Preston City Council will be undertaking a new contract to organise stairlifts and other lifting equipment through the Disabled Facilities Grant.

The council says it is hoping to absorb the impact of the change on those using the service, and looking to set up a five-year contract to avoid as much disruption to services as possible.

The council will look to procure a supplier for the new equipment by the end of November, after Lancashire County Council decided to delegate the services to district councils.

The County Council has been supplying facilities on a county-wide scheme, but has decided to pass this to local councils as it is not part of its statutory duty to provide them.

Read more: ‘Concern’ as lack of public toilets in Preston city centre affects disabled people, families and more

This change will lead to Preston City Council being responsible for the ordering, installation, maintenance and repairing liabilities of lifting equipment in the city.

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In the past 12 months, Preston City Council has spent over £1.5 million and helped over 250 people with improving some of their facilities.

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines

Are you affected by this change? Let us know in the comments.