Agenda item
Announcements
a) Mayor
b) Leader of the Council
c) Chief Executive
Minutes:
The Mayor made the following announcements:
1) Engagements
The Mayor reported that he had attended numerous engagements since the last meeting. Some of the highlights included the following:
- Rishton Festival (July)
- Great Harwood Civic Society’s Charity Fayre (August)
- Accrington, Soap Box Challenge (August)
- Mayor at Home Event, touring the Haworth Art Gallery, Raza Jamia Mosque and Accrington Stanley FC’s Wham Stadium (September)
- 107th Birthday of a local care home resident (October)
The Mayor then gave permission for the following persons to speak on the topics indicated:
2) Conflict in Israel/Gaza
Councillor Sajid Mahmood
Councillor Sajid Mahmood commented that all had seen the terrible scenes that had been unfolding in Gaza over the last few days. He called upon all those involved in creating this to cease fighting and return to the negotiating table. As the true victims were the hundreds of thousands of innocent people trapped within the area. Those people included the infirm, children, pregnant women and the elderly. He called for everyone to stand together to show support for those who no longer had a voice.
His view was that the residents of Gaza were not Hamas and should not be treated as such by blocking food, water and medical supplies. He did not support any acts of terror and was completely against violence as a weapon. However, he was against thousands and thousands of innocents suffering. He again called on all sides to stop those inhumane actions and pause to allow proper support to vital services that had been overwhelmed.
The complexity of the situation needed urgently addressing by negotiations and talk - never by violence.
He confirmed that these were his personal opinions on the subject, but felt that all must stand up and demand that our leaders find a solution.
In his closing remarks he asked why Labour colleagues had remained silent on the issue.
Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP
Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP had, in fact, also asked permission of the Mayor to speak on this subject prior to the meeting. He noted how difficult it was to resolve this matter. His views were being put on behalf of the Hyndburn Labour Party. All were deeply saddened by the loss of life in Gaza and Israel. Some 3,000 children were believed to have died and families had been displaced and the blockade was causing a crisis. He called for an immediate cease fire and the release of all hostages. Now was the time to de-escalate the conflict. He called for a cease fire and called upon Sir Keir Starmer to push for a cease fire and the release of humanitarian aid.
Councillor Dad noted that a two state solution had been talked about for a long time, but that the UK had not reacted to the lack of progress. He also spoke to affirm that the issue should not divide this country with incidents of antisemitism and islamophobia. November was Islamophobia Awareness Month (IAM), but antisemitism should equally be resisted.
He called upon the Leader of the Council to work with the Labour group to draft a motion which captured a common view on the situation.
3) Khust, Ukraine
Angela Higson, Host and English Ukrainian Liaison Lead and
Dr Valeriy Hrymchak, Ukrainian resident in the UK and Town Twinning Proposer
The Mayor welcomed two very special guests, Valeiry and Angela. He introduced Valeiry, who was a resident here in Hyndburn on the Homes for Ukraine Scheme. His background was as a neuroscientist and since being in Hyndburn he had been helping other Ukrainians who had needed to leave their homes and been a wonderful addition to the local community. Angela was a Hyndburn resident who had opened her home to Ukrainians fleeing conflict and had been a crucial part of resettlement for families in the Borough.
The Mayor thanked both guests and everyone else involved in ensuring that Hyndburn welcomed displaced people.
The Mayor added that Valeiry and Angela had approached the Council earlier this year and proposed a town twinning with Khust in Ukraine. He, the Mayoress, Leader and Council Officers had had the pleasure of a virtual call with officials in Ukraine to discuss this. Hyndburn had also hosted a special guest from Khust here in the Borough during the summer at Haworth Art Gallery to establish relationships further.
Progress was currently being made on the plans for town twinning and proposals were being finalised. In the meantime, the Mayor was delighted to announce the two guests’ attendance to deliver a short presentation on Khust to let councillors know a little bit more about the town.
