Agenda and draft minutes

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Munsif Dad, indicated that as this meeting fell within Ramadan, he would hope to be in a position to close the meeting by no later than 6.10pm.

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

Councillor Melissa Fisher made the Cabinet aware of her employment by Lancashire County Council, which was the provider of funding for the services mentioned in the following items:

• Item 8 – Healthy Weight Management Services;
• Item 9 – Smoke Free Programme Services; and
• Item 10 – Holiday Activity and Food Programme Services.

Councillor Melissa Fisher also declared a personal interest in the following items, in the light of her outside body appointment as a Member of the Hyndburn Leisure Board, the provider of the services referred to:

• Item 5 – Provision of Leisure Services;
• Item 8 – Healthy Weight Management Services;
• Item 9 – Smoke Free Programme Services; and
• Item 10 – Holiday Activity and Food Programme Services.

There were no declarations of dispensations made on this occasion.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 18^th February 2026. (attached)

The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 18^th February 2026 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 announced that, as there was a relatively large agenda and that there were some time constraints as to members’ availability, there would be no Portfolio Holder announcements on this occasion.

In accordance with Regulation 10(1)(a) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, the proper officer has informed Councillor Noordad Aziz, Chair of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, that it is intended that the following key decision will be made by Cabinet on 18^th March 2026, under the General Exception provisions, on the grounds that the decision is urgent and cannot reasonably be deferred.

Report attached.

In accordance with Regulation 10(1)(a) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, the proper officer had informed Councillor Noordad Aziz, Chair of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, that it was intended that the following key decision would be made by Cabinet on 18^th March 2026, under the General Exception provisions, on the grounds that the decision was urgent and could not reasonably be deferred.

Members considered a report of Councillor Munsif Dad, Leader of the Council, presenting options to Cabinet for securing the long-term provision of leisure services within Hyndburn.

Councillor Dad provided a brief introduction to the report, highlighting the main issues addressed in the report which included the following:

• The award of new 30-year leases to Hyndburn Leisure (“HL”);
• The proposed write off from trading debt between HL and the Council;
• Compliance with subsidy control legislation;
• Payment of the annual financial support payment to Hyndburn Leisure in respect of the 2026/27 financial year; and
• The potential release of bad debt provisions from Council’s balance sheet.

Councillor Zak Khan commented that he supported, in principle, the writing off of the trading debt, but enquired about the following

• whether the figure of £1,624m was the entire debt owed;
• whether HL could adequately maintain the buildings in the longer term under a full repairing lease; and
•  what improvements to the financial management arrangement had been realised as a result of the negotiations with HL.

Martin Dyson Executive Director (Resources) confirmed that the total debt figure was as reported.  The Leader responded that a 30-year lease would enable HL to attract in additional funding and it had a track record of doing so previously.  Regarding improved outcome, the Council had set out some key requirements which were being monitored.  The Portfolio Holder, Executive Director (Resources) had regular meetings with HL.  Going forward:

• HL would manage their own Human Resources function in full;
• The Town Hall would come back into the Council’s responsibility in 2027; and
• The subsidy required over the last few years would be minimised.

Overall the Council wanted HL to continue, to prosper and to have a good working relationship with the authority.

Approval of the report was deemed a key decision.

Reasons for Decision

HL hade been the operating the Council’s leisure facilities since April 2002 and currently managed the following venues on behalf of the Council:

• Hyndburn Leisure Centre;
• Mercer Hall;
• Cath Thom Leisure Centre / Wilsons site including playing fields, athletics track and sports pitches;
• Accrington Town Hall;
• Oswaldtwistle West End Community Centre; and
• Bank Mill House Community Centre.

The Council had undertaken a review of its Leisure Management options in 2024 as it had been over twenty years since the current delivery arrangements had been set up, and both the Council and HL recognised that a lot had changed in that time.

The Council and HL had agreed that it was sensible to review the current operating model to ensure that it was still the best way  ...  view the full minutes text for item 348.

In accordance with Regulation 10(1)(a) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, the proper officer has informed Councillor Stephen Button, Chair of the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee, that it is intended that the following key decision will be made by Cabinet on 18^th March 2026, under the General Exception provisions, on the grounds that the decision is urgent and cannot reasonably be deferred.

