The Cabinet of Lancashire County Council met on Thursday, 4th September 2025, to discuss a range of important issues, including the provision of school places, financial monitoring, and transport infrastructure. Key decisions included the approval of funding for a new primary school in Preston and the allocation of significant grant funding for transport projects across the county.

Preston Primary School Update

Cabinet approved the capital allocation for a new two-form entry primary school at the former Whittingham Hospital site in Preston. This project, which will include a 16-place Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) unit, aims to provide 60 places per year from September 2026, with permanent facilities expected by September 2027. This decision addresses the growing demand for school places in North and West Preston, driven by population growth and new housing developments, which the draft Central Lancashire Local Plan for 2023-2041 anticipates will include up to 9,135 new dwellings. Councillor Matthew Salter, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, confirmed that while options for secondary school provision are still being explored, the council is confident in its ability to meet future needs.

2025/26 Transport Capital Grant Funding

A significant amount of grant funding from the Department for Transport and Active Travel England, totalling approximately £32 million for the financial year 2025/2026, was approved for addition to the Transport Block of the Capital Programme. Councillor Warren Goldsworthy, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, presented the report, highlighting that some of this funding is earmarked for existing programmes and contractual commitments, with specific allocations for Active Travel England funding.

Additionally, the Cabinet was informed of a £49.6 million award from the Department for Transport for the East Lancashire Levelling Up Fund project, which will deliver transport improvements across four East Lancashire councils. Work on this project is set to commence in the autumn. Councillor Gina Dowding raised concerns about the unallocated £6 million within the current year's funding, suggesting a lack of democratic input in its allocation. She argued for greater democratic involvement in deciding how this £6 million is spent, noting that other districts beyond East and Central Lancashire also require transport infrastructure investment. Councillor Goldsworthy responded that the focus for strategic capital funding would be on the larger £200 million fund starting in April, and that the current administration's mandate was to fix the roads.

Accessible Nelson Area 1-4 Traffic Regulation Orders

Proposals to implement various traffic regulation orders, approve clearways, cycle tracks, and introduce formal pedestrian crossings as part of the Accessible Nelson project were approved. This project aims to improve active travel facilities in Nelson, with a key theme of enhancing provision for walking and cycling to reduce congestion and improve health outcomes. Councillor Joshua Roberts, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities, acknowledged that while the project aims to balance parking needs with cycling and walking facilities, officers would investigate further opportunities for additional parking. Objections were raised by local businesses and residents concerning the loss of parking spaces and the potential impact on commercial viability. Councillor Roberts noted that some of the funding came from Active Travel England, which prioritises cycleways, and that any changes would need to satisfy their requirements. He also mentioned exploring the use of a piece of land owned by Pendle Council as a potential compromise.

Lancashire County Council Flag Policy

Cabinet approved an updated Lancashire County Council Flag Policy. The revised policy dictates that only the Union flag, the flag of England, the Lancashire flag, Royal flags, and Military flags and ensigns will be flown on council property. This decision follows a motion passed by Full Council affirming pride in national and county flags and stating that individual political causes should not take precedence over shared civic identity. Councillor Gina Dowding expressed surprise at the focus on flags, questioning why flags representing the NHS or the White Ribbon campaign (to support the reduction of violence against women and girls) were no longer permitted, suggesting a reduction in freedom of expression. Councillor Roberts, however, stated that the policy was about civic buildings and shared identity, not about disliking any particular flag.

The Management of Residual Waste in East Lancashire

Proposals to support waste collection authorities in East Lancashire with arrangements for managing residual waste were approved. This aims to address challenges arising from the expiration of the Whinney Hill landfill contract in March 2026. The approved approach includes undertaking a procurement exercise for a contractor to accept residual waste from the four affected district authorities, offering an extension to the contract at the Pendle Waste Transfer Station (conditional on district councils meeting transfer handling fees), and supporting district councils in developing alternative proposals. Councillor Daniel Matchett sought clarification on whether this would negate the need for Rosendale Borough Council to build its own waste transfer station, which was confirmed by Councillor Joshua Roberts.

Preston Primary School Update

Cabinet approved the capital allocation for a new two-form entry primary school on the former Whittingham Hospital site in Preston. This project, which includes a 16-place SEND unit, will provide 60 places per year from September 2026, with permanent facilities expected by September 2027. This decision addresses the growing demand for school places in North and West Preston, driven by population growth and new housing developments. Councillor Matthew Salter, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, confirmed that while options for secondary school provision are still being explored, the council is confident in its ability to meet future needs.

2025/26 Transport Capital Grant Funding

A significant amount of grant funding from the Department for Transport and Active Travel England, totalling approximately £32 million for the financial year 2025/2026, was approved for addition to the Transport Block of the Capital Programme. Councillor Warren Goldsworthy, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, presented the report, highlighting that some of this funding is earmarked for existing programmes and contractual commitments, with specific allocations for Active Travel England funding.

Additionally, the Cabinet was informed of a £49.6 million award from the Department for Transport for the East Lancashire Levelling Up Fund project, which will deliver transport improvements across four East Lancashire councils. Work on this project is set to commence in the autumn. Councillor Gina Dowding raised concerns about the unallocated £6 million within the current year's funding, suggesting a lack of democratic input in its allocation. She argued for greater democratic involvement in deciding how this £6 million is spent, noting that other districts beyond East and Central Lancashire also require transport infrastructure investment. Councillor Goldsworthy responded that the focus for strategic capital funding would be on the larger £200 million fund starting in April, and that the current administration's mandate was to fix the roads.

