The Blackburn with Darwen Council's Executive Board is scheduled to meet to discuss several key issues, including the Medium-Term Financial Plan, a draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, and the use of Section 106 money for highway drainage improvements. Also on the agenda are reports about match funding for children's mental health services, youth investment, a 'connect to work' programme, recommissioning sexual health services, and strategic asset management. The meeting will also include updates from Youth MPs and executive member reports.

Financial Planning and Asset Management

The board is scheduled to discuss an update to the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) 2026/29, and the process for developing savings options to balance the council's budget in 2026/27. The MTFP indicates a budget shortfall of £18.9 million. The board will note the continuing uncertainty with the funding outlook for the council, including the unknown outcome of the Fair Funding 2.0 consultation and the Business Rates Reset. Portfolio holders have been requested to undertake a review of all fees and charges in their portfolios, with a view to maximising income. The board will also discuss the Strategic Asset Management Plan, and note the progress made against the Key Performance Indicators and Action Plan. The report recommends extending the SAMP timeframe beyond 2026, and that the £300,000 revenue budget for asset condition surveys be extended to March 2027.

Community Support and Infrastructure

Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy

The board is scheduled to discuss a draft of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026-2031. The strategy identifies key priorities and actions required to deliver them, and aims to align with the council's core missions, the Blackburn with Darwen Housing Strategy, and the requirements of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. The Executive Board will be asked to approve the draft strategy to go out to public consultation. The proposed vision for the strategy is:

Working together to prevent homelessness and eradicate rough sleeping in Blackburn with Darwen

The draft strategy identifies several key commitments:

• Stop Homelessness Before It Starts
• Guarantee Safe, Suitable Housing for All
• Keep People Housed
• End Rough Sleeping
• Unite for Impact

Highway Drainage Network

The board is scheduled to consider a proposal to use Section 106 money to improve the highway drainage network on Broken Stone Road, Blackburn. The report pack says that historically, Broken Stone Road and Horden Rake was a low-trafficked country lane, but with major development of adjacent land, ground conditions have changed, impacting the existing drainage network. The report pack says that as a result, Highway Drainage have requested the use of Section 106 (S106) funds to address these issues. The Executive Board will be asked to approve the addition of a scheme to the capital programme, with a budget of £400,000, to improve the highway drainage network on Broken Stone Road, Blackburn, which will be funded from Section 106 contributions.

Youth Investment Fund

The board is scheduled to discuss a report about Youth Investment Fund (YIF) projects in Blackburn with Darwen. According to the report pack, six projects have been funded: five YIF main grant initiatives and one YIF renovation grant. The report pack says that the Young Peoples Services (YPS) partnered with financially sustainable Voluntary Community Faith Sector (VCFS) organisations after an open and thorough Expression of Interest exercise: Darwen Youth Centre partnered with Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone, and Audley & Queens Park Children's Centre partnered with IMO Charity. The Executive Board will be asked to approve the development and implementation of leases for Darwen Youth Centre and Audley & Queens Park Children's Centre (Youth Areas).

Connect to Work Programme

The board is scheduled to discuss Blackburn with Darwen's participation in the Lancashire-wide Connect to Work programme aimed at supporting people with a range of barriers into paid, sustained employment. The report pack says that Connect to Work will be a voluntary, high-fidelity Supported Employment programme, connecting work, health and skills support across all of England and Wales, and will be delivered via grants across Local Authorities. The Executive Board will be asked to note and support the priorities and aims of the Connect to Work programme for financial years – 2025-2026; 2026-2027; 2027-2028, plus, subject to Local Government Re-organisation, 2028- 2029, 2029-2030 (final year to be confirmed).

Social Care and Health

Match Funding for Children's Mental Health

The board is scheduled to discuss a proposal for 50/50 match funding for capital investment to develop provision for children with complex mental health needs and challenging behaviour. The proposal outlines the development of a three-bed children's home within Blackburn with Darwen, designed to provide care and support for children aged 10–16 years. The Executive Board will be asked to authorise the use of the identified preferred site for the provision as outlined in the report, and approve the acceptance of the grant offer of £0.958 million from the Department for Education.

Recommissioning of the Sexual Health Service

The board is scheduled to discuss the recommissioning of the sexual health service. The report pack says that local authorities are mandated to commission a comprehensive open access Integrated Sexual Health Service for their areas, including free testing, treatment and management of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Blood Bourne Viruses (BBV), a partner notification scheme, a full range of contraceptive provision, and health promotion and prevention/educational activities. The Executive Board will be asked to agree to use Provider Selection Regime Process C (Direct Award) to select the organisation which will provide Sexual Health Services on behalf of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council for up to 4 years from 1 April 2026, and to award the new contract for the provision of Sexual Health Services in the borough to Brook from 1st April 2026 (for 2+1+1 years).

Land Disposal

Land at Issa Way

The board is scheduled to discuss the outcome of the informal tender exercise for land at Issa Way, Blackburn. The Site is circa 7.2 Hectares or 19.25 acres and is allocated in the Local Plan for employment use with an indicative floorspace of 27,300sqm of 'B' use (general industry / storage and distribution). The Executive Board will be asked to approve the sale of the Council owned land to the Preferred Developer, Barnfield Contractors UK Ltd, for the Purchase Price and terms as set out in this report.