Report attached.

In accordance with Regulation 10(1)(a) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, the proper officer had informed Councillor Stephen Button, Chair of the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee, that it was intended that the following key decision would be made by Cabinet on 18^th March 2026, under the General Exception provisions, on the grounds that the decision was urgent and could not reasonably be deferred.

The Cabinet considered a report of Councillor Munif Dad BEM  JP, Leader of the Council, setting out the evidence for an Article 4 Direction made under the Town and Country Planning General Permitted Development Order 2015 (as amended) covering smaller houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) in the wards of Altham, Baxenden, Huncoat, Immanuel, Milnshaw, Overton and St Oswalds.

Councillor Dad provided a brief introduction to the report, noting that, at the present time, change of use from dwellinghouses (use class C3) to smaller HMOs (properties occupied by 3 to 6 unrelated individuals) within the relevant wards did not require planning permission.  He outlined the extent of the existing Article 4 arrangements and what was now proposed, including the reasons why and the possible risks of the preferred timescale for implementation.

Councillor Pritchard and Brerton spoke in favour of the proposals and commented that it was a brave decision to implement the Article 4 Direction across the whole Borough.  Councillor Zak Khan supported the proposals and enquired if the Council had sufficient resource to monitor the impact on the local communityof any planning approvals given.  Councillor Pritchard reminded members that the new regime had only just come into force, but any planning conditions would fall under the remit of the planning enforcement team.

The Leader added that the original evidence had only supported introducing these measures for 9 wards but that in taking that decision a commitment had been given to review the evidence for all other wards in the Borough.  The whole of Hyndburn would now be covered.

Approval of the report was deemed a key decision.

Reasons for Decision

The Council had resolved in December 2024 to make a non-immediate Article 4 Direction removing the automatic right to change from Class C3 (dwellinghouse) to Class C4 (small HMO), as otherwise permitted under Schedule 2, Part 3, Class L of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015.  Evidence prepared to support the Article 4 Direction had identified that some areas of the Borough had higher concentrations of HMOs, lower property values, and greater levels of deprivation.  It had therefore been recommended that permitted development rights be withdrawn within the nine most affected wards: Barnfield, Central, Church, Clayton-le-Moors, Peel, Netherton, Rishton, Spring Hill, and St Andrew’s.

The Council had confirmed the March 2026 Article 4 Direction on 17 November 2025.  The Direction would take effect on 15^th March 2026.

A further exercise had now been undertaken to establish whether evidence existed to support a further Article 4 Direction  ...  view the full minutes text for item 349.

With the consent of the meeting, the Chair brought forward Items 15, 16 and 17, so that he could present these before he might need to leave the meeting at 6.10pm.

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 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.

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 18^th March 2026, 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 being sought from Councillor Noordad Aziz, Chair of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to the following decision being made by Cabinet on 18^th  March 2026, in private, on the grounds that the decision was urgent and could not 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).

Members considered a report of Councillor Munsif Dad, Leader of the Council, seeking approval for the disposal of all or part of the land forming the site of a car park and residual land lying to the North of Brookside Street, Oswaldtwistle (as shown edged red on the plan (Plan 1) attached to the report.

Councillor Dad provided a brief introduction to the report, highlighting the history and current issues with the site.  Councillor Khan indicated his support for the proposals and asked about whether conditions could be attached to the site.  The Leader referred Councillor Khan to paragraph 3.5 of the report.

Approval of the report was not deemed 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 18^th March 2026, 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 being sought from Councillor Noordad Aziz, Chair of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to the following decision being made by Cabinet on 18^thMarch 2026, in private, on the grounds that the decision was urgent and could not 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).

The Cabinet considered a report of Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP, Leader of the Council, seeking approval for the disposal of the Council’s freehold interest in land and premises at a number of addresses on Church Street and Warner Street, Accrington.

Councillor Dad provided a brief introduction to the report, highlighting the addresses involved and the valuation obtained.

