Agenda and minutes
Venue: Scaitcliffe House, Ormerod Street, Accrington. View directions
Contact: Democratic Services (01254) 380116/380109/380184
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Apologies for Absence Minutes: An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor Zak Khan, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Economic Development & Sustainability, and on behalf of Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP who is a standing invitee as Leader of the Labour Group. |
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Declarations of Interest and Dispensations Minutes: There were no declarations of interest or dispensations declared at the meeting. |
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To approve the Minutes of the last meeting of Cabinet held on 13th February 2024. Minutes: The minutes of the last meeting of Cabinet held on 13th February 2024 were submitted for approval as a correct record.
Resolved - That the Minutes be received and approved as a correct record.
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Minutes of Boards, Panels and Working Groups To receive the minutes of the meetings of the following bodies:-
Minutes: To receive the minutes of the meeting of the Learning and Development Panel held on 17th October 2023 for noting.
Resolved - That the Minutes of the meeting of the Learning and Development Panel held on 17th October 2023 be noted. |
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Reports of Cabinet Members To receive verbal reports from each of the Portfolio Holders, as appropriate. Minutes: Councillor Peter Britcliffe, Acting Leader of the Council
Report on HMOs and Care Homes
The Acting Leader of the Council, Councillor Britcliffe reported that at Full Council on 27th February 2024, he had announced that a report would be brought before Cabinet in respect of an increase in the number of planning applications for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO’s) and for Children’s Care Homes. The increase in the number of applications had given rise to objections from neighbouring residents and concerns about their impact on an area. Due to the Council not having a policy in place for this, he had requested that a policy framework for managing these planning applications was produced with the procurement of Consultants to undertake this work. However, he reported that this report had been withdrawn in order to confirm funding arrangements. He explained that due to no further meetings of the Cabinet being held until after the elections, a decision on the item was likely to be taken using emergency powers and that Members would be informed of this in the usual way.
Return of the Leader of the Council, Councillor Marlene Haworth
Councillor Britcliffe welcomed back the Leader of the Council, Councillor Marlene Haworth, and informed the meeting that she would be resuming an active role as Leader of the Council, after today. He referred to a busy period for all concerned and thanked all involved for their hard work during this time. He also mentioned the success of the Member of Parliament for Hyndburn, Sara Britcliffe, in achieving significant funding for the borough.
Councillor Loraine Cox thanks Acting Leader of the Council, Councillor Britcliffe for his leadership during the absence of Councillor Marlene Haworth.
Councillor Marlene Haworth thanked all Cabinet Members, Members of the Opposition and Officers of the Council for their support during her absence.
Verbal reports were received from the following Portfolio Holders:
Councillor Steven Smithson, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services
Councillor Smithson updated Cabinet on the refurbishment of two play areas:
Masefield Close Play Area, Great Harwood – he informed the meeting that tenders were currently being sought and funding had been confirmed. The contract would be awarded April 2024 with works completed by August 2024.
Mercer Park Play Area – he informed Cabinet that refurbishment of the play area should be completed by June 2024.
Recruitment of a Dog Warden – He informed Cabinet that the process of recruiting a new Dog Warden for the borough was currently being undertaken.
Councillor Fisher referred to enquiries from members of the public who had been concerned by how works scheduled for Mercer Park would impact them. They had requested more detail on if works would be completed in phases or if areas would be closed off. Councillor Smithson indicated that he would seek a more detailed response and report back to her.
Councillor Mohammed Younis, Cabinet Portfolio Holder or Levelling Up
Market Hall Redevelopment – Councillor Younis advised Cabinet that the decanting of traders had been completed ... view the full minutes text for item 351. |
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Draft People Strategy Report attached. Additional documents: Minutes: Members considered a report of Councillor Peter Britcliffe, Acting Leader of the Council, setting out details of a proposed draft People Strategy for 2024-28.
Approval of the report was not deemed to be a key decision.
Reasons for Decision
Cabinet was informed that the success of any organisation was dependent on the effectiveness of its People Strategy. As the landscape of work within local government continued to evolve and bring challenges, it was crucial that the Council also continued to adapt. The People Strategy would support the Council in attracting and retaining skilled staff, and nurturing a culture of engagement, continuous development, and well-being. It should help the council to position itself as an employer of choice and ensure the successful delivery of its corporate priorities.
