Agenda item

To receive the Minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 26^th March, 30^th July and 10^th September 2025 (attached).

Rules of Debate

·         The Leader of the Council will move the Minutes, the Deputy Leader of the Council will second the Minutes.

·         Non-executive Members will be invited to make comment or ask questions on the Minutes (5 Minutes).

·         Cabinet Members will be invited to make comments and respond to any points raised (5 Minutes).

·         The Leader of the Council will be given up to 15 Minutes to respond and to answer any questions raised.

The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 26^th March, 30^th July and 10^th September 2025 were submitted.

The following matters were raised:

In connection with the Cabinet meeting on 26^th March 2025, Minute 399 - Reports of Cabinet Members – Oak Hill Park Bowling Greens, Councillor Kimberley Whitehead had spoken to the bowlers recently and had heard a disappointing comment that an Opposition member had indicated that the controlling group was not supporting the project to provide perimeter fencing.  In fact, the Labour group was fully committed to this project.  A tender exercise had been completed and the plans had now been approved.  Councillor Munsif Dad added that he too was disappointed at the apparent spreading of misinformation and hoped that the individual would be held accountable.  Councillor Heap commented that he had recently visited the bowlers at Oak Hill Park, when they had won the bowling league.  They had expressed their gratitude that the fencing was due to be erected, as the greens had previously suffered some damage due to vandalism.  The club members had also enquired if there was any more funding available to erect a small shelter for use by those keeping score.  Councillor Eaves confirmed that the fencing was due to be erected and that he would look into whether any funding might be available for a shelter.

In respect of the Cabinet meeting on 26^th March 2025, Minute 406 – Bullough Park Community Woodland Enhancement, Councillor Whitehead was pleased to see the investment in this park.  Phase 2 would create paths and steps and develop a pond and wetlands.  A celebration event was due to take pace in early December.  The final improvements would see cricket return to the park and a survey of the pavilion had now been carried out.  The intention was to bring back a local cricket team, a move which she believed had not been supported by the Green Party.  Councillor Dad reiterated that the controlling group would continue to invest in this scheme.

Regarding the Cabinet meeting on 26^th March 2025, Minute 408 – Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre Working Group, Councillor Whitehead reported that it had been planned to hold a meeting of the Civic Working Group, but this had not been necessary.  A revised date was now being scheduled for November/ December 2025.  Several expressions of interest had been received from persons who wished to be included in the Working Group.  The roof survey report had now been completed.  Significant remedial works would be required which would cost hundreds of thousands of pounds.  The project was out to tender and the closing date was 13^th October 2025 at 2pm.  Local contractors were encouraged to apply.  The Council had already set side £500k for repair works and £110k had been received from Theatres in Trust.  There remained strong local support for the reopening of the Civic.

In connection with the Cabinet meeting on 26^th March 2025, Minute 400 – LGA Corporate Peer Challenge Action Plan, Councillor Marlene Haworth highlighted Key Recommendation 7, at Paragraph 3 of the Reasons for Decision, which referred to ‘Internal and External Communications’.  She asked whether councillors would all receive the new iPads which were being rolled out, regardless of whether, or not, they wanted one.  She noted that some members had already received their devices, but did not recall any consultation about this project.  Councillors Haworth and Khan queried when the decision to roll out new iPads had been taken.  Councillor Haworth described her own circumstances, in which she could easily use a PC, but might struggle to familiarise herself with any other device.  She had also been made aware of the potential inconvenience for councillors who currently used personal devices to manage their Council e-mail accounts, no longer being permitted that access.  This would impact on those working councillors who used smart phones, for example, to respond to residents’ queries during their lunch break.  Her view was that the current system worked well and did not need to be changed.  She also queried the overall cost of rolling out new iPads and suggested that the money could have been better spent on other priorities.  She asked if the relevant Portfolio Holder would reconsider this project.

Councillors Zak Khan and Steven Smithson spoke in support of the retention of Council e­mail access on personal devices and Councillor Addison spoke about the flexibility of having a single device for both Council and personal use.

Councillors Noordad Aziz, Vanessa Alexander and Kimberley Whitehead spoke about cyber security, which was the rationale for the rolling out of Council provided devices.  All acknowledged that this might lead to councillors carrying more than one portable device at a time, but this was necessary to strengthen security.  Councillor Aziz highlighted the recent cyber-attack at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).  Councillor Alexander reported that use of personal devices increased the risk of data breaches and would no longer be an option.  David Welsby, Chief Executive, added that, in addition to JLR, recent attacks on M&S, the NHS and today’s attack on the Kido nursery chain had all demonstrated the need for increased security.  Councillor Whitehead clarified that the roll out of iPads had been discussed at a recent meeting of the Leader’s Policy Development Board.

In respect of the Cabinet meeting on 26^th March 2025, Minute 399 – Reports of Cabinet Members, Waste Transfer Station, Councillor Steven Smithson asked if any progress had been made towards the future method of transferring waste to the disposal authority.  Councillor Eaves indicated that a tender exercise had commenced for this provision.

Regarding the Cabinet meeting on 26^th March 2025, Minute 408 – Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre Working Group, Councillor Smithson was pleased to see progress being made on the preservation of this asset.  He asked if both he and Councillor Gilbert, as the relevant ward councillors, could be included in the working group.  Councillor Gilbert thanked Councillor Smithson for including him in his request, but explained that he might have some difficulty in committing to this group, given his personal family care commitments.  He would be happy to abide by the wishes of the Cabinet as to his possible appointment.

In connection with the Cabinet meeting on 10^th September 2025, Minute 150 – Telecommunications Mast at Harvey Street Oswaldtwistle, Councillor Smithson welcomed this decision and was pleased that the Council would resist this development.  He commented that some alternative locations had been suggested to the developer as part of the discussions about a suitable site.

In respect of the Cabinet meeting on 10^th September 2025, Minute 146 - Report of Cabinet Members – Accrington Neighbourhoods Board, Councillor Paul Cox commented that he had seen numerous plans to regenerate the town centre of Accrington over the years.  He expressed a view that the draft Plan for Neighbourhoods would benefit from input from representatives with a keen interest in the town centre, rather than the ‘usual suspects’.  He suggested that the Board’s membership should be opened up to wider talent.  There was a further opportunity to make a difference using the new Pride in Place Impact Fund monies.  His home was close to Accrington town centre and he had witnessed much change over the last 30 years.  This could be the last chance reinvigorate the area.  Accordingly, a cohesive group with a clear vision was essential in deciding its future.

Resolved                                    -    That the Minutes be received and noted.