Agenda item
Question Time
To deal with any questions submitted under Council Procedure Rule A2.2(vi). The deadline for the receipt of questions has now expired. Details of any eligible questions received will be circulated as soon as possible. (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:
Four eligible questions had been received, which were set out in the report. The Mayor read out the questions as submitted.
1) Local Election Costs
To the Leader of the Council (Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP) or relevant Portfolio Holder
Submitted by Councillor Steven Smithson
“How much does it cost this Council to run the local borough elections?”
Response: Councillor Munsif Dad thanked Councillor Smithson for his question. By way of background, he indicated that the total cost for the elections for Lancashire County Council in May 2025, based on 53 polling stations for all divisions (comprising 60417 electors, 11765 of which were postal voters) was £171,061.00. The cost of elections was dependent on:
- the number of contested wards;
- numbers and locations of polling stations;
- the length and timing of the count and number of registered electors; and
- the proportion of the electorate registered for postal votes.
Based on the above figure and by just using a simple calculation to get an estimated cost for the scheduled 2026 elections for the 11 wards of Hyndburn, it would cost approximately £105,000.00.
Councillor Smithson thanked the Leader for his reply and asked a supplementary question as follows. As the Government was removing electors’ right to vote in May and in view of the cost of living crisis, would the Leader consider giving any savings to the residents of Hyndburn via a reduction in the Council Tax for 2026/27. Councillor Dad responded that councillors could suggest any financial proposals as part of the Budget-setting process. He added that the previous Conservative Government had postponed all local elections in 2020.
2) King George V Playing Fields
To the Leader of the Council (Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP) or relevant Portfolio Holder
Submitted by Councillor David Heap
“What process will be being undertaken for the selection of teams wanting to apply for a lease on King George's playing fields?”
Response: Councillor Stewart Eaves indicated that the Council was currently giving careful consideration to the potential lease arrangements. He would be happy to come back to Councillor Heap with more information later in the year.
Councillor Heap asked a supplementary question as follows. Could the Portfolio Holder confirm that only Hyndburn teams would be considered for inclusion in those arrangements. Councillor Eaves responded that this had not yet been determined, but that he would provide the answer when known.
3) Rationale for Seeking Postponement of Local Elections
To the Leader of the Council (Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP) or relevant Portfolio Holder
Submitted by Councillor David Heap on behalf of: Sue Saxon
“What criteria is the Council basing their decision on with regards to writing to the Government Minister asking for May’s elections in Hyndburn to be cancelled?”
Response: Councillor Dad indicated that the question about the possible postponement of local elections in 2026 had been raised at the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the previous Council meeting and the recent Special Cabinet meeting. The rationale for postponement had been provided at the last Council meeting. Hyndburn did not have the authority to postpone the elections. The Government would make the final decision but had asked the Council for its opinion. The discussions held about this matter were recorded in the various minutes.
4) Selection of Preferred Market Hall Operator
To the Leader of the Council (Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP)or relevant Portfolio Holder
Submitted by Councillor David Heap on behalf of: Ashley Watson
“What process did the Council undertake to find a 3rd party to run the Market Hall?”
Councillor Clare Pritchard indicated that the reply available was somewhat lengthy. She asked if Councillor Heap would prefer a written response, or if an immediate verbal answer was desired. Councillor Heap asked for a verbal response.
Response: Councillor Pritchard stated that reports on the process of appointing a preferred operator for the Market Hall had been presented to Cabinet on the 13th September 2023 and 26th March 2025, but a brief summary was as follows.
The Council had appointed CBRE through the Crown Commercial Service Framework as lead consultant for the procurement of operators for the Market Hall and Burtons Chambers. CBRE had a specialist and very experienced commercial property team and were supported by Barker Proudlove who had a very experienced team on market redevelopments. Additional legal and specialist support had been provided by Womble Bond Dickinson.
The work procured from CBRE had included:
- Reviewing and identifying any key issues or concerns;
- Providing an initial assessment on the state of the market and competition;
- Summarising the optimum models that could be considered;
- Setting out the delivery method that was most likely to be suitable;
- Presenting findings in a report that clearly set out recommendations for the operating model and procurement process; and
- Undertaking a compliant process to identify a preferred operator for the Market Hall.
Both CBRE and Barker Proudlove had reviewed the proposed designs and requirements for the Market Hall to identify the optimum contracting model which would most likely attract a strong operator interest and had recommended this should be a property lease.
Barker Proudlove had managed the process to identify a preferred operator which had commenced in October 2023. A brochure setting out the opportunity had been circulated via press releases, social media channels, and LinkedIn. It had been uploaded to the Accrington Town Square and main Council websites, circulated through existing market traders, the Council’s e-newsletter and emailed to all Councillors. Finally, public notices had been displayed on the market pavilions. Following the period to express an interest, Barker Proudlove had engaged directly with ten parties, having a number of 1 to 1 discussions and accompanied site visits between November 2023 and January 2024. A closing date of the first week in February 2024 had been set for submissions to be returned.
Four submissions had been received and the information provided had been reviewed to establish a shortlist. Barker Proudlove and the Council had concluded that there was sufficient merit in the submissions to warrant a face-to-face meeting with all four organisations.
Individual meetings had taken place on 9th and 23rd April 2024, involving the Council’s Chief Executive, Executive Director (Environment) and Barker Proudlove. These had not been formal interviews but an opportunity to understand the submissions further and for the Council to assess whether they could have a productive relationship with the organisations/owners.
The outcome had confirmed there were no concerns around the potential for working with any of the organisations, thereby allowing Barker Proudlove to progress further discussions and confirmation on the final submission. Three proposals were received.
Supporting documents:
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