The proposed strategy (Appendix 1 in the report) had 3 key themes: · Leadership and Culture: Compassionate value-based leadership that guides, empowers, motivates and drives engagement · Talent and Skills: Skilled staff who were able to respond to what’s needed and work with partners to deliver results · Wellbeing and Inclusion: A workplace where people were supported to be authentic and have a sense of belonging, where we actively value diversity The draft document had already been shared with Service Managers and Trade Unions and presented to the Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee for consultation.
There were no alternative options for consideration or reasons
Resolved - That the People Strategy be agreed to cover the period 2024-28. |
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National Non Domestic Rates Mandatory, Discretionary and Hardship Relief Scheme Report attached. Minutes: Members considered a report of Councillor Peter Britcliffe, Acting Leader of the Council, which sought Cabinet approval for amendments of the National Non Domestic Rates Mandatory, Discretionary and Hardship Relief Scheme to include new rate reliefs:
· Include Heat Network Relief with effect 01 April 2024 – Outlined in paragraphs 3.13 to 3.15 of the revised policy · Include improvement Relief, with effect 01 April 2024 – Outlined in paragraphs 3.17 to 3.20 of the revised policy · Include Public Lavatory Relief, retrospectively with effect 01 April 2020 – Outline in paragraphs 3.10 to 3.12 of the revised policy
Members had also been requested to consider approval for amendments of the National Non Domestic Rates Mandatory, Discretionary and Hardship Relief Scheme to remove the following rate reliefs, as these reliefs were no longer applicable:
· Business rate relief for public houses · Discretionary Revaluation Rate Relief
Approval of the report was not deemed a key decision.
Reasons for Decision
The administration of Mandatory, Discretionary and Hardship Relief for business rates forms part of the Council’s mandate for the billing, collection and recovery of National Non Domestic Rates. While the legislative framework for this remains largely unchanged, the policies used by officers in the administration of reliefs were reviewed, amended and updated regularly to ensure that the Council’s policies were relevant and reflected current practices.
As the Government was moving further towards higher levels of local business rate retention, it was essential that the Council’s policies and practices were reviewed regularly and updated as required in order to remain relevant, accurate and legal.
There had been a number of legislative changes, introduced by the Non Domestic Rating Act 2023, affecting this policy and administration of the various reliefs available within business rates remains within the relevant legislative framework and guidance.
While the discretionary relief provisions in this policy had not changed, the policy did now include provisions announced by the Government in 2023 and had consolidated guidance for officers and taxpayers that had previously been contained in a number of separate documents.
Alternative Options The administration of business rates reliefs’ works within legislative frameworks. The three new reliefs to be included in the policy were mandatory reliefs. A failure to revise our NDR Mandatory, Discretionary and Hardship Relief policy may result in local businesses missing out on vital financial support. Regular review of this policy would also ensure that details of relevant rate reliefs were available to business ratepayers, and that the Council’s policies and practices were transparent and robust. Resolved - That the revised National Non Domestic Rates Mandatory, Discretionary and Hardship Relief Scheme, updated in line with recent legislation, attached as Appendix 1 in the report, be approved and adopted. |
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Non Domestic Rates - Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief for 2024/2025 Report attached. Minutes: Members considered a report of Councillor Peter Britcliffe, Acting Leader of the Council, that presented an extension of Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Non Domestic Rate Relief for the period 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025 providing eligible businesses with a 75% rate relief on their business rates liability for this period.
The Head of Benefits, Revenues and Customer Contact provided Cabinet with a background to the scheme and referred to the announcement by the Chancellor at the Autumn Statement, of an extension to the business rates relief scheme for retail, hospitality and leisure properties. He referred to how this would benefit and support businesses.
Approval of the report was not deemed a key decision.
Reasons for Decision
Cabinet was informed that at the Autumn Statement on 22 November 2023, the Chancellor had announced the extension of the business rates relief scheme for retail, hospitality and leisure properties, worth nationally an estimated £2.4 billion in 2024/2025. This would support the businesses that make the high streets and town centres a success and help them evolve and adapt to changing customer demands.
Government had supported billing authorities and their preceptors by funding, in full, the discretionary reliefs awarded under these measures using grants delivered under Section 31 of the Local Government Act 2033.
The administration of the discount scheme within this report was subject to restrictions laid out in Section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 which stipulated that any variation or termination of a discount scheme under Section 47 that would result in an increased financial liability for the ratepayer must be done at the end of a financial year and with 12 months’ notice. By implementing this new scheme from 1st April 2024, the council’s administration of business rates relief remained within its discretionary powers.
