Great Harwood: Dr Grayson Way

Cllr Harry Grayson has been to visit the newly-renamed Dr Grayson Way in Great Harwood on his trip back to Rishton. The road was named after the tragic early death last year of Harry's son Rob, a noted and well-loved local doctor.

Harry, who recently moved to Ireland with his family, is pictured here with his grandchildren, Georgina and Dominic outside Great Harwood Medical Centre.

Harry said, "I'm delighted to see this permanent reminder of my wonderful boy. The pain of losing a son gets a little bit worse every day but I like to think this is a fitting tribute to a man who put everything into making people better." 

Rishton: M J Gleeson Homes consultation meets with positive reaction

A consultation event to showcase a proposed development at the vacant land along Parker Street attracted plenty of interest from Rishton residents and the plans were generally favourably received.

The event was hosted by M J Gleeson who will shortly be submitting a full planning application for 75 houses on the site with access off Parker Street and Wheatfield Street. The Rishton Councillors have previously made it clear that social housing would not be welcome and this has been incorporated into the designs which were on display.

Cllr Clare Cleary, Cabinet member for Housing and Regeneration, said, "Almost everyone who has seen the plans today thought that they were good and it seems to have allayed a few fears about what will eventually be built there. I'm also glad that we have taken the time over the Canal Masterplan because it has not only generated renewed interest in the vacant sites but is shaping the plans which are being put in front of us to suit the people of Rishton."

Cllr Ken Moss said, "The plans were for 100% affordable housing costing between £80,000 and £120,000 with various help-to-buy schemes put on the table as well. The costings have been drawn up so that 90% of working couples who currently live in Rishton will be able to afford ones of these properties. These developers clearly believe in home ownership rather than rented housing and that can only be a good thing."

Cllr Harry Grayson said, "There is a lot of thought gone into this and I am pleased to see that the site won't be crammed full of houses. They are all good sized family homes with front and rear gardens and driveways plus the development will incorporate enhancement along the canalside. Thumbs up from me."

County Councillor Miles Parkinson, also Cabinet member for Planning, said, "As with all developments, detailed studies will be done concerning the impact on the roads and utilities, plus schools, doctors and emergency services. It is standard in these cases for considerable contributions to be made to accommodate services for an increased population."

Prospective Labour candidate, Jeff Scales, said, "I was impressed with the plans the development makes much more sense than simply leaving an eyesore. The developers said they will be using local tradesmen to do all the work as they are more reliable and it will also provide increased tax revenue to the Council at a time when investment is badly needed. I hope it also gives a boost to trade at the Free Gardeners Club and the local shops." 

A full planning application is expected to be submitted within the next month or so.

Great Harwood: The Funeral of Dr Rob Grayson

Mourners gathered at St Bartholemew's Church in Great Harwood yesterday to pay their respects to Dr Robert Grayson, son of Rishton Councillor Harry Grayson and his wife, Carol.

Rob passed away suddenly in the early hours on Thursday 10th August at the age of 45 after suffering an aneurysm. He helped run the Great Harwood Medical Group, based at the new health centre, and the High Street surgery in Rishton, serving more than 8,000 people.

Family, friends and colleagues attended the funeral service at St Bartholomew’s Church in Great Harwood at 12.00pm and over a hundred people were left standing outside. This was followed by a private cremation in Accrington.

Dr Grayson, who lived in Chatburn, leaves wife Kirsty, son Dominic, 12, daughter Georgina, 14, stepson Dermot, 13 and stepdaughter Kiera, 11.


At a meeting of the full Council later in the evening, the Mayor of Hyndburn, Cllr Marlene Haworth, held a minute's silence during the announcements in memoriam.

Donations in Rob's memory are requested to The British Heart Foundation c/o Sarah Lord, practice manager at the Great Harwood Medical Group on Water Street.

Rishton: Pothole complaints to Labour Councillors

Filled potholes in Rishton have prompted complaints to local Councillors.

Cllr Harry Grayson said, "I have had numerous complaints regarding the standard of work concerning filled potholes on Derby Street and Chapel Street in Rishton.  It is alleged that a lady tripped over a filled hole that was raised as the Tarmac had not been packed and levelled correctly. After visiting the site, I must agree that it is there is evidence that this work was not carried out correctly."

Requests have now been made for LCC to review the way potholes are repaired.

