Decision details

Notice of Motion 1

 

It was moved by County Councillor Scott Smith and seconded by County Councillor Matthew Maxwell-Scott that:

 

Lancashire County Council notes:

 

-  That more than 40 million journeys were made by bus in Lancashire in the financial year 2023/24.

-  That this represents an increase of 9% from the previous year, with passenger numbers now higher than they were before the Covid-19 pandemic.

-  That the county council has seen a 50% growth in travel on the bus services it supports.

-  That the £2 bus fare, alongside Lancashire’s Bus Service Improvement Plan, was key in safeguarding and enhancing bus services, particularly in rural parts of Lancashire.

-  That these measures have been key to reversing the impact of the withdrawal of county council support from bus services in 2016.

 

Lancashire County Council therefore regrets:

 

-  The decision by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt. Hon. Rachel Reeves MP, to increase the bus fare cap to £3.

-  The negative impact this 50% increase in fares will have on bus patronage across Lancashire.

 

Lancashire County Council therefore resolves to request that the Chief Executive writes to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, urging her to reverse the decision to raise the fare cap by 50%.

 

There being no amendments and following a period of debate, the substantive Motion was put to the vote and in accordance with Standing Order B46(6), a recorded vote was taken. The names of the county councillors who voted for or against the Motion and those who abstained are set out below:

 

For (70)

 

Aldridge	Cox	Holgate	Rigby, P	Whittam
Ali	Cullens	Hosker	Rigby, S	Yates
Arif	Cunliffe	Howarth	Riggott
Ashton	Dad	Iqbal	Salter
Aziz	De Molfetta	Jones	Schofield
Bailey	Dowding	Kay	Serridge
Barnes	Edwards	Khan, N	Singleton
Berry	Fillis	Lewis	Smith
Britcliffe	Gardiner	Maxwell-Scott	Snape
Brown	Gibson	Mein	Sutcliffe
Buckley	Gooch	O'Toole	Swarbrick
Burrows	Goulthorp	Oakes	Tomlinson
Cheetham	Green	Parr	Towneley
Clarke	Hartley	Pattison	Turner
Clempson	Haythornthwaite	Pope	Vincent
Clifford	Hennessy	Purcell	Westley
Couperthwaite	Hind	Rear	Whittaker

 

Against (0)

 

Abstain (0)

 

The substantive Motion was CARRIED. It was therefore:

 

Resolved: - That:

 

Lancashire County Council notes:

 

-  That more than 40 million journeys were made by bus in Lancashire in the financial year 2023/24.

-  That this represents an increase of 9% from the previous year, with passenger numbers now higher than they were before the Covid-19 pandemic.

-  That the county council has seen a 50% growth in travel on the bus services it supports.

-  That the £2 bus fare, alongside Lancashire’s Bus Service Improvement Plan, was key in safeguarding and enhancing bus services, particularly in rural parts of Lancashire.

-  That these measures have been key to reversing the impact of the withdrawal of county council support from bus services in 2016.

 

Lancashire County Council therefore regrets:

 

-  The decision by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt. Hon. Rachel Reeves MP, to increase the bus fare cap to £3.

-  The negative impact this 50% increase in fares will have on bus patronage across Lancashire.

 

Lancashire County Council therefore resolves to request that the Chief Executive writes to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, urging her to reverse the decision to raise the fare cap by 50%.

 

Notice of Motion 2

 

It was moved by County Councillor Charles Edwards and seconded by County Councillor Alf Clempson that:

 

Lancashire County Council notes with disappointment the decision of the Post Office to close branches across the country, including Poulton and Morecambe here in Lancashire.

 

Council further notes that thousands of residents have expressed their opposition to this decision, given the impact that these closures are likely to have, particularly on vulnerable and elderly residents in rural communities.

 

Council therefore resolves to:

 

(i)  Request that the Chief Executive writes to the Chief Executive of the Post Office, asking that they reconsider the decision to close Poulton and Morecambe Post Offices in Lancashire.

(ii)  Request that the Chief Executive writes to all Lancashire Members of Parliament to ask for their support in retaining our Post Offices.

(iii)  Request that the Scrutiny Management Board considers whether inclusion of this matter is relevant to the scrutiny working group on Banking Hubs agreed at Full Council on 17 October 2024, to ensure the needs of vulnerable residents, particularly in our rural communities, are considered in full.

