Nelson Town Deal Board, which has powers and influence over a £25 million regeneration budget, and around 100 other town boards have been told by the government to publish clear public information about board members and roles.
Government checks in August, after July’s general election. revealed 93 per cent of town deal boards in a sample selection did not comply with transparency requirements, then a review of the Nelson Town Board found some gaps in information about members, a new report for the board states.
Under rules set by previous governments, English town boards formed since around 2020 typically include just a small number of publicly-elected councillors and a local MP who are appointed along with non-elected people, such as private business, community, health and police representatives.
There are different categories of members and attendees with or without voting rights on key decisions. Some are observers who can take part in discussions.
In Pendle, a small number of elected councillors were appointed to Nelson Town Deal Board, Nadeem Ahmed, Mohammed Iqbal, David Whipp and Asjad Mahmood.
Councillor Zafar Ali represents Nelson Town Council. Under the deal, Pendle Council provides officer support including chief executive Rose Rouse.
The board also includes chair Stephen Barnes, a former Pendle Council chief executive and Nelson & Colne College chair of governors.
Business people include Dennis Mendoros of Pendle Vision Board; Joel Rosenblatt of Buoyant Upholstery Ltd; Lara Oddie of Oddie’s Bakery; and Neil Rockett of Nelson Nutrition health food shop at Pendle Rise shopping centre.
Mike Nuttall of property developers Brookhouse Group also attends. Brookhouse and Pendle Council are in a joint venture called PenBrook Developments.
Others include new Clitheroe & Pendle Labour MP Jonathan Hinder, who has replaced former Conservative MP Andrew Stephenson.
For clarity, no wrongdoing by any individuals on Nelson Town Deal Board is suggested in the report.
A report for this Friday’s town board meeting states: “Following compliance checks in August, a thorough review of Nelson Town Deal Board’s governance, accountability and transparency measures has been conducted.
“To ensure full compliance, it is recommended that all outstanding information required from board members, including updated profiles and details of roles and responsibilities. be provided by the end of September. Pendle Council’s communication team should ensure these are promptly reflected on the website.
“While the membership list is published on the website, detailed profiles outlining roles and responsibilities are incomplete or missing. The council communications team has initiated updates to provide complete and accurate profiles. This effort is ongoing and regular reviews will ensure all information remains current to achieve full compliance.”
Information on governance, decision-making, terms of reference, code of conduct, conflict of interest, agendas and records of meetings is compliant, the report adds.
In another development, a new Nelson Long Term Plan for Towns Board was created earlier this year in the final months of the last Conservative government. It was expected to receive a further £20million in phased public cash. Former government minister Michael Gove described long-term plan projects as ‘new style politics’. Following July’s general election, the new Labour government eased the early investment plan deadlines for the new boards.
The next Nelson Town Deal Board meeting is at Nelson Town Hall on Friday, September 13, at 10am.
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