Agenda and draft minutes

The Mayor welcomed everyone to the meeting.  He remarked that time had flown by and that this would be his final full meeting as Chair.  He also thanked everyone for their support and goodwill during his time in office.

A brief statement followed about the filming of proceedings and filming generally within the Town Hall, followed by a fire safety announcement.

The Mayor also highlighted the newly installed conference system and provided a brief introduction to the operation of the microphones.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Stephen Button, Shabir Fazal OBE, Kath Pratt, Ethan Rawcliffe and Tina Walker.  Apologies were also submitted on behalf of Councillor Noordad Aziz who was likely to miss the early part of the meeting due to travel issues.  The meeting had, in fact, ended before the arrival of Councillor Aziz.

There were no formal declarations of interest or declarations of dispensations submitted.

a)    Mayor

b)    Leader of the Council

c)    Chief Executive

The Mayor made the following announcements:

1)         The Mayoral Year

Councillor Allen reiterated his thanks to members for their support during his mayoral year.  He added that the task had not always been easy, but was grateful that his predecessor Councillor Booth had set the tone for respectful debate in the Council Chamber.  He also thanked the officers for their guidance and confirmed that his year in the role had been memorable.

Looking towards the forthcoming local elections, the Mayor went on to thank those councillors who had decided not to stand for re-election in 2026 for their service and hard work for the community.  It was not easy to stand for public office and required heart, courage and passion.

The Mayor commented that he had planned a lengthy speech, but would find this very difficult to deliver.  He referred to his deselection by the Conservative party in October, which he considered was due to a decision by two political colleagues present this evening.  He had found this particularly hurtful, as he had been a party member for some 15 years, dedicating half of his life to the political cause.  As a consequence, he announced his resignation from the Conservative political group on the Council with immediate effect.  He also announced that he intended to stand as an independent candidate for the Immanuel ward at the local election.

The Mayor also placed on record his thanks to Councillors Zak Khan, Danny Cassidy and Judith Addison for their support throughout his time as a Conservative member and noted that it had been an honour to serve in that capacity.  He finished by thanking the residents who had put their trust in a 20+ year old and joked that many had been kind enough to provide him with tea and biscuits when raising ward issues with him.

The Leader of the Council gave a message of support to the Mayor and noted that he had executed his role with courage and passion.  He added that Councillor Allen’s mother and grandfather (both now deceased) would have been proud to see him serve and to represent the Council as a whole at civic engagements.  He wished him good fortune for the future.

Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP then made the following announcements:

2)         Diversity and Inclusivity

The Leader commented that these were difficult times for those in power, not just when shaping policy, but also around how people perceived each other.  He believed that some political groups held views which were potentially divisive.   Antisemitism and islamophobia seemed to be on the rise.  One example of this was the criticism from some quarters about an open iftar event held in Trafalgar Square on 16^th March 2026.

The UK was noted for welcoming all faiths.  Citizens were encouraged not to let fear take over.  Councillor Dad called for people to act with dignity and respect for others.  Every person deserved to feel safe.  It was important to challenge hateful rhetoric and to stand together.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 367.

To confirm as correct, the minutes of the Council Budget Meeting held on 26^th February 2026.  (attached)

The Minutes of the Council meeting held on 26^th February 2026 were provided.

Resolved                                    -    That the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 26^th February 2026 be approved as a correct record.

To deal with any questions submitted under Council Procedure Rule A2.2(vi). The deadline for the receipt of questions has now expired.  Two eligible questions have been received. (Report attached)

Rules of Debate

·         Up to 30 minutes will be allowed for this item.

·         Questions will be put by the chair of the meeting and will receive an oral answer.

·         Questions which cannot be put within the allotted time will receive a written answer within 10 working days.

Two eligible questions had been received, which were set out in the report.  The Mayor read out the questions as submitted.

1)         Council Complaints Procedure

To the Leader of the Council (Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP) or relevant Portfolio Holder

Submitted byCouncillor Scott Brerton on behalf of Mr Peter Shaw

“The Council’s complaints procedure is designed to refer a complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman if it is rejected at stage two.  This effectively creates a third stage to the process.

The Ombudsman will only deal with cases which directly affect an individual or a group of people.  This prevents complaints relating to Council practices and procedures being referred to a third stage.

Will the Council modify the complaints procedure to provide a third stage independent review that doesn’t need the Ombudsman to rule?”

Response:  The Leader thanked Mr Shaw for his question.  He stated that the Council took all complaints seriously and that the authority actively monitored them, with reports to both the Cabinet and Standards Committee and via the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) Annual Report.  Generally, the number of formal complaints was low and the LGSCO had not raised any concerns with the authority

The complaints procedure had been reviewed a few years ago and a decision had been taken to reduce the number of internal stages from three to two.  For most complaints a right of appeal to the LGSCO was available, effectively providing a third and final stage.  To introduce a third stage for those limited complaints which were not within the remit of the LGSCO did not appear to be proportionate and could be particularly burdensome as staff planned for Local Government Reorganisation.  The current approach was sound.  However, a much larger successor unitary authority might have a more comprehensive complaints procedure and the additional resource to address the issue raised by Mr Shaw.

