I’m delighted with progress while I’ve been away

I’D like to start this week by expressing my wholehearted thanks to all those friends, colleagues and residents who have wished me well over the last few months.

As most will be aware, I suffered a stroke just before Christmas and have taken some time off to recover since.

Whilst I am still feeling some of the affects, I’m slowly getting back into the swing of things and easing myself back in to work.

Although I’m not quite fit enough yet to be chairing meetings or getting involved with public events, I can assure you I am getting there.

In the meantime, I’m back working with my colleagues behind the scenes and I’m delighted with the progress this council has made on some major projects during my absence.

Although slightly delayed, the Market Hall decant is now complete with all traders now occupying the cabins on the square or other premises which we helped them secure.

I know this transition was not easy and I’d like to thank the traders for their hard work and cooperation.

I’m pleased that work is now underway inside the Market Hall building and other major milestones have now been achieved including securing planning permission for the redevelopment of Burtons Chambers.

I was also delighted to hear the news that almost half a million of funding has been secured by the Council in Heritage Lottery funding to facilitate transforming the historic Market Chambers building (opposite Accrington Market Hall) into a heritage and cultural space for residents and visitors to enjoy.

This year marks 50 years since Hyndburn Borough Council was formed.

As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, we are pleased to share a jam-packed programme of exiting events taking place in and around the borough.

I look forward to seeing the community come together and celebrate the best of Hyndburn as we bring back favourites including the Soapbox Challenge and Oakfest and welcome new events.

It’s also 50 years since the Wilson Playing Fields was dedicated and I’ll be there next week as we get the spade in the ground for the £12 million development of Wilson Sports Village.

During times of increased costs and spending pressures, many councils across the county have closed leisure facilities.

In Hyndburn, we are building a new one.

Good leisure facilities are vital for the health and wellbeing of our community and I will certainly be personally using this centre when it opens in 2025.

I’m delighted that I’ve now been able to allocate the entire Leader’s Budget of £20,000 to numerous small charities and organisations who are often the lifeblood of our community.

When I introduced this last year, I couldn’t have envisaged the number of groups who I would be able to support and how far small grants could go when placed in the hands of community groups.

Finally, the council was once again able to approve a balanced budget for the forthcoming year this week, whilst continuing a strong investment programme in towns across the borough, including developments at Rhyddings Park and King Georges Playing Fields, energy efficiency works at several of our buildings and monies set aside for the refurbishment and repurpose of Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre and Mercer

Hall.