ROSSENDALE Council’s new leader has vowed to focus on improving the borough as a whole after taking control last week.

Councillor Alyson Barnes said her priorities included being more accountable to Valley residents and tackling issues in every one of the borough’s towns and villages.

In addition, she said the council would step up efforts to ensure Rawtenstall’s Valley Centre is redeveloped.

And protecting the 464 bus service is also high on the agenda, she said.

Coun Barnes said: “When I look at my Labour colleagues, both new and old, I am confident that despite the challenges of having no overall control, and the massive cuts to our funding, we can deliver a council that is more in touch and more accountable to local people.”