2)         State of the Roads

To the Leader of the Council (Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP) or relevant Portfolio Holder

Submitted by Councillor Noordad Aziz on behalf of Rubina Kauser

“What can the Leader of the Council do about the state of the roads in Great Harwood and Hyndburn as they are just deteriorating with my car requiring constant repair?”

Response: The Leader indicated that for most councillors in Hyndburn the biggest area of case work was around potholes on the highway and other road related issues.  Councillors were frequently asked why Lancashire County Council was not repairing them.

The County Council had millions of pounds available for highways works.  Councillor Dad pondered why the roads were worse now than at any other time previously?  He called upon the controlling Reform group to act to repair the roads.  The Government had provided an extra £20m to Lancashire County Council, making some £64m available in total for highways maintenance.  That Council had also raised its Council Tax for 2026/27.  Reform claimed to be improving roads, however repairs were not being caried out and lack of illumination on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 369.

Report attached.

Members considered a report of Councillor Vanessa Alexander, Portfolio Holder for Resources and Council Operations, which presented a draft Pay Policy for 2026/27.

Councillor Alexander provided a brief introduction to the policy, which was a statutory requirement and provided a transparent approach to the setting of the pay of the Council’s employees.

The report noted that the Localism Act 2011 (Chapter 8 - Pay Accountability) required all local authorities to set out their position on a range of issues relating to the remuneration of their employees.  The Policy had to be approved by the Council in open forum, by the end of March each year and then be published on its website.

The Pay Policy set out the existing approach to the remuneration of all posts within the Council.  In particular, it specified certain mandatory requirements that had to be detailed within the Policy, as follows:

• The pay structure of the Council and how it was set;

• Senior Management Remuneration, providing details of the pay grade for posts defined as Chief Officer and the accompanying allowances;
• The recruitment arrangements for a Chief Officer;
• The relationship between the salaries of Chief Officers and other employees;
• Details of the lowest paid posts within the Council;
• Employer’s Pension Contribution details; and
• Termination of employment payments.

The Council already published pay and remuneration details of its senior managers on its website, within the annual Statement of Accounts.

The purpose of the Pay Policy was to ensure there was transparency as to how pay and remuneration was set by the Council, for all of its employees and particularly for its most senior level posts.

Resolved                                    -    That the Pay Policy be agreed and published on the Council’s website.

To receive the Minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 21^st January and 18^th February 2026 (attached).

Rules of Debate

The Leader of the Council will move the Minutes, the Deputy Leader of the Council will second the Minutes.

·         Non-executive Members will be invited to make comment or ask questions on the Minutes (5 Minutes).

·         Cabinet Members will be invited to make comments and respond to any points raised (5 Minutes).

·         The Leader of the Council will be given up to 15 Minutes to respond and to answer any questions raised.

The minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 21^st January and 18^th February 2026 were submitted.

Resolved                                    -    That the Minutes be received and noted.

To receive the Minutes of committees, as set out below:

Rules of Debate

·         The Leader of the Council will introduce the Minutes as a whole.

·         Any Member may raise any issue from the Minutes; the Chair of the relevant Committee may respond (5 Minutes).

·         The Leader of the Council will close the debate (5 Minutes).

The Minutes of the following meetings were submitted:

In respect of Minute 256 of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 10^th December 2026, Councillor Paul Cox commented that he and Councillor Andrew Clegg had asked when Milnshaw ward would be brought within the scope of an Article 4 direction.  He was very pleased to see that this decision had now been implemented and thanked members of the Cabinet for their positive action.

The Leader thanked Councillor Cox for highlighting this matter and reminded members that 12 months ago an Article 4 direction had been agreed for 9 wards, to be implemented after a twelve months lead in period.  At that time the controlling group had promised to review the case for extending Article 4 to other wards in the Borough.   The Cabinet had kept this promise and had introduced an immediate Article 4 Direction at its last meeting on 18^th March 2026.

In respect of Minute 337 of the Planning Committee on 11^th March 2026, Councillor Dave Parkins apologised that he had not been able to attend that meeting due to his admission to hospital.

In respect of Minute 340 of the Planning Committee on 11^th March 2026, Councillor Zak Khan commented that he had spoken against the application for a housing development on land off Blackburn Road, Oswaldtwistle.  The Committee had subsequently decided to refuse that application, contrary to the officer recommendations.  He noted that comments made after the meeting had levelled a criticism that his objection might have adverse financial consequences for the Council.  Councillor Khan was of the view that this case illustrated that councillors had the ultimate responsibility locally for determining planning applications.

The Leader endorsed the above view that councillors made the final decision.  However, he acknowledged that officers had a duty to outline potential risks, which they did by means of written recommendations.  Councillors were elected and a had a mandate to take decisions as appropriate, which included listening to the views of residents.  The Planning Committee exercised is responsibilities based upon the evidence presented and was non-political in its approach.

Resolved                                    -    That the Minutes be received and noted.

Report to follow.

Rules of Debate

·         Each motion shall be debated for no more than 20 minutes before being put to the vote.

·         No more than one and a half hours in totality shall be allowed at each meeting for the debate of all motions.

No eligible Motions had been received on this occasion.

The Mayor asked members to remain seated, as he would proceed directly to the Special Meeting of the Council, which would follow immediately on the rising of this meeting.