Agenda item
Question Time
To deal with any questions submitted under Council Procedure Rule A2.2(vi).
Details of any eligible questions received will be circulated following the expiration of the deadline for the receipt of questions. Questions must be submitted by no later than 12noon on Monday 22nd September 2025. (Report attached)
Rules of Debate
· Up to 30 minutes will be allowed for this item.
· Questions will be put by the chair of the meeting and will receive an oral answer.
· Questions which cannot be put within the allotted time will receive a written answer within 10 working days.
Minutes:
Nineteen eligible questions had been received, which were set out in the report. The Mayor confirmed that he would read out the questions as submitted.
The Leader of the Council expressed his appreciation for the questions submitted, both by councillors and members of the public, but noted that the time was now 7:45pm. The total time allowed for questions and answers to be put was 30 minutes, which would limit the opportunity to give any detailed responses. Accordingly, all of the questions would receive a written reply. He considered that it was important to provide a full reply to all who had raised a question.
He reminded all present that questions could be asked, at any time, about everyday Council services and policies via the Council’s normal contact facilities.
The Mayor reiterated that, notwithstanding, the above, he was obliged to read out the questions in accordance with the Constitution.
1) Skip Days
To the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services (Councillor Stewart Eaves)
Submitted by Councillor Clare Pritchard on behalf of Mr C Martino
“Could the portfolio holder please provide an update to Council on the recent skip days?”
Response:
Councillor Eaves indicated that a written reply would be provided.
2) Council Reserves
To the Portfolio Holder for Resources and Council Operations (Councillor Vanessa Alexander)
Submitted by Councillor Steven Smithson
“How much money does this Council have in its reserves?”
Response:
Councillor Alexander referred to a recently published report and indicated that a written reply would be provided.
3) Great Harwood High Street Accelerator Plan
To the Leader of the Council (Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP) or relevant Portfolio Holder
Submitted by Councillor Zak Khan
“Following the successful roll out of £45,000 in grants for shop improvements in Great Harwood, will you roll this out this across the whole Borough and offer the same opportunity to other towns?”
Response:
Councillor Dad indicated that a written reply would be provided.
A supplementary question was asked by Councillor Khan on the following:
Councillor Khan commented that the Leader of the Council appeared to be refusing to answer the substantive question and asked if he could answer it now.
The Leader reiterated that a written reply would be provided.
4) Local Nature Recovery Strategies
To the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services (Councillor Stewart Eaves)
Submitted by Councillor Zak Khan on behalf of Vinette Davitt
“How is Hyndburn engaging in the new Local Nature Recovery Strategies? - A new system to map the best opportunities for restoring nature to help focus efforts and target funding.”
Response:
Councillor Eaves indicated that a written reply would be provided and reminded all that routine questions could be submitted via the Council’s Contact Centre.
5) King George V Playing Fields
To the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services (Councillor Stewart Eaves)
Submitted by Councillor David Heap
“Please could the portfolio holder give an update on the reopening of King George’s playing fields?”
Response:
Councillor Eaves indicated that a written reply would be provided.
6) Accrington Cemetery
To the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services (Councillor Stewart Eaves)
Submitted by Councillor Shabir Fazal OBE on behalf of Khuram Mehrban
“What action will Hyndburn Council take to stop dogs fouling and walking over graves at Burnley Road Cemetery, and when will the promised fencing, water tap, and review of burial regulations for the Muslim section finally be delivered?”
Response:
Councillor Eaves indicated that a written reply would be provided.
7) Vehicle MOT Requirements
To the Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regeneration (Councillor Melissa Fisher)
Submitted by Councillor Shabir Fazal OBE on behalf of Sohail Asghar
“Wolverhampton Council has implemented a policy requiring 12-month MOTs for private hire vehicles to ensure consistent safety standards. Is Hyndburn Council planning to adopt a similar approach, especially in light of the recent proposal to end 'in-house' MOT testing and allow local garages to conduct these checks?”
Response:
Councillor Fisher indicated that the proposed new Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy was set out at Appendix 2 to Agenda Item 7. However, a written reply would be provided.
8) Fly-Tipping
To the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services (Councillor StewartEaves)
Submitted by Councillor Steven Smithson
“In Oswaldtwistle we have seen a recent increase of fly-tipping - what plans do the Council have in place to tackle this ongoing issue?”
Response:
Councillor Eaves indicated that a written reply would be provided.
A supplementary question was asked by Councillor Smithson on the following:
Councillor Smithson commented that residents had a right to know what the Council was doing on this matter. He asked if the Council had considered other options to reduce fly-tipping.
No further response was provided.
9) Friendship/Twinning with a Palestinian City
To the Leader of the Council (Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP) or relevant Portfolio Holder
Submitted by Councillor Shabir Fazal OBE on behalf of Hasnain Fazal
“Preston City Council is progressing with building connections with a Palestinian city, Hebron, as part of their friendship and twinning arrangements. Can the Leader please confirm whether Hyndburn Borough Council has any plans to consider similar friendship links, particularly with a Palestinian city, and if not, whether this is something that will be explored in the future?”
