Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from County Councillors Alan Vincent and Jennifer Mein.

County Councillor Mike Goulthorp attended on behalf of County Councillor Alan Vincent under Standing Order C13(1).

Members are asked to consider any Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Interests they may have to disclose to the meeting in relation to matters under consideration on the Agenda.

None

It was noted that in relation to Item 9 – Proposed 2024/25 Highways New Start Capital Programmes that road 356 Goosnargh Lane was not in the Ribble Valley South West electoral division as listed in the report, and was in the Preston Rural electoral division.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 March 2024 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Cabinet noted and welcomed the visit of Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal to Helmshore Mills Textile Museum in Rossendale, yesterday Wednesday 10 April 2024.

To answer any verbal questions and supplementary questions from a county councillor, about any matter which relates to any item under Part I on the agenda for this meeting under Standing Order C34(7).

To submit a question to Cabinet, click here.

There will be a maximum of 30 minutes for the questions to be asked and answered.

There were two questions received.

A copy of the questions and the responses are attached to the minutes.

Cabinet considered a report seeking approval to commence the following procurement exercises in accordance with the county council's procurement rules:

(i)  Electrical and mechanical consultancy;

(ii)  Reactive and planned improvement works;

(iii)Real Time Passenger Information Bus Services and Traffic Light Priority System; and

(iv)Lancashire Domestic Abuse Support in Safe Accommodation and Outreach Services.

Resolved: That the commencement of procurement exercises for the following be approved:

(i)  Electrical and mechanical consultancy;

(ii)  Reactive and planned improvement works;

(iii)Real Time Passenger Information Bus Services and Traffic Light Priority System; and

(iv)Lancashire Domestic Abuse Support in Safe Accommodation and Outreach Services.

Cabinet considered a report on the Household Support Fund. It was noted that an extension to the Household Support Fund had recently been announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the associated grant funding from the Department for Work and Pensions was being provided for a further six months from 1 April 2024.

Resolved: That

(i)  The proposed approach to the allocation of the Household Support Fund, as detailed in the report, be approved;

(ii)  The Director of Public Health, Wellbeing and Communities be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources, HR and Property (Deputy Leader), to approve the final detail of the scheme, and any subsequent Household Support Fund schemes in line with the principles set out and relevant government guidance; and

(iii)The decision be implemented immediately for the purposes of Standing Order C27(3) as any delay could adversely affect the execution of the county council's responsibilities.  The reason for this was to expedite implementation of the decision as there was an expectation that the scheme is implemented from 1 April 2024, providing support to some of the most vulnerable households in Lancashire.

Please note that Appendix 'A' to this report is in Part II and appears as Item No. 21 on the Agenda.

Cabinet considered a report that set out proposals to establish up to 15 new residential children's homes, comprising four 4 bed homes, eleven 2 bed homes and two solo crisis beds in an existing home, which would deliver up to 40 additional in-house residential children's home beds.

It was noted that Appendix 'A' of the report was in Part II and was set out at Item No. 21 on the agenda.

In presenting the report, Cabinet thanked County Councillors Mike Goulthorp, Jeff Couperthwaite, and Alan Vincent, together with Jacqui Old CBE, Executive Director of Education and Children's Services, Louise Anderson, Director of Children's Social Care, Dave Carr, Director of Policy, Commissioning and Children's Health, and all the officers who helped produce the report, for all the work they had undertaken in bringing the report to Cabinet.

Resolved: That, the following be approved:

(i) The establishment of up to 15 new homes, comprising four 4 bed homes, eleven 2 bed homes and two solo crisis beds in an existing home, which would deliver up to 40 additional in-house residential children's home beds;

(ii)  The capital funding as set out in Appendix 'A' of the report for acquisition and works for the 15 new homes and two solo crisis beds; and

(iii) The programme be subject to review by the Cabinet Member for Resources, HR and Property (Deputy Leader) and the Cabinet Member for Children and Families, in conjunction with the Executive Director for Education and Children's Services and the S151 officer, after the delivery of the first 9 homes and two crisis beds (first 3 waves) to ensure that the approval is delivering benefits as expected.

Cabinet considered a report on the Childcare Expansion Capital Grant scheme. It was noted that the Childcare Expansion Capital Grant had been allocated to local authorities to:

·  Support the expansion of early years provision for 2-year-olds and under 2s.

·  Increase the availability of wraparound provision for primary school aged children so that parents can access childcare before and after the standard school day whilst they are at work.

The county council had been allocated £2,519,795 of capital funding for these expansion programmes, and the split was based on 80% towards the expansion of early years provision for 2-year-olds and under 2s, and 20% towards the expansion of wraparound provision.

