Agenda item
Reports of Cabinet Members
To receive verbal reports from each of the Portfolio Holders, as appropriate.
Minutes:
Councillor Peter Britcliffe, Acting Leader of the Council
Report on HMOs and Care Homes
The Acting Leader of the Council, Councillor Britcliffe reported that at Full Council on 27th February 2024, he had announced that a report would be brought before Cabinet in respect of an increase in the number of planning applications for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO’s) and for Children’s Care Homes. The increase in the number of applications had given rise to objections from neighbouring residents and concerns about their impact on an area. Due to the Council not having a policy in place for this, he had requested that a policy framework for managing these planning applications was produced with the procurement of Consultants to undertake this work. However, he reported that this report had been withdrawn in order to confirm funding arrangements. He explained that due to no further meetings of the Cabinet being held until after the elections, a decision on the item was likely to be taken using emergency powers and that Members would be informed of this in the usual way.
Return of the Leader of the Council, Councillor Marlene Haworth
Councillor Britcliffe welcomed back the Leader of the Council, Councillor Marlene Haworth, and informed the meeting that she would be resuming an active role as Leader of the Council, after today. He referred to a busy period for all concerned and thanked all involved for their hard work during this time. He also mentioned the success of the Member of Parliament for Hyndburn, Sara Britcliffe, in achieving significant funding for the borough.
Councillor Loraine Cox thanks Acting Leader of the Council, Councillor Britcliffe for his leadership during the absence of Councillor Marlene Haworth.
Councillor Marlene Haworth thanked all Cabinet Members, Members of the Opposition and Officers of the Council for their support during her absence.
Verbal reports were received from the following Portfolio Holders:
Councillor Steven Smithson, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services
Councillor Smithson updated Cabinet on the refurbishment of two play areas:
Masefield Close Play Area, Great Harwood – he informed the meeting that tenders were currently being sought and funding had been confirmed. The contract would be awarded April 2024 with works completed by August 2024.
Mercer Park Play Area – he informed Cabinet that refurbishment of the play area should be completed by June 2024.
Recruitment of a Dog Warden – He informed Cabinet that the process of recruiting a new Dog Warden for the borough was currently being undertaken.
Councillor Fisher referred to enquiries from members of the public who had been concerned by how works scheduled for Mercer Park would impact them. They had requested more detail on if works would be completed in phases or if areas would be closed off. Councillor Smithson indicated that he would seek a more detailed response and report back to her.
Councillor Mohammed Younis, Cabinet Portfolio Holder or Levelling Up
Market Hall Redevelopment – Councillor Younis advised Cabinet that the decanting of traders had been completed and the outside pavilions demolished. He informed the meeting that canopies had been started and progress had been made with leases and freeholders.
He referred to successful meetings with Morgan Sindall and other business partners with regards to Burtons Chambers and the Market Hall. He pointed out that there had been a lot of interest in the work taking place in the town centre and that an official opening of the Market Square would take place on Saturday, 16th March 2024. He encouraged Councillors and members of the public to attend.
The Leader of the Council, Councillor Marlene Haworth, congratulated Councillor Younis on the success of the work in the town centre and thanked him for all of his hard work.