Agenda item

The Leader of the Council to receive representations and questions from members of the public and individual Members of the Council on the budget.

Three Councillors had submitted questions relating to the Council budget, to the Committee. 

 

Councillor Josh Allen submitted the following questions in respect of:

·         The budget set aside for events on the town square compared to previous years and how much would be allocated to Amazing Accrington?

·         Money allocated to the Council from the Government for Covid related expenses to date, and how much more the Council estimated it would need?

·         If the Council would be supporting the ‘Shop Local’ campaign and if so, how much funding would be allocated?

·         How much money had been allocated for the removal of the outside market and if this was considered still sufficient due to the current climate?

 

The Leader responded as follows:

 

The expanded events programme in the Town Centre had been supported by one-off funding and some of this budget remained to be used for this year’s events, should these still be able to go ahead.  The success of the project would determine future funding but as Covid had largely prevented any fair consideration, the project would be given further evaluation this year.  There was no specific allocation of budget to Amazing Accrington.  The Council was looking at ways of helping to boost the Town Centre and regenerate Hyndburn by liaising with businesses and business groups. Further information and plans for a way forward would be reported to Cabinet.

 

In respect of Covid related expenses the Council had received or been promised over £42 million of funding.  The Council were also expecting more funds to arrive by the end of the year.  Most had been ear marked to local businesses and residents and he outlined the types of activities financed.  He pointed out that the Council had also lost income as a result of the pandemic and that they were unsure how much more they would receive or need.  He indicated that the Government Budget announcement in March would be important.

 

The Council would aimed to support all the high street and retail sector in numerous ways and would be talking to those involved to find out how best to do this.  Shop Local campaign would feature in these discussions.

 

Funding for the project to remove the outside market was still considered sufficient to go ahead at an appropriate time.

 

Councillor Jeff Scales submitted the following question and comments referring to:

 

·         A number of townships, like Rishton, not benefiting from any investment from the capital budget despite strong projects being put forward by Councillors.  He requested that the Leader and Cabinet gave consideration to these suggestions and possibly revisit some ideas.  He referred to an inequality in the current strategy and if consideration could be given to a change of approach.    

 

The Leader responded as follows:

 

The Council sets its priorities each year for its capital budget and through a cycle, usually determined by what is needed by replacement.  Done on a priority basis with a limited budget.  He referred to reductions in capital budget over the recent years.  He pointed out that the Council did invest and had done so in Rishton.  Council did not want to borrow and effect the Revenue Budget. 

 

Councillor O’Kane referred to Christmas lights and asked for a fairer system from which townships could benefit from the funding for Christmas lights.   The Leader reported that the £20k for Christmas lights was across the borough and gave examples of how this could be used.  Councillor Button suggested that the £20k was made available to all wards on a fair basis and pointed out that Clayton Le Moors never seemed to benefit.  He suggested a system of bidding from Councillors.  The Leader explained that the budget was for replacement not additional new lights. 

 

Councillor O’Kane referred to no budget being submitted to the Committee by the Opposition and asked if, on this basis, Full Council could move straight to a vote rather than consider any late submission of an opposition budget.  Councillor Aziz agreed with Councillor O’Kane that any budget submitted to Full Council should be scrutinised by the Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee before being submitted to Full Council.  Councillor Marlene Haworth pointed out that they would be submitting an opposition budget to Full Council and that this had been given fully informed consideration and that they were within their rights to do so. 

 

Councillor Patrick McGinley submitted the following questions referring to:

 

·         Councillors should be consulted on all individual Council projects before being approved to spend.

·         A request for further details about ICT spend.

·         Accrington Town Hall – should there be further funding on external improvements and a request for further details to justify spend.

·         Accrington Market Hall – external improvements.  A request for further details to justify spend.

·         Accrington Cemetery Welfare/Depot Facilities – a request for further details to justify spend.

·         Lowerfold Park Play Area – a request for more information on grant funding and details of what this will involve.

·         Haworth Art Gallery – a request for further details to justify spend.

·         Bullough Park Building Asset Realisation – what it this and a request for details.

·         Lowerfold Park Asset Realisation – what is this and a request for Councillors to be informed about spend.