Councillor Zak Khan queried whether the sale of this land might be premature in view of the Council’s vision for the Town Centre and the site’s key location opposite the Accrington Pals Memorial Gardens.  The Leader commented that this was an opportunity to realise a capital receipt now to support the current Capital Programme.  Councillor Whitehead noted that this particular area was not part of the Council’s key regeneration plans for the Town Centre.  The businesses in the affected properties were well established and the proposals would give them some security.

Approval of the report was not deemed 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.

Members of the public and press were invited to return to the meeting and the Chair commenced with the business set out at Agenda Item 7.

In accordance with Regulation 10(1)(a) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, the proper officer has informed Councillor Noordad Aziz, Chair of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, that it is intended that the following key decision will be made by Cabinet on 18^th March 2026, under the General Exception provisions, on the grounds that the decision is urgent and cannot reasonably be deferred.

Report attached.

In accordance with Regulation 10(1)(a) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, the proper officer had informed Councillor Noordad Aziz, Chair of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, that it was intended that the following key decision would be made by Cabinet on 18^th March 2026, under the General Exception provisions, on the grounds that the decision was urgent and could not reasonably be deferred.

Members considered a report of Councillor Melissa Fisher, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regeneration, providing Cabinet with an update on the Huncoat Garden Village Project, including an update on the progress to date with the acquisition of land interests in connection with the proposed residential relief road and seeking authority to the making of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the purchase of that land where agreement could not be reached, as well as agreeing delegations to officers to agree compensation and acquisition payments.

Councillor Fisher provided a brief introduction to the report, highlighting the good progress being made on the project and the proposed approach to the purchase of the land required for the relief road.  She also reported that the relevant planning consent for the road had been given at the Planning Committee meeting held on 11^th March 2026.  She thanked Mark Hoyle, Head of Regeneration and Housing, for his on-going work on this important project.

Councillor Pritchard spoke in favour of this matter.  Councillor Zak Khan also expressed support and asked about how the delegated powers in relation to making a CPO would be applied.  The Leader commented that use of the CPO would be a last resort as the Council hoped to reach agreement with land owners through negotiation.

Approval of the report was deemed a key decision.

Reasons for Decision

HGV formed a key part of Hyndburn Borough Council’s growth plans.  It was a residential-led, housing development project with the potential to transform the housing market within Hyndburn.  HGV would bring back into use the site of the former Huncoat Power Station, and the site of the former Huncoat Colliery, to create an extension to the existing Huncoat village using new garden community principles.  It would deliver circa 1,800 new homes of mixed tenure (including affordable and social housing), over a circa 15-year period, alongside a new local centre meeting amenity needs, an expanded primary school, 24 hectares of strategic and functional open space, including a safeguarded area of ecological importance, new woodland and networked open space, and infrastructure in the form of the Scheme, car parking provision at Huncoat Railway Station and localised road junction upgrades as required.

The Council had successfully secured circa £29.90 million from the Government’s Brownfield, Infrastructure and Land Fund (“BIL Funding”) which was managed by Homes England.  The secured funding covered the cost of land acquisition and delivery of the Scheme.  Money within the BIL Funding was also allocated for remediation works to the two largest sites within HGV at the former  ...  view the full minutes text for item 353.

Report attached.

The Cabinet considered a report of Councillor Melissa Fisher, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regeneration, providing an update on the outcome of the recent tender exercise for the delivery of Healthy Weight Management Services on behalf of the Council for the period 1^st April 2026 to 31^st March 2029.

Councillor Fisher provided a brief introduction to the report, highlighting the need for the service, the Council’s rationale for undertaking a tender exercise for an external provider and the high level of experience of the successful tenderer.  Overall, their programme would empower individuals to manage their own issues, leading to lasting change.

Approval of the report was not deemed a key decision.

Reasons for Decision

In 2024 Lancashire County Council had taken the decision to collaborate directly with District Councils for the delivery of a new healthy weight management service.  As such, Hyndburn Borough Council had entered into a 5-year collaboration agreement with Lancashire County Council for the provision of Weight Management Services in Hyndburn from 1^st April 2024 until 31^st March 2029.  Within the agreement, District Councils had the ability to deliver services in house or appoint a provider to deliver the service on its behalf.

