A LIBERAL Democrat council group is taking advantage of its position as power brokers for the future control of the authority to table a set of policy motions,

The party's decision on which of the main parties to support will decide whether the Conservatives or Labour controls Pendle borough.

Now the group has tabled a series of motions for the authority's annual meeting on Thursday where its decision will be ratified.

They include the impact of photo ID on voting; the crisis in GP services and pharmacy provision; the cost-of-living crisis; and flood alleviation work in the borough.

LibDem group leader Cllr David Whipp said: "Following the administrative business at the annual meeting there's an opportunity to debate important matters affecting people in the borough.

"My group is keen to set the agenda and get the council working on these issues.

"We don't pretend to have all the solutions, and these aren't the only problems facing residents, but we'll work hard to improve things where we can."

The flooding motion says: "Council welcomes the inclusion of flood alleviation work at Earby within the Frequently Flooded Communities programme, following the bid for £2.5million from the scheme last year.

"Council resolves that a report on phase three of flood alleviation work in Earby is submitted to the executive at the earliest opportunity."

The motion on elections reads: "Council notes the impact of photo identification requirements at this year's local elections, with people unable to vote due to not having the required ID.

"Council believes that the right to vote is a fundamental part of a functioning democracy.

"Council therefore resolves that government be requested to repeal photo ID legislation without delay."

The health service motion says: "Council notes the continuing crisis with GP services and pharmacy provision in Pendle, and that the measures recently announced will do little to ease patient access in our area.

"Council reaffirms its previous resolutions in respect of primary care within the NHS and resolves that these issues are raised again with government ministers and local MP Andrew Stephenson, together with the relevant local health providers and the Integrated Care Board."

The cost-of-living crisis motion reads: "Council notes the awful impact that the cost-of-living crisis is having on residents in Pendle.

"Council recognises that a significant issue for residents is the cost of home heating, particularly for homes with poor insulation.

"Therefore, council requests that options for a major initiative to significantly improve domestic insulation in Pendle are presented to the executive as a matter of urgency, together with possible funding opportunities."