Agenda item
Announcements
a) Mayor
b) Leader of the Council
c) Chief Executive
Minutes:
The Mayor made the following announcements:
1) The Mayoral Year
Councillor Allen reiterated his thanks to members for their support during his mayoral year. He added that the task had not always been easy, but was grateful that his predecessor Councillor Booth had set the tone for respectful debate in the Council Chamber. He also thanked the officers for their guidance and confirmed that his year in the role had been memorable.
Looking towards the forthcoming local elections, the Mayor went on to thank those councillors who had decided not to stand for re-election in 2026 for their service and hard work for the community. It was not easy to stand for public office and required heart, courage and passion.
The Mayor commented that he had planned a lengthy speech, but would find this very difficult to deliver. He referred to his deselection by the Conservative party in October, which he considered was due to a decision by two political colleagues present this evening. He had found this particularly hurtful, as he had been a party member for some 15 years, dedicating half of his life to the political cause. As a consequence, he announced his resignation from the Conservative political group on the Council with immediate effect. He also announced that he intended to stand as an independent candidate for the Immanuel ward at the local election.
The Mayor also placed on record his thanks to Councillors Zak Khan, Danny Cassidy and Judith Addison for their support throughout his time as a Conservative member and noted that it had been an honour to serve in that capacity. He finished by thanking the residents who had put their trust in a 20+ year old and joked that many had been kind enough to provide him with tea and biscuits when raising ward issues with him.
The Leader of the Council gave a message of support to the Mayor and noted that he had executed his role with courage and passion. He added that Councillor Allen’s mother and grandfather (both now deceased) would have been proud to see him serve and to represent the Council as a whole at civic engagements. He wished him good fortune for the future.
Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP then made the following announcements:
2) Diversity and Inclusivity
The Leader commented that these were difficult times for those in power, not just when shaping policy, but also around how people perceived each other. He believed that some political groups held views which were potentially divisive. Antisemitism and islamophobia seemed to be on the rise. One example of this was the criticism from some quarters about an open iftar event held in Trafalgar Square on 16th March 2026.
The UK was noted for welcoming all faiths. Citizens were encouraged not to let fear take over. Councillor Dad called for people to act with dignity and respect for others. Every person deserved to feel safe. It was important to challenge hateful rhetoric and to stand together.
3) Definition of Anti-Muslim Hostility
The Leader read out loud the Government’s recent non-statutory definition of anti-Muslim hostility, which was as follows:
“Anti-Muslim hostility is intentionally engaging in, assisting or encouraging criminal acts – including acts of violence, vandalism, harassment, or intimidation, whether physical, verbal, written or electronically communicated – that are directed at Muslims because of their religion or at those who are perceived to be Muslim, including where that perception is based on assumptions about ethnicity, race or appearance.
It is also the prejudicial stereotyping of Muslims, or people perceived to be Muslim including because of their ethnic or racial backgrounds or their appearance, and treating them as a collective group defined by fixed and negative characteristics, with the intention of encouraging hatred against them, irrespective of their actual opinions, beliefs or actions as individuals.
It is engaging in unlawful discrimination where the relevant conduct – including the creation or use of practices and biases within institutions – is intended to disadvantage Muslims in public and economic life.”
The Government was committed to taking sustained action to keep Muslims safe. The Council welcomed the above approach, although considered that it did not go far enough. However, this was a good start.
4) Burtons Chambers and Accrington Market Hall
With the permission of the Mayor, the Leader of the Council invited Councillor Clare Pritchard, Portfolio Holder for Transformation and Town Centres to speak. Councillor Pritchard announced that the Council had recently awarded the contract for the fitting-out works at Burtons Chambers to Senator, which had its UK headquarters and local sites in Altham and Huncoat. This was a coup for the local economy and was potentially a greener solution.
The tender for the Accrington Market Hall refit would be out soon and it was equally hoped that local firms would apply.
5) Local Government Reorganisation
The Leader indicated that a press release had been issued by the Government yesterday about Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). The press release summarised the Government’s unitary proposals for each of the following areas who had submitted their various preferred options in 2025:
- East Sussex and Brighton and Hove (to be determined);
- Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock (5 unitary proposal);
- Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton (5 unitary proposal);
- Norfolk (3 unitary proposal);
- Suffolk (3 unitary proposal);
- West Sussex (to be determined).
