Leader’s Viewpoint: Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP July 2026
Leader’s Viewpoint: Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP July 2026
I’d like to start this month’s column by commenting on the works at Avenue Parade Gardens, which are now complete and the area is open to the public. I would encourage all residents to make a trip down and admire the wonderful new sculpture and mural which depict the heartbreak felt by many Accrington families during the First World War. It is hard not to be moved by these highly emotive new installations. We can all learn a lesson from their bravery and sacrifice.
Our sports clubs have always been a vital part of Hyndburn, which is why I am pleased to announce that grants have been awarded to help them flourish and provide our young people with top quality sporting facilities. Over £8,000 has been awarded through the Cabinet Action Fund with beneficiaries including Great Harwood Cricket and Sports Club, Huncoat United Junior Football Club, Accrington Cricket & Tennis Club, Oswaldtwistle Immanuel Cricket Club and Great Harwood Rovers Football Club.
Whilst small grants to local sports clubs can benefit a tremendous amount of young people, we have also shown a determination to invest in our sports facility infrastructure. Eagle Street skatepark is to receive an upgrade thanks to funding from the Government’s Pride in Place Impact Fund, allocated by the Council. We are determined to provide safe, well-equipped spaces for our young people to use. There’ll be more information about how residents can get involved in the consultation process on this in the coming weeks.
I am pleased to announce that the renovation of Gatty Park play area will be completed by next week. It’s fantastic to see this much-loved play area brought back to life with families back enjoying the park during the summer holidays.
Staying on the parks theme, Hyndburn Borough Council has once again maintained all 11 of its Green Flag awards this year, which are awarded to parks which meet the highest standard of excellence. I would like the personally thank our dedicated parks team as well as the many ‘Friends of Parks’ groups who selflessly volunteer their time. Next year, we’re aiming to go one better by adding a twelfth park, with plans underway for improvements to Bullough Park to enable it to achieve Green Flag status.
One of our green flag awarded parks, Oak Hill Park, will be hosting the world famous Luminarium, an interactive sculpture, as part of the Connecting Cultures event from 22 – 25 July. During the week, free workshops will take place inside including storytelling, dance and tai chi, culminating in a festival on Saturday 25 July, where visitors can enjoy cultural food and drink stalls, fairground rides, live performances and much more. I’m sure you are all as excited as I am to bring your family down and join in the fun.
As many of you may already be aware, the Council is currently investigating potential contaminants in some areas of Brookside Nature Reserve in Oswaldtwistle, as part of ongoing environmental improvement works at the site.
We understand that news of potential contamination may cause concern, but I want to reassure residents that the Council is already taking proactive steps to investigate and manage the situation. These checks are part of our wider commitment to improving Brookside and ensuring it remains a valued green space for the community.
This week, the Council will formally adopt the Hyndburn Local Plan 2040 – an important milestone that will help shape the future of our borough for years to come. The plan sets out a clear vision for how Hyndburn will grow sustainably, identifying where new homes, jobs and infrastructure can be delivered while protecting the character of our communities and valued green spaces. Crucially, it gives us a strong framework for making planning decisions locally, ensuring development happens in the right places and brings benefits for residents. The plan has been developed over several years, informed by extensive public consultation and independently examined by a Government-appointed Planning Inspector. Its adoption will help give certainty to residents, businesses and investors as we continue building a prosperous future for Hyndburn.
Aligned with this, the Council will begin work on a new local plan as required by new plan-making regulations introduced by the Government earlier this year. The first stages will include a ‘Scoping Consultation’ exercise which provides an opportunity for early engagement with residents, businesses, landowners, developers, infrastructure providers and other stakeholders.