Reports presented to Cabinet in February 2024 and March 2025, had highlighted that levels of obese and overweight adults and children in Lancashire continued to increase and were also significantly higher than the Lancashire and National averages.  Working collaboratively had provided the opportunity to reshape and redesign services in Hyndburn.  Healthy weight management programs typically ran for around 12 weeks and often operated in group settings, either in-person, on-line or via web-based applications, (or a combination).  Participants received expert guidance on diet, nutrition and lifestyle changes, with a strong focus on behaviour change generally centred around exercise.

The services looked to combine healthy weight management with PASTA, (Play and Skills at Teatime Activity) which was a programme previously commissioned by LCC which aimed to encourage and empower families to make choices to lead a healthier lifestyle through participation in an active play and cooking session.  Participants prepares and ate/or took home a nutritious and budget conscious family meal each week and the opportunity to understand the importance of good nutrition and physical activity.

These programmes aimed to empower individuals to manage their weight, improve their well-being, and reduce their risk of weight-related health issues.  Though limited in duration, they acted as a crucial springboard for lasting change, helping individuals find their footing on the path to a healthier and more active lifestyle.

The Council did not have the resources or expertise to deliver the healthy weight management service in-house and needed to appoint a provider to deliver the service on its behalf.  At the meeting in January 2024 and again in March 2025, Cabinet had agreed to waive the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules to allow funding to be passported to an external provider (Hyndburn Leisure) but at the latter meeting, it had noted the Council would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 354.

Report attached.

Members considered a report of Councillor Melissa Fisher, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regeneration, informing Cabinet of the Smoke Free Programme Services in Hyndburn.

Councillor Fisher provided a brief introduction to the report, outlining the current arrangements, under which Hyndburn Leisure had been appointed in August 2025 to deliver the programme until March 2026.  She highlighted the key project outcomes and drew Members’ attention to the interim delivery report covering the period from September 2025 to January 2026.  The intention was to passport the funding received from Lancashire County Council to Hyndburn Leisure to support the work that they had carried out at risk.

Approval of the report was not deemed a key decision.

Reasons for Decision

Hyndburn Leisure had submitted a grant application to Lancashire County Council (LCC) in respect of its Lancashire Local Stop Smoking Services and Support Grant programme (LLSSASG) for £98,000 and the funding had been approved by LCC Public Health in August 2025.  The project was due to be delivered from September 2025 until 31^st March 2026 by Hyndburn Leisure, but the funding would be given to the Council.

Hyndburn Leisure’s programme was to deliver services that supported the following overarching key project outcomes:

• Build demand for Smokefree Lancashire;
• Increase the number of smokers accessing the Smokefree Lancashire service;
• Increase the number of smokers setting a quit date;
• Increase the number of smokers who are quitting;
• Reduce the smoking prevalence in Lancashire;
• Improve the respiratory and cardiovascular health of local populations;
• Reduce health inequalities for target populations; and
• Deliver a “Making Every Contact Count” approach to encourage positive behaviour change and outcomes.

A brief interim progress update of the work delivered by HL was appended to the Cabinet report, with a final report due to be presented later in the year.

The report recommended that the Council waived its Contract Procedure rules and appointed Hyndburn Leisure to deliver the smoke free service from September 2025 to 31^st March 2026 for the following reasons:

• Whilst Hyndburn Leisure had submitted the grant application to LCC, the funding was paid via a contractual agreement between Hyndburn Borough Council and Lancashire County Council.  Whilst this agreement had been signed in January 2026, the Trust had been working at risk to deliver the project since September 2025.
• The Council was under a contractual obligation with Lancashire County Council to deliver the smoke free project and would passport this grant funding to Hyndburn Leisure via a service level agreement.
• This service level agreement could not be signed and the funding released to Hyndburn Leisure unless the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules were waived. Given the relatively late receipt of the funding from LCC there was not time for the Council to run a procurement exercise and ensure delivery of the project by the deadline date.

Alternative Options considered and Reasons for Rejection

Cabinet could decide not to waive the Contract Procedure Rules to appoint Hyndburn Leisure to deliver smoke free service.  This was not recommended for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 355.

Report attached.

The Cabinet considered a report of Councillor Melissa Fisher, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regeneration, about the provision of the Holiday Activity and Food Programme Services (HAF) in Hyndburn.