HBC: Motion on Todmorden Curve rolling stock

The new Todmorden curve which directly links the Accrington railway line with Manchester was re-opened last year after being closed for decades. However, trains are not yet running on it due to a lack of provision by the government and old underground carriages are being brought up North for use on the new line.

Cllr Noordad Aziz put the motion to Council to request better rolling stock for Hyndburn and said, "The successful link of the direct train from East Lancashire to Manchester Airport will have a significant impact on Hyndburn’s Infrastructure and will provide an additional economic and social mobility injection into the area. We ask that steps are taken to review this matter, so that the area can benefit immediately on the opening of the Ordsall Curve."

Cllr Clare Cleary said, "This is a huge opportunity for the region but we need to come forward with strategic ideas rather than simply accepting government cuts to ticket offices and conductors. We have always been the poor second cousins in the North and now we are getting second-rate stock instead of encouraging local production of new carriages. Leasing old trains for the North costs a fortune and comes at the same time as billions are being spent on buying brand new stock for the South."

Cllr Harry Grayson added, "Whilst the connection is excellent news and will reduce travelling times considerably for people in Hyndburn, Rishton is not a stop on the new service and passengers will need to travel to Accrington station first. We are the largest single ward in the borough, it makes no sense not to be included."

The full motion to Council can be viewed here.

Rishton: New Piggy Park allotments to be discussed at Cabinet

The future of Piggy Park at Devonshire Road is to be discussed at the next Cabinet meeting on 11th March 2015.

The area is owned by Hyndburn Borough Council and was once used as a children’s play area.  However, the play equipment was removed many years ago and the site now comprises an area of level grass with some paths which date back to the time when the area was used as a play area.

The Rishton Food Growing Association (RFGA) has identified the site as one that could be used as a local allotment / food growing area.  The RFGA propose to develop the area for local residents to use to grow their own food through the provision of raised beds, small allotment plots and a polytunnel, which would be for the benefit of those that use the site.

Cllr Harry Grayson has been liaising with the RFGA and requested £10,000 from Rishton Area Council funds to get the project off the ground. Cllr Ken Moss is portfolio holder for allotments and will be presenting the report to Cabinet for approval.

HBC: Julie Hesmondhalgh voted to win Freedom of the Borough

Accrington actress Julie Hesmondhalgh was unanimously voted to be awarded the Freedom of the Borough at the Full Council meeting on Thursday 11th September 2014. The report presented to Council can be viewed here:

Item 7 - Nomination for Freedom of the Borough

Cabinet Member for Education, Leisure and The Arts, Cllr Ken Moss, moved the report and said, "Julie has found fame up and down the country by playing the much-loved Hayley Cropper and has brought discussions about euthanasia back to the fore. Her portrayal is largely responsible for that and the fact that she won two awards for it this year speaks volumes."

Cllr Harry Grayson said, "During my time working at the East Lancashire Hospice she had been involved in fundraising for us and was a great boost to everyone. She helped raise quite a bit of money because of her stardom but was very down to Earth. A lovely woman, she fully deserves this award."

Cllr Munsif Dad met her recently as the current Mayor of Hyndburn and said, "I was at a function not long ago and Julie was there. We got chatting and once she realised I was from Accrington she talked about it for another ten minutes. She came across as being very proud of her hometown and certainly hasn't forgotten her roots."

The award will be given at a special presentation some time in the autumn.

Rishton: Colin Cooper presented with Ruby Award

Rishton resident Colin Cooper has been presented with the Hyndburn Ruby Award for outstanding service to the community. The award was created to mark 40 years of Hyndburn Borough Council and is being given to one resident in each township who Councillors feel have given the most to their respective areas.

The Rishton Councillors nominated Colin for his work in the borough which now spans six decades since he moved from the West Country in 1966.

The award was presented by Mayor Munsif Dad at the full Council meeting on 26th June 2014 and Cllrs Harry Grayson, Ken Moss and Miles Parkinson all paid tribute to Colin's work in Rishton over the past six decades.

Colin said, "This is my third award after the Rishton Award in 2000 and the Parker Street clock in 2010 so I must be doing something right!"

He added, "Inevitably, my commitments have kept me away from home for many hours so I would like to thank my family, especially my wife Jennifer, for their support. To the Councillors, thank you for honouring me with this Ruby Award."

