Agenda item
Reports of Cabinet Members
To receive verbal reports from each of the Portfolio Holders, as appropriate.
Minutes:
Leader of the Council
Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP, reported on the following:
Local Government Reorganisation
The White Paper on English Devolution, which proposed further local government reorganisation, was awaited. The Whte Paper would set out the framework for the reorganisation of local governemtn in Lancashire. The controlling administration would keep staff and residents informed as more information became available.
Accrington and Rossendale College
A letter was read out, which had been received from the Nelson and Colne College Group. The Group comprised the three merged colleges of Accrington and Rossendale College, Nelson and Colne College and Lancashire Adult Learning. The Group had undertaken a review of its structure and name and a clear route forward had emerged. The intention was to change the name of the overarching body to East Lancashire Learning Group. However, the individual college entities would retain their existing names.
Councillor Dad recounted his long association with Accrington and Rossendale College, moving from a student, to a tutor, then to a governor. The College did excellent work and the rebranding should be supported.
Community Action Fund
Grants had been awarded to five local organisations from the Cabinet Action Fund, which had been introduced earlier this year. These were as follows:
- Oswaldtwistle District Women’s Institute: £500 to help towards room hire for a craft club. This funding would enable the group to continue providing a creative and social outlet for its members.
- Fairfield Boxing Club: £500 to provide free sessions aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour. By offering these sessions, the club hoped to engage young people in positive activities, promoting discipline, respect, and physical fitness.
- St Andrews Primary School: £1,500 to cover transport costs for their Christmas play. This grant would ensure that all students could participate in this festive event, which was a highlight of the school year and an important opportunity for children to showcase their talents.
- Masjid and Madrassa Islamia: £250 to support community activities and services. The funding would help the organisation continue its valuable work in providing educational and social support to the local community.
- Accrington Stanley Supporters Trust: £500 to assist with their community initiatives.
Councillor Aziz declared a personal interest in the announcement regarding funding for Masjid and Madrassa Islamia, as this was the mosque that he attended. However, he had no role there in any position of control.
Long Term Plan for Towns
Information had been received that the new Government intended to retain the Long Term Plan for Towns programme, as part of its wider regeneration proposals. The Borough would receive up to £20m over the next decade. The name of the programme was likely to change. Councils which had already been identified as receiving the award should not seek to undo what had already been planned. However, a revised prospectus would be issued in the New Year to include new strategic initiatives from the Government. The prospectus would be accompanied by a comprehensive technical note. It was intended that some additional capacity would be available for scoping works in 2025/26 to enable funding for the projects to be provided with effect from 2026/27.
Taxi MOT Testing Station
The Council was exploring the possibility of providing an independent MOT testing station to support the taxi trade. The importance of the taxi trade was recognised. At the same time, the Council had invited representatives of Uber to discuss the provision of a Hyndburn licence.
Councillor Fisher commented that officers were working with Uber, as the number of drivers operating in the Borough had increased. There were also some concerns that a significant number of vehicles in Hyndburn were licenced out of borough, including from areas such as Knowsley and Wolverhampton. This situation was lawful, but gave rise to issues around quality and effective enforcement. The Licensing Manager had expressed some concerns about this matter. There also was a concern that local operators could transfer to less stringent regimes. However, by continuing to work collaboratively with the taxi trade, the Council was confident that it could retain the appropriate levels of control. If necessary, the controlling administration would raise the matter with the Government.
Pay and Display On-Street Parking Consultation
Lancashire County Council had announced its review of on-street pay and display parking arrangements. Both Accrington and Great Harwood were under consideration. The Cabinet was opposed to the introduction of these measures, preferring on-street parking to remain free. All of the Borough Council’s car parks were free. This encouraged people to shop locally. The Council would write to Lancashire County Council to voice its concerns and opposition to the proposals.
Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder forHousing and Communities
Councillor Melissa Fisher reported on the following:
Accrington Victoria Hospital
This remained a hot topic. The Council had learned that the GP Practice based there had now moved to the Acorn Centre. In addition, chatter on social media yesterday suggested that the minor injuries unit had also moved to the Acorn Centre. A Strategy Group would be established early in the New Year, to include Councillor Fisher as Portfolio Holder, representatives of the NHS Trust and other stakeholders, to look at the future of the building.
Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Transformation, Education and Skills
Councillor Noordad Aziz reported on the following:
Accrington Town Centre Masterplan
A consultation on theAccrington Town Centre Masterplan had just opened. The views of residents were being sought on what should be included in this vision. As well as the information on-line, a number of drop in sessions would be held at Market Chambers on the 12th December and 9th January from 3pm-7pm, and at Raza Jamia Masjid on a date to be confirmed in the New Year. Information boards would also be available for viewing at Accrington Library from 13th December 2024 until the end of the consultation on 12th January 2025.
