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 Government had set a timeline for Lancashire councils to produce a preferred option for local government reorganisation (LGR) by 28th November 2025. LGR was the process of moving from the current two-tier system of a county council, two smaller unitary councils and 12 district councils in Lancashire, to a simpler model of fewer unitary councils.
The Government aims with LGR were to improve efficiency savings, service delivery, provide stronger local leadership, economic growth, community identity and foster effective local partnerships while not hindering the ability to deliver sustainable and high quality services for residents.
Guidance stated that most new authorities should serve at least 500,000 people. Exceptions might be made to ensure the system worked well for each area.
Councils in Lancashire were working together and discussing possible options for reorganisation. The Council would continue to represent Hyndburn in these discussions in order to raise any concerns that might impact local issues or services.
Currently there were five proposals based on following models:
- Model 1 consisted of Lancashire being split into 2 large unitary councils with a North / South divide;
- Model 2 consisted of 3 unitary councils (North / East / West);
- Models 3 and 4 were 2 different configurations of 4 unitary councils; and
- Model 5 consisted of 5 smaller unitary councils.
A survey had gone live consulting the public on their view – this was available on the Council’s website to complete calling on residents, businesses and community organisations to have their say on shaping the future of local government in the county.
The results of the survey, along with data from business cases compiled by consultants for each type of model, would be collated and made available for councils to help make the final decisions.
The Council would discuss these varying models and business cases at Scrutiny on the 5th November and Full Council on 13th November before Cabinet on 19th November was due to take a final decision on Hyndburn’s preferred option in time for the Government’s deadline of 28th November.
Once final reorganisation was submitted, the Government would determine which proposals were more suitable to take forward for further consideration before a decision was made.
Statutory consultation with residents and stakeholders was expected to take place on these proposals in the New Year, after which sometime over the summer the minister would make a decision on the reorganisation model in Lancashire.
In 2027, the new unitary councils would be established and would initially operate in shadow form to ensure a smooth transition from existing local government status to the new one. Elections to the shadow authority were expected to take place in May 2027.
In April 2028, the new unitary authorities would officially go live assuming legal powers and representatives and all 15 original Lancashire local authorities would be abolished.
Lancashire County Council Funding Contributions
Hyndburn was one of the four districts to benefit from the Levelling Up East Lancashire programme and would benefit from two connected projects as part of the programme:
- Safer, Greener, Healthier Streets; and
- Public Transport Improvements.
Detailed information was now available about the two Safer, Greener, Healthier Streets projects in Hyndburn in the following locations:
- Woodnook; and
- Countess Street
The Public Transport Improvements would faclitate better travel between homes, jobs and services.
Further updates on these projects would be provided in the future.
Corporate Peer Challenge Review Visit
The Council recently welcomed back the Corporate Peer Challenge team, led by the Local Government Association, for a review visit. The council was very grateful to them for returning to assess progress and for the constructive feedback they had provided.
The team’s written report was still awaited, which would set out their full assessment of progress since the main visit last year. However, the Leader was pleased to report that the verbal feedback received on the day was overwhelmingly positive.
The team had highlighted excellent progress on the Council’s key strategic projects and noted how well these align with the new Corporate Strategy. They recognised that the structures in place, and the relationships between elected members, officers and the management team, were effective and provided the right space for discussion and debate to support strong decision-making.
They gave particular credit to the work the Council had undertaken on staff engagement this year, which was already delivering positive outcomes. Early results from the latest staff survey, which would be published shortly, suggested that staff really valued the changes that had been made.
They also recognised the Council’s work on community cohesion, its communications with staff around local government reorganisation, and the progress being made on climate change and decarbonisation. The authority’s transformation and digital work had also been highlighted as leading to real improvements in ways of working and in the Coucil’s ability to deliver good services.
The team acknowledged that there was still more to do. Indeed, the Council’s cross-party working group had driven an action plan, which set out a number of further steps, some of which were scheduled for later this year. The Council fully recognised this and was continuing to press ahead.
It was encouraging to hear that the team regarded the Counicl’s direction of travel as positive, and that the work being undertaken was making a real difference for staff, members and communities.
Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regeneration
Councillor Melissa Fisher reported on the following:
Local Elections
In response to questions raised on social media, Councillor Fisher indicated that Hyndburn’s Labour Party did not have any power to cancel the planned local elections next year. The controlling group was not aware of any such proposals, but if this was to be proposed the decision would come from the Government.
Wilson Sports Hub
The Cath Thom Leisure Centre, at the Wilson Sports Hub, was due to open in approximately one month’s time. A time-limited membership offer of £29.99 (with the price locked in for a lifetime) for the first 200 applicants had been a complete sell-out. The offer had been designed to quickly build up a strong customer base. It was anticipated that the centre would be really successful and councillors were looking forward to its grand opening.
Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services
Councillor Stewart Eaves reported on the following:
King George V Playing Fields
Delivery of the project at King George V Playing Fields remained on target. Officers would be in touch with the contactors next week to finalise the date for the commencement of work on the building.
Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and Sport
Councillor Kimberley Whitehead reported on the following:
Heritage Open Days
The national Heritage Open Days campaign would provide an opportunity to explore some of Hyndburn’s most iconic heritage sites between 12th September and the National Manufacturing Day on 25th September 2025. Sites would include:
- Haworth Art Gallery;
- Accrington Stanley Football Club;
- Accrington Town Hall (Mayor’s tour);
- and many others.
