Ribble House where the firm was based in Bamber Bridge Pic: Google

A dozen council workers have lost their jobs as a social care company was shut down by Lancashire County Council.

With nearly £750,000 in its reserves the Lancashire Workforce Development Partnership Limited – owned by the county council – was considered surplus to requirements.

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The county council is facing a £300m blackhole in its finances and decided it needed to retrieve the money from the Bamber Bridge-based firm.

LWDP has been running for 11 years and employs 13 people.

Jenny Mein, Leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “Over the years Lancashire Workforce Development Partnership has contributed significantly to improving the quality of social care for many people across the county, through its training and workforce development activities. However, current social care market conditions mean we now have to prioritise different types of training provision.

“This has been a difficult decision to make, and I am very sympathetic to those people who will be made redundant.

“We have to ensure that we are getting the best value from all of our funding and winding the company up, will enable us to recover around £750,000 from its reserves and spend the money directly to provide training for the social care sector.”

Lesley Bamber, Chief Executive of Lancashire Workforce Development Partnership, said: “This has been a very sad process for everyone involved in the Partnership, and whilst I do not agree with the decision, I do understand the county council’s decision.

“I am very proud of all of the staff who have contributed to our work over the years and of the difference we have made to improving standards of care for some of the most vulnerable people in society.

“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such committed and talented people and wish them all the very best in their future careers.”

A decision to case funding the LWDP was taken in February of this year.

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