Further details were provided on:
· Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief Scheme 2024/2025 · Cash Caps · State Aid/Subsidy Control
Alternative Options
The scheme outlined in this report was provided to local ratepayers at no additional cost to the Council as discounts provided under the schemes were subsidised by Government. Written and published guidance allowed for a consistent and fair application of the discount schemes.
The Council may extend the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief Scheme for each applicable time period to include more business types, however any expansion would be at additional cost to the authority and all business types are already covered within the Council’s broader discretionary powers via application and consideration on a case by case basis. A further expansion of the scheme was therefore considered not to be required. Resolved (1) That the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Non Domestic Rate Relief Scheme 2024/2025 attached to the report, as Appendix 1, be approved and applied to business rates bills as soon as is reasonably practicable in order to provide businesses with certainty around their business rates liabilities for 2024/2025; and, (2) That delegated authority be given to the Executive Director of Resources to undertake the calculation, collection, administration and ... view the full minutes text for item 354. |
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Member Development - Update Report attached. Additional documents:
Minutes: Cabinet was requested to consider a report of Councillor Peter Britcliffe, Acting Leader of the Council, to update Members about the recent work of the Learning & Development Panel and to seek support for a new Member Development Strategy.
Approval of the report was not deemed a key decision
Reasons for Decision
Until recently, the Council’s Learning & Development Panel had not met for some considerable time. The Council’s accreditation against the North West Employers Member Development Charter had also lapsed and Members take up of training opportunities was inconsistent, with some training events very poorly attended. In response to Member feedback it was decided that the member development process needed to be reinvigorated and the Learning & Development Panel met in October 2023 to agree a way forward. The report reflected the work and proposals of the Panel.
The Panel had developed the attached draft Member Development Strategy, which was presented to Cabinet for approval. In summary, the Strategy proposed that: · All members would attend ‘core’ training in the basic skills required for the role (e.g. code of conduct, social media awareness, decision-making and data protection, plus training linked to serving on certain statutory committees such as Planning or Audit) · A further programme of training would be offered in addition to the compulsory elements; · The ‘Sixty Minute’ sessions would be relaunched as short, focussed, interactive sessions, giving members the chance to ask questions about key services and activities; · All members would be offered a one-to-one meeting each year to focus on their individual training needs, which would lead to the production of their own personal development plan. To show the Council’s commitment to delivering a diverse training programme for members, an additional £5000 had been set aside for member training in 2024-25, giving a total training pot of £10,000. This would hopefully give more scope to vary training provision, which in recent years had been delivered almost exclusively in-house by HBC officers.
The Learning & Development Panel had also recommended that, by 31st March 2025, the Council should seek accreditation to level 1 of the North West Employers Development Charter to demonstrate the Council’s commitment to improving the training and development opportunities available to members. An explanation of the level 1 requirements and the evidence needed to demonstrate compliance was attached as Appendix 2 to the report. Working towards level 1 accreditation would also provide a useful frame work for improving the Council’s member development ‘offer’ over the coming year and would guide the work of the Learning & Development Panel.
The Learning & Development Panel was very keen to revamp the member induction process for newly elected councillor which will run as soon as possible after the May elections. All members had been consulted about this, but only a very limited response had been received. A summary of the responses received and the proposed changes to the induction process were set out in Appendix 3 of the report.
Alternative Options
Cabinet could have decided not to approve the strategy and/or the proposal to ... view the full minutes text for item 355. |
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Appointment of Operator for Burtons Chambers Report attached. Minutes: Members considered a report of Councillor Mohammed Younis, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Levelling Up, to update Cabinet on the outcome of the recent tender evaluation process to appoint an operator for the shared office/workspace within Burtons Chambers.
The Cabinet Portfolio Holder, Councillor Mohammed Younis, reported on success in identifying an operator for Burtons Chambers which had extensive experience for this appointment. He reported that under the Management Agreement model, the Council would be liable for all costs associated with operation of the facility, either directly or via payment to the operator. A revenue return may be receivable by the Council where a profit was generated in the event that revenue exceeded the costs of operation in a contract year. The share would be 60% for the Council and 40% for the operator.
Members referred to the success in securing the expertise of appointed operator.
Councillor Fisher asked if there had been any shortfalls identified in the appointment and if the risk was all on the Council’s side and what plans were in place after the 2 year period to reduce risk. The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Levelling Up expressed confidence in the operator and that half million pound was being held in reserve.