Wilson Sports Village
Alliance Leisure was working hard to recommence the work at Wilson Sports Village. Currently work was underway to assess whether there was a gap between the money spent so far and what should be required to complete the project. Project leaders were optimistic that there would be no need for the Council to top up the finances required. Given the need to restart works as soon as possible, it might be necessary to take any funding decisions needed under emergency powers. Early recommencement was desirable to ensure that the Council did not incur unnecessary costs in relation to the security provided at the site while construction works were at a halt. The officers were currently drafting the necessary urgent report.
Portfolio Holder for Resources and Council Operations
Councillor Vanessa Alexander reported on the following:
Accrington Stanley Women FC
The Council had recently sponsored Accrington Stanley Women FC. The Council’s heart logo now featured prominently on the upper arm of the women’s playing shirt. A framed shirt was displayed in the meeting.
Benefits Uptake
The Council had written to some 1,500 residents, to advise them about the availability of benefits to which they might be entitled, but were not currently claiming.
Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services
Councillor Stewart Eaves reported on the following:
Litter and Fly Tipping
Community skip days were now being rolled out with the first event due to take place on Saturday from 8.30am in Huncoat. The Portfolio Holder would join Councillor Dave Parkins in the area.
An update on the use of the fixed penalty notice (PFN) system was provided. Some 160 first letters had been issued up to the end of last month, which had resulted in only 13 needing to be escalated to penalties. Some additional training was planned for enforcement officers.
Remembrance Sunday/Armistice Day
In his role as Armed Forces Community Covenant Champion, Councillor Eaves reported that the numerous remembrance services and parades had gone well and had been safely supported. There had been some initial concerns over the cenotaph site in Oswaldtwistle as Cadent had been undertaking works to replace the gas main. However, Councillors Gilbert and Smithson had worked together with Cadent to get the road surface reinstated in time.
Waste Transfer Station
The Council’s Head of Environmental Services, Craig Haraben, was investigating costings with Suez, in Darwen, for the possible provision of a Waste Transfer Station at their site.
Portfolio Holder for Business & Growth
Councillor Scott Brerton reported on the following:
Economic Development
The Economic Development Manager, Salma Chaudhry, and other staff were thanked for their efforts in enabling the authority to ‘punch above its weight’ regarding economic development.
Business Engagement
A number of business drop-in sessions had been arranged across the Borough. Work had also been carried out on-line with local shops, during the daytime, at lunchtime and in the evenings. Some in person visits had also taken place to shops.
In the New Year, the Council was considering running a jobs fair in Accrington. Large employers, including British Aerospace and BT, had already shown some interest in supporting the event.
Social Value
Officers were looking into maximising social value in the Borough, including harnessing businesses’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the use of small donations. There were many community organisations in the area who would be keen to engage with the business sector. The intention was bring the two sectors together, possibly at an event or via an on-line portal.
Education and Business
Last month there had been a celebration of the work of Education Business Partnership North West, which was a local body bringing education and business together and co-ordinating programmes that supported students to learn from labour market information.
Business Inclusion Group
The Council would support the next event in February of the Business Inclusion Group, which was facilitated by Lucy Hamlin from Spring Into Action CIC, based in Oswaldtwistle. The Group promoted diversity and inclusion as key drivers of innovation and success in business. The event would feature a keynote speaker form Lancashire LGBT, based in Preston, as well as a session on workplace policies on inclusivity. Kirsten Burnett, Head of Policy and Organisational Development, at the Council, would also attend the event.
Portfolio Holder for Sustainability and Families
Councillor Kate Walsh reported on the following:
Electric Vehicle Charging
The Portfolio Holder had recently attended a presentation by representatives of Lancashire County Council (LCC) about Electric vehicle (EV) charging. The County Council had agreed to work with this Council to develop the local infrastructure. Some concerns had already been raised with LCC about charging points within the Borough.
Leader of the Council
Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP made some further announcements as follows:
Chief Planning and Transportation Officer
Simon Prideaux, Head of Planning and Transportation was present at the meeting. The Leader noted that this would be Mr Prideaux’s last appearance before the Cabinet as he was due to retire shortly after over 17 years service with the authority. Councillor Dad wished him well for the future on behalf of the Cabinet and the whole Council.
Accrington Christmas Lights Switch-On
The Christmas Lights Switch-On in Accrington held on Thursday 28th November 2024, organised by #AmazingAccrington, had been a great success. The atmosphere in the Town Centre had been incredible. In part, this had been due to the popularity of the headline act, Martin Kemp, who had captured the mood of the crowd perfectly with his ‘Back to the Eighties’ show. It was believed that the event had attracted some ten thousand visitors.
Councillor Aziz hoped that this level of success would be repeated in Great Harwood on Saturday 14th December 2024, when East 17 were due to headline the Christmas Extravaganza.
With the agreement of the meeting, Agenda Item 11 was taken next, to enable the planning officers present to leave the meeting earlier than would otherwise be the case.