Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Ethan Rawcliffe.

There were no declarations of interest or dispensations made on this occasion.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 30^th July 2025.

The minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 30^th July 2025 were submitted for approval as a correct record.

Resolved                                    -    That the Minutes be received and approved as a correct record.

To receive verbal reports from each of the Portfolio Holders, as appropriate.

Leader of the Council

Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP reported on the following:

Local Government Reorganisation

The Government had set a timeline for Lancashire councils to produce a preferred option for local government reorganisation (LGR) by 28^th November 2025.  LGR was the process of moving from the current two-tier system of a county council, two smaller unitary councils and 12 district councils in Lancashire, to a simpler model of fewer unitary councils.

The Government aims with LGR were to improve efficiency savings, service delivery, provide stronger local leadership, economic growth, community identity and foster effective local partnerships while not hindering the ability to deliver sustainable and high quality services for residents.

Guidance stated that most new authorities should serve at least 500,000 people.  Exceptions might be made to ensure the system worked well for each area.

Councils in Lancashire were working together and discussing possible options for reorganisation.  The Council would continue to represent Hyndburn in these discussions in order to raise any concerns that might impact local issues or services.

Currently there were five proposals based on following models:

• Model 1 consisted of Lancashire being split into 2 large unitary councils with a North / South divide;
• Model 2 consisted of 3 unitary councils (North / East / West);
• Models 3 and 4 were 2 different configurations of 4 unitary councils; and
• Model 5 consisted of 5 smaller unitary councils.

A survey had gone live consulting the public on their view – this was available on the Council’s website to complete calling on residents, businesses and community organisations to have their say on shaping the future of local government in the county.

The results of the survey, along with data from business cases compiled by consultants for each type of model, would be collated and made available for councils to help make the final decisions.

The Council would discuss these varying models and business cases at Scrutiny on the 5^th November and Full Council on 13^th November before Cabinet on 19^th November was due to take a final decision on Hyndburn’s preferred option in time for the Government’s deadline of 28^th November.

Once final reorganisation was submitted, the Government would determine which proposals were more suitable to take forward for further consideration before a decision was made.

Statutory consultation with residents and stakeholders was expected to take place on these proposals in the New Year, after which sometime over the summer the minister would make a decision on the reorganisation model in Lancashire.

In 2027, the new unitary councils would be established and would initially operate in shadow form to ensure a smooth transition from existing local government status to the new one.  Elections to the shadow authority were expected to take place in May 2027.

In April 2028, the new unitary authorities would officially go live assuming legal powers and representatives and all 15 original Lancashire local authorities would be abolished.

Lancashire County Council Funding Contributions

Hyndburn was one of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 146.

Report attached.

Members considered a report of Councillor Vanessa Alexander, Portfolio Holder for Resources and Council Operations, providing an update on the development of the Council’s Revenue and Capital budgets for 2026/27 and outlining how current risks and assumptions were affecting the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2026/27 to 2028/29.

Councillor Alexander provided a brief introduction to the report, highlighting the purpose of the report, the main risks and pressures within the MTFS, the timetable for setting the Budget and the three financial models included in the MTFS.

Councillor Zak Khan expressed a view that the Fair Funding Review would have a devastating effect on the Council’s finances and could reduce available resources by some £5m.  He acknowledged that this was not a situation caused by the controlling group, but asked how they intended to deal with the consequences of any loss of funding.  This was important because Hyndburn was the 16^th most deprived district in England.  He asked if this would mean an increase in Council Tax, the sale of assets and changes to business rates. He also offered to work with the controlling group to help to identify possible solutions.

The Leader of the Council indicated that the authority had responded to the Government’s consultation on 15^th August 2025 and had engaged with the MP to lobby on the Council’s behalf.  He considered that the figure of £5m quoted was incorrect and that any assumption that Council Tax would need to be raised beyond the referendum threshold was flawed.  Notwithstanding the engagement undertaken with the Minister and MP, Cabinet members were already working to consider how best to produce a viable budget.

