Agenda item

To invite the Committee to consider the Council’s capital investment priorities for 2023/24.

Recommended - That consideration be given to the report

The Leader of the Council reported that the new scheme additions to this year’s Capital Programme would add new projects totalling £8.38 million. This investment adds to the almost £38 million of projects already approved and will increase the Council’s current ongoing investment to over £46 million for 2023/24.

New additions include the redevelopment of Hyndburn Leisure and ensuring the Councils commitment to climate change at the newly planned leisure site to meet the zero carbon build standards. These projects will have continued reliance upon the expertise of Sport England to guide us through a process of determining what is required to best serve local residents and how to access external funding to help finance the improvements required. This addition will take the total investment in the Capital Programme for the leisure estate to over £18.5 million, ensuring that there are top class facilities available in Hyndburn that everyone can make use of to become active and stay healthy.

The Leader said that we will continue our programme of supporting those in need through £1.1 million of disabled facility grants. This year there will also be investment in play areas across the borough, including Milton Close and Mercer Park, whilst redevelopment will take place a Memorial Park and the pavilion and pitches at King George V Playing Fields. The Council must also continue to invest in its operational assets and the welfare facilities at our cemetery, and will develop ICT systems and equipment to improve our methods of service delivery.

The Leader highlighted the near £66 million investment planned for the borough through levelling up and other funds and emphasised that this should be welcomed by all.

The Chair reminded those present that there was a meeting of the Special Scrutiny Committee on 23^rd March where detailed discussions on levelling up would take place.

Questions were submitted initially through the Chair.

This Council has previously stated a policy of reducing funding to Hyndburn Leisure in order that they become sustainable and not reliant on the Council for money. However, once again, the 2023/24 Capital Programme shows significant investment of over £5.6 million in Hyndburn Leisure in addition to years of previous capital investments.

When will Hyndburn Leisure actually become self-sufficient?

Other organisations who operate out of our buildings provide vital services to our residents, for example the Civic Arts Group or Community Solutions to name just a couple. Why does the Council not consider investment in these organisations in the same way it does Hyndburn Leisure?

The Leader responded.

The Council own all the assets that Hyndburn Leisure operate from and the capital investment in these assets benefits the council in enabling a provider to deliver the essential health and wellbeing services for the residents of Hyndburn. The provider model used with Hyndburn Leisure enables increased options for the drawdown of funding streams to enhance our assets. The Council alongside Hyndburn Leisure will have generated over £7.2m in external funding to fund the works in the current programme and those delivered in the last few years which has and will enable new and enhanced facilities that will be operated in an efficient and environmental way towards meeting the Councils climate change commitment. Hyndburn Leisure is almost totally self-sufficient from the Council and is one of a few Leisure providers / Charitable trusts that receive no management fee from the council they operate for. The council works with all organisations who are located in its premises. Discussions are always ongoing to help these organisations whether through accessing external funding or council resources where appropriate.

Ken Moss commented that the Council has a duty to provide Leisure Facilities. He said that other Leisure Trusts received significant management fees from their Council’s which Hyndburn Leisure does not, and the cost to run leisure facilities would be significantly higher if delivered directly by the Council. The Leader commented that he wished all Councillors to support the efforts being made by Hyndburn Leisure to improve access to leisure facilities for our residents. The area suffers from deprivation and access to quality facilities and services is vital to improving the health of residents. Councillor Peter Britcliffe also referred to the significant costs of delivering leisure services, a statutory duty, in house and said the senior management team at Hyndburn Leisure should be commended.

Councillor Haythornthwaite said that Hyndburn Leisure are consulting soon with CAG regarding the future use of Mercer Hall.

Councillor Munsif Dad referred to his time as a Board member for Hyndburn Leisure and also commended their efforts to improve facilities.

The Chair asked a question regarding play areas. It is pleasing to see investment in parks and play areas as part of the capital programme, however, there are numerous other play areas in the borough requiring similar levels of investment. Are they any plans to invest in these including the play area on Thorneyholme Road?

The Leader responded. The parks team inspect the play areas on a weekly basis to ensure the condition of all play areas meets health and safety standards. Annual bids are submitted for required capital works on a priority basis through the capital programme and areas highlighted for investment are included in future plans . Thorneyholme road play area was updated in the last 15 years.  Some recently completed projects include Milnshaw Park and a state-of-the-art pump track, playground & outdoor gym, wildflowers & grasses for biodiversity, Huncoat new all weather ball court, Lowerfold Park, MUGA, tennis court renovation and play area refurbishment.

Priority areas for future investment include Mercer Park play area refurbishment, Knuzden NEAP facility, Burnley Road new play area, Accrington Skate Park, refurbish or relocate, Milton Close play area refurbishment, Gatty Park play area refurbishment, Oak Hill Park play area refurbishment, Cutwood Park, MUGA creation and Lyndon Playing Fields new play area.

The Leader said he was particularly pleased to be able to fund improvements to Mercer Park play area, which he opened 20 years ago during his Mayoral year.

Resolved        -           That the report be noted.