Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Phil Riley, welcomed all present to the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Jim Smith and Damian Talbot and Zainab Shah, Youth MP.

Minutes from the previous meting held on 9^th January 2025.

RESOLVED

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 9^th January 2025 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

RESOLVED

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 9^th January 2025 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

No delcarations of interest were received.

The Chair will ask Members to confirm that they have considered and understood any Equality Impact Assessments associated with reports on this agenda ahead of making any decisions.

Members confirmed that they had considered and understood the Equality Impact Assessments associated with reports on the agenda ahead of making any decisions.

To receive written questions or statements submitted by members of the public no later than 4pm on the day prior to the meeting.

There were no questions from members of the public.

To receive written questions submitted by Non-Executive Members no later than 4pm on the day prior to the meeting.

In accordance with Part 4 of the Executive Board Procedure Rules for questions/statements by Non-Executive Members, one question had been received from Councillor Paul Marrow relating to child sexual exploitation.

Councillor Marrow said in 2022 following a damning Ofsted report the Council decided to close Lytham Road Children’s Home after the staff failed to protect the children from sexual exploitation.  He asked:

(1)  Over the last 10 years how many children in the care of BwD Council had been exposed to sexual exploitation?

(2)  How many other cases of sexual exploitation was your department aware of in the Borough over the last 10 years?

(3)  Do your department staffing levels meet the required criteria for children’s services for the young people in our care?

In response the Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Education, Councillor Julie Gunn started by clarifying, in detail, why the home had been deemed inadequate, and this was not simply due to a child exploitation concern.  The damning Ofsted report outlined there were failures identified in respect of safeguarding children and with the leadership and management of the home, along with other areas of conceren.

In response to question (1) Councillor Gunn said in the last 10 years, BwD had looked after 1669 children, of whom 121 had open involvement with the Engage Team (a multidisciplinary team of children’s services, Police and health professions).  This included child sexual exploitation and child criminal exploitation involvements with the Engage Team.

In response to question (2) Councillor Gunn advised that there were 43,800 children and young people aged 0-19 in BwD and the total number of children who had had an episode of open involvement with the Engage Team at some point during the last 10 years was 662.  Again, this included child sexual exploitation and child criminal exploitation involvements with the Engage Team.

In response to question (3) Councillor Gunn said there were sufficient staffing levels and management capacity within the Children in our Care and Leaving Care Team.  In addition, there were appropriate safeguarding services such as the Engage Team to provide specialist support around vulnerabilities and risks of exploitation and missing from home.  There was also an in-house Clinical Psychology Service named REVIVE, a Clinical Lead, a Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Practioners that supported the emotional wellbeing or the children in care and care leavers in regard to trauma and lived experience.

To receive an update from the Youth MPs along with any issues they would like to raise.

Ethan Wood, the Deputy Youth MP, provided an update on their activities since the last meeting.

·       Participation in workshops at the Youthforia Event in Preston.  This included a working demonstrating how easily misinformation could not only be spread and changed, but also how it could start and the negative effects it could have on society.

·       Attendance at the Youth MP drop-in sessions.  This provided an opportunity to find out what other Youth MPs were doing in their area.

·       The strategic monthly young Blackburn with Darwen Youth Forum was held last week where discussions centred around the challenge event planned for April/May to be held at Blackburn Central High School.  The topics had not been finalised but one topic they would be covering would be mental health services.

·       The Blackburn with Darwen Forum had also engaged in further work on the Borough’s Children and Young People’s Plan.  This included identifying issues that they felt needed to be included in the Plan to prioritise what actions/work needed to take place to address these issues.

·       A visit to a food bank was also planned following discussions with an organisation called Food Alliance, who worked around food poverty and food banks.

Verbal updates may be given by each Executive Member.

(1)  That up to the age of 21, Blackburn with Darwen Care Leavers who met the eligibility criteria would receive full assistance with their Council Tax payments.  For those living in Blackburn with Darwen this would be by way of Council Tax exemption.  For those living in the area of other billing authorities (i.e. out of the borough) assistance would be via financial contributions to the cost of their bill.  In both cases, this additional assistance would be provided after the application of all other discounts, exemptions, and any entitlement to Council Tax reduction had been applied.

