Agenda item
Announcements
a) Mayor
b) Leader of the Council
c) Chief Executive
Minutes:
The Mayor made the following announcements:
1) Walter (Retlaw) Holmes
The Mayor was saddened to announce the passing, on 2nd January 2024, of renowned local historian Walter Holmes (known as Retlaw), aged 92.
Retlaw (‘Walter’ spelt backwards) was best known for his hobby of documenting the history of Accrington and surrounding district. Along with fellow researcher, the late Bill Turner, he had spent decades researching and tracing the history of the Accrington Pals / 11th (Service) Battalion (Accrington) East Lancashire Regiment. He had continued their work after Bill's death in 2007 and up to a few months before his own passing.
Following a Civic trip to Serre, France, on 1st July 2016 to commemorate the centenary of the first day of the BattIe of the Somme, a medal had been presented to Walter by the Mayor of Bapaume, in recognition of his work on the Accrington Pals story.
On behalf of the Council he offered condolences to Walter’s family – his wife Alicia, daughter Cath (who had been awarded Honorary Freeman status last year), as well as daughters Adrienne, and Alison, grandson Luke and father-in-law of Gavin.
2) Engagements
The Mayor reported that he had attended numerous engagements since the last meeting. Some of the most memorable events were as follows:
- Armistice and Remembrance Sunday services,
- The 40th Anniversary of the Moorfield Pit Disaster, and
- Christmas lights switch-ons and other festive events.
At this time of year, there were always many engagements in support of voluntary organisations to attend. The Mayor expressed his admiration for the numerous dedicated volunteers who were prepared to give up their time freely to help others by supporting a wide range of needs and interests.
3) King’s New Year’s Honours List
The Mayor gave a special mention to John Fielding, Scout Leader, 2nd Rishton Baptist Scout Group, Lancashire, who in the King’s New Year’s Honours List 2024 had been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to young people and to the community in Lancashire.
On behalf of the Council, the Mayor undertook to write to Mr Fielding to congratulate him on receiving this honour.
4) Mayor’s Ball
Finally, reference was made to the Mayor’s Ball, which was due to be held on Friday 23rd February 2024, in the 1968 Lounge, at Accrington Stanley’s, Wham Stadium. Councillors were encouraged to purchase tickets, so as to enjoy some food and frivolity. The proceeds would support the Mayor’s chosen beneficiaries:
- Milly’s Smiles;
- Jeffrey’s Battle with Battens Disease; and
- Accrington Stanley Women FC.
With the permission of the Mayor, Councillor Mohammed Younis, Portfolio Holder for Levelling Up, was given permission to speak on the following matter.
5) Levelling Up
Councillor Younis shared some good news which some Members might have just seen in today’s newspapers.
Hyndburn Borough Council had been awarded over £450k after a successful bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund last year. The money was another positive step forward in transforming the Market Chambers building into a heritage and cultural space for residents and visitors to enjoy.
The funding would be used to work with the community, with taster events and consultation taking place over the next 12-15 months, to create a vision for this keenly anticipated new facility.
After this phase was complete, proposed plans would be submitted to the National Lottery Heritage Fund to unlock the remaining funding, which would total £4.5m investment if successful.
The above was part of the wider Accrington Town Centre Investment Plan, which had been approved by the Council at a meeting almost exactly two years ago. The total investment secured since that plan had been put into place now totalled over £60m for Accrington - funding which would kick start the local economy across Hyndburn.
Councillor Younis expressed a hope that all present wold celebrate and welcome investment into the Borough. He encouraged all to get involved in the project and to take part in the opportunities coming up, as well as encouraging the community also to take part.
The Market Chambers building was being shaped for the next generation and Councillor Younis stated that he was looking forward to the plans coming to fruition. He thanked the dedicated officers and politicians who had helped to bring the project this far.
In the absence of the Leader of the Council, the statutory Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Britcliffe, then made the following announcements:
6) Councillor Marlene Haworth
Councillor Britcliffe announced that he had been at an event with Councillor Marlene Haworth this afternoon. She was making good progress in her convalescence. She wished to thank councillors and the hundreds of other well-wishers who had sent flowers and messages of support to her.
7) Accrington Pals Memorial
Councillor Britcliffe reported that a major refurbishment was underway of Church Street Gardens, which provided the setting for the Accrington Pals Memorial. The plans followed months of consultation with the Accrington Pals Group, Royal British Legion branches and the Church of England Diocese of Blackburn.
Work had commenced on 9th January 2024 to prepare the site. This represented the first expenditure from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) monies. The project had been endorsed by the Town Centre Board and would include the replacement of trees and reinstatement of benches. Weather permitting it was envisaged that the work should be completed by April 2024.
8) Planning Grant
The Deputy Leader indicated that, in December 2023, the Government had announced a grant to the Hyndburn’s Planning Service of £100k. This comprised £80k to help clear a backlog of applications and £20k for skills development of staff. It was acknowledged that in 2023 the service had been impacted by recruitment difficulties and IT software issues. Steps had already been taken to address these issues, but the extra money was welcomed and would fund additional improvements.
9) Past Leader’s Event
Councillor Britcliffe reported that, this afternoon, he had attended a presentation event for Miles Parkinson OBE, the previous Leader of the Council, at the Haworth Art Gallery. Mr Parkinson had been a local councillor for some 28 years and Leader of the Council from 2011 to 2023. Councillor Britcliffe expressed the view that, during his term of office as Leader, Mr Parkinson had done something that other councillors perhaps found difficult, which was to put the good of the Borough first, placing progress ahead of purely political considerations.
The Deputy Leader noted that Mr Parkinson was present in the public gallery this evening, and repeated his thanks to him for his valued service.
David Welsby, Chief Executive made the following announcement:
10) Corporate Peer Challenge
Mr Welsby announced that he had recently met with the Regional Director of the Local Government Association (LGA). The LGA would schedule a Corporate Peer Challenge for the Council, which was likely to be in October 2024, after the local elections had been settled. The challenge would focus on key issues including the Council’s financial standing, governance arrangements and service delivery arrangements and (specifically for Hyndburn) regeneration. Should the General Election fall in October, the Challenge would be rescheduled for January/February 2025.
A presentation would be provided to all councillors after May 2024 about the Challenge process. Members would have an opportunity to shape the Challenge and to ask questions.