Resolved: That:

(i) The approach to how the capital funding will be allocated and spent, be approved;

(ii)  The capital grant be agreed, and added to the capital programme and budget;

(iii) The revenue grant be agreed, and the method of allocation be approved; and

(iv) The Director of Education, Culture and Skills be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, to agree the criteria for the award of the grant to providers.

Cabinet considered a report that recommended a shared use cycle track be constructed within existing highway extent and on land already owned or to be acquired by the county council north of Blackpool Road, Kirkham, to be constructed from the East side of the A585, to the West side of the A585, making use of some sections of the existing pathway which already runs through the St George's Park housing estate. It was noted that objections had been received from a number of residents.

Resolved: That, following a variation to the old Section 278 agreement and land acquisition from Kirkham Town Council, the construction of a shared use cycletrack within existing highway widths on Blackpool Road and the A585, Kirkham and on land already owned by the county council and further land acquired from the Kirkham Town Council  along the route option 1 as shown in the report, from the A583, crossing under the A585 and exiting onto Ribby Road and the A583, be approved.

Cabinet considered a report on the installation of a quality bus stop and clearway on Lancaster Road, Preston, following consideration of various highway safety improvements. It was noted that an objection had been received.

It was also noted that the markings would enhance cyclist awareness of potential conflicts with stationary buses, reducing the potential for conflicts and improving overall safety, especially for vulnerable users.

Resolved: That the installation of a quality bus stop and clearway on Lancaster Road, Preston as shown on the plan at Appendix 'A' of the report, be approved.

Cabinet considered a report that proposed to introduce bus stop clearways and associated traffic regulation orders as part of a works package to improve bus stop access along the Stagecoach 125 bus route between Chorley and Horwich, making stops Equality Act compliant and providing improvements for those with mobility impairments. It was noted that objections to the proposals had been received.

In presenting the report, it was noted that an additional objection had been received after the agenda publication raising the number of objections received from two to three. The objection had been circulated to the Cabinet prior to the meeting.

Resolved: That, the following be approved:

(i)  The revocation of 4 bus stop clearways on Bolton Road and Chorley Road; and

(ii)  The introduction of 13 bus stop clearways and associated works on Bolton Road and Chorley Road.

Please note that Appendix 'C' to this report is in Part II and appears as Item No. 22 on the Agenda.

Cabinet considered a report proposing an increase in the number of specialist school places available either through establishing Special Educational Needs Units attached to mainstream schools and/or to increase capacity in Lancashire special schools.

The report also included the results of a formal consultation to create a Special Educational Needs Unit at Flakefleet Primary School for 16 children in Fleetwood and sought approval for the following:

·  To confirm the budget spend for alterations/adaptations in two mainstream schools' Special Educational Needs Units at Fleetwood Chaucer Primary School and Morecambe Bay Primary School.

·  The increased spend required to create additional places at The Loyne Specialist School, Lancaster, and Mayfield Specialist School, Chorley.

·  The budget spend to complete phase 3 of the expansion of Thornton Cleveleys Red Marsh School.

·  The increased spend required to create additional places at West Lancashire Community High School Phase 2 of the works.

It was noted that Appendix 'C' of the report was in Part II and was set out at Item No. 22 on the agenda.

In presenting the report, it was noted that following further information received following the agenda publication, the costings in relation to Mayfield Special School, Chorley had increased, and therefore an amendment was proposed to recommendation (v) as follows:

"Approve the additional funding for the completion of the works required to create additional capacity at The Loyne Specialist School, Lancaster and the revised additional funding for Mayfield Specialist School, Chorley, as tabled at the meeting."

Resolved: That:

(i)  Following consideration of the results of the formal consultation following the publication of the statutory proposal, approval be given for the creation of a Special Educational Needs Unit within Flakefleet Primary School, Fleetwood;

(ii)  The funding for building alterations/adaptations and/or acquisition of resources or necessary expenditure for Flakefleet Primary School, Fleetwood, be approved;

(iii) The funding for building alterations/adaptations in the Special Educational Needs Unit at Chaucer Primary School, Fleetwood, be approved;

(iv) The funding for building alterations/adaptations in the Special Educational Needs Unit at Morecambe Bay Primary School, be approved;

(v)  The additional funding for the completion of the works required to create additional capacity at The Loyne Specialist School, Lancaster and the revised additional funding for Mayfield Specialist School, Chorley, as tabled at the meeting, be approved;

(vi) The budget for the completion of the third phase of the expansion of Thornton Cleveleys Red Marsh School, be approved; and

(vii) The additional funding for the completion of Phase 2 of the works required to create additional capacity at West Lancashire Community High School, Skelmersdale, be approved.