Councillor Fisher provided a brief introduction to the report, explaining the background to the delivery of his service and the need to provide financial support for this year’s Spring / Easter Programme because of the short timescale involved.  Hyndburn Leisure had a long and good track-record of delivering HAF services and had the necessary systems in place to continue to undertake this work,

Approval of the report was not deemed a key decision.

Reasons for Decision

Hyndburn Leisure had been procured as the preferred provider by Lancashire County Council (LCC) to deliver the HAF Programme in Hyndburn from 2021/22 to 2025.  LCC has shifted to a collaboration agreement with District Councils which transferred the delivery and funding obligations to District Councils for future financial years.  Working collaboratively might provide the opportunity to review services in Hyndburn and within the agreement, District Councils would have the ability to deliver services in-house or appoint a provider to deliver the service on its behalf.

The HAF Programme ran during the Spring / Easter, Summer and Winter holiday months with the aim of providing free holiday provision to children whose families received eligible benefits and related free school meals.  The Programme looked to support children with:

• Provision of Healthy and nutritious meals;
• Maintaining a healthy level of physical activity;
• Being happy, having fun, meeting new friends;
• Developing a greater understanding of food, nutrition and other health-related issues;
• Taking part in fun and engaging activities that supported development;
• Feeling safe and secure;
• Getting access to the right support services; and
• Returning to school feeling engaged and ready to learn.

LCC had only recently received confirmation from the Department for Education on the HAF funding for 2026/27 and because LCC only received funding / notification on an annual basis, it would facilitate agreements with District Councils on a year-by-year extension.  Whilst LCC had indicated Hyndburn’s 2026/27 allocation for HAF delivery would be circa £351,000, at the time of writing the report, the Council had yet to receive the legal agreement from LCC.

The Council had also received a request from LCC asking it to financially support the cost of this year’s Spring / Easter Programme delivery.  This was to ensure the HAF Programme in Hyndburn could continue providing its valuable offer to children and families, whilst the funding was transferred from LCC.

Hyndburn Council did not have the resources or expertise to deliver the HAF service in-house and, due to the limited timescales before the start of the 2026/27 Spring / Easter Service Programme, it was not possible to tender the provision for the service.

Whilst the full year report was in the process of being finalised, the following information was a brief overview of the 2025 HAF Programme successfully delivered by Hyndburn Leisure:

Easter 2025 Programme

• Children engaged: 614
• Provisions: 27 locations
• Total  ...  view the full minutes text for item 356.

Report attached.

Members considered a report of Councillor Kimberley Whitehead, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Culture Heritage and Sport, seeking Cabinet approval for the creation of a Sports Development Programme in Hyndburn.

Councillor Whitehead provided a brief introduction to the report, outlining the Council’s aim of engaging with grassroots teams and clubs and highlighting the how this would deliver long-term benefits, including inward investment and sustainable funding.  Given the desire to implement this quickly the Cabinet was being asked to waive the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules to appoint Hyndburn Leisure, who had the relevant expertise, existing links to teams and clubs and the ability to access grant funding.  Hyndburn Leisure would shortly advertise for a sports development officer.

Councillor Melissa Fisher commented that this had been discussed at the recent Leisure Trust Board meeting.  The Board had been very pleased to welcome this proposal.

Councillor Zak Khan indicated his support for the proposal and asked if other delivery partners had been considered and who the sports development officer would be accountable to.  Councillor Whitehead responded that Hyndburn Leisure were best placed to deliver this programme and that the other providers considered had too narrow a focus.  The use of Hyndburn Leisure would allow greater access to long term funding and the addition of this work to the Trust’s portfolio would also help to support their own viability.  The Council was working with other organisations too.  The sports development officer would be accountable to the Council and its Scrutiny function, as well as to Hyndburn Leisure.   The arrangements would be subject to a Service Level Agreement.

The Leader summed up by stating that the Council knew that Hyndburn Leisure could deliver this programme, would work closely with the authority and would be able to access additional funding.

Approval of the report was not deemed a key decision.

