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:
Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
The Leader had already been involved in a number of meetings to discuss local government reorganisation. Proposals around 3 or 4 unitary authorities models were emerging. The final submission to Government would need to be made by November. The Leader indicated that his preference was for the 3 unitary councils option, but that the model with 4 councils might be acceptable. He anticipated that firm proposals would be available by October for wider circulation and comment.
Accrington Neighbourhoods Board
The Council had appointed Andy Tatchell as Chair of the newly formed Accrinhton Neighbourhoods Board. The Board would oversee the investment of some £20m in Accrington town centre over the next 10 years, which would complement the existing Levelling Up interventions.
Accrington Stanley FC
The Council was continuing to work positively with the football club to address various issues. A further meeting had taken place about the licensing situation and the Council was committed to continuing its dialogue with the club. Two meetings on this matter had taken place so far and a further meeting would be held soon.
Portfolio Holder for People and Communities
Councillor Ethan Rawcliffe reported on the following:
He was currently dealing with a request from Prospects to extend the lease on Piggy Park, in Rishton. The site was maintained as community garden, which was used by Brownies, Rainbows, Cubs, churches and adult social care organisations for numerous activities. The area provided a key social hub and was also accessible to wheelchair users. The site had previously attracted £100k in external funding and this had been invested in developing the site over a period of time. The detail of the proposed lease extension was currently being worked on by the Legal and Property teams within the Council. It was envisaged that a full report would be available soon.
Portfolio Holder for Resources and Council Operations
Councillor Vanessa Alexander reported on the following:
Household Support Fund
The service had now recommenced and had been brought back in-house.
Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services
Councillor Stewart Eaves reported on the following:
Waste Transfer Station
Discussions were on-going with Lancashire County Council about the possible development of a waste transfer station
Skip Days
Skip days had now resumed with the first one due to be held on 12th July 2025 in St Andrews ward. Suez had ceased to support the original arrangements. A new agreement had been entered into with SB Tippers of Great Harwood, to supply skips at £500 each. This was significantly cheaper than an equivalent service offered by Suez.
4x4 Vehicles
The Council currently operated five 4x4 vehicles, but was in the process of reducing this number to one vehicle. This would enable the Council to be greener. It was likely that the new vehicle would be compatible with Hydrated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel.
Portfolio Holder for Transformation and Town Centres
Councillor Clare Pritchard reported on the following:
Events
There had been some highly enjoyable events in Accrington town centre recently. The Food Festival on 6th – 7th June had been very busy, even in the rain on the Saturday. She placed on record her thanks to Amazing Accrington and to Scott Dawson Adverting. The Eco Fest held on 14 June had also been well attended, with lots of useful information available and family friendly activities provided.
‘Nice2Share’ Event
Earlier today the Portfolio Holder had attended a ‘ Nice2Share’ event promoted by Lancashire Constabulary. The Police had procured a digital evidence management system, which would allow businesses and members of the public to register their CCTV and other recording devices into a community portal. That should allow faster communication of evidence to the Police.
Portfolio Holder for Business, Growth and Sustainability
Councillor Scott Brerton reported on the following:
Business Engagement
Two key events had taken place recently in Hyndburn. Firstly, the Hyndburn Business Awards had been held, which had been a fantastic celebration of local businesses. The community could be rightly proud of these key enterprises. The event demonstrated a wide range of commercial activity in the Borough. Secondly, the Amazing Accrington Business Breakfast had been arranged. The Portfolio Holder had spoken at the event regarding the Council’s economic development plans, which had been well received. Other contributors had included Marketing Lancashire and the chief executive of Oswaldtwistle Mills.
Economic Development Officer
The Council was now actively recruiting for a further Economic Development Officer. Accordingly, service was now moving away from reliance on Business Lancashire with a view to arranging more promotional activities in-house. The Portfolio Holder thanked Councillor Khan for his efforts to re-establish this service during his tenure as Leader of the Council.
Workshops
Numerous business workshops were planned in the coming months and it was pleasing to see that the content of some sessions was being supported by established local businesses, who were working with the Council to share their experience. For example, Heath Groves, CEO of Sundown Solutions Ltd, had recently shared useful information about IT systems.
Councillor Khan made a number of comments and asked some questions on the various announcements made by Portfolio Holders. These are summarised below, together with any responses given:
- Noting that the economic development function was doing well and endorsing the shift towards greater in-house involvement;
- Enquiring if, at the Business Breakfast, the Sarah Smith MP had spoken about her position regarding a proposed Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) in Huncoat.
Response: The Leader indicated that the Council had given its approval to the Huncoat Garden Village development and was clear about that direction. The MP’s views would be a matter for herself;
- Asking why Suez had terminated the skip day arrangements with Council.
Response: Councillor Eaves reminded members that Suez had been unable to identify drivers willing to volunteer for the weekend skip service. It was also possible that the Council’s stance on Whinney Hill might have impacted negatively upon its relationship with Suez;
- Asking about the numbers of residents who were projected to access the Household Support Fund, the eligibility criteria and how the fund would be publicised.
Response: The Leader reiterated that the service had only recently been internalised. Councillor Alexander added that she had just returned from leave and was not yet familiar with all of the details;
- Asking if the Portfolio Holder for Transformation and Town Centres, which was a new portfolio, would set out some ambitions for that area of responsibility.
Response: The Leader remarked that the question was inappropriate, as it did not arise from the any announcements made by the Portfolio Holder;
- Asking what the other discussions with Accrington Stanley FC had covered.
Response: The Leader responded that the Council had offered as much support as it possibly could to the club. Accrington Stanley were considering some work, which should solve the sound issues. When the closure of the academy had been announced representatives of the Council had met with the club. Notwithstanding the offer of support made by the Council, the club had determined that the best model was for them to close the academy. Ultimately, it was a matter for the club to approach the Council with some proposed solutions to the licensing issue. However, there was some optimism that a positive result could be achieved;
- Asking if the controlling group would consult with the public directly about local government reorganisation and, if not, how those views would be canvassed.
Response: The Leader reminded members that there had been a debate at a recent Council meeting about reorganisation and that Hyndburn had agreed a 3 unitary proposal. This had also been discussed with other Lancashire leaders. Government Guidance had been received recently. Lancashire leaders were working to try to reach a consensus and two main options were emerging. The outcome of those discussions would be brought back to the Council. The Government had indicated that it would consult on the final proposals. Councillors could seek the views of their ward residents at any time to feed into the process;
- Enquiring if the controlling group would seek to cancel the local elections in 2026.
Response: The Leader indicated that to the best of his knowledge those elections would proceed, but the matter could be subject to a decision by the Government;
- Querying the degree of political independence of the newly appointed Chair of the Accrington Neighbourhoods Board, in view his prior links to the Labour Party. This was in contrast to the Chair of the forerunner body (the Accrington Town Centre Partnership Board), who had been fully independent. A query was raised about which other candidates had been considered for the new role.
Response: The Leader stated that there were a number of candidates on the shortlist. The previous Chair was no longer available. A transparent application process had been followed, which resulted in two candidates being interviewed. The person appointed was the best candidate and had a high level of experience of regeneration and political leadership.