Agenda item

Report attached.

Council was asked to appoint a Leader of the Council for a four-year term, from this meeting until the Council’s Annual Meeting in May 2027.  In December 2010, the Council had adopted the Leader and Cabinet model of governance, in accordance with the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.  Under this arrangement, Council would elect a Leader for a four-year term.

The Localism Act 2011 had subsequently taken out the requirement for the Leader to be elected for a four-year term, leaving the duration of tenure to local choice.  However, at that time the Council had elected to continue with its existing governance arrangements whereby the Leader be elected for a four-year term.  It was again recommended that the Leader be elected for a four-year term.

A nomination for Councillor Marlene Haworth was MOVED and SECONDED.

Councillor Noordad Aziz suggested that the appointment be made for no longer than the nominee’s term of office, which in the case of Councillor Haworth was 2025/26.  It was further suggested that, because the Council elected Members in thirds, a system of appointing a Leader each year might, in fact, be more appropriate and democratic.  Councillor McKenzie also spoke in favour of a one year term of office.  Councillor Peter Britcliffe spoke in favour of the ‘strong leader model’ which was the name given to the four-year term upon its original introduction.

An AMENDMENT was MOVED AND SECONDED

“That Councillor Marlene Howarth be elected Leader of the Council for a one year period, with her term of office ending at the Council’s Annual Meeting in May 2024.”

On being put to the VOTE the AMENDMENT was LOST

A second nomination for Leader was MOVED and SECONDED, for the appointment of Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP.

The Mayor determined that the nominations should be voted upon in alphabetical order based upon the nominees’ surnames.  Accordingly, the nomination of Councillor Dad would be determined first.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule A16.5, six Members present at the meeting called for recorded votes on the nominations.

The MOTION to elect Councillor Dad four a four-year term was then put to the VOTE.

For the Motion

Councillors Heather Anderson, Noordad Aziz, Mike Booth, Scott Brerton, Steven Button, Jodi Clements, Paul Cox, Munsif Dad BEM JP, Bernard Dawson, Melissa Fisher, Abdul Khan, Colin McKenzie, Dave Parkins, Kate Walsh and Kimberley Whitehead.

Against the Motion

Councillors Judith Addison, Dominik Allen, Josh Allen, Peter Britcliffe, Danny Cassidy, Loraine Cox, Peter Edwards, Marlene Haworth, Susan Hayes, Carole Haythornthwaite, Terry Hurn (Mayor), Zak Khan, Sajid Mahmood, Joyce Plummer, Kath Pratt, Steven Smithson and Mohammed Younis.

Abstentions

None

Accordingly, the MOTION was LOST.

The MOTION to elect Councillor Haworth for a four-year term was then put to the VOTE.

For the Motion

Councillors Judith Addison, Dominik Allen, Josh Allen, Peter Britcliffe, Danny Cassidy, Loraine Cox, Peter Edwards, Marlene Haworth, Susan Hayes, Carole Haythornthwaite, Terry Hurn (Mayor), Zak Khan, Sajid Mahmood, Joyce Plummer, Kath Pratt, Steven Smithson and Mohammed Younis.

Against the Motion

Councillors Heather Anderson, Noordad Aziz, Mike Booth, Scott Brerton, Steven Button, Jodi Clements, Paul Cox, Munsif Dad BEM JP, Bernard Dawson, Melissa Fisher, Abdul Khan, Colin McKenzie, Dave Parkins, Kate Walsh and Kimberley Whitehead.

Abstentions

None

Accordingly, the MOTION was CARRIED.

Councillor Haworth thanked those members who had supported her election as Leader today.  She stated that she hoped to bring a fresh start to the community and would lead the Council with great pride.  Her background as a ward councillor for a very long time in St Oswalds had provided her with a valuable apprenticeship.  She was fully committed to serving the people of the Borough and ensuring that they had a strong and effective Council.

The Leader paid tribute to her predecessor, Miles Parkinson OBE, who had served for over a decade as Council Leader.  This was no easy task and he had genuinely cared about the Borough.  She wished him well for the future.

The new leadership would make a fresh start and close a chapter on any unsettling events in the past.  The people of Hyndburn had voted the Conservatives into power and this would be a cohesive and competent administration, with councillors working hard for the area.  The new Cabinet members would address any shortcomings and bring positive change.  With a small number of Conservative councillors in the previous Cabinet, fly tipping had already been reduced and investment secured from the Levelling Up Fund and UK Shared Prosperity Fund.  A priority was to improve all of Hyndburn, including the townships of Great Harwood, Rishton, Oswaldtwistle and Clayton-le-Moors, each receiving their fair share of resources, so that all could prosper together.

The Leader gave an undertaking to work collaboratively with any councillor genuinely interested in making Hyndburn a better place.  This was already happening between the local Conservative Party and the MP in Westminster.  The new administration would make a truly positive difference.  Some key aims were to provide low Council Tax, a strategic thinking Council and respect for the environment.

Resolved                               -   That Councillor Marlene Howarth be elected Leader of the Council for a four year period, with her term of office ending at the Council’s Annual Meeting in May 2027.