Agenda item
Reports of Cabinet Members
To receive verbal reports from each of the Portfolio Holders, as appropriate.
Minutes:
The Leader of the Council, Councillor Miles Parkinson OBE, announced that the authority had received confirmation of approval of Government funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). This was extremely good news and reflected well on the hard work of the various stakeholders and the MP. The bottom-up approach to the bid had been led by the stakeholders and endorsed by the Council.
A summary of the schemes to be funded was as follows:
Business Support: Growth and New Business
- Boost (business support) - £ 260k
- Economic Development Function - £150k
- International Trade Support - £40k
- Tourism Attractions/Marketing - £20k
[Sub Total 1 - £470k]
Business Support: Low Carbon
- Business Support for Net Zero and Transition & Decarbonisation - £140K
- New Low Carbon Technology - £110K
Regeneration
- Support the proposals to ‘Green’ the town centre and improve the Accrington Pals Memorial Garden - £560k
- Offer £75k each to the Market Hall and Burtons Chambers as first-year incentive/promotion packages in advance of the buildings opening. - £150k
-
Support the Arts, Culture and Heritage package -
£1.2465m comprising:
- Arts, Culture & Heritage events budget - £250k
- Marketing & Promotion £200k
- Arts, Culture & Heritage Officer £125k
- Events organiser & programmer consultant - £125k
- Design and feasibility studies for Market Chambers Arts, Culture and Heritage Centre - £50k
- Capital works budget for Market Chambers Arts, Culture and Heritage Centre - £470k
- Business plan budget - £26.5k
- Support the Arndale Masterplan - £150k
[Sub Total 3 - £2,106.5k]
The Council now eagerly awaited an announcement on the Levelling Up Fund bid.
The Council’s political leadership had already announced that it would not need to raise Council Tax by the Government’s referendum limit of almost 5%. Hyndburn’s Council Tax would be maintained at a 0% increase. The Council understood the pressures on its residents caused by the rising cost of living, including increasing energy costs. The Council Tax freeze could be attributed to strong financial management by the Portfolio Holder, Councillor Joyce Plummer and officers, including the Deputy Chief Executive, Joe McIntyre. In addition, there would be no increases to fees, such as those for the crematorium or waste services.
Leisure Transformation was being rolled out across the Borough and aimed to help residents become more active. Hyndburn Leisure were also seeking to maintain its charges at existing levels. Therefore, the Council would provide the Trust with £235k in management fees to help it keep charges at the same level.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine had precipitated the cost of living issue. The Leader read aloud a statement provided by Councillor Paddy Short, which indicated that no end was yet in sight to that situation. Councillor Short greatly appreciated and took pride in those in Hyndburn providing host homes. A further small number of Ukrainians would arrive in the near future. He thanked all organisations, such as the Council, Maundy Relief, the Food Pantry and Citizen’s Advice, who had all provided some form of support to refugees. Many people had been helped into education or work. A small number of Ukrainians had left host households by choice. Any refugees who were being asked to leave homes would receive a full package of Council support and would be considered urgently for rehousing, either in a housing association tenancy or with a private landlord. The Council would support any household threatened with homelessness.
The Leader reiterated the three important announcements made regarding:
- UK Shared Prosperity Fund success;
- Council Tax freeze; and
- Support for Ukrainian homes.
Councillor Marlene Haworth, Deputy Leader of the Council, endorsed what had been said by the Leader and commented that the UKSPF outcome was excellent news and due to the hard work of all involved. The Council’s political administration was committed to fulfilling its promises through restraining Council Tax and delivering on-going works to restore pride in the Borough.
Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP commented that Ukrainians were being welcomed by all and he was pleased to see that the voluntary sector and Council were working hard to support them. He also welcomed that news about UKSPF award worth up to £2.9m. He had served on the Town Centre Board when the ideas were being put forward. The money sounded like a large amount, but he was concerned that previous funding streams had provided more money in the past. Councillor Dad hoped that the Council would be successful in receiving the other monies bid for. He asked whether the funding to Hyndburn Leisure would be for 2023/24. The Leader indicated that the funding announced was for the remainder of 2022/23.
Councillor Peter Britcliffe commented that the UKSPF was new money released due to the UK’s decision to leave the EU. He added that the Levelling Up Fund bid submitted was currently being considered and the Council was expecting to receive good news shortly, with millions of pounds coming into the Borough. The investment showed what could be achieved when all politicians worked together.
Councillor June Harrison recorded her thanks to the Council’s Finance Team, for their strong financial management.
Resolved - That the verbal reports of Cabinet members be noted.