Response:
Councillor Dad indicated that a written reply would be provided.
10) Unused Land at Perth Street/Willows Lane and Pendle Street
To the Leader of the Council (Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP) or relevant Portfolio Holder
Submitted by Councillor Shabir Fazal OBE
“What are Hyndburn Council’s plans for the unused land at the Perth Street/Willows Lane junction and the Pendle Street site where homes were demolished years ago, and when can residents expect progress or development?”
Response:
Councillor Dad indicated that a written reply would be provided.
11) Support for Cultural and Sports Events
To the Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and Sport (Councillor Kimberley Whitehead)
Submitted by Councillor Shabir Fazal OBE on behalf of Tanveer Khan
“Hyndburn Council runs fantastic events like the Accrington Soapbox Challenge and Food Festival. Will the Council commit to supporting future cultural and sports events—such as Kabaddi, cricket and weightlifting—especially those that celebrate our borough’s diversity, with the same level of funding and backing as other major events?”
Response:
Councillor Whitehead indicated that a written reply would be provided. She commented that this and other such questions would be more suitable for ward councillors to answer as part of their ordinary casework.
12) Council Debt
To the Portfolio Holder for Resources and Council Operations (Councillor Vanessa Alexander)
Submitted by Councillor Steven Smithson on behalf of Mr and Mrs J Westell
“How much debt does the Council currently have?”
Response:
Councillor Alexander referred to a recently published report and indicated that a written reply would be provided.
13) Baxenden Village Clock
To the Leader of the Council (Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP) or relevant Portfolio Holder
Submitted by Councillor David Heap on behalf of Kevin Laycock
“Please can I have an update on Baxenden's broken village clock?”
Response:
Councillor Dad indicated that a written reply would be provided.
14) Minutes of Meetings
To the Leader of the Council (Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP) or relevant Portfolio Holder
Submitted byCouncillor David Heap on behalf of Catherine Laycock
“Why are the minutes from meetings only published just before the next meeting and not within 2 weeks of the meeting happening?”
Response:
Councillor Dad indicated that a written reply would be provided.
15) Cath Thom Leisure Centre
To the Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regeneration (Councillor Melissa Fisher)
Submitted byCouncillor David Heap on behalf of Peter Shaw
“The Council have spent 10.5 million on the new Clayton leisure centre and will expect a return on that investment. What process has been set up for councillors to monitor the achievements of these targets and how often will the public be informed?”
Response:
Councillor Fisher commented that the process had just been approved at a Leisure Trust meeting, which she and Councillor Loraine Cox had attended earlier this afternoon. A more comprehensive written reply would follow.
16) Empty Retail Unit on Hyndburn Road
To the Leader of the Council (Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP) or relevant Portfolio Holder
Submitted by Councillor David Heap on behalf of: Carol Hoyle
“What is happening with the empty unit formerly the hot tubs on Hyndburn Road?”
Response:
Councillor Dad indicated that a written reply would be provided.
17) Baxenden Recreation Ground
To the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services (Councillor Stewart Eaves)
Submitted by Councillor David Heap on behalf of Nicola Harvey
“Will the portfolio holder meet with our councillor (Cllr Heap) to look at having a pump track for our youth on Baxenden rec?”
Response:
Councillor Eaves indicated that a written reply would be provided.
18) Accrington Victoria Hospital Site
To the Leader of the Council (Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP) or relevant Portfolio Holder
Submitted by Councillor David Heap on behalf of Mary Bilsborough
“What is happening with the ‘Accy Vic’ site ?”
Response:
Councillor Dad indicated that a written reply would be provided.
19) Access to Allotments in Baxenden
To the Portfolio Holder for People and Communities (Councillor Ethan Rawcliffe)
Submitted by Councillor David Heap on behalf of Anne Metcalfe
“With the allotment monies collected, is there any plan to reinstate and maintain the pathway at Hey Street around to Hill Street, Baxenden so that plot holders can get to their plot with a vehicle.”
Response:
Councillor Rawcliffe indicated that a written reply would be provided within 10 working days.
Councillor Judith Addison raised a point of order in connection with the controlling group’s intention to provide written responses, in the light of Council Procedure Rule 2.2 (vi), which stated, inter alia, the following:
“Questions will be put by the chair of the meeting and will be taken in the order in which they are received by the Chief Executive and will receive an oral answer. Questions that cannot be put within the allotted time will receive a written answer within 10 working days.”
Councillor Dad asserted that oral answers had been given, indicating that written responses would be provided. The Mayor, indicated that he had taken advice on the matter prior to the meeting, and ruled that the oral answers provided were in accordance with the Rule as stated.
NOTE: The full list of responses was subsequently published on the Council’s website and can be viewed using the following link:
Council Meeting Question Time | Hyndburn Borough Council
Supporting documents:
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