Fast Politics Event - 22nd October 2013

A ‘Fast Politics’ event is taking place in conjunction with the Lancashire County Council's Young Person’s Service on Tuesday 22nd October between 7.00pm and 9.00pm at Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre. This is an opportunity for younger people to connect directly with local politicians and have the chance to get their views across. There will be a presentation from the Hyndburn Youth Council followed by refreshments.

All HBC & Hyndburn LCC councillors have been invited and confirmed attendees so far are Labour Councillors Clare Cleary, Ken Moss, Harry Grayson, Gareth Molineux, Miles Parkinson, Bill Pinder and opposition Councillor Nick Whittaker.

Anyone wishing to find out more information should ring David Harvey-Higgins on 07766991907.

Planning Committee - 14th August 2013

The next meeting of the HBC Planning Committee (chaired by Rishton Councillor, Harry Grayson) takes place on Wednesday 14th August at 2.00pm in the Queen Elizabeth Room at Scaitcliffe House in Accrington.  A full list of papers can be found online here:

Planning Committee - 14th August 2013

Members of the public can come and view proceedings from the seating area but will only be permitted to speak on an application by pre-arranging this with Michael Cunliffe on 01254 388111. All applications to speak must be made my noon on 14th August.

Hyndburn Land Assets review

A borough-wide review of Hyndburn Borough Council's land assets is currently underway and is being led by Cllr Ken Moss as Chair of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny committee. The review is seeking to catalogue all the parcels of land under HBC ownership on a ward-by-ward basis and see whether or not they are being used effectively or are a drain on resources. Reviews covering Great Harwood, Altham, and Clayton-le-Moors are complete, with Church and Milnshaw currently under scrutiny.

Cllr Moss said, "The Council has acquired pockets of land over the years and with the economic climate the way it is we have decided to look at them and see if we need them all. This isn't a clearout of everything we own as there are certain things, such as the Esplanade in Rishton, that it would be extremely foolish to try and sell off. However, we need to start looking at areas which are costing more than they are worth in their present state and anything that is recommended for disposal will have to be of long term benefit to HBC and the community as a whole."

Rishton was looked at earlier this year and a report is now ready to go to Cabinet for final approval on 31st July. The full document so far can be viewed online here:

Scrutiny_Panel_Update_Report_-_Review_of_Council_Land_Assets

Profile: Councillor Harry Grayson

Cllr Harry Grayson was first elected as one of the three Rishton Councillors in 2006 and has won two large majority elections since that time. Following the Council AGM in May, Cllr Grayson has been appointed to the following committees on HBC:

• Planning Commitee (Chair) 
• Regeneration and Housing Panel 
• Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee 
• Rishton Area Council  
• Standards Committee (Chair)  
• Standards Committee Assessment Panel 
• Standards Committee Hearing Sub-Committee 
• Standards Committee Recruitment of Independent Members 

Harry also sits on the following outside bodies as of May 2013:

• Foxhill Bank Management Committee (Substitute) 
• Hyndburn Three Tier Forum 
• Local Authority Health and Safety Forum 
• Prospects Foundation Management Committee 
• Rishton Charities  
• West Pennine Moors Area Management Committee

County Council Election 2013 - Altham, Clayton-le-Moors and Rishton

Canvassing and leafleting has begun for the campaign to re-elect Cllr Miles Parkinson as County Councillor for Altham, Clayton-le-Moors and Rishton. Miles was elected in 2009 and has since gone on to also become Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council when control shifted back to Labour in 2011. 

Miles has been assisted by Cllr Chris Fisher in Altham, Cllr Tim O'Kane in Clayton-le-Moors and Cllrs Ken Moss, Harry Grayson and Clare Cleary in Rishton. Over the coming weeks they will be out and about in all areas to promote Miles's work ahead of voting day on 2nd May 2013.

The Labour group pay for all their own campaign literature and if you have any further questions then please get in touch by looking under the 'Your Councillors' tab on the homepage of this blog.

Full Council - 24th January 2013

The next meeting of Full Council will take place on Thursday 24th January at 7.00pm in Accrington Town Hall. Meetings of all 35 Hyndburn Councillors take place approximately every six weeks and is where discussions take place regarding issues that affect the whole borough. Cllr Harry Grayson from Rishton is the current Chair of the Council meetings and a full agenda and papers can be found here:

Full Council - 24th January 2013

Members of the public are welcome to come and view proceedings from the gallery.