(2)  That Blackburn with Darwen Care Leavers aged between 21 to 24 years who met the eligibility criteria would have individual needs assessments completed within their Pathway Plans which would determine any level of Council Tax support based on the adult’s position with regard to their education, employment or training (EET) status and in support or preparation for adulthood.  The amount of assistance provided would be determined by the Payments Panel after consideration of all relevant information and after the application of all other discounts, exemptions and any entitlement to Council Tax reduction had been applied.

(3)  That accrued arrears of Council Tax for financial year predating 2024/25 to be written off by the Local Authority for Care Leavers who live in Blackburn with Darwen.  There were seven care leavers who lived out of the borough who had accrued arears which would have to be paid to the relevant Local Authorities.

(4)  That the Care Leavers Council Tax Policy, attached to the report at Appendix 1) be approved.

Members considered a report on the proposed introduction of a discount from 1^st April 2025 to exempt/assist specific Blackburn with Darwen Care Leavers from Council Tax payments up to the age of 21.  Assistance would also be available to Blackburn with Darwen Care Leavers aged between 21 and 24 based on Care Leavers’ individual circumstances.

In 2018 the DfE published the ‘Local offer Guidance for Local Authorities’ which highlighted that exemption to or discounts on Council Tax must be in Care Leaver Local offers.

The recent Leaving Care, Ofsted focussed inspection on April 2024 highlighted that Council Tax exemption was not part of the Council’s Care Leaver local offer despite all neighbouring local authorities offering this exemption or a reduction in Council Tax.  Blackburn with Darwen had been identified as the only local authority who currently did not offer these to Care Leavers.

A Care Leaveers Council Tax Policy had been prepared and was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

RESOLVED

(1)  That up to the age of 21, Blackburn with Darwen Care Leavers who met the eligibility criteria would receive full assistance with their Council Tax payments.  For those living in Blackburn with Darwen this would be by way of Council Tax exemption.  For those living in the area of other billing authorities (i.e. out of the borough) assistance would be via financial contributions to the cost of their bill.  In both cases, this additional assistance would be provided after the application of all other discounts, exemptions, and any entitlement to Council Tax reduction had been applied.

(2)  That Blackburn with Darwen Care Leavers aged between 21 to 24 years who met the eligibility criteria would have individual needs assessments completed within their Pathway Plans which would determine any level of Council Tax support based on the adult’s position with regard to their education, employment or training (EET) status and in support or preparation for adulthood.  The amount of assistance provided would be determined by the Payments Panel after consideration of all relevant information and after the application of all other discounts, exemptions and any entitlement to Council Tax reduction had been applied.

(3)  That accrued arrears of Council Tax for financial year predating 2024/25 to be written off by the Local Authority for Care Leavers who live in Blackburn with Darwen.  There were seven care leavers who lived out of the borough who had accrued arears which would have to be paid to the relevant Local Authorities.

(4)  That the Care Leavers Council Tax Policy, attached to the report at Appendix 1) be approved.

That the Fostering Report Quarter 2 2024/25, along with Appendix 1 attached to the report, be noted.

Members received a report which provided information on the management and performance of the Local authority’s fostering service which was revised on a quarterly basis.  The report, alongside Appendix 1 attached to the report, provided an analysis of the period 1^st July 2024 to 30^th September 2024 and reflected upon data and service development over this period, along with recommendations for the next three-month period.

RESOLVED

That the Fostering Report Quarter 2 2024/25, along with Appendix 1 attached to the report, be noted.

(1)  That the homelessness related grants provided to Blackburn with Darwen for 2025/26 be noted and authority be granted for the acceptance of the total revenue funding allocation of over £1.8m.

(2)  That the funding to be allocated and utilised, as proposed in the report to enable the grants to be spent for their intended purposes, including the establishment of a new BwD Homelessness Prevention Forum be approved.

The Executive Board considered a report on various homelessness related grants provided by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for 2025/26.