Approval of the report was not deemed a key decision.
Reasons for Decision
The Levelling Up Fund had been announced at the 2020 Spending Review and focused on capital investment in local infrastructure projects that require up to £20m of funding and builds on prior programmes such as the ‘Local Growth Fund’ and ‘Towns Fund’.
Cabinet gave 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, nothing that at the time of submission 2 and 3 had not been in the Council’s ownership;
1. Redevelopment within the Indoor Market Hall and outdoor pavilions along Peel Street – the intervention known as Market Hall. 2. Improvements and redevelopment to the block of properties at 43-59 Blackburn Road/2-4 Church Street – the intervention known as Market Chambers. 3. Improvements and redevelopment to the block 61-69 Blackburn Road – the intervention known as Burtons Chambers.
Paragraph 3.3 of the report referred to: ‘At its meeting on 13 January 2022, Council approved the creation of a Levelling Up Bid Contingency Reserve in the sum of £2 million. The purpose of this reserve is to support the delivery of the LUF interventions with the Budget Holder for these funds being the Council’s Chief Executive. Furthermore, at its meeting in February 2023, Cabinet delegated authority to the Executive Director (Environment), following consultation with the Leader of the Council and Chief Executive, to approve expenditure from this reserve, where it is deemed essential and/or economically advantageous to the Council to deliver the LUF interventions.’
The Council appointed CBRE through the Crown Commercial Service Framework as lead consultant for the procurement of operators for Burtons Chambers and the Market Hall. CBRE have a specialist and very experienced team advising ... view the full minutes text for item 356. |
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Casual Market Traders Report Attached. Minutes: Members considered a report of Councillor Mohammed Younis, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Levelling Up, which outlined the various options in providing facilities for casual market traders during the Market Hall redevelopment.
Councillor Younis referred to the successful increase in footfall for casual traders on the Thursday and Sunday markets. He referred to the proposed options for providing facilities and to option 1, which proposed a casual market based on 14 stalls and achieving 100% hire rate. He reported that conversations with business located on Broadway and been positive and no concerns had been raised. The proposed market would see stalls erected along the bottom half of Broadway towards the junction with Union Street. Broadway, between Union Street and Cornhill, is unadopted and administered by Hyndburn Council. The individual stalls would be charged out at the going rate for a stall type, and on that basis there would not be any subsidy provided to the traders concerned. A simple daily letting agreement would be entered into with the traders.
Approval of the report was not deemed a key decision.
Reasons for Decision
The Market Hall and external pavilions along Peel Street are being redeveloped as one of the Council’s Levelling Up funded projects. The Council has relocated the leaseholder traders who wish to continue trading into temporary cabins on the town square or other commercial units within the town centre. A small number have also made their own arrangements to relocate into the town centre. In addition, there are a number of casual market traders who trade from outdoor stalls under the pavilions who simply pay per day if and when they wish to trade. By far the most popular casual market is the ‘pre-loved’ market on a Thursday and the ‘flea’ market on a Sunday. The 3 day casual ‘new goods’ market, (Tuesday, Friday and Saturday) did not have anywhere near the same level of take-up from traders and on occasions only had three or four traders due to the fact that there are already a number of ‘new goods’ traders located in the cabins.
The Market Manager has highlighted the fact that Thursday and Sunday markets have the greatest uptake and therefore income figures in this report are calculated on just providing for Thursday and Sunday trading. It should be noted that income figures are based on 100% of stalls (14 or 20) being hired out for 50 weeks of the year (there would be no provision over Christmas/New Year period). Any reduction in these rates will reduce income levels to the Council. Whilst under the covered pavilions, market traders had the facility of lighting and power. The temporary nature of the stalls being proposed means this would not be an option and that customers would not be under cover. This may have an effect on traders and potential customers. It should be noted that the Market Manager has estimated a more realistic hire number, (to take into account the summer and winter periods) would be an average of ... view the full minutes text for item 357. |
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Lease to Friends of Rhyddings Park Report Attached. Additional documents: Minutes: The following item was submitted as urgent business with the Chair’s agreement in accordance with Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the reason being to ensure the latest up to date information is included in the report.
Members were requested to consider a report of Councillor Stephen Smithson, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services, to seek approval to enter into a new lease of the Coach House, Glass House, Boot Room & Walled Garden to The Friends of Rhyddings Park (‘FORP’)(charity number 1175682), as shown on the plans in appendices 1 and 2 of the report.