Reasons for Decision

As part of the budget process, the Council had agreed to provide £45,000 funding per annum (for financial years 2026/27 and 2027/28) for the creation of a new sports development post, together with £100,000 (total funding for financial years 2026/27 and 2027/28) to support healthier communities, youth engagement and long-term participation in sport in the Borough and aligning with the Council’s wider commitment to community wellbeing.  Hyndburn Council did not have the resources or expertise to deliver the proposed Sports Development Programme in-house and due to the limited timescales before needing to start delivery of the 2026/27 programme, it was not considered possible or sensible to tender the provision for the service or recruit an in-house sports development officer.

The report recommended that the Council waived its Contract Procedure Rules and appointed HL to deliver the Sports Development Programme from 1^st April 2026 to 31^st March 2028 for the following reasons:

• HL were ideally placed to start delivery of the programme quickly having already extensive networks with local sports teams and strong relationships with local schools, colleges and national governing bodies for sport, together with a successful record of securing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 357.

Report attached.

Members considered a report of Councillor Stewart Eaves, Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services, informing Cabinet of additional dog control measures in Accrington Cemetery.

Councillor Eaves provided a brief introduction to the report, noting that the matter had been considered carefully over a significant period of time.  He outlined the complaints that had been received, the use of a detailed independent impact assessment, and the need to balance the requirements of users of the site, which was both a burial ground and a green open space.  A number of options had been considered and the preferred approach was to fence off the footpath close to the entrance on Whitewell Road, which was where dog fouling was most prevalent.  Residents would still be able to walk dogs responsibly throughout the rest of the cemetery.

Councillors Dad and Whitehead spoke in favour of this proposal and explained the reasons for the decision.  Councillor Zak Khan also welcomed the proposals and hoped that the communications released would be able to effectively convey the rationale for this decision in a way which did not cause division within the community.  The Leader acknowledged this sensitivity, as comprehensive feedback had been received on this issue.  He gave an assurance that the press release would explain why this decision was being taken.

Approval of the report was not deemed a key decision.

Reasons for Decision

Currently there was a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) relevant to dog control in force at Accrington Cemetery.  While PSPO’s were reviewed every three years, there had been a dog control PSPO for Accrington Cemetery since 2015.  This was because there was a high level of public support to have some reasonable dog control in the cemetery.

The current PSPO permitted dog walkers to walk their dogs throughout Accrington Cemetery but did require dog walkers to keep their dogs on a lead at all times and to pick up any dog fouling after their dogs.

A considerable number of the dog walkers who walked their dogs in Accrington Cemetery entered the cemetery via the pedestrian access off Whitewell Road.  Dog walkers who entered through this access tended to turn left and walk down the footpath towards the bottom of the cemetery between plots MA and EO.

Members of the community with relatives buried in burial area MA adjacent to the footpath referenced above, had made representation to the Council stating they have seen dogs on leads being allowed to walk on the grass burial plots and on occasion seen some dog owners cleaning up dog fouling from the grass burial area.  While this behaviour does not breach the current PSPO, it had caused some distress to the families who had requested additional dog control due to the dog walking traffic in that part of the cemetery.

There were a number of options available to Cabinet which could address the specific complaints received and this report recommended implementing the following:

1. Create a fenced ‘dog free zone’ by installing a fence along the boundary  ...  view the full minutes text for item 358.

Report attached.

Members considered a report of Councillor Clare Pritchard, Portfolio Holder for Transformation and Town Centres, updating Cabinet on the Levelling Up funded (LUF) town centre projects.

Councillor Pritchard provided a brief introduction to the report, outlining the Phase 1 works that had been undertaken, the contractor procurement process for Phase 2 and the on-going works.  She also referred to the additional works being undertaken to finish of the exterior of the Market Hall and its anticipated completion date in mid-July.  Burton’s Chambers was likely to be competed first, but the Council had asked the contractors to prioritise work on the Market Hall, where possible.  A job advertisement had recently gone out for a Town Centre Venues Manager.  In addition, representatives from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) had visited the Town Centre sites and made some positive comments.  They were hoping to use this project in a case study to showcase best practice.

