Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Clare Pritchard and Ethan Rawcliffe.

Councillor Melissa Fisher declared a personal interest Item 7 – Management of Sports Pitch Bookings, in the light of her outside body appointment as a Member of the Hyndburn Leisure Board, the proposed provider of the services identified in the report.

There were no declarations of dispensations made on this occasion.

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

The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 18^th March 2026 were submitted for approval as a correct record.

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

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 Act 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.

David Welsby, Chief Executive, reported that the Council would ordinarily try to avoid formal meetings during the pre-election period - a period of heightened political sensitivity.  On this occasion, a meeting of the Cabinet had been called on his advice.  The items included on the agenda were being considered in private and should not, therefore, compromise the guidance on local authority publicity during the pre-election period.

In each case the reports qualified for the exemption from publication on their own merits and were considered to be urgent for the purposes of holding a meeting in private without providing the usual 28 day period of notice for such.  The reports had also been exempted from call-in by the Mayor on the grounds of urgency, as there was a need to progress each of these proposals at pace.

The Chair commented that the items were not politically controversial decisions, but they were important decisions and were subject to certain time pressures.

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 Act 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 22^nd April 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).

The approval of the Mayor is being sought to the following decision being exempted from the Council’s Call-In procedure in accordance with Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule C14, on the grounds that the decision is reasonable in all the circumstances and is an urgent decision not subject to Call-In, for the reasons to be identified in the Mayor’s written consent.

Report attached.

In accordance with Regulation 5(6)(a) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, approval had been received from Councillor Noordad Aziz, Chair of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to the following decision being made by Cabinet on 22^nd April 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 approval of the Mayor had also been obtained to the following decision being exempted from the Council’s Call-In procedure in accordance with Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule C14, on the grounds that the decision was reasonable in all the circumstances and was an urgent decision not subject to Call-In, for the reasons identified in the Mayor’s written consent.

The Cabinet considered a report of Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP,Leader of the Council, seeking approval for the grant of a lease of Council owned land at Bolton Avenue, Huncoat to Huncoat United JFC CIC.

Councillor Dad provided a brief introduction to the report.  Councillors Whitehead and Khan spoke in favour of the proposals with the latter enquiring about who had responsibility for repairs under the lease and whether there were any sustainability concerns.  Councillor Whitehead reported that the responsibility for pitch maintenance was as set out in the report at Paragraph 7, under Financial Implications.  She also provided an assurance about sustainability and identified wider support that was anticipated to be available.

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 22^nd April 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).

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 22^nd April 2026, under the General Exception provisions, on the grounds that the decision is urgent and cannot reasonably be deferred.

The approval of the Mayor is being sought to the following decision being exempted from the Council’s Call-In procedure in accordance with Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule C14, on the grounds that the decision is reasonable in all the circumstances and is an urgent decision not subject to Call-In, for the reasons to be identified in the Mayor’s written consent.

Report attached.

In accordance with Regulation 5(6)(a) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, approval had been received from Councillor Noordad Aziz, Chair of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to the following decision being made by Cabinet on 22^nd April 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).

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 notified 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 22^nd April 2026, under the General Exception provisions, on the grounds that the decision was urgent and could not reasonably be deferred.

The approval of the Mayor had also been obtained to the following decision being exempted from the Council’s Call-In procedure in accordance with Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule C14, on the grounds that the decision was reasonable in all the circumstances and was an urgent decision not subject to Call-In, for the reasons identified in the Mayor’s written consent.

Members considered a report of Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP, Leader of the Council, seeking approval for proposals relating to Accrington Stanley Community Trust (ASCT) on the matter of a grant as match funding towards the construction of two new padel courts at the Community Hub on Higham Playing Fields at Thorneyholme Road, Accrington, and the grant of a lease for land off Livingstone Road to further its chartable aims and to develop a new 3G pitch, car parking, a toilet unit and snack hut.

Councillor Dad provided a brief introduction to the report.  Councillors Whithead and Khan spoke in support of the proposals, with the latter enquiring about how progress had been made regarding the position of the existing leaseholders of the Livingstone Road stie and whether the interests of the existing sports club users of that site had been taken into consideration during the negotiations.  Councillor Whitehead provided an explanation as to the course of the negotiations and the involvement of all interested parties.  David Welsby, Chief Executive clarified the Council’s role in transferring the lease between the relevant parties and the separate issue of agreement between the current and new leaseholders about user rights.

