Agenda item

Report attached.

The Cabinet considered a report of Councillor Paddy Short, Chair of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, regarding the outcome of the Call-In of a Cabinet Decision on Hyndburn Leisure Transformation, made by Cabinet on 22^nd March 2023 and considered by the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 18^th April 2023:.

Councillor Short summarised the outcome of the Call-In process.

The Leader reminded all that the intention was to repurpose Mercer Hall.  The promise to undertake a residents survey would shortly be fulfilled and leaflets would be sent to Great Harwood households in the next few days, as well as being made available more widely on-line via Hyndburn Leisure’s website.  The public would be invited to attend meetings when the survey results became available.  Overall, this process would give the Council and Hyndburn Leisure an understanding of what the public would like for the future of the Hall and could help to support the submission of a bid for up to £1m in funding for the repurposing of the facilities.

Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP noted the importance of Hyndburn Leisure as a strategic partner for the delivery of local services and the importance of Mercer Hall as a key building in the heart of Great Harwood.  He stressed the need for all interested persons to engage in the consultation process.

Approval of the report was not deemed a key decision.

Reasons for Decision

At its meeting on 22^nd March 2023, Cabinet had considered the following item “Hyndburn Leisure Transformation – Investing in the Health of Hyndburn”.  Cabinet had made the following decision:

“That Cabinet:

Agrees to replace the current Mercer Hall Leisure Facility and Wilson Pavilion with a new facility at Wilson Playing Fields, as detailed in paragraph 4.5 and supported by the Site Options Analysis Study;

and;

Agrees to progress feasibility work to repurpose Mercer Hall, to ensure that it remains a community asset”.

In accordance with the Call-In procedure for Cabinet decisions, the procedure had been activated on 31^st March 2023 by two members of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  The Call-In had been sponsored by Councillor Colin McKenzie.  Several reasons had been given for the Call-In.  Full details had been provided in the Call-In Form, which had been included with the agenda for the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 18^th April along with the minutes of that meeting.

Councillor Colin McKenzie had presented the reasons for the Call-In to the Committee.  Councillor Marlene Haworth had presented the reasons for the original decision, and had responded to the points made on the Call-In.

Committee members had submitted questions, with responses provided by Councillors Marlene Haworth and Miles Parkinson, the Chief Executive of Hyndburn Leisure, Executive Director (Legal and Democratic Services) and Executive Director (Resources).

As part of the summing up process, outlined in the Council’s Call-In procedure, Councillor Colin McKenzie recommended:

“To refer the decision back to Cabinet for reconsideration, based on the reasons outlined in the call-in form and discussed in today’s meeting”.

The recommendation had been seconded by Councillor Bernard Dawson.  The recommendation received 2 votes, with 5 votes against and 2 abstentions.

Councillor Danny Cassidy had then recommended, having considered all the information provided, that the Committee release the Cabinet decision in full for implementation.  That recommendation had been seconded by Councillor Paddy Short and had received 5 votes in favour, 2 votes against and 2 abstentions and had therefore been carried.

Alternative Options considered and Reasons for Rejection

The Council’s Call-In procedure gave Scrutiny Committees three options when dealing with a Call-In decision:

• To release the Cabinet decision in full for implementation;

• To release the Cabinet decision in part for implementation, and refer the outstanding part of the decision back to the decision making body for reconsideration, setting out in writing the nature of its concerns; or

• To refer the decision back to the decision making person or body for reconsideration, setting out in writing the nature of its concerns.  The decision maker should then reconsider amending the decision or not, before adopting a final decision.

Resolved                                    -    That Cabinet notes that, after consideration of the call-in relating to the decision outlined at Paragraph 1.1 of the report, the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee released the Cabinet decision in full for implementation.

Agenda items 13 to 19 were taken next at the meeting.