Please note that Appendix 'A' to this report is in Part II and appears as Item No. 23 on the Agenda.

Cabinet considered a report that provided details on the outcome of the statutory consultation regarding a proposal to permanently expand Archbishop Temple Church of England High School, Preston, from September 2025, by increasing the school's Published Admission Number from 155 to 210.

It was noted that Appendix 'A' of the report was in Part II and was set out at Item No. 23 on the agenda.

Resolved: That, following consideration of the findings of the Archbishop Temple Church of England High School statutory consultation, the following be approved:

(i)  The proposal to permanently expand Archbishop Temple Church of England High School, Preston by 55 places, to increase the Published Admission Number from 155 to 210 from September 2025; and

(ii)  The capital allocation for the permanent expansion of Archbishop Temple Church of England High School, as set out at Appendix 'A' of the report.

Cabinet considered a report on the future of Pinfold Primary School, Scarisbrick. It was noted that on 14 February 2024, the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills took an urgent decision on behalf of Cabinet agreeing to a statutory notice being published to begin a representation period on the proposed closure of Pinfold Primary School, Scarisbrick and repurposing the building as a satellite site to Kingsbury Primary School, Skelmersdale. As part of the statutory process, a decision should now be taken about the proposal, which will be undertaken by Lancashire County Council as the decision maker. It was further noted that if the authority did not make a decision within two months from the end of the consultation period, the proposal and any representations about the proposal must be passed to the schools' adjudicator for a decision.

Resolved: That:

(i)  The proposal, as detailed in the Statutory Notice, to close Pinfold Primary School, Scarisbrick, with implementation commencing from 19 April 2024, be approved;

(ii)  The proposal, as detailed in the Statutory Notice, to expand Kingsbury Primary School, Skelmersdale, onto a satellite on the site of Pinfold Primary School, creating up to 20 special school places commencing from 22 April 2024, be approved; and

(iii) That an appropriate statutory decision letter be sent out, as specified under legal requirements, to give reason for the decisions to those who are to be informed of them.

The following urgent decisions have been taken by the Leader of the County Council and the relevant Cabinet Member(s) in accordance with Standing Order C15(1) since the last meeting of Cabinet, and can be viewed by clicking on the relevant link(s):

-  0-19 Public Health Nursing Service Contract

-  Town Boards - Appointment of County Council Representatives

-  Building Schools for the Future (Phase 3) - Acoustic Defects Remediation

Resolved: That the three urgent decisions taken by the Leader of the County Council, and the relevant Cabinet Member, since the last meeting of Cabinet, be noted.

An item of urgent business may only be considered under this heading where, by reason of special circumstances to be recorded in the Minutes, the Chair of the meeting is of the opinion that the item should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.  Wherever possible, the Chief Executive should be given advance warning of any Member’s intention to raise a matter under this heading.

There were no items of Urgent Business.

The next meeting of Cabinet will be held on Thursday 9 May 2024 at 2.00 pm at County Hall, Preston.

It was noted that the next meeting of Cabinet would be held at 2pm on Thursday, 9 May 2024 at County Hall, Preston.

No representations have been received.

Click here to see the published Notice of Intention to Conduct Business in Private.

Cabinet noted the Notice of Intention to Conduct Business in Private and that no representations had been received.

The Cabinet is asked to consider whether, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, it considers that the public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that there would be a likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the appropriate paragraph of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as indicated against the heading to the item.

Resolved: That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business on the grounds that there would be a likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the appropriate paragraph of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. The report contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). It is considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. The report contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). It was considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

Cabinet considered a report that requested a waiver of Procurement Rules in relation to the Tier 4 Residential Rehabilitation and Detoxification recovery and treatment system.

Resolved: That the recommendation, as set out in the report, be approved.

Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. Appendix 'A' contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). It is considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. The appendix contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). It was considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

Resolved: That Appendix 'A' of Item 7 - Residential Children's Homes, be noted.

Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. Appendix 'C' contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). It is considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. The appendix contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). It was considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

It was noted that an updated version of Appendix 'C' of Item 12 - SEND Sufficiency Strategy Implementation - Provision of Special Educational Needs Units in Mainstream Schools and Special School Places had been circulated as part of a supplementary agenda.

Resolved: That the revised Appendix 'C' of Item 12 - SEND Sufficiency Strategy Implementation - Provision of Special Educational Needs Units in Mainstream Schools and Special School Places, be noted.

Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. Appendix 'A' contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). It is considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. The appendix contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). It was considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

Resolved: That Appendix 'A' of Item 13 - School Place Planning Basic Need Update, be noted.