·         Mercer Hall Forecourt Refurbishment – a request to justify funding for planned external alternations.  Comments were also submitted to invite the Council to consider stopping any proposed works on Mercer Hall and wait and see if the refurbishments to the Arthur Wilson Centre goes ahead first.  He pointed out that money could be wasted if not. 

·         External Security Lighting – a request for further details to justify spend.

 

The Leader responded as follows:

 

After 8 years the current ICT system has reached end of life and doing nothing could lead to complete failure.  He referred to how it was used by Departments and residents.  He reported on the need and reason why it was important to upgrade security systems and the importance of providing a better 24 hour customer system. 

 

The Town Hall is a grade II listed building and the Council has a statutory duty to ensure it is maintained.  Essential repairs are required to be carried out over two years by specialists.

 

The Market Hall is a grade II listed building and the Council has to make sure that it is properly maintained.  A programme of renovation is now required and specification of works has been drawn up.  The works will be spread over 2 years with an additional amount being required the next financial year.  He outlined the works required. 

 

The operational depot at Accrington Cemetery was built over 40 years ago and is no longer fit for purpose.  He outline the proposal to demolish and replace the building to make it fit for the future.  The Green agenda would be used to replace the building.

 

The play area in Lowerfold Park was installed 15 years ago and has been well used.  The playground equipment needs replacement and the average cost of replacement is approximately £90k with hope that £30k comes from external funding. 

 

The initial LED system is outdated and costly to replace when they fail.  The Haworth Art Gallery needs to protect its assets, such as weddings where lighting is crucial, to ensure it continues to bring in income.  The building is grade II listed and the Council has a duty to protect and maintain the building. 

 

The old bowling green area at Bullough Park is no longer used.  The old bowling club disbanded and no other use of the site has been identified.  As well as this the site consists of an old brick toilet block etc. and as not being used is an area of anti-social behaviour.  The funding is to demolish the site and return to grassed area. 

 

There are currently two buildings at Lowerfold Park – there are currently two buildings, one in poor condition and the other a disused brick building.  Funding would be to demolish the old bowling pavilion and refurbish the old depot parks building to use as a new bowls pavilion as well as other activities. 

 

Reference was made to the importance of the public realm in front of Mercer Hall to Great Harwood.  He referred to funding also be used from Section 106 Agreements, as part of other developments in the town, in addition to the £35k made available.  He gave details of the Leisure Trusts role and the importance of the visual appearance of the building to the area.  He informed the meeting that residents would be consulted in respect of repurposing of the building.

 

Funding for external lighting was to improve security at a number of park sites and referred to works being taken, in combination, to improve CCTV coverage at these site to reduce potential of theft and vandalism and make safe for everyone. 

 

One member of the public had submitted questions and comments to the Committee about the budget proposals with reference to the following:

 

·         Unnecessary spending during a pandemic and a request to postpone this until the next financial year unless an emergency.

·         A request for an explanation about spending £250 k on website software interface.

·         A request for further information on why an additional £300k is being spent on the Market Hall and Town Hall.

·         An explanation as to why £45k is being spent on the Haworth Art Gallery.

·         Confirmation of the total amount required by the Leisure Trust for their projects.

·         £100k on Scaitcliffe House being excessive and what this was being spent on.

·         £35k on Mercer Hall being unnecessary.

·         Projects with large expenditure should be placed on the Council website with a facility for public feedback.

·         A request for consideration to be given to if any of the spending could be put aside. 

 

The Leader of the Council responded as follows:

 

Unnecessary spend at any time is inappropriate and the Council always considers all project carefully before committing to expenditure.

 

With reference to the ICT project he referred to a previous response but also referred to the necessity and expense of carrying out this work.  There was no link to Amazing Accrington. 

 

The Haworth Art Gallery is an old building and required investment to maintain it.

 

In respect of the Leisure Trust, the Council owned the building and, as such, was required to maintain and repair it.  He referred to the works required.

 

With reference to spend on Scaitcliffe House – he referred to the respond given previously in the meeting and pointed out that it was hoped that the cost of works should be within the budget allocated.

 

With reference to Mercer House budget – he referred to the response given previously in the meeting and pointed out that works were for the area outside and not the building itself and that the building would remain. 

 

In respect of the request to provide the public with more opportunity to consult on the capital programme, the Leader referred to the process undertaken before carrying out these project including the publishing the capital programme and carrying out consultations with the public were required.