Agenda item

To deal with any questions submitted under Council Procedure Rule A2.2(vi).

Three eligible questions have been received (report attached).

Three eligible question had been received, which were set out in the report.

1)         Local Government Reorganisation

To the Leader of the Council (Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP)

Submitted by Councillor Zak Khan

“Do you support the abolition of Hyndburn Borough Council, in favour of an East Lancashire Authority?”

In the light of the report included at Agenda Item 13 and with the consent of the meeting, Councillor Khan withdrew this question

The Mayor then read out the following questions:

2)         King George V Playing Fields

To the Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Communities (Councillor Melissa Fisher)

Submitted by Cllr Steven Smithson

“Is there an update on the King George V Playing Fields and when it will be brought back into use?”

Response

A written response provided by Councillor Whitehead (Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and Arts) was read out by Councillor Fisher, a summary of which is as follows:

It was noted that there might be some increased interest in this matter due to the forthcoming by-election in the nearby Baxenden ward.

The drainage at the King George V site was in a poor condition, which meant that the pitches were not fit for purpose.  Overall, the playing fields needed significant investment.  The controlling group planned to bring the site back into use and was currently in discussions with interested parties.  It would not be appropriate at this stageof the negotiations to name those parties, but information would be released as soon as possible.  It was estimated that it might take around 18 months to implement plans for new drainage and to reinstate the playing surface.  The facilities could be back in use by September 2026.

Criticism was levelled at the previous Portfolio Holder for not progressing this matter sufficiently during their tenure.

Councillor Smithson asked a follow up question in which he indicated that money had been allocated in the 2024/25 Budget for drainage and a new boiler for the changing rooms.  He asked why the work had not already commenced.

Councillor Fisher responded that there was a gap in the funding available, which meant that the project could not have been started sooner.

3)      Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre

To the Portfolio Holder for Sustainability and Families (Councillor Kate Walsh)

Submitted by Cllr Steven Smithson

“Is there an update on the Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre?”

Response

Councillor Kate Walsh responded that an announcement on the Civic Theatre was imminent, but that the information was embargoed until the end of the month.  It was hoped to be able to deliver some good news at that time.

Councillor Smithson was pleased to hear the answer and asked a follow up question in which he reminded members that some £390k had been set aside in the 2024/25 Budget for the Civic Theatre.  He asked if a report could be provided to Cabinet on:

• how the above funding had been spent;
• what works had already been completed;
• what other works remained to be carried out;
• timescales for when these works were programmed; and
• when the Civic Theatre would reopen.

Councillor Walsh responded that information would follow.