URL: https://democracy.blackburn.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1216

Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: RESOLVED   (1)  That it be noted the Council was the accountable body for the Darwen Town Board with responsibility for all secured Government funding, including the £25m Darwen Town Deal and £19.5m Darwen Pride in Place Programme.   (2)  That the requirement by Government for the Darwen Town Board to submit a 10-year Vision, and an indicative Pride in Place 4-Year Investment Plan, by the deadline of 25th November 2025, following final sign-off by the Town Board on 20th November 2025 be noted.   (3)  That it be noted the indicative 4-Year Investment Plan had been prepared by the Town Board, which included representatives from local private, public and community organisations (with the Leader of the Council as Vice Chair) working with many more community and business stakeholders and had directly engaged with over 1,000 residents in developing the Plan.   (4)  That the Council’s support for the indicative Darwen Pride in Place 4-Year Investment Plan’s priorities, spend profile, and vision, as set out in section 3 of the report be confirmed.   (5)  That the Strategic Director for Growth and Development and the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be authorised to work with Darwen Town Board to finalise its Pride in Place 4-Year Investment Plan and 10-Year Vision and to allocate Government funding within the agreed Plan to the priorities and projects confirmed by the Town Board.   (6)  That the Council’s support for the proposal in the Darwen Pride in Place 4-Year Investment Plan to establish a Darwen Community Fund to support the delivery of community initiatives aligned with the Plan’s priorities be confirmed.   (7)  That the Council’s support to pilot the Darwen Community Fund proposal, in advance of Government’s confirmation of the indicative 4-Year Investment Plan, by utilising up to £25,000 of capacity funding to support a small number of early community projects be noted and confirmed.  The Board would seek expressions of interest from community organisations later this year with a view to selected projects starting in early 2026.   (8)  That the Government’s £1.5m Pride in Place Impact Funding, be accepted and included within the Council’s Capital Programme, consistent with the Government’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement and guidance, noting funding was to be allocated by April 2027.   (9)  That the Strategic Director for Growth and Development and the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be authorised to deploy the Council’s Pride in Place Impact Funding to support the delivery of high street improvements and developments in Blackburn Town Centre consistent with the Government’s MOU and guidance.   (10)        That the Government’s recent announcement of an additional 10-Year £20m Pride in Place Programme for Blackburn, be welcomed, and it be noted the Council was working with Government officials to finalise the defined boundary to ensure the target area fully captured local need and opportunity.   (11)        That it be noted the Government intended to release further capacity funding to support the development of the new Blackburn Pride in Place Programme to enable work on developing a 10-Year Vision and Investment Plan.  Once the boundary had been agreed with Government, a further report would be submitted to the Executive Board on the way forward with this initiative.

Date of Decision: November 13, 2025