AROUND 200 ‘troubled’ families in the Ribble Valley are to receive extra support from the borough council, a new scheme has revealed.

The Ribble Valley Community Strategy sets out eight ‘core areas’ including education and the economy, the environment, housing and health that will be focused on over the next five years.

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Following a six-week consultation with residents, the council has also promised to work with schools to improve internet safety as well as informing students about dangers in the community.

The ‘troubled families’ and those most in need will receive ‘key intervention’ from the council and their partners until 2019.

Village halls will also receive a boost in support in partnership with the Village Halls Association and the Play Alliance will be reinstated in an attempt to improve the sustainability and maintenance of existing play provision.

The new document, which also includes community safety and local democracy, replaces the Sustainable Community Strategy which expired in 2013.

Community groups, parish councils, borough councillors and statutory bodies were all consulted and the final document is set to be voted on by councillors next week.

Local facilities and vulnerable people and families are also included as ‘core areas’.

The strategy promises to host rural forums, continue community transport initiatives and walking programmes as well as prioritising the housing needs of the borough.

It also says that the council will develop services and facilities in villages to reduce isolation and develop services to support the ageing population.

Borough councillor Kevin Horkin, who represents the St Mary’s ward in Clitheroe, said: “I’m sure that no-one will disagree with these core areas.

“The council is setting out what it wants to focus on if the Conservative group maintains its majority after the 2015 local election.

“This is the sort of strategy which would give people more support throughout the borough, which is good news.”

The council’s policy and finance committee will discuss the plan on Tuesday.