Ms Higson introduced herself and her role, including being a sponsor for 2 Ukrainians in her own home and a family next door. A short presentation was provided which dealt with the themes of Why town twinning? – Why Ukraine? – Why Khust?
Town twinning could bring friendship, business development and funding opportunities. A memorandum of understanding would need to be drafted. It was estimated that up to two thirds of civilians living in the Ukraine would suffer from some form of trauma, as they continued to live at the site of the trauma. Some 161,400 Ukrainians had been displaced to England. Of that number, around 80% had an education to diploma level or above. Ukraine had been granted EU candidate status in June 2022. Ukraine was also very grateful for all of the help provided by the UK.
Khust was situated beneath the protection of the mountains in the Trans Carpathian region of Ukraine, close to the border with a number of European countries, including Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania. The area had a lake and hot springs and was notable for swimming and skiing. Lancashire had a population similar in number to Trans Carpathia, but was geographically smaller. Khust’s culture and businesses were not unlike Hyndburn. Its population was similar to Accrington’s, in the region of 35k. It was considered to be the pearl of the region and was known for its ruined castle, salt trade, wicker weaving, honey, apples, onions, mushrooms and wine.
Members had already heard about the teleconference held in August between Hyndburn civic leaders and those in Khust. The next step was to develop a memorandum of understanding and for the Council to make a formal decision about town twinning.
(At this point in the meeting the majority of Israel/Gaza protestors left the public gallery)
David Welsby, Chief Executive clarified that the Council was not being asked to debate the town twining question this evening and that a report would be provided in due course. He thanked Dr Hrymchak and Ms Higson for their presentation tonight and their work within the community helping those fleeing the war in Ukraine to settle here.
Councillor Marlene Haworth, Leader of the Council, also thanked Valeiry and Angela, not only for their time this evening, but for everything they were doing to help people who were in the Borough and who had been forced to leave their homes due to war and conflict.
As a Council, Hyndburn embraced partnerships and the Leader commented that she looked forward to the positivity that town twinning would bring. For the next step, a report would be circulated to all councillors, detailing the plans and outlining the benefits of the new relationship for both Hyndburn and Khust. This would then give councillors an opportunity to have an input and involvement in something that would have positive long-term impacts for both areas.
The Leader then made the following announcements:
4) Response to the Statements on the Conflict in Israel/Gaza
Councillor Haworth commented that, as Leader, she had found the humanitarian crisis that was unfolding in Gaza to be heart-breaking and it was deeply upsetting to see the suffering and loss of life that was being witnessed on all sides of the conflict.
She provided an assurance that she and her colleagues would do all they could to urge working towards a political solution and a negotiated peaceful resolution to the crisis.
5) Bury Market
The Council had made contact with Bury Market in view of the closure of part of their site due to investigations into Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). Hyndburn had wanted to help and had offered its support if traders wished to relocate temporarily. Notwithstanding the offer, Bury Market had identified a large empty building next door to the market that could be utilised as temporary accommodation for its traders. Accordingly, they would not require the Council’s assistance.
David Welsby, Chief Executive made the following announcement:
6) Homewise
Mr Welsby reported that he had received a letter this week from Sue Sinclair, the Chief Executive Officer of Homewise. She would be retiring soon after 36 years in that role. She had done a fantastic job in that role and had been involved in numerous other organisations too. In her letter she had offered her thanks to the Council for the support provided to her during her tenure. It was estimated that some 160,000 clients had been supported during that time, with assistance provided to allow them to remain in their own homes. Sue had always gone the extra mile to help. Sue would be succeeded by Carole Perkin, Service Manager and Alison Baffles. However, Sue would not be leaving Homewise completely, as she would move into a role on the board of trustees.
Councillor Judith Addison recalled that Sue had previously been an employee of the former Oswaldtwistle Urban District Council, then Hyndburn Borough Council upon local government reorganisation.
The Chief Executive suggested that a letter of thanks be sent to Sue Sinclair. With the consent of the meeting, the Mayor agreed to write on behalf of the Council