Leader’s Viewpoint: Councillor Munsif Dad May 2025
Leader’s Viewpoint: Councillor Munsif Dad May 2025
It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of former Councillor Bill Goldsmith earlier this month. Bill gave 12 years of service to Hyndburn, representing the residents of St. Oswald’s with commitment and integrity. He was highly regarded by many. He became an Honorary Alderman in 2004. Bill will be missed by many and my thoughts are with his friends and family.
Last week, we welcomed the new Mayor of Hyndburn, Councillor Josh Allen, who I know will bring some youthful energy to the role alongside the new Deputy Mayor, Councillor Noordad Aziz. I would also like to extend my thanks on behalf of the Council to our outgoing Mayor, Councillor Mike Booth, and the Mayoress Christine Sollis for their tireless work over the past year. Their presence at countless community events and his advocacy for local causes have been appreciated.
At the same meeting, Council approved the appointment of five new Freemen of the Borough: Mrs Hilary Austin, Mr Stephen Hutchinson BEM, Mr Rawden Kerr, Mr Zack Kerr and Ms Anne Lincoln, and four new Honorary Aldermen: Mr Peter Britcliffe, Mr Graham Jones, Mr Abdul Khan and Mr Malcolm Pritchard. These honours recognise individuals who have gone above and beyond in their service to Hyndburn, and we thank them for their outstanding contributions. They will be presented with their awards at the Mayor Making ceremony on 31st May.
The recent county elections brought mixed emotions. While I was disappointed to lose my seat as a Lancashire County Councillor, I am still committed to my role as Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council. I offer sincere congratulations to those who were elected and look forward to working constructively with them on the many major projects we are progressing across Hyndburn.
The future of the Accrington Victoria Hospital building is so important to many of our residents. East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust are consulting on options for the future of the building and I encourage all to engage in this process if you are able to do so. This site holds great importance for our community, and we want to help ELHT to ensure any future use reflects local needs and preserves its legacy.
Earlier this month we approved the Accrington Town Centre Masterplan Framework – a significant step forward in our ambition to revitalise the heart of our borough. This framework sets out a clear vision for the future, and I’m excited about the opportunities it will bring for local businesses, residents, and visitors alike. The full Masterplan Framework can be found on our website.
Last week I had the pleasure of visiting Wilson Sports Village and was pleased to see the rapid progress being made. The facilities are shaping up to be a fantastic asset for our residents, promoting health, wellbeing and access to sport.
Finally, I’m pleased to report that more small grants have been awarded to local organisations via the Cabinet Action Fund, including Enfield Cricket Club, Hyndburn Food Pantry, Active Lancashire Cycles and Oswaldtwistle Library Friends. These grants help sustain the vital work being done at grassroots level, and I’m always inspired by the passion and dedication of our local groups.