In December 2024 the government announced funding for 2025/26 to tackle, reduce and prevent homelessness: Homelessness Prevention Grant Award and Conditions.  The Council had been allocated the following:

Homelessness Prevention Grant £794,388

Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant £362,000

Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme £261,608

Changing Futures Lancashire £450,000 (indicative)

It was noted there were other grants that linked to homelessness and rough sleeping which were paid to an managed by Public Health such as the Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment Grant £265,363 for 2025/26.  The Housing Needs team worked closely with Public Health colleagues with regards to the use of this grant to ensure respective initiatives were complementary.

RESOLVED

(1)  That the homelessness related grants provided to Blackburn with Darwen for 2025/26 be noted and authority be granted for the acceptance of the total revenue funding allocation of over £1.8m.

(2)  That the funding to be allocated and utilised, as proposed in the report to enable the grants to be spent for their intended purposes, including the establishment of a new BwD Homelessness Prevention Forum be approved.

That the Digital Strategy for 2025/27 be supported and endorsed as a key strategy to deliver the Corporate Missions set out in the Corporate Plan.

A report was submitted on the Council’s Digital Strategy for 2025/27.  The current Strategy for 2021/24 had ended therefore a new Strategy had been produced which built on the foundations delivered during the past few years.

The Strategy focused on using digital to transform processes and services through data driven evidence, designing services so that as many people could access them as possible; and provide people with the ability to get online in the Borough.

RESOLVED

That the Digital Strategy for 2025/27 be supported and endorsed as a key strategy to deliver the Corporate Missions set out in the Corporate Plan.

(1)  That the Department for Transport 2025/26 Highways Maintenance Block Grant be approved and added to the Highways Capital Programme 2025/26.

(2)  That, subject to (1) above the apportionment of the 2025/26 Department for Transport Highways Maintenance Block funding of £3.835m, as detailed in Appendix 2 Part 2, attached to the report, be approved.

(3)  That the Highways Capital Programme for 2025/26 be approved.

(4)  That delegated authority be granted to the Strategic Director of Growth and Development, in consultation with the Executive Member for Growth and Development, to amend, seek and accept tenders subject to adequate budget provision.

The Executive Board considered a report seeking approval for the allocation of funds detailed in the Highways Capital Programme for the financial year 2025/26.

It was noted that the proposed schemes and projects that formed the 2025/26 programme were aimed at achieving the Council’s overall corporate priorities along with its statutory obligations to maintain the highway network in the most cost-efficient way based upon the Council’s overall asset management strategy and best practice.

RESOLVED

(1)  That the Department for Transport 2025/26 Highways Maintenance Block Grant be approved and added to the Highways Capital Programme 2025/26.

(2)  That, subject to (1) above the apportionment of the 2025/26 Department for Transport Highways Maintenance Block funding of £3.835m, as detailed in Appendix 2 Part 2, attached to the report, be approved.

(3)  That the Highways Capital Programme for 2025/26 be approved.

(4)  That delegated authority be granted to the Strategic Director of Growth and Development, in consultation with the Executive Member for Growth and Development, to amend, seek and accept tenders subject to adequate budget provision.

(1)  That it be noted the Council had been invited to apply for a Place Partnership grant from Arts Council England.

(2)  That the acceptance of the successful £760,000 grant award from the Arts Council England for spend against the Place Partnership delivery plan from February 2025 to 31^st March 2027 be approved.

(3)  That the Council to act as the Accountable Body for the Place Partnership Funding, as set out in the report.

Following a successful expression of interest, it was reported the Council had been invited to submit a Place Partnership grant bid to the Arts Council England. 

The successful bid had resulted in the Council being awarded a grant of £760,000 over two years which would facilitate the delivery of the Borough’s Cultural Investment Plan.  This would include a programme to develop skills, opportunities and employability in the creative sector across a variety of cultural organisations in the borough; work with schools on a place-based curriculum; promote and support volunteering opportunities, especially for young people and strengthen the Creative Alliance partnership involving National Festival of Making, the Making Rooms, Super Slow Way, Cultrapedia, The Bureau, Chip In Volunteering and British Textile Biennale.

The overall submission was valued at £1,216,800 with match funding of £456,800 identified from existing secured external grants, in kind support from partners and through the established Cultural Development Officer post.

RESOLVED

(1)  That it be noted the Council had been invited to apply for a Place Partnership grant from Arts Council England.