Councillor Zak Khan noted the planned opening date for the Market Hall in November 2026 and asked what the additional costs would be to the Council of operating the venue in-house.  Councillor Pritchard indicated that there should be no additional cost to the Council.  Councillor Whitehead added that use of an external operator might well have cost more.

Approval of the report was not deemed a key decision.

Reasons for Decision

The Levelling Up Fund had been announced at the 2020 Government Spending Review.  Its focus was on capital investment in local infrastructure projects that required up to £20m of funding and built on prior programmes such as the ‘Local Growth Fund’ and ‘Towns Fund’.

In January 2022, Cabinet had given its formal approval in support of the Town Centre Stakeholder Board’s recommendations that the Council’s LUF submission should focus around the following three principal interventions, noting that at the time 2 and 3 were not in the Council’s ownership.

1.      Redevelopment within the Indoor Market Hall and removal of the outdoor pavilions along Peel Street to provide an enhanced food and drink offering alongside traditional market stalls and new leisure offering – the intervention known as Market Hall.

2. Acquisition and external façade improvements/roof repairs to the properties of 43-59 Blackburn Road / 2-4 Church Street – the intervention known as Market Chambers.

3. Acquisition and redevelopment to the block 61-69 Blackburn Road to provide for a shared workspace offering – the intervention known as Burtons Chambers.

Acquisitions

Market Chambers - In total, six freehold and twenty-five leasehold interests had been acquired across the properties 2-4 Church Street and 43-59 Blackburn Road.  The first had been secured in August 2023 and the last in July 2025.  A General Vesting Declaration had been made by the Council on the 10^th February 2026 and notices had been posted around the property subsequent to the confirmation of the Compulsory Purchase Order by the Inspector.  Following a 3-month notice period, the Council would register the acquired land as a single title with the Land Registry.

Phase 1 construction  ...  view the full minutes text for item 359.

Report attached.

The Cabinet considered a report of Councillor Clare Pritchard, Portfolio Holder for Transformation and Town Centres, providing an update on progress with reopening Accrington Market Hall and seeking delegated authorities in relation to the setting of market rents, service charges, fees, market regulations and other terms and conditions for trading at Accrington Market

Councillor Pritchard provided a brief introduction to the report, outlining the Council’s on-going engagement with existing market traders and its proposals for the Market Hall to re-open as a thriving venue for existing traders and new traders alike, as well as being attractive to the public.  The Council acknowledged that unavoidable delays were causing some anxiety for existing traders and it was doing its best to allay those concerns.  Recruitment for the new Town Centre Venues Manager was now underway.

Approval of the report was not deemed a key decision.

Reasons for Decision

Accrington Market Hall was one of the key town centre projects largely funded by the Council’s Levelling Up allocation, with match funding from a number of sources.

The market traders had been decanted to cabins in the Town Square to enable substantial repair, construction and refit works to the Market Hall building.  These had been detailed in reports from the Executive Director (Environment) and were now nearing completion.  The site was expected to be handed back to the Council from the construction contractors in July 2026.

Following consultation with consultants Barker Proudlove (appointed in line with the Cabinet report in December 2025) and the Portfolio Holder for Transformation and Town Centres, a proposed reopening date had been set for mid-November.  This was to allow time for recruiting and agreeing leases with traders / food and drink operators and to recant traders from the Town Square back into their new Market Hall units / stalls.

The Council (with Barker Proudlove) was looking to move forward on detailed discussions (with clear information on rent levels) with existing traders.  This would establish which traders would be moving onto new leases, on the Market’s reopening.  Following these discussions, there would be a clear picture of any gaps, both in terms of number and type of traders.  Recruitment of new traders would then take place, led by Barker Proudlove.

At the same time as discussions would begin with existing traders, Barker Proudlove would seek potential new food and beverage operators, including a bar operator.  There were no existing food and beverage operators in the temporary Town Square market.

The Council would shortly receive specialist external advice on the estimated costs of running the Market.  This had been a new piece of work since the Council had decided to run the Market in house, rather than through an outsourced model as had previously been planned.  This advice would outline the estimated actual costs per square metre, alongside a picture of the commercial “going rates” for similar provision in towns bearing similar economic characteristics.  This advice would inform decisions as to rent levels (including service charges).

In the past,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 360.