Here is a summary of the items scheduled for discussion by Lancaster City Council's cabinet on 16 September 2025. Note that this is based on the agenda and associated reports, so it is not a record of what was actually discussed or decided.

The cabinet was scheduled to discuss a range of topics including the renewal of a direction concerning 'To Let' boards, the adoption of conservation area appraisals, and updates on strategic risk management and financial performance. They were also scheduled to consider appointments to outside bodies.

Renewal of Regulation 7 Direction

The cabinet was scheduled to consider a report regarding the renewal of a Regulation 7 Direction under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007¹. Councillor Sue Tyldesley, Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility for Planning, was scheduled to present the report.

In September 2021, the council established a direction to remove deemed consent for 'To Let' boards on residential properties in certain areas. This direction was intended to manage the high number of such signs, particularly in areas with many houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

The report noted that the direction had been effective in managing 'To Let' boards, but it was due to expire in September 2026 and therefore needed to be renewed. The report recommended that the cabinet authorise the renewal of the direction, which would require express consent for the display of 'To Let' boards in the wards of Bulk, Castle, John O'Gaunt, Marsh, Scotforth East and Scotforth West. The report also recommended delegating authority to the Chief Officer for Planning & Climate Change to submit the renewal proposal to the Secretary of State.

The report stated that since the introduction of the direction, no planning applications had been sought for 'To Let' signs on residential properties, and there had been very few unauthorised boards displayed.

The report also included a background paper on the designation of a Regulation 7 Direction in Lancaster, which provided further information on the legislative background, planning policy and guidance, and the case for a Regulation 7 Direction. The background paper noted that cities including Durham, Leicester, Manchester and Nottingham have introduced Regulation 7 directions to prohibit 'To Let' boards.

The report included a consultation statement, which summarised the engagement and consultation undertaken by the council to inform the preparation and submission of the direction. The consultation received significant positive feedback, with all 49 responses supporting the proposals to restrict 'To Let' boards.

Adoption of Conservation Area Appraisals

The cabinet was scheduled to consider a report regarding the adoption of conservation area appraisals (CAAs) and boundary changes for Over Kellet, Whittington, and Yealand Conyers & Redmayne. Councillor Sue Tyldesley was also scheduled to present this report.

The report stated that conservation areas are defined as areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which is desirable to preserve or enhance². The report noted that Lancaster City Council has 38 conservation areas.

The report recommended that the cabinet approve the adoption of the draft CAAs for Over Kellet, Whittington, and Yealand Conyers & Redmayne, and approve the proposed extensions to the current conservation area boundaries in these three settlements.

The report stated that the draft CAAs set out what gives the areas their special character and identify the risks to that character. Each CAA includes a summary of special interest and a Townscape Appraisal Map, which illustrates important character features, including listed and positive buildings, key views, and positive open spaces and tree groups.

The report detailed proposed boundary extensions to each of the conservation areas. For Over Kellet, it was proposed to extend the boundary to include Bay Croft Field, the Methodist Cemetery, and the field opposite the Old School House. For Whittington, it was proposed to extend the boundary to take in the gardens on the eastern side of Main Street and the open area between Low Hall Farm and the start of the built development of Main Street. For Yealand Conyers & Redmayne, it was proposed to add the area of open land to the east of St John's Church.

The report noted that all three draft CAAs had been out to public consultation, and the Local Plan Review Group had endorsed taking the final drafts to cabinet for adoption.

Projects and Performance: Q1 2025-26

The cabinet was scheduled to receive an update on corporate performance and strategic projects during the first quarter of 2025-26. Councillor Tim Hamilton-Cox, Cabinet Member for Finance and Property, was scheduled to present this report.

The report included a summary of key changes in performance, including the addition of benchmarking figures for waste recycling and processing times for housing benefit claims. Two new key performance indicators (KPIs) were included: the number of families in hotel accommodation for over six weeks, and the number of rough sleepers. The report noted an improvement in planning KPIs and a change in how the number of properties improved was recorded.

The report also included updates on strategic projects, noting that one project was reporting major delays, six were reporting minor delays, three were reporting minor deviations to project costs, and three were reporting minor concerns with project scope.

Strategic Risk Management

The cabinet was scheduled to receive an update on the authority's progress in updating the Strategic Risk Register. Councillor Tim Hamilton-Cox was also scheduled to present this report.

The report detailed a change from a 4x4 to a 5x5 impact vs likelihood matrix, which would bring the council into line with best practice and allow greater differentiation of risk severity. The report noted that all strategic risks would be reviewed quarterly, with red-rated risks reviewed monthly.

The report stated that the changes had resulted in there being no red (high) risks, with seven amber risks across the restricted and unrestricted risk registers. The report also noted that risk SR26, which related to increasing costs of temporary accommodation for the homeless, had been closed as a strategic risk.

Capital Programme Mid-Year Review 2025/26

The cabinet was scheduled to discuss the Capital Programme Mid-Year Review 2025/26. Councillor Tim Hamilton-Cox was scheduled to present this report.

The report detailed adjustments to the capital programme, including the inclusion of fully grant-funded schemes and the movement of amounts relating to wheelie bins and Salt Ayre Data Centre into the main body of the capital programme.

The report requested a reprofiling of the current approved programme, which would allow for more robust revenue estimates and improve financial planning.

Appointments to Outside Bodies

The cabinet was scheduled to consider a report regarding appointments to outside bodies and partnerships. Councillor Caroline Jackson, Leader of the Council and portfolio holder for Housing and Homelessness, was scheduled to present this report.

The report noted that Councillor Mandy Bannon had been appointed to the cabinet, and there had been some revisions to certain portfolios. As a result, the report requested that the cabinet confirm updates to appointments to various outside bodies and partnerships, including the Community Safety Partnership, the Health and Wellbeing Partnership, the Lancaster Community Fund Grants Panel, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Board, and the Lancaster Business Improvement District (BID) Management Group.

The report stated that councillors nominated to outside bodies, partnerships and boards by cabinet are representing the views of cabinet in such positions, rather than any views they might hold as individuals.