ROSSENDALE Council has promised to meet the needs of local people following a series of consultations with the public.

The council's executive committee will meet on January 19 to decide how the council can best use its resources to provide residents with better services.

Council leader Duncan Ruddick said the move represented a significant milestone for the authority which has been criticised in the past for not understanding the needs of locals.

He added: "Residents have told us what services matter to them and by prioritising our activity, we will ensure that their needs are met."

At the meeting, members of

each political party will discuss priorities, such as improving street cleansing and having a better refuse collection.