Councillor Smithson reported that the Coach House opened 6 days per week with activities attracting over 400 visitors each week. The report responded to a request from the Friends of Rhyddings Park for a new lease including additional financial support. Councillor Smithson indicated that the Council would not be charging a rent for this lease and picking up the building running costs, would be value for money in terms of community benefit.
Approval of the report was not deemed a key decision.
Reasons for Decision
In July 2018 Cabinet agreed to lease the Coach House within Rhyddings Park to Friends of Rhyddings Park (FORP) to assist the Council in delivering outcomes expected in connection with £1,461,900 Heritage Lottery Funding (HLF) it received in 2016. The HLF grant conditions would apply until 2038. The lease was granted to FORP for a term of 5 years commencing 1st October 2018
The funding secured from the HLF grant was reported in 2018 to be for:
· The restoration of the Coach House as a community venue; · Returning the derelict walled garden to its traditional use of food growing, including the construction of Victorian style greenhouse; · Working with Bootstrap Enterprises to develop a social enterprise based in the restored former Coach House, generating income for the park from meeting rooms, a cafe and a training kitchen; · Creating a performance space area and developing a programme of community arts ; · Establishing a training and volunteering programme linked to park management, community engagement and health promotion; · Providing education resources and opportunities for local schools; · Developing programmes of guided walks and family fun activities.
Many of the outcomes of the HLF grant had been achieved, but the community engagement and volunteering requirements were on-going and as such, a new lease of the Coach House was required to continue to meet HLF grant funding terms.
Friends of Rhyddings Park are a registered charity (number 117562). The FORP Trustee Annual Report for the period 1st November 2021 to 31st October 2022 states they are working to support the Rhyddings community events programme in addition to running a community café in the park using produce grown in the kitchen garden. FORP’s charitable objects as detailed in the report are:
· To benefit the inhabitants of Oswaldtwistle and surrounding area. · To prove or assist with the provision of facilities for recreation and other leisure time occupations in the interest of social welfare |
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Huncoat Garden Village Report Attached Minutes: The following item was submitted as urgent business with the Chair’s agreement in accordance with Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the reason being to ensure the latest up to date information is included in the report.
Members considered a report of Councillor Kath Pratt, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regeneration, in respect of Huncoat Garden Village. The report explained that there had been a lengthy period of due diligence, following which, Homes England had been expected to consider and determine the Council’s business case and £29.9 million bid for infrastructure funding for the Huncoat Garden Village project before the end of March 2024. The purpose of the report had been, therefore, to update Cabinet on the Huncoat Garden Village project, and to seek a series of approvals should he circa £30 million Brownfield, Infrastructure and Land Fund (BIL) submission be successful.
The report also recognised that the next Cabinet would follow the local elections in May and, in the meantime, Homes England would be likely to determine the Council’s BIL funding bid, therefore, the purpose of this report was to put into place a number of precautionary recommendations to enable officers to continue to progress the Huncoat Garden Village project in accordance with the project timetable.
Councillor Pratt informed Cabinet that the purpose of the report was to provide an update on progress and to highlight important work taking place. She referred to the key risks as set out in the report and indicated that there would be further updates at future meetings.
Approval of the report was not deemed to be a key decision.
Reasons for Decision
Huncoat Garden Village (HGV) forms a major part of Hyndburn Borough Council’s growth plans including a once in a lifetime opportunity to diversify Hyndburn’s housing offer and provide new housing in a fabulous setting. The Garden Village is a game changing opportunity for market making housing in Hyndburn, at a scale that not only helps the Borough retain those households that otherwise would leave to meet their housing aspirations elsewhere, but also attract new economically active households to the Borough.
Over several years the Council had worked with a range of stakeholders and been supported by Homes England, in developing the Huncoat Garden Village Masterplan and project. In October 2023 the Council had submitted an updated Treasury Green Book compliant business case to Homes England which had sought grant funding of £29.9 million from the new Brownfield, Infrastructure and Land Fund (BIL). The overall estimated cost of delivering the HGV was estimated at £463.24 million of which the Council was seeking £29.9 million infrastructure funding support. The infrastructure grant bid to Homes England includes a number of specific items, as set out in the report.
Homes England continued to support the Council in bringing forward Huncoat Garden Village for residential development. Earlier this month Homes England confirmed that it had awarded a £200,000 revenue grant to help the Council meet ongoing consultancy costs ensuring that the Council continued ... view the full minutes text for item 359. |