 

There being no amendments and following a period of debate, the substantive Motion was put to the vote and in accordance with Standing Order B46(6), a recorded vote was taken. The names of the county councillors who voted for or against the Motion and those who abstained are set out below:

 

For (70)

 

Aldridge	Cullens	Hosker	Rigby, P	Whittam
Ali	Cunliffe	Howarth	Rigby, S	Yates
Arif	Dad	Iqbal	Riggott
Ashton	De Molfetta	Jones	Salter
Aziz	Dowding	Kay	Schofield
Bailey	Edwards	Khan, N	Serridge
Barnes	Fillis	Lewis	Singleton
Berry	Gardiner	Maxwell-Scott	Smith
Britcliffe	Gibson	Mein	Snape
Buckley	Gooch	O'Toole	Sutcliffe
Burrows	Goulthorp	Oakes	Swarbrick
Cheetham	Green	Parr	Tomlinson
Clarke	Hartley	Pattison	Towneley
Clempson	Haythornthwaite	Pope	Turner
Clifford	Hennessy	Potter	Vincent
Couperthwaite	Hind	Purcell	Westley
Cox	Holgate	Rear	Whittaker

 

Against (0)

 

Abstain (0)

 

The substantive Motion was CARRIED. It was therefore:

 

Resolved: - That:

 

Lancashire County Council notes with disappointment the decision of the Post Office to close branches across the country, including Poulton and Morecambe here in Lancashire.

 

Council further notes that thousands of residents have expressed their opposition to this decision, given the impact that these closures are likely to have, particularly on vulnerable and elderly residents in rural communities.

 

Council therefore resolves to:

 

(i)  Request that the Chief Executive writes to the Chief Executive of the Post Office, asking that they reconsider the decision to close Poulton and Morecambe Post Offices in Lancashire.

(ii)  Request that the Chief Executive writes to all Lancashire Members of Parliament to ask for their support in retaining our Post Offices.

(iii)  Request that the Scrutiny Management Board considers whether inclusion of this matter is relevant to the scrutiny working group on Banking Hubs agreed at Full Council on 17 October 2024, to ensure the needs of vulnerable residents, particularly in our rural communities, are considered in full.

 

Notice of Motion 3

 

It was moved by County Councillor Sue Hind and seconded by County Councillor Sue Whittam that:

 

The upcoming reopening of the Preston Harris Museum, Art Gallery, and Library underscores the importance of safeguarding Lancashire's museums and libraries and illustrates the achievements possible when councils collaborate effectively to protect our shared heritage.

 

Similarly, ongoing efforts with the trustees of the Lancashire Infantry Museum to secure a sustainable future for the display of the county’s military artifacts, and collaboration with the Lancashire Historic Houses Group to promote Lancashire’s stately homes and castles, demonstrate this administration’s commitment to prioritising cultural assets and preserving our county’s history and legacy.

 

However, the UK Government’s Autumn Statement and the increase in National Insurance contributions are expected to place additional financial strain on historic groups and charities, potentially impacting their ability to maintain public access to important heritage sites.

 

This Council therefore resolves to:

 

(i)  Commit to preserving Lancashire’s heritage by ensuring our museums and archive services remain accessible to the public.

(ii)  Continue fostering close partnerships with groups such as the Lancashire Infantry Museum and the Lancashire Historic Houses Group to promote the county’s historical legacy and assets.

(iii)  Request that the Chief Executive writes to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport advocating for additional funding to be specifically allocated for the preservation of local history and assets for the benefit of future generations.

 

There being no amendments and following a period of debate, the substantive Motion was put to the vote and in accordance with Standing Order B46(6), a recorded vote was taken. The names of the county councillors who voted for or against the Motion and those who abstained are set out below:

 

For (70)

 

Aldridge	Cox	Holgate	Rigby, P	Whittam
Ali	Cullens	Hosker	Rigby, S	Yates
Arif	Cunliffe	Howarth	Riggott
Ashton	Dad	Iqbal	Salter
Aziz	De Molfetta	Jones	Schofield
Bailey	Dowding	Kay	Serridge
Barnes	Edwards	Khan, N	Singleton
Berry	Fillis	Lewis	Smith
Britcliffe	Gardiner	Maxwell-Scott	Snape
Brown	Gibson	O'Toole	Sutcliffe
Buckley	Gooch	Oakes	Swarbrick
Burrows	Goulthorp	Parr	Tomlinson
Cheetham	Green	Pattison	Towneley
Clarke	Hartley	Pope	Turner
Clempson	Haythornthwaite	Potter	Vincent
Clifford	Hennessy	Purcell	Westley
Couperthwaite	Hind	Rear	Whittaker

 

Against (0)

 

Abstain (0)

 

The substantive Motion was CARRIED. It was therefore:

 

Resolved: - That:

 

The upcoming reopening of the Preston Harris Museum, Art Gallery, and Library underscores the importance of safeguarding Lancashire's museums and libraries and illustrates the achievements possible when councils collaborate effectively to protect our shared heritage.