Accessible Nelson Area 1-4 Traffic Regulation Orders

Proposals to implement various traffic regulation orders, approve clearways, cycle tracks, and introduce formal pedestrian crossings as part of the Accessible Nelson project were approved. This project aims to improve active travel facilities in Nelson, with a key theme of enhancing provision for walking and cycling to reduce congestion and improve health outcomes. Councillor Joshua Roberts, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities, acknowledged that while the project aims to balance parking needs with cycling and walking facilities, officers would investigate further opportunities for additional parking. Objections were raised by local businesses and residents concerning the loss of parking spaces and the potential impact on commercial viability. Councillor Roberts noted that some of the funding came from Active Travel England, which prioritises cycleways, and that any changes would need to satisfy their requirements. He also mentioned exploring the use of a piece of land owned by Pendle Council as a potential compromise.

Lancashire County Council Flag Policy

Cabinet approved an updated Lancashire County Council Flag Policy. The revised policy dictates that only the Union flag, the flag of England, the Lancashire flag, Royal flags, and Military flags and ensigns will be flown on council property. This decision follows a motion passed by Full Council affirming pride in national and county flags and stating that individual political causes should not take precedence over shared civic identity. Councillor Gina Dowding expressed surprise at the focus on flags, questioning why flags representing the NHS or the White Ribbon campaign (to support the reduction of violence against women and girls) were no longer permitted, suggesting a reduction in freedom of expression. Councillor Roberts, however, stated that the policy was about civic buildings and shared identity, not about disliking any particular flag.

The Management of Residual Waste in East Lancashire

Proposals to support waste collection authorities in East Lancashire with arrangements for managing residual waste were approved. This aims to address challenges arising from the expiration of the Whinney Hill landfill contract in March 2026. The approved approach includes undertaking a procurement exercise for a contractor to accept residual waste from the four affected district authorities, offering an extension to the contract at the Pendle Waste Transfer Station (conditional on district councils meeting transfer handling fees), and supporting district councils in developing alternative proposals. Councillor Daniel Matchett sought clarification on whether this would negate the need for Rosendale Borough Council to build its own waste transfer station, which was confirmed by Councillor Joshua Roberts.

Supplementary Procurement Report

Cabinet approved the commencement of two procurement exercises: one for the Ramsclough Farm (Haslingden Road) Retaining Wall Scheme and another for Fleet Vehicle Purchases 2025. The retaining wall scheme is estimated to cost £3 million and will be funded through the Bridges Capital Maintenance programme. The fleet vehicle procurement will involve purchasing 127 vehicles, with a total estimated value of £6,219,000, funded through the capital programme and borrowing.

Civic Pride – Signage and War Memorial Surroundings

Cabinet noted the progress made in cleaning highway signs across the county and approved a proposal to enhance the areas around war memorials ahead of Remembrance Day. This initiative, costing an estimated £75,000, will involve teams tidying and clearing the surroundings of up to 80 war memorials.

2025/26 Quarter 1 Financial Monitoring Report

The report provided an update on the council's financial position at the end of Quarter 1, highlighting a forecast net pressure of £27.863 million on the revenue budget. Significant pressures were identified in SEND, Adult Social Care, and Home to School Transport. Cabinet approved additional expenditure of up to £5.345 million to support the SEND Recovery Plan. A revised capital programme for 2025/26 totalling £261.529 million was also approved.

Lancashire Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2024/25

Cabinet noted the annual report of the Lancashire Safeguarding Adults Board, which summarised the board's work over the past year. The report highlighted achievements in areas such as self-neglect, mental capacity assessments, and multi-agency collaboration, while also acknowledging ongoing challenges related to increasing demand on adult social care services. Publication of the report was supported.

Minor Adaptations - New Model of Working

Cabinet approved a proposal to delegate authority and funding for the Minor Adaptations Service to district councils via a Section 101 agreement, effective from 1 September 2025. This new model aims to improve service delivery and outcomes for residents by leveraging local expertise and infrastructure. The Executive Director of Adult Services was authorised to finalise the necessary agreements.

2025/26 Transport Capital Grant Funding

Cabinet approved the addition of approximately £32 million in capital grant funding from the Department for Transport and Active Travel England to the Transport Block of the Capital Programme. This funding will support various transport infrastructure projects across Lancashire. The proposed apportionment of these grants was also approved.

Lancashire County Council Flag Policy

Cabinet approved an updated Lancashire County Council Flag Policy, which restricts the flags flown on council property to the Union flag, the flag of England, the Lancashire flag, Royal flags, and Military flags and ensigns. This policy aims to promote a shared civic identity.

The Management of Residual Waste in East Lancashire

Proposals to support waste collection authorities in East Lancashire with residual waste management were approved. This includes undertaking a procurement exercise for a contractor, offering an extension to the Pendle Waste Transfer Station contract, and supporting district councils in developing alternative proposals. This aims to address challenges arising from the expiration of the Whinney Hill landfill contract.

Supplementary Procurement Report

Cabinet approved the commencement of two procurement exercises: one for the Ramsclough Farm (Haslingden Road) Retaining Wall Scheme and another for Fleet Vehicle Purchases 2025. The retaining wall scheme is estimated at £3 million, funded by the Bridges Capital Maintenance programme, while the fleet vehicle procurement will involve purchasing 127 vehicles valued at £6,219,000, funded by the capital programme and borrowing.