Councillor Alexander expressed the view that comments such as ‘devastating’ were not helpful, when communicating the current position to staff and the public, as the final financial implications were not yet known.  The Government’s provisional funding announcement would be made in November/December 2025.  Councillor Pritchard and Whitehead also spoke about the importance of not sensationalising the situation and of their personal commitment to work to ensure the best financial situation possible for the residents of Hyndburn.  Councillor Alexander summarised by stating that she had experience of dealing with funding reductions when necessary and that, in any event, there might be some transitional arrangements introduced to minimise the impacts.

Councillor Dad gave an undertaking to meet with Councillor Khan about this matter and reaffirmed that Cabinet members had already been considering potential solutions for the last few weeks.

Approval of the report was not deemed a key decision.

Reasons for Decision

The Council had approved its annual Revenue Budget for 2025/26 and the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2025/26 to 2027/28 at the Full Council meeting on 27^th February 2025.

Since the budget had been approved, the Government had launched the Fair Funding Reform 2.0 consultation and had signalled a multi-year settlement from 2026/27.  Early analysis suggested Hyndburn Council might be disproportionately affected.

Therefore, to ensure a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 147.

Report attached.

The Cabinet considered a report of Councillor Stephen Button, Chair of the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee, setting out a recommendation of that committee that, during planning for the Council’s budget for 2026-27, Cabinet give consideration to extending the Council’s Climate budget in order to facilitate the Council’s ability to achieve its net zero targets.

Councillor Button provided a short introduction to the report, in which he outlined the information provided to the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee, including the significant progess made to date in meeting the Council’s net zero targets, but highlighting that progress had now slowed as much of the initial funding had now been used up.

Councillor Brerton thanked the Committee for its recommendation.  He had attended that meeting and the debate had been very positive, recognising the Council’s achievements so far.  Some large projects had already been completed and the authority was widely regarded ‘as punching above its weight’.  The funding question could not be answered today, as there was a lengthy Budget process to go through.  However, the suggestion would be considered positively at the appropriate time.  Councillor Alexander thanked Councillor Button for his report and provided an assurance that the proposal would be on the table during the Cabinet’s Budget deliberations.

Approval of the report was not deemed a key decision.

Reasons for Decision

A Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee had been held on 14^th July 2025 and had been consulted on the ‘Draft Climate Strategy and Action Plan’ and updated on the Hyndburn wide CO₂ emissions and the Council’s transition to Carbon Net Zero.  The Committee had been informed of the importance of limiting global warming to 1.5°c or staying well below 2°c to try to achieve pre-industrial levels and to achieve a 7.6% annual reduction in carbon emissions that would be required to achieve net zero targets.  The Committee considered that further funding would be required to achieve its net zero targets and had made a recommendation that Cabinet give consideration to providing additional funding for the Climate Action Fund during its budget planning process.

In September 2019 Hyndburn Borough Council had declared a climate emergency and had committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2030.  This pledge comprised a series of recommendations to help limit global warming.

One Carbon World had carried out a carbon footprint study between 2020 and 2023 and an initial review had indicated the Council’s buildings were responsible for some 75% of its operational carbon emissions and the highest priority was to decarbonise energy usage, particularly from gas.  The Council had set aside a £1m climate reserve pot to help to achieve Hyndburn’s target to make the Council’s activities net zero carbon by 2030.  The Council had been very proactive and had made great advances in reducing the Borough’s carbon emissions.  Since 2019 carbon emissions had been reduced by 55% by decarbonising the Council’s building stock, procuring renewable energy tariffs, replacing diesel within  ...  view the full minutes text for item 148.

Recommended          That, in accordance with Regulation 4(2)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, the public be excluded from the meeting during the following items, when it is likely, in view of the nature of the proceedings that there will otherwise be disclosure of exempt information within the Paragraphs of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 specified at the items.

Details of any representations received by the Executive about why the following report should be considered in public – none received.

Statement in response to any representations – not required.

Resolved                                    -    That, in accordance with Regulation 4(2)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, the public be excluded from the meeting during the following item, when it was likely, in view of the nature of the proceedings that there would otherwise be disclosure of exempt information within the Paragraph at Schedule 12A of the Act specified at the item

In accordance with Regulation 5(6)(a) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, approval is being sought from Councillor Stephen Button, Chair of the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to the following decision being made by Cabinet on 10^th September 2025, in private, on the grounds that the decision is urgent and cannot reasonably be deferred.

