Agenda item

Report attached.

Council was asked to appoint a Leader of the Council for a one-year term, from this meeting until the Council’s Annual Meeting in May 2025.

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 that 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 determined to continue with its existing governance arrangements whereby the Leader would be elected for a four-year term.

It was now recommended that the Leader be elected for a one year term.

A nomination for Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP was MOVED and SECONDED.

Resolved                               -   That Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP be elected Leader of the Council for a one year period, with his term of office ending at the Council’s Annual Meeting in May 2025.

The new Leader of the Council, Councillor Dad, delivered a short speech, in which he made the following comments.  The role was a heavy load, but he intended do his very best and to make his family proud.  He accepted the role with immense gratitude and humility.   He had first arrived in the Borough in 1969, with a sense of hope about the future and, at that time living in Great Harwood, he had been made to feel welcome.  The Borough had become his home and his roots were firmly planted here.  He thanked the residents of Springhill ward, who had had continued to support him as their councillor.  The new administration now faced lots of challenges to create a better place for residents.  He thanked the electorate for their support in May and pledged to serve them well.

The Leader also personally wished the new Leader of the Opposition well and would be open to constructive discussion at any time.  He also reported that Councillor Melissa Fisher would be appointed as the statutory Deputy Leader of the Council.  Further details of portfolio responsibilities would be available at the first meeting of the new Cabinet.

Councillor Zak Khan offered his congratulations to the new Leader and thanked the officers and Councillor Howarth for their hard work.  He considered that the previous administration had set a sound foundation for what was to follow, including securing significant financial investment, and he pledged to lead a respectful Opposition, which would challenge policies, as necessary, whilst treating individual councillors courteously.

Councillor Fisher congratulated the new Mayor, the new Leader of the Opposition and the retiring Mayor and Mayoress.  She thanked Councillor Dad for appointing her as his statutory Deputy Leader.  She also welcomed all of the new councillors to the Chamber.

Councillor Shabir Fazal also paid his respects to new appointees and hoped that Council meetings would not be dominated by debate across the two main political parties, but would allow room for the view of minority councillors.  He also enquired if the actions arising from the motion on Gaza at the last Council meeting had been carried out and if replies had been received from the various MPs to whom letters had been sent.   The Chief Executive confirmed that the actions had been carried out, but that no replies had been received to date.

Councillor Noordad Aziz congratulated Councillor Dad on his appointment as Leader of the Council.  He remarked on Hyndburn’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, with the two current political group leaders both being from an ethnic minority background and the previous Council Leader being female.