(2)  That the acceptance of the successful £760,000 grant award from the Arts Council England for spend against the Place Partnership delivery plan from February 2025 to 31^st March 2027 be approved.

(3)  That the Council to act as the Accountable Body for the Place Partnership Funding, as set out in the report.

(1)  That progress made on delivering the Darwen Town Deal Programme be noted.

(2)  That the Government’s decision to extend Town Deal Programme delivery timescales from March 2026 to March 2027 be welcomed.

(3)  That the proposed changes to the Darwen Town Deal Programme, as approved by the Darwen Town Deal Board on 23^rd January 2025, and as set out in section 6 of the report be approved.

(4)  That a Project Adjustment Request to secure Government approval to realign Town Deal funding within the agreed overall funding allocation for Darwen be submitted.

(5)  That the role of the Council, as accountable body for the Darwen Town Deal, the Council’s commitment to co-invest up to £12.5m in capital funding support for the Town Deal Investment Programme; and the key role the Council performs in continuing to provide strategic advice, and programme and financial management to support the Board and the delivery of the Investment Programme be noted.

(6)  That delegated authority be granted to the Strategic Director of Growth and Development and the Strategic Director of Finance and Resources, in conjunction with the Executive Member for Growth and Development and the Executive Member for Finance and Governance, to drawdown and finalise the Council’s capital funding contribution and agreement to help deliver Perspex International’s new Polymerisation Manufacturing Facility.  That it be noted this would include a grant funding payment of £3.5m, including an agreed contribution of £500,000 from the Council’s capital programme.  This project had been subject to an agreed business case with Government and payment was subject to confirming the relevant Subsidy Control treatment.

(7)  That it be noted that the Darwen Market and Civic Quarter Development was currently being finalised, and a further report would be submitted to a future meeting to consider and approve the project’s procurement and delivery strategy and seek approval to draw down the Council’s agreed capital funding contribution.

Members received an update on the Darwen Town Deal programme.  The report set out the proposed financial changes to the project profile, as agreed with Town Deal Board, it sought approval to drawdown the Council’s previously agreed capital match-funding to support the delivery of the Town Deals re-profiled projects, subject to Government approval of a Project Adjustment Request to realign the Town Deal funded allocations.

RESOLVED

(1)  That progress made on delivering the Darwen Town Deal Programme be noted.

(2)  That the Government’s decision to extend Town Deal Programme delivery timescales from March 2026 to March 2027 be welcomed.

(3)  That the proposed changes to the Darwen Town Deal Programme, as approved by the Darwen Town Deal Board on 23^rd January 2025, and as set out in section 6 of the report be approved.

(4)  That a Project Adjustment Request to secure Government approval to realign Town Deal funding within the agreed overall funding allocation for Darwen be submitted.

(5)  That the role of the Council, as accountable body for the Darwen Town Deal, the Council’s commitment to co-invest up to £12.5m in capital funding support for the Town Deal Investment Programme; and the key role the Council performs in continuing to provide strategic advice, and programme and financial management to support the Board and the delivery of the Investment Programme be noted.

(6)  That delegated authority be granted to the Strategic Director of Growth and Development and the Strategic Director of Finance and Resources, in conjunction with the Executive Member for Growth and Development and the Executive Member for Finance and Governance, to drawdown and finalise the Council’s capital funding contribution and agreement to help deliver Perspex International’s new Polymerisation Manufacturing Facility.  That it be noted this would include a grant funding payment of £3.5m, including an agreed contribution of £500,000 from the Council’s capital programme.  This project had been subject to an agreed business case with Government and payment was subject to confirming the relevant Subsidy Control treatment.

(7)  That it be noted that the Darwen Market and Civic Quarter Development was currently being finalised, and a further report would be submitted to a future meeting to consider and approve the project’s procurement and delivery strategy and seek approval to draw down the Council’s agreed capital funding contribution.

(1)  That the forecast outturn on the Council’s Capital Programme based on the Quarter 3 Budget Monitoring exercise be noted.

(2)  That the revised Capital Programme 2024/25 as detailed in Appendix 1 attached to the report, and the variations to the Programme, as set out in the report and as detailed in Appendix 2 attached to the report be approved.

