RESIDENTS are set to discover whether their campaigns to fight against proposed closure of 108 Lancashire County council buildings as it seeks to save £200million by 2021 have succeeded.

A 12-week consultation period ended on Sunday into the council’s announcement of a shortlist of buildings to be shut, which includes 54 in East Lancashire.

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The period has seen a number of community-led protests throughout East Lancashire as groups worked to try and save the under-threat buildings.

Burnley Council leader Cllr Mark Townsend said: “First of all I recognise that county council has some very difficult decisions to make and are in a tough position with the government cuts.

“But the public reaction to the consultation period has been massive, there have been some very strong reactions.

“These are front line issues now, there’s still a long way to go, its about finding the best way forward for these practices and services so they can build as much as they can.”

Proposals would see nine buildings close in Burnley including the Briercliffe, Burnley Campus, Pike Hill and Rosegrove libraries and five community and young people’s centres.

Supporters of Oswaldtwistle Library handed over a 1,300 name petition to oppose the closures, while the Save Whalley Library and Spring Wood Children’s centre petition had more than 1,800 signatures.

In Pendle the nine planned closures include the libraries in Barrowford, Brierfield, Trawden and Earby and young people’s centres in Colne, Barrowford, Trawden. Brierfield and Barnoldswick.

Deputy leader of Pendle Council Cllr Tony Greaves said: “Within Pendle Council we have had some useful and constructive discussions between our councillors and the county council. My concern is that people making the decisions in the county council offices in Preston don’t know what’s going on in Pendle.

“We just hope that they will pay attention to what’s been said.”

Ribble Valley Council deputy leader Cllr Terry Hill said: “I feel that the consultation procedure was floored and superficial. They’re completely ignoring parts of the community and there could be all kinds of consequences.

“There was a really good response within the Ribble Valley community and East Lancashire and I hope that they will now reconsider some of the proposals and get a positive outcome.”

County Cllr David Borrow, deputy leader of Lancashire County Council, believes that the process has been a success, and now looks to come to a conclusion promptly.

He said: “We’re extremely grateful that so many people have taken the time to respond to the consultation.

“This is a difficult process for everyone involved but the ongoing cuts in central government funding combined with rising demand for some of our services means we have no choice but to make changes to the way we deliver them.

“Our officers now have a great deal of work to do to analyse all the responses and produce a report to the council’s cabinet.”