Councillors were invited to support these Open Days where they could.
Portfolio Holder for Business, Growth and Sustainability
Councillor Scott Brerton reported on the following:
Grants to Support Local Businesses
The grants scheme for businesses for a range of activities, including education and start up programmes, was going well.
Accrington Futures Event
The Accrington Futures Event was due to be held again on 3rd October 2025 at Accrington Stanley’s Wham Stadium. Over one thousand students were expected to attend tospeak directly with over 50 employers, training providers, colleges, certain industry experts, the Army and Police, to help them to make informed decisions about their future.
Hyndburn Jobs Fair
The successful Jobs Fair run in March 2025 would go ahead once again. The last event, run by the Council, had helped support 45 local businesses with their recruitment and had attracted over 2,000 visitors.
Business Workshops
The business workshops series had proved to be hugely successful and thanks were due to all those involved in their organisation.
Further workshops were planned over the coming months.
Portfolio Holder for Transformation and Town Centres
Councillor Clare Pritchard reported on the following:
Public Spaces Protection Order
The Council was currently consulting upon a proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) covering Accrington town centre. The Order, if implemented, would allow the Council and Police to tackle anti-social behaviour and improve the quality of life for those who lived, worked, and visited Accrington. A survey was now live on the Council’s website.
Levelling Up Projects
A preferred contractor had now been identified for the second phases (internal fit-out) of the levelling up projects at the Market Hall and at Burtons Chambers. A competitive procurement process had been undertaken to deliver the Phase 2 work and had resulted in the preferred contractor, Krol Corlettte, based in Liverpool, Manchester and Preston, who had a strong track-record of refurbishment works. The Council would now work alongside Krol Corlett to conclude final matters before signing contracts, with works due to start later this month.
Leader of the Council
Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP made a further announcement as follows:
Accrington Neighbourhoods Board
The Council was carrying out a recruitment exercise for a new Chair for the Accrington Neighbourhoods Board. An advertisement had been posted around six weeks ago initially for a period of three weeks, which had subsequently been extended. Six applications had now been received. The Leader of the Council and the local MP, Sarah Smith, would consider the applications and make a suitable appointment as soon as possible.
Councillor Whitehead clarified that she served on the Neighbourhood Board in her capacity as Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, not as a borough councillor. She reminded councillors that the Chair of the Board was responsible for making the wider appointments to the Board, not the Leader of the Council. Councillor Dad added that the core membership of the Board comprised the following 5 representatives:
- a local councillor (Councillor Munsif Dad)
- the local MP (Sarah Smith MP)
- Police and Crime Commissioner (Deputy PCC - Kimberley Whitehead)
- a county councillor from Lancashire (CC Ashley Joynes)
- the independent Chair (currently being recruited)
The Board’s membership was not dissimilar from that of the previous Town Centre Partnership Board, which had included then Conservative Leader of the Council and Conservative MP.
Councillor Zak Khan, Leader of the Opposition, commented on the announcements above, asked the following questions and received the responses as summarised below:
- Local Government Reorganisation – The questionnaire by the consultants was now live. What input did the Leader of the Council have into the survey and would the results be broken down into statistics showing the views of residents in each district council area?
Response: Councillor Dad indicated that all district leaders continued to meet to discuss reorganisation. The specifics of the survey had been delegated to the Lancashire Chief Executives Group to develop via the consultants. The consultants report would be available to the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Council, but it was not yet known how the results would be presented. David Welsby, Chief Executive, added that the Chief Executives Group was due to meet tomorrow and the latter point would be raised with them.
- Corporate Peer Challenge Review Visit – The overall process had been useful and Councillor Khan had himself provided some feedback to the peers. He had appreciated the opportunity to be involved in the Member Working Group for the review. Would the Peer Challenge feedback be shared widely and would the Member Working Group continue?
Response: Councillor Dad indicated that the Peer Review final report was expected soon and would be shared. It was unclear yet whether the Member Working Group would continue, as this largely depended on what was highlighted in the report. There should be no new recommendations.
- Wilson Sports Hub – The imminent opening of the Leisure Centre and uptake of membership was good news. What level of membership was required to make the venture viable and was the 200+ take up enough?
Response: Councillor Fisher replied that there were some wider targets set around performance. She undertook to reply directly to Councillor Khan with further details. The Leader of the Council added that Hyndburn Leisure had been selected to operate the centre because of its good track-record of service delivery. The centre should be viable, given that its first target of 200 members had already been met.
- Business Grants – It was encouraging to note that take up of business grants was good. What metrics were used to evaluate success and when would the detail be reported?
Response: Councillor Brerton indicated that this was an on-going process, but that initial findings were positive. Ultimately, the Council could look at the number of jobs created and how much inward investment from other sources had been received. It was anticipated that the first progress report would be available soon.
- Accrington Futures Event – The involvement of schools in this event was welcomed.
Response: Noted.
- Public Spaces Protection Order – When would the PSPO go live and what evidence was there that this would help?
Response: This type of measure had been used previously by the Council and did work. The implementation date had not yet been determined, as the consultation would not expire until 30th September 2025.
- Accrington Neighbourhoods Board – Councillor Khan noted that the population of Hyndburn was around 80,000 and expressed a view that the recruitment process had not been transparent. Would the selection of the independent Chair be determined by the Leader and MP alone?
Response: The Leader of the Council indicated that the application process had been open to all, but only six people had replied. He and the MP would carry out any interviews and select the best candidate for appointment to the role of Chair.