Published Wednesday 2 April 2025 at 15:21
Over 160 people from different organisations across Blackburn with Darwen joined together at the Council’s annual Partnership Conference, where the keynote speaker was Minister for Local Growth and Building Safety, Alex Norris.
With a focus on devolution, local government reorganisation, the borough’s key growth plans and how strong partnerships are helping the Council to deliver its corporate missions and ambitious £1billion vision for the future, the third annual Partnership Conference was held at Ewood Park on Wednesday 2 April.
Record numbers of partners from various sectors in the borough – including business, health, education, employment, cyber and technology, youth services, and voluntary, faith and community organisations – welcomed the opportunity to hear from speakers from Government, the Council and other local organisations.
Council Leader Councillor Phil Riley and Chief Executive Denise Park provided updates on the new Lancashire Combined County Authority, and how devolution puts the county in a stronger position to bring more investment directly to Lancashire.
Delegates also heard how the Council and its key partners are driving growth and increasing access to new opportunities, including the £20million investment in the borough’s arts and cultural venues, major town centre developments and opportunities through the £5billion investment in the new National Cyber Force HQ in neighbouring Samlesbury.
The Minister also visited Darwen, including Junction4 Skatepark and Herbert Parkinson Ltd – a John Lewis manufacturer – as well as Bold Venture Park and the town centre as part of his half-day visit to the borough. It comes after the Government confirmed £20million of new funding for Darwen as part of the Plan for Neighbourhoods scheme, adding to the £100million of investment already being brought forward through the Darwen Town Deal, which has helped leverage private investment alongside Government and Council funding.
The Minister heard how, in recent weeks, plans have been submitted for Darwen Market Hall and Darwen Library and Theatre in addition to demolition work also getting underway at Darwen Youth Centre. Together this is £25million of new Government and Council funding for the town centre.
Minister for Local Growth and Building Safety, Alex Norris, said:
The government’s top priority is to deliver growth through our Plan for Change, and it was my pleasure to talk about how we’re doing just that right here in Blackburn with Darwen.
Through bold policies like our Plan for Neighbourhoods, we are building on the strong partnerships already in place to help create opportunities in the area for years to come.
Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, commented:
Once again, it was fantastic to bring together partners from across the borough. This was our third annual Partnership Conference and it has grown year on year, with a record number of local partners represented at the event this year.
Much of what we want to achieve for the borough and its residents is only possible through strong and enduring partnerships. I feel very fortunate that we have many passionate local partners who share our can-do approach to getting things done.
With so many of these partners in the room, I felt very proud to welcome Minister Norris to the conference to witness that strength of partnership working for himself.
Among speakers at the event was also Mo Isap of the IN4 Group, who highlighted the work of the Lancashire Business Board and the exciting opportunities in digital and cyber technologies for Blackburn with Darwen residents, part of a trailblazing partnership with the Council.
As Chair of the Lancashire Business Board, Mo Isap said:
“Our county has a powerful economy. The role of business in delivering prosperity for our communities can’t be understated.
“It’s essential for Lancashire to have an inclusive growth plan that highlights opportunities for all. Prosperity is about taking everyone in the borough along with us.”
At the event, conference delegates had the opportunity to take part in themed breakout sessions including a Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector-led session, a social value session with the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce aligned to the Care Leaver Covenant, and a Digital and Cyber workshop.
As the conference was held at Ewood Park, Blackburn Rovers’ Lynsey Talbot and Yasir Sufi also updated delegates on the club’s plans for its 150th anniversary.
The Club was a founding member of the football league, with its proud history woven into the fabric of the borough which has fascinating ties with the early development of the beautiful game.
Denise Park, Chief Executive of Blackburn with Darwen Council, commented:
I’m grateful to all the people who made time to attend our Partnership Conference. Bringing together partners across a wide range of sectors is important, and I know that some really powerful conversations took place today to find more ways for us all to work together in the future to ensure that everyone in Blackburn with Darwen has opportunities to fulfil their potential.
Filed under : Partnership Conference