Exempt information by virtue of Paragraph 5 – Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

Report attached.

In accordance with Regulation 5(6)(a) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, approval was granted by Councillor Stephen Button, Chair of the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to the following decision being made by Cabinet on 10^th September 2025, in private, on the grounds that the decision was urgent and could not reasonably be deferred.  A notice to this effect had been published on the Council’s website.

Exempt information by virtue of Paragraph 5 - In respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

Members considered a report of Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP, Leader of the Council, updating Cabinet on a decision taken, following consultation with the Leader, in connection with resisting the proposed erection of a telecommunications mast on land at Harvey Street, Oswaldtwistle.

Councillor Dad provided a brief explanation of the Council’s position as outlined in the report and indicated that Sarah Smith MP also supported this stance.  Councillors Whitehead and Khan also placed on record their support for the actions as described.

Approval of the report was not considered to be a key decision.

Reasons for Decision

The reasons for the decision were set out in the exempt report.

Alternative Options Considered and Reasons for Rejection

The alternative options considered and reasons for rejection were set out in the exempt report.

Resolved                                    -    That the recommendations as set out in the exempt report be approved.

In accordance with Regulation 5(6)(a) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, approval is being sought from Councillor Stephen Button, Chair of the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to the following decision being made by Cabinet on 10^th September 2025, in private, on the grounds that the decision is urgent and cannot reasonably be deferred.

Exempt information by virtue of Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Report attached.

In accordance with Regulation 5(6)(a) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, approval was granted by Councillor Stephen Button, Chair of the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to the following decision being made by Cabinet on 10^th September 2025, in private, on the grounds that the decision was urgent and could not reasonably be deferred.  A notice to this effect had been published on the Council’s website.

Exempt information by virtue of Paragraph 3 - Relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

Members considered a report of Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP, Leader of the Council, seeking approval for the grant of a new lease of Elmfield Hall and associated outbuildings and land to Community Solutions North West Limited on the basis set out in the report.

Councillor Dad indicated that the Labour Group continued to support community groups in the Borough and that both Community Solutions North West and the Green Spaces Forum should benefit from the arrangements proposed.  Councillor Whitehead echoed these comments and highlighted what could be achieved when partners worked closely together.

Councillor Khan also mentioned that he supported these arrangements and added that he and Councillor Addison had met with representative of the lessee today, who had been complimentary about the work of the Council’s officers to reach this solution.  He asked what assistance might be available to community sector organisations who were having difficulties meeting the terms of a lease and if any protection for lease-holders could be built into those arrangements beyond the life of this Council.  Leader responded that community organisations could discuss any financial issues with the Council.  Cabinet members also agreed to look into the question of ensuring security of tenure for leaseholders following local government reorganisation.

Approval of the report was not considered to be a key decision.

Reasons for Decision

The reasons for the decision were set out in the exempt report.

Alternative Options Considered and Reasons for Rejection

The alternative options considered and reasons for rejection were set out in the exempt report.

Resolved                                    -    That the recommendations as set out in the exempt report be approved.

In accordance with Regulation 5(6)(a) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, approval is being sought from Councillor Noordad Aziz, Chair of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to the following decision being made by Cabinet on 10^th September 2025, in private, on the grounds that the decision is urgent and cannot reasonably be deferred.

Exempt information by virtue of Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Report attached.

In accordance with Regulation 5(6)(a) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, approval was granted by Councillor Noordad Aziz, Chair of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to the following decision being made by Cabinet on 10^th September 2025, in private, on the grounds that the decision was urgent and could not reasonably be deferred.  A notice to this effect had been published on the Council’s website.

Exempt information by virtue of Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Members considered a report of Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP, Leader of the Council, seeking approval for the disposal of two vacant Council owned properties, being 3 and 5 Abbey Street, Accrington, on the basis set out in the report.

Approval of the report was not considered to be a key decision.

Reasons for Decision

The reasons for the decision were set out in the exempt report.

Alternative Options Considered and Reasons for Rejection

The alternative options considered and reasons for rejection were set out in the exempt report.

Resolved                                    -    That the recommendations as set out in the exempt report be approved.