A PLEA has been made to the government to stop Pendle Council losing £2million when a vital grant runs out.

Earlier this year a campaign to secure £2.4million in ‘transition’ funding was secured by town hall bosses, to soften the blow of Housing Market Renewal funding being withdrawn and the axing of the Working Neighbourhoods Fund.

But this cash, which can be spent on any of the authority’s priorities, will run out in 2013-14 and council leader Coun Mike Blomeley and chief executive Steven Barnes have been to Westminister to press the borough’s case.

The pair met Communities and Local Government Minister Bob Neill to argue for an extension beyond 2013.

Coun Blomeley said: “We know how much we’ll get from the Government in 2012/13 but there are major changes being proposed for the local government grant regime from 2014. These are being considered now.

“There’s potentially more than £2million at risk so it was vital that we explained the impact such a substantial grant reduction would have on our local authority and services.”

Mr Barnes added: “Pendle Council is in the top 50 most deprived authorities in the country.

“To reduce our grant by a £2million would have a significant detrimental effect on services.

“We pointed out to the minister only 12 authorities in the country are affected by his proposals in this way.

“This means it requires only a minor change in the distribution mechanism to remove the anomaly.”

The minister has said he will consider their submissions ahead of proposed council tax grant changes.