Agenda item

To receive the Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 16^th March 2022 (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 Cabinet held on 16^th March 2022 were submitted.

In respect of Minute 295 – Town Centre Investment Plan and Levelling Up Funding Bid Submission, the Leader reminded members of the three key projects within the submission:

• Redevelopment to an area within the Indoor Market Hall and outdoor pavilions along Peel Street.
• Improvements and redevelopment to the properties of 43-59 Blackburn Road / 2-4 Church Street.
• Improvements and redevelopment to the block 61-69 Blackburn Road, commonly known as Burtons Chambers.

Councillor Peter Britcliffe congratulated the Leader for working cross-party with the local MP to develop the Levelling Up proposals and to support progress.  This illustrated the benefits of like-minded people working together.

In connection with Minute 296 – Hyndburn Local Plan, the Leader reported that the plan had now been approved for consultation, which would commence in late summer or early September.  The Local Plan would identify employment and housing land up to 2037.  The document was ambitious and provided a step change, which would support strong financial growth within the Borough.  Councillor Britcliffe reiterated his concern about Blackburn with Darwen’s Local Plan and the impact on Green Belt land on the outskirts of Belthorn.  He asked that any response from the authority be made in the strongest possible terms to prevent further loss of Green Belt land.

Regarding Minute 298 – Capital Report – Outturn 2020/21, the Leader reminded Members that Councillor Plummer’s report had highlighted that this was the fifteenth year that all capital projects had been funded from internal reserves or external grant, rather than from borrowing.  He outlined a number of the capital schemes supported within the programme.  The report had demonstrated strong financial management.  This was a good example of the political parties working collaboratively.

Minute 299 – Museum Accreditation, had demonstrated on-going support for the Haworth Art Gallery.

In respect of Minute 300 – Financial Position Report January 2022, the Leader noted Councillor Plummer’s forecast of a positive variance for the year ending 2022.  Since that report, the variance was anticipated to improve further to give a final underspends figure of around £600k.  This would put the authority in a very strong position and would give the current administration some additional resources from which to consider other programmes.  The Leader hoped to be able to say more about this at the September Council meeting.  Councillor Paul Cox requested that some money be allocated to improving the grass cutting provision, as complaints had be received recently from residents in Milnshaw that the grass was too tall.  The Leader acknowledged that grass cutting was important and agreed to raise this matter with the contractor.  Part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation was to ‘green up’ the town.  Councillor Parkinson referred to his predecessor who had launched the floral market town initiative, which was well liked, but had been scaled back due to financial constraints.  Individual councillors often still supported green initiatives within their own wards.  However, the Council wanted to see more colour brought back and had ambitious plans over the next 15 years.  Councillor Britcliffe thanked Councillor Plummer for her strong financial control and indicated that the position might lead to a zero percentage increase in Council Tax for next year.

In connection with Minute 301 – Former Lyndon Playing Fields Land Transfer, the Leader highlighted the money due from Keepmoat Homes.  Councillor Aziz commented that additional resources had been promised previously for Great Harwood as part of this development, but as yet no additional play areas had been provided.  He asked when these would be available, as this should be a priority matter.  The Leader confirmed that there would be additional funding available for Great Harwood and that a new playground would be developed when the Keepmoat site had been completed.  Other investment, such as proposals in relation to Bank Mill House, would flow from the anticipated Leisure Transformation recommendations.  The Chair of the Leisure Trust was a local former Labour councillor and county councillor. The Trust’s recommendations were awaited and would be considered carefully, as well as other options which had been put forward for consideration.

Regarding Minute 305 – Arthur Wilson Centre, Councillor Melissa Fisher noted that the reports had been taken in the private part of the Cabinet meeting, but asked why Clayton-le-Moors ward Members had not been kept informed of the developments.  She requested that she and Councillor Edwards be kept informed as to any progress.  The Leader responded that from time to time confidential reports were presented to the Cabinet as appropriate, but that relevant ward Members were entitled to view the reports and recommendations.

The Leader thanked Councillor Britcliffe for his comments and for his hard work as Cabinet member and county councillor.  Local politicians had worked well together during COVID, although some people had been critical of cross-party cooperation.  The Leader thanked the MP for her on-going support for the Council’s funding bids to Government.

Resolved                                    -    That the Minutes be received and noted.