strategy, as well as engaging with the private sector and young people.

It is expected that the Partnership will be officially launched towards the end of this month.

Dennis Mendoros, chairman of Pendle Partnership and member of the North West Development Agency, said: "I welcome the announcement of the accreditation by the government for the Pendle Local Strategic Partnership.

"The new partnership will build upon the excellent track record of achievement of Pendle Partnership during the last six years.

"The government's move to establish a local strategic partnership in Pendle will reinforce Pendle Partnership's links with the community and bring in new partners from the voluntary and community sectors, which is a welcome and vital addition.

"The new local strategic partnership will aim to address social, economic, health and environmental issues affecting the people of Pendle in order to improve the quality of life for everyone".

"I hope the creation of this new body will be a milestone in the future development of Pendle and its people."