Approval of the report was deemed 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 22^nd April 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).

The approval of the Mayor is being sought to the following decision being exempted from the Council’s Call-In procedure in accordance with Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule C14, on the grounds that the decision is reasonable in all the circumstances and is an urgent decision not subject to Call-In, for the reasons to be identified in the Mayor’s written consent.

Report attached.

In accordance with Regulation 5(6)(a) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, approval had been received from Councillor Noordad Aziz, Chair of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to the following decision being made by Cabinet on 22^nd April 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 approval of the Mayor had been obtained to the following decision being exempted from the Council’s Call-In procedure in accordance with Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule C14, on the grounds that the decision was reasonable in all the circumstances and was an urgent decision not subject to Call-In, for the reasons identified in the Mayor’s written consent.

The Cabinet considered a report of Councillor Kimberley Whitehead, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and Sport, seeking approval for Hyndburn Leisure (HL) to undertake the management of sports pitch bookings at the following sites on behalf of the Council:

• King George V Playing Fields (Accrington);
• Memorial Park (Great Harwood); and
• White Ash Playing Fields (Oswaldtwistle).

Councillor Whitehead provided a brief introduction to the report.  Councillors Fisher and Khan spoke in support of the proposals, with the latter enquiring about what income the Council currently received from ‘pay and play’ bookings of the pitches indicated.  Councillor Whitehead confirmed that the income received was relatively low - Paragraph 7 of the report (Financial Implications) refers.

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 22^nd April 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).

The approval of the Mayor is being sought to the following decision being exempted from the Council’s Call-In procedure in accordance with Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule C14, on the grounds that the decision is reasonable in all the circumstances and is an urgent decision not subject to Call-In, for the reasons to be identified in the Mayor’s written consent.

Report attached.

In accordance with Regulation 5(6)(a) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, approval had been received from Councillor Noordad Aziz, Chair of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to the following decision being made by Cabinet on 22^nd April 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 approval of the Mayor had been obtained to the following decision being exempted from the Council’s Call-In procedure in accordance with Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule C14, on the grounds that the decision was reasonable in all the circumstances and was an urgent decision not subject to Call-In, for the reasons identified in the Mayor’s written consent.

Members considered a report of Councillor Clare Pritchard, Portfolio Holder for Transformation and Town Centres, seeking Cabinet’s approval for the rent subsidy levels proposed for existing Market traders.

In the absence of Councillor Pritchard, the Leader of the Council provided a brief introduction to the report.  Councillor Whitehead spoke in favour of the proposals, which would provide support for existing traders upon their return to the Market Hall.  Councillor Khan suggested a longer period for the initial discount proposed for new leases, to enable traders to re-establish their businesses.  He referred to his suggestion put to the Special Scrutiny Committee on 25 March 2026, to ask traders to sign new leases at an early date.  The Leader reported that the Council would continue to talk to traders and would keep the situation under review.

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 22^nd April 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).

The approval of the Deputy Mayor (in the absence of the Mayor) is being sought to the following decision being exempted from the Council’s Call-In procedure in accordance with Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule C14, on the grounds that the decision is reasonable in all the circumstances and is an urgent decision not subject to Call-In, for the reasons to be identified in the Deputy Mayor’s written consent.

Report attached.

In accordance with Regulation 5(6)(a) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, approval had been received from Councillor Noordad Aziz, Chair of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to the following decision being made by Cabinet on 22^nd April 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 approval of the Deputy Mayor (in the absence of the Mayor) had been obtained to the following decision being exempted from the Council’s Call-In procedure in accordance with Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule C14, on the grounds that the decision wasreasonable in all the circumstances and was an urgent decision not subject to Call-In, for the reasons identified in the Deputy Mayor’s written consent.

The Cabinet considered a report of Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP, Leader of the Council, seeking approval for the disposal of the Council’s reversionary freehold interest in land and premises at North side of Walter Street and South side Hindle Street / Oxford Street, Accrington BB5 1QX.

Councillor Dad provided a brief introduction to the report.  Councillor Khan indicated his support for the proposals as presented.

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.

The Leader of the Council and Leader of the Opposition commented that Cabinet meetings had been inclusive and that cross-party relations had been respectful.  Both leaders expressed the view that they would wish to see good relations continue in the future whatever the outcome of the forthcoming elections.  Councillor Dad also thanked fellow Cabinet members and officers for their hard work and achievements over the last year.