The Cabinet of Lancashire County Council met on Thursday, 3 September 2026, to discuss the Quarter 1 Corporate Performance Report, the Quarter 1 Financial Monitoring Report, and the Ofsted inspection of Lancashire Children's Services. Key decisions included approving the draft Joint Lancashire Minerals and Waste Local Plan for public consultation and opting to cease administration of refugee resettlement schemes.

Quarter 1 Corporate Performance Report

The Cabinet received the Quarter 1 Corporate Performance Report for 2026/27, which indicated positive momentum across the council's priorities, with the majority of key performance indicators (KPIs) improving or maintaining performance. More than three-quarters of reported indicators were meeting or exceeding targets. Achievements highlighted included the approval of Lancashire's SEND reform plan, progress in reducing adult social care assessment waiting times, strong performance in highways maintenance, and advances in civic pride and community engagement initiatives.

Councillor Gina Dowding, representing Lancaster, raised concerns about flooding in her area, questioning the success of the drainage programme despite its reported positive performance. She also highlighted the alarming death rate among care leavers and the need for improved performance in education, employment, and training for this group. Councillor Dowding further sought clarity on the specific outcomes expected from the stronger communities ambition and how communities would be enabled and supported.

Councillor Mr Warren Goldsworthy, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, responded to the flooding concerns, acknowledging the personal impact of flooding and expressing a willingness to discuss the issue further. He presented positive performance figures for defect repairs, road conditions, and streetlights, while noting inspections as an area for improvement.

Councillor Simon Evans, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Families, addressed concerns about care leavers, stating that an education to employment programme worth £0.5 million is being launched to target 160 care leavers.

Councillor Ella Worthington, Cabinet Member for Civic Pride, outlined a multifaceted approach to community engagement, including the Our Lancashire on the Move mobile van initiative, the Pride in Lancashire awards, and a Lancashire Volunteers Day. She also mentioned plans to engage with farming communities regarding access to health services.

Councillor Matthew Salter, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, highlighted improvements in the timeliness of Education, Health and Care (EHC) assessments, attributing this to significant investment in inclusion services and efforts to clear a backlog of cases.

The Cabinet voted to approve the recommendation to accept the Quarter 1 Corporate Performance Report.

Quarter 1 Financial Monitoring Report

County Councillor Hannah Whalley, Cabinet Member for Resources, Property and Efficiency, presented the Quarter 1 Financial Monitoring Report for 2026/27. The report indicated a forecast revenue overspend of £15.655 million, equivalent to 1.18% of the approved net budget. The largest pressures were identified within Place and Adult Social Care, with Children's Social Care also experiencing significant demand. The report noted that 87% of the £73.9 million in agreed savings were forecast to be delivered.

The capital programme was revised to reflect deliverability and available resources, including an additional £10 million for highways maintenance. The dedicated schools grant was forecasting an overspend of £151.88 million, primarily due to increasing demand and placement costs within the high needs block.

Councillor Joshua Roberts, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities, highlighted significant investment in waste management, including a second anaerobic digestive facility and the installation of CCTV at household waste recycling centres. He also detailed savings achieved through operational efficiencies and renegotiated contracts.

Councillor Mr Warren Goldsworthy, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, emphasised the additional £10 million investment in Lancashire's roads, stating that the budget had more than doubled since the previous administration. He also detailed £3 million allocated for public realm improvements.

Councillor Azhar Ali OBE, Leader of the Opposition, raised concerns about the procurement process for the Knot End to Fleetwood Ferry and disagreements between Wyre Council and the ferry operator. He also questioned the rising costs of projects under the Levelling Up East Lancashire funding and the cost of zebra crossings.

The Cabinet voted to approve the recommendations of the Financial Monitoring Report.

Ofsted Inspection of Lancashire Children's Services

Councillor Simon Evans, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Families, presented a positive report on the outcome of the Ofsted inspection of Lancashire Children's Services. Ofsted judged the impact of leaders on social work practice and services for care leavers as outstanding, and services for children needing help and protection, and children in care, as good. Key strengths identified included strong leadership, effective early help, robust safeguarding arrangements, and outstanding services for care leavers. Areas for further improvement included better recognition for young carers, greater consistency in safety planning, and stronger management oversight for children in unregistered settings or subject to deprivation of liberty orders.

Councillor Ali and County Councillor Matthew Salter congratulated the staff and leadership on the significant improvements made. The Cabinet voted to note the positive outcome of the inspection and approve the associated action plan.

SEND Capital Project

County Councillor Matthew Salter, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, presented proposals to increase specialist and inclusive provision for children and young people with SEND. These included allocating £19 million for the expansion of four special schools and £4 million for a second round of the mainstream inclusion fund. A delegated approval route for specialist base projects was also proposed. Councillor Ali supported the initiative, highlighting its benefits for mainstreaming SEND pupils. The Cabinet voted to approve the recommendations.

Consultation on the Joint Lancashire Minerals and Waste Local Plan

County Councillor Joshua Roberts, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities, presented the draft updated Joint Lancashire Minerals and Waste Local Plan for public consultation. He explained that the plan, prepared jointly with Blackpool Council and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, sets out planning policies for mineral and waste development. Councillor Gina Dowding raised concerns about the plan's policy on onshore oil and gas developments, arguing it did not align with recent changes to the National Planning Policy Framework. Councillor Roberts acknowledged that the plan was for consultation and that feedback would be considered. County Councillor Matthew Salter declared an interest in relation to a local quarry and welcomed the move to consultation. The Cabinet voted to approve the draft plan for public consultation.

Refugee Resettlement Schemes

County Councillor Joshua Roberts presented options for Lancashire County Council's future role in coordinating refugee resettlement schemes. The council is not statutorily obliged to undertake this role. Options included ceasing all administration by May 2027, ceasing administration for new arrivals only, or continuing current arrangements. Councillor Matthew Salter argued for withdrawing from the scheme, citing housing pressures and the county council not being a housing authority. Councillor Azhar Ali OBE expressed surprise at the lack of a recommendation and argued that withdrawing would lead to a loss of core funding and increase costs. Councillor Roberts presented his preferred option as Option 1: Cessation of all refugee resettlement administration responsibility, citing housing pressures, the county council's lack of statutory housing duties, and the impending Local Government Reorganisation. He also highlighted the perceived unfairness of a dedicated scheme not being open to all Lancashire residents. After debate, the Cabinet voted to approve Councillor Roberts' recommendation for Option 1.

Urgent Decisions and Matters for Information

The Cabinet noted one urgent decision taken since the last meeting and confirmed there were no items of urgent business. The date of the next meeting was set for Thursday, 1 October 2026. The Cabinet then moved into Part 2 of the meeting, excluding the press and public.

The Cabinet voted to approve the exclusion of the press and public from Part 2 of the meeting.