Councillor Dad noted that the above outcomes were quite mixed. It was uncertain as to whether any predictions could be madein relation to the anticipated proposals for Lancashire, based on the decisions as outlined to date.
The Leader confirmed that he was continuing to work with the other Leaders and Chief Executives across Lancashire to drive LGR forward. The Leaders and senior officers from East Lancashire all attended frequent meetings and frank and constructive discussions were taking place.
6) Local Plan
The Leader indicated that the authority had submitted an expression of interest in January 2026 for additional Government grant funding to start the new Local Plan early under the new plan-making system. If successful, the Council would receive some £108k and would work proactively to deliver this.
7) Council Tax Arrears
With the permission of the Mayor, the Leader of the Council invited Councillor Clare Yates to speak on an initiative proposed by the Council’s controlling group. Councillor Yates indicated that residents had brought some concerns to her attention around Council Tax and debt and had asked if councillors could look into the issue. The Labour group supported a position where:
- No resident should be pushed into deeper debt or distress because of how Council Tax arrears were managed.
- Enforcement measures should only ever be used as a genuine last resort.
- A compassionate, trauma informed, resident focused approach would improve communication, reduce long term debt, and increase sustainable repayment.
- The Council should explore all options to strengthen support for low-income residents, including examining the feasibility of moving towards a 100% Council Tax Support scheme, acknowledging the financial challenges but recognising the need for long term solutions.
Councillor Yates commenced reading a list of proposals developed by the Labour group. However, the Mayor ruled that the points proposed were, in fact, asking the Council to commit to a particular course of action and that the information provided did not, therefore, constitute an announcement. Councillor Khan enquired if the comments had been taken from a draft motion, which had had not met the eligibility criteria. The Leader acknowledged that the intention had been to bring a motion on this matter, however, given that the suggestions had come initially from residents, he had now asked officers to look directly into the issues raised.
8) Playgrounds Grant Funding
Councillor Dad announced that the Council had been allocated up to £270k in additional funding from the Government’s £18m Playgrounds Fund, aimed at improving play areas for local communities. Hyndburn was one of 66 local authorities in the country to receive a share of this funding. The allocation was in addition to £250k Pride In Place Impact funding already committed within the Council’s 2026/27 budget for improvements to play areas, with sites in Rishton and Accrington currently identified. Recent and current projects included the following:
- completed improvements at Rhyddings Park in Oswaldtwistle;
- works underway at Knuzden Play Area; and
- planned upgrades at Gatty Park in Accrington to commence imminently.
9) Retiring Councillors
The Leader thanked all councillors whose terms of office were due to expire following the forthcoming elections, including those who were seeking re-election and those who were retiring. He noted that Councillors Danny Cassidy, Andrew Clegg, Peter Edwards and Kimberley Whitehead had already made public their intention to stand down in May. He commented that all had served their resident well. For those who were seeking re-election he wished them good luck.
The Mayor also offered his thanks to those councillors seeking re-election, as it was not known if they would be successful. He indicated that whatever the outcome of the elections, members could be proud to have played a vital role in setting up Hyndburn for a positive future. David Welsby, Chief Executive, added his thanks to all councillors for their service. The role of a councillor was a difficult one and was becoming more difficult each day. He also thanked the Mayor and wished him well for the future.
With the agreement of the Mayor the following Councillors were given permission to speak:
- Councillor Zak Khan paid tribute to the Mayor and to his colleagues, Councillors Peter Edwards and Danny Cassidy.
- Councillor Kimberley Whitehead thanked the Mayor, the Leader of the Council, all other councillors and officers. She spoke about her increasing focus on her role as Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire and her personal history, which had led her to take a particular interest in that role. She paid tribute to Councillors Edwad Blake and Marlene Haworth, who had sadly passed away during their terms of office. She also mentioned, the positive influence of her step-grandmother, Councillor Pam Barton (deceased). She recalled some of her own achievements, particularly around sporting matters, and shared some thoughts about what personal qualities were needed to be an effective councillor.
- Councillors Heather Anderson, Melissa Fisher, Clare Pritchard and Mohammed Younis all indicated their thanks to the Mayor and paid tribute to Councillors Cassidy, Clegg, Edwards, and Whitehead, as appropriate.
- Councillor Paul Cox wish all the retiring councillors well and paid tribute, in particular, to fellow ward councillor and close friend Andy Clegg.