Rossendale Borough Council (RBC) has revealed new proposals to keep all of its leisure facilities open for at least a year while it carries out a full review of leisure provision within the area.

Seven options for the future of the borough's leisure facilities were put forward by the council after Rossendale Leisure Trust (RLT), which operates venues on behalf of RBC, asked for a 40 per cent increase in grant funding. However, following a public consultation, RBC has now identified an eighth proposal, which has been recommended for approval at a meeting of the full council on 26 February.

The council will be asked to approve measures including the provision of £513,000 funding for RLT, as well as a transition fund worth more than £220,000 to ensure the maintain facilities, particularly Haslingden and Marl Pits swimming pools. It is also proposed that RLT agrees to the early termination of the lease of Bacup Leisure Hall, which is set to close by 31 March 2010 unless the facility can secure lottery funding or is taken over by the local community.

RBC leader, Tony Swain, said: "If this new option is given approval we have an opportunity to continue to engage with the people in the borough and shape the future of leisure in Rossendale together. "It gives us time to have a proper debate. Time to work out what is required and where and plan a strategy for the years ahead which will be right for the people of the borough."

What we don't have is a bottomless pit of cash or a magic wand. Some tough decisions will still need to be taken but we won't be imposing these decisions on anyone."