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:
Lancashire County Council - Levelling Up Schemes
Some £50m of Levelling Up Funding had been announced by Lancashire County Council (LCC) last year. The Leader had met recently with LCC officers to discuss projects in Hyndburn. These would be focused on two themes:
- Safer, Greener and Healthier Streets (SGHS); and
- Public Transport Improvements.
The first theme would include projects in two areas, as follows:
- Woodnook;
- Countess Street, Accrington.
The Leader provided further details about the above projects
The second theme would deliver projects in relation to bus services Nos, 9, 464, M1 and X41,including the following:
- Real time passenger information;
- Upgraded traffic signal technology; and
- Accessibility improvements at bus stops.
East Lancashire Health Centres Renovation and Reconfiguration
Three health centres in East Lancashire would benefit from major investment projects during 2026. Funding from the Department of Health and Social Care, totalling around £8 million, was being utilised to improve and refurbish Barbara Castle Way Health Centre in Blackburn, St Peter’s Centre in Burnley and Acorn Primary Health Care Centre in Accrington.
The investment supported the ambitions of the Government’s 10-year Plan for the NHS, to create health centres that would provide more services to meet the needs of their local communities.
In respect of the Acorn Primary Health Care Centre project, following the emergency closure of Accrington Victoria Hospital, there was an opportunity to improve and increase utilisation of the Acorn site.
The main entrance/atrium area on the upper ground floor would be reconfigured to accommodate a range of hospital services enabling greater integration with the current primary care services.
The funding would go towards the establishment of a ‘Health Hub’ which would include two new X-Ray rooms, a six-bay Minor Injuries Unit, a triage and plaster room, new reception and waiting areas, additional primary care rooms and more clinical spaces.
The project had already enabled two further GP practices to relocate into the Acorn building bringing the total number of GP practices operating from this site to four.
This phased reconfiguration and transfer was expected to be completed in 20 weeks.
Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre
Ross Lee Construction had been engaged to undertake roofing works at the Civic Theatre, in Oswaldtwistle, with effect from 27th February 2026. The work would take approximately 27 weeks and was scheduled to end on 16th October 2026.
The Council was continuing to explore the potential for community use of the building, to take effect as soon as possible. It might be possible to use the ground floor while works were ongoing to make the upper floor and roof structurally sound. The Council had already secured significant grant funding from Theatres in Trust for this facility and was committed to supporting the Theatre’s long-term use.
Councillor Melissa Fisher added that the Council wanted the venue to have a vibrant future.
Religious Observance
Today was significant as it marked the first day of both Ramadan and Lent.
Ramadan was one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims. It comprised a month of prayer, fasting, reflection, spiritual growth, community spirit and commemoration of the Koran.
Lent was a period of 40 days (excluding Sundays) which was symbolic of Jesus fasting in the wilderness. It provided a time for reflection, fasting, prayer, and charity, observed by Christians in preparation for Easter.
Both religious observances were opportunities for communities to work together. Last year, Muslims had celebrated 4 large scale Iftar events (the breaking of the fast) at mosques and at Accrington Stanley Football Club. These types of events were well attended. The Leader expressed his hope of another successful year in bringing communities together.
Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regeneration
Councillor Melissa Fisher reported on the following:
Hydnburn Leisure Trust and Huncoat Garden Village
Reports on both the Hyndburn Leisure Trust and Huncoat Garden Village were proposed to be taken to the meeting of Cabinet on 18th March 2026.
Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services
Councillor Stewart Eaves reported on the following:
Food Waste Collections
Some 35,000 food waste caddies had now been delivered to households across Hyndburn, with only sheltered accommodation, flats and farms yet to receive their vessels. Members were reminded that the collection service would commence on 1st April 2026 in line with the Government guidance and legislation.
Hyndburn Borough Council’s Parks Team - ‘Best of the Best’ Award
Members were reminded that Hyndburn Borough Council’s Parks Team had been named ‘Best of the Best’ at the annual Green Flag Awards. A local presentation to the Team had recently been arranged by the Council at the Coach House, in Rhyddings Park, Oswaldtwistle, to congratulation staff on their achievement.
Oak Hill Park Bowling Greens
Erection of the fence around Oak Hill Park Bowling Greens, Accrington, was now underway and this should be completed in time for the start of the bowling season. This would provide a safe and secure environment for the bowling club.
Mercer Park Bowling Greens
Consideration was now being given to fencing, similar to the above, being installed at the bowling green in Mercer Park, Clayton -le-Moors. The Leader commented that fencing was indeed required at this location. Councillor Fisher added that a representative of the bowling club had been calling for this work to be done for years. The sport helped to tackle mental health and social isolation issues in the community. This site had been subject to vandalism on numerous occasions and there had been fires set in the park only this week. The fencing news was welcomed by both the club and Councillor Fisher.
Gatty Park Play Area Refurbishment
The play area at Gatty Park, Church, was due to be fully refurbished. The site was well used and the injection of funding would ensure provision of a quality play area. The Leader noted that there had been some confusion previously about the extent of the improvements planned, which he had challenged at that time. He was pleased to note that a full refurbishment was being proposed.
Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and Sport
Councillor Kimberley Whitehead reported on the following:
Lydia Becker, Botanist, Astronomer and Suffragist
The Council had secured some Government heritage funding to tell the story of Lydia Becker (1827–1890), who had spent her childhood at Moorside House, in Altham. Ms Becker was a notable scientist and suffragist. The Council had worked with local school children to tell her story and a competition had been arranged. The winning school, Altham St James CE Primary School had won a trip to London and a visit to the Pankhurst Museum, in Manchester. The other participants Huncoat Primary School would also visit the Pankhurst Museum and Mount Pleasant Primary School would be treated to a day out at a special Lydia Becker exhibition in the Dome, Accrington,as well as a visit to the Town Hall.
Workshops would be held at the Dome as part of the Lydia Becker exhibition due to run over a 6 week periodfrom 20th February, every Friday and Saturday from 10am-2pm, until 28th March 2026. The exhibition would be free to attend.
Portfolio Holder for Business, Growth and Sustainability
Councillor Scott Brerton reported on the following:
The Hyndburn Jobs Fair had been held last week and had been a great success. Footfall had been high, although exact figures were not currently available, but would be provided soon. Councillor Brerton placed on record his thanks to all of the businesses that had attended and to the event organisers, as well as the Council’s Economic Development Team. There were lots of positive messages to take from the event, which was also a celebration of locally based businesses. The number of job vacancies on offer and number of growing businesses were good indicators of the health of the local economy.
Councillor Khan made comments and/or asked questions, as summarised below:
- Regarding the LCC Levelling Up SGHS projects, he noted that these were concentrated on only two areas and asked if there were more borough-wide projects planned – Response: The Leader responded that the £50m allocated across east Lancashire would include £5m for Hyndburn. The projects had already been identified based on extensive consultations, so could not be reallocated. Further information was available on the LCC website. As a resident of the ward which would benefit most from the funding, the Leader confirmed that he was happy with the selection process and schemes identified. There were some projects which had not appeared in the final list of scheme selection and this matter had been raised with the County Council. It was hoped that a reply would be received in the next few weeks.
- The Hyndburn Jobs Fair was good news, but he would wish to see more detailed statistics about how many job seekers successfully gained employment as a result of event and what other outcomes had been achieved – Response: Councillor Brerton confirmed that the statistics would be available, although these would not necessarily track each individual attendee at the event. It was worth noting that not all attendees were unemployed job seekers – many were apprentices or people already in work looking for new opportunities. Overall, Hyndburn was outperforming the rest of the UK in new business creation and was not in the highest quartile for business closures.