An update on the Council’s Capital Programme for 2024/25 was submitted, based on a budget monitoring exercise undertaken at the end of December 2024 (Quarter 3).

RESOLVED

(1)  That the forecast outturn on the Council’s Capital Programme 2024/25 based on the Quarter 3 Budget Monitoring exercise be noted.

(2)  That the revised Capital Programme as shown in Appendix 1 attached to the report and to the variations to the Programme as set out in the report and as shown in Appendix 2 attached to the report be approved.

(1)  That the Portfolio Cash Limit Adjustments, as outlined in Appendix 1 attached to the report, be approved.

(2)  That the General Fund Summary position as at 31^st December 2024, as shown in Appendix 2 attached to the report, and in particular the forecast overspend of£0.624m at the end of Quarter 3 which, if sustained until the year end, would result in an equivalent additional drawdown of reserves.

(3)  That Portfolio Holders be requested to continue reviewing their budgets for the remainder of 2024/25 with a view to identifying actions to mitigate the forecast overspend.

(4)  That the forecast overspend on the High Needs DSG budget in 2024/25 and the emerging risks around the affordability of High Needs provision for 2025/26 onwards be noted.

(5)  That the earmarked Reserves and General Fund Balance position as at 31^st December 2024, as shown in Appendix 3 attached to the report, be noted.

The Executive Board submitted a report which provided an update on the Council’s Revenue Budget for 2024/25 based on a budget monitoring exercise undertaken at the end of December 2024 (Quarter 3).

RESOLVED

(1)  That the Portfolio Cash Limit Adjustments, as outlined in Appendix 1 attached to the report, be approved.

(2)  That the General Fund Summary position as at 31^st December 2024, as shown in Appendix 2 attached to the report, and in particular the forecast overspend of£0.624m at the end of Quarter 3 which, if sustained until the year end, would result in an equivalent additional drawdown of reserves.

(3)  That Portfolio Holders be requested to continue reviewing their budgets for the remainder of 2024/25 with a view to identifying actions to mitigate the forecast overspend.

(4)  That the forecast overspend on the High Needs DSG budget in 2024/25 and the emerging risks around the affordability of High Needs provision for 2025/26 onwards be noted.

(5)  That the earmarked Reserves and General Fund Balance position as at 31^st December 2024, as shown in Appendix 3 attached to the report, be noted.

No corporate issues were raised.

No matters had been referred to the Executive Board.

That in accordance with Regulation 4(2)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 the public be excluded from the meeting during the following item(s) when it is likely, in view of the nature of the proceeding that there will otherwise be disclosure of exempt information within the Paragraphs of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 specified at the items.

That in pursuance of the power contained in Regulation 4(2)(b) of the Local authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 public and press be excluded from the meeting during the next item of business when it was likely, in view of the nature of the proceedings or the business to be transacted that there would be disclosure of exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

That in pursuance of the power contained in Regulation 4(2)(b) of the Local authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 public and press be excluded from the meeting during the next item of business when it was likely, in view of the nature of the proceedings or the business to be transacted that there would be disclosure of exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

(1)  That the Department for Transport 2025/26 Highways Maintenance Block Grant be approved and added to the Highways Capital Programme 2025/26.

(2)  That, subject to (1) above the apportionment of the 2025/26 Department for Transport Highways Maintenance Block funding of £3.835m, as detailed in Appendix 2 Part 2, attached to the report, be approved.

(3)  That the Highways Capital Programme for 2025/26 be approved.

(4)  That delegated authority be granted to the Strategic Director of Growth and Development, in consultation with the Executive Member for Growth and Development, to amend, seek and accept tenders subject to adequate budget provision.

(1)  That the Department for Transport 2025/26 Highways Maintenance Block Grant be approved and added to the Highways Capital Programme 2025/26.

(2)  That, subject to (1) above the apportionment of the 2025/26 Department for Transport Highways Maintenance Block funding of £3.835m, as detailed in Appendix 2 Part 2, attached to the report, be approved.

(3)  That the Highways Capital Programme for 2025/26 be approved.

(4)  That delegated authority be granted to the Strategic Director of Growth and Development, in consultation with the Executive Member for Growth and Development, to amend, seek and accept tenders subject to adequate budget provision.