 

Similarly, ongoing efforts with the trustees of the Lancashire Infantry Museum to secure a sustainable future for the display of the county’s military artifacts, and collaboration with the Lancashire Historic Houses Group to promote Lancashire’s stately homes and castles, demonstrate this administration’s commitment to prioritising cultural assets and preserving our county’s history and legacy.

 

However, the UK Government’s Autumn Statement and the increase in National Insurance contributions are expected to place additional financial strain on historic groups and charities, potentially impacting their ability to maintain public access to important heritage sites.

 

This Council therefore resolves to:

 

(i)  Commit to preserving Lancashire’s heritage by ensuring our museums and archive services remain accessible to the public.

(ii)  Continue fostering close partnerships with groups such as the Lancashire Infantry Museum and the Lancashire Historic Houses Group to promote the county’s historical legacy and assets.

(iii)  Request that the Chief Executive writes to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport advocating for additional funding to be specifically allocated for the preservation of local history and assets for the benefit of future generations.

 

Notice of Motion 4

 

It was moved by County Councillor Sue Whittam and seconded by County Councillor Ash Sutcliffe that:

 

Council notes the national increase in knife crime and young people vaping despite never having smoked.

 

Council applauds the excellent work done by Trading Standards to protect the health and wellbeing of Lancashire’s residents in many ways, including in combatting age-restricted sales of items such as knives, vapes, illicit tobacco and alcohol.

 

Whilst the large majority of Lancashire businesses operate responsibly, Council notes that some businesses choose to ignore the Law and put profits ahead of residents' safety.

 

Council believes that additional powers should be available to Trading Standards Officers to act as a deterrent against businesses who put the health and wellbeing of residents at risk, and that additional national funding would enable officers to increase enforcement activities.

 

Council therefore resolves to:

 

(i)  Ask the Leader to write to the Head of our Trading Standards Service, to thank his team for their work in protecting Lancashire’s residents.

(ii)  Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to urge:

a.  Introduction of increased on the spot fines and fixed penalty notices for businesses who flout the Law (this could be introduced under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill).

b.  Consideration of how procedures to prevent offending retailers from opening for a period of time may be streamlined for the more serious or repeat offenders.

(iii)  Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to seek additional funding to support Trading Standards in safeguarding the health and wellbeing of residents.

 

There being no amendments and following a period of debate, the substantive Motion was put to the vote and in accordance with Standing Order B46(6), a recorded vote was taken. The names of the county councillors who voted for or against the Motion and those who abstained are set out below:

 

For (70)

 

Aldridge	Cox	Holgate	Rigby, P	Whittam
Ali	Cullens	Hosker	Rigby, S	Yates
Arif	Cunliffe	Howarth	Riggott
Ashton	Dad	Iqbal	Salter
Aziz	De Molfetta	Jones	Schofield
Bailey	Dowding	Kay	Serridge
Barnes	Edwards	Khan, N	Singleton
Berry	Fillis	Lewis	Smith
Britcliffe	Gardiner	Maxwell-Scott	Snape
Brown	Gibson	O'Toole	Sutcliffe
Buckley	Gooch	Oakes	Swarbrick
Burrows	Goulthorp	Parr	Tomlinson
Cheetham	Green	Pattison	Towneley
Clarke	Hartley	Pope	Turner
Clempson	Haythornthwaite	Potter	Vincent
Clifford	Hennessy	Purcell	Westley
Couperthwaite	Hind	Rear	Whittaker

 

Against (0)

 

Abstain (0)

 

The substantive Motion was CARRIED. It was therefore:

 

Resolved: - That:

 

Council notes the national increase in knife crime and young people vaping despite never having smoked.

 

Council applauds the excellent work done by Trading Standards to protect the health and wellbeing of Lancashire’s residents in many ways, including in combatting age-restricted sales of items such as knives, vapes, illicit tobacco and alcohol.

 

Whilst the large majority of Lancashire businesses operate responsibly, Council notes that some businesses choose to ignore the Law and put profits ahead of residents' safety.

 

Council believes that additional powers should be available to Trading Standards Officers to act as a deterrent against businesses who put the health and wellbeing of residents at risk, and that additional national funding would enable officers to increase enforcement activities.

 

Council therefore resolves to:

 

(i)  Ask the Leader to write to the Head of our Trading Standards Service, to thank his team for their work in protecting Lancashire’s residents.

(ii)  Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to urge:

a.  Introduction of increased on the spot fines and fixed penalty notices for businesses who flout the Law (this could be introduced under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill).

b.   Consideration of how procedures to prevent offending retailers from opening for a period of time may be streamlined for the more serious or repeat offenders.

(iii)  Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to seek additional funding to support Trading Standards in safeguarding the health and wellbeing of residents.