Agenda and minutes

No apologies were received.

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

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 October 2021 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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 C35(7).

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

A total of two questions by county councillors were asked at the meeting.  The questions and responses are attached to the minutes.

Cabinet considered a report proposing to re-introduce the Local Member Grant Scheme from 1 January 2022.

Resolved: That;

1. Full Council be asked to approve that:

2. Subject to Full Council approval above, that:

Cabinet considered a report that provided an update on the county council's 2021/22 revenue and capital financial position, as at the end of September 2021 and an updated medium-term financial strategy covering the period 2022/23 to 2024/25.

It was noted that the current medium-term financial strategy indicated an aggregated funding gap of £58.583m by 2024/25, a £5.395m decrease from the previously reported position at Quarter 1 of this financial year. The forecast funding gap for 2022/23 was now £30.470m which was an improved position of £4.356m from Period 1 resulting from further analysis on demand resulting in a reduction in the level of funding built into the previous medium-term financial strategy position. 

Resolved: That;

1. The current forecast underspend of £16.441m on the revenue budget in 2021/22, be noted;
2. The revised funding gap of £58.563m covering the period 2022/23 to 2024/25 as set out in the revised financial outlook forecast for the council, be noted;
3. The budget adjustments for 2021/22, and following years' changes, included in the revised medium-term financial strategy, be approved;
4. The contents of the county council's reserves position, be noted; and
5. The revised 2021/22 capital delivery programme of £164.751m and the forecast outturn of £165.407m, be noted.

Cabinet considered a report setting out the criteria and purpose of the Household Support Fund and it was noted that the fund was to provide support to upper tier local authorities in England, for expenditure lawfully incurred or to be incurred by them in accordance with the conditions of the Fund to provide support to households in the most need with food, energy and water bills.

Resolved: That;

1. The principles of the funding options for the allocation of the Household Support Fund according to the criteria and process set out in the report, be approved;
2. The Director of Strategy and Performance be authorised, in consultation with the Leader of the County Council, to approve the final detail of the scheme, including any other alternative options for the allocation of the grant in line with the principles set out and emerging government guidance; and
3. The decision be implemented immediately for the purposes of Standing Order C29 as any delay could adversely affect the execution of the county council's responsibilities.

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

  i.  Framework Agreement for the provision of cleaning materials; and

  ii.  Acceptance and recycling of mixed inert waste from waste facilities located in Lancashire.

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

  i.  Framework Agreement for the provision of cleaning materials; and

  ii.  Acceptance and recycling of mixed inert waste from waste facilities located in Lancashire.

Cabinet considered a report that proposed the revocation of the special road status of the remaining 1.3 mile (2.1km) northern section of the A601(M) to allow a £9.245m refurbishment of the road to proceed.

Resolved: That, approval be given for the revocation of the special road designation of the remaining section of the A601(M) to the north of the Junction 35 roundabout and the Director of Corporate Services be authorised to carry out the necessary procedural steps and promote same for confirmation by the Secretary of State for Transport.

Cabinet considered a report proposing to introduce a Traffic Regulation Order to prohibit parking in the vicinity of the turning head at the truncated end of D'urton Lane, Broughton, as part of the planning conditions for James Towers Way (Broughton Bypass).

Resolved: That, the proposal for the introduction of a prohibition of waiting restriction at the truncated end of D'urton Lane, Broughton, as set out in the plan attached at Appendix 'A' of the report, be approved.

Cabinet considered a report on extending the Temporary Uplift to the Leaving Care Allowance. It was reported that between April 2020 and October 2021, Lancashire County Council provided a temporary uplift to the Leaving Care Allowance of £20.00 per week, in line with the temporary increase of Universal Credit, to reduce the impact of the pandemic on eligible and relevant care leavers. Although the temporary increase of Universal Credit had now ceased, ending the temporary uplift of the Leaving Care Allowance at the current time would leave the care leavers vulnerable.

Resolved: That;

1. The continued temporary uplift of Leaving Care Allowance of £20.00 per week, for eligible and relevant care leavers living in (semi-) independent accommodation until 31 January 2022, and for former relevant care leavers for a period of 5 weeks, to cover the waiting period after having made their first ever Universal Credit claim before 31 January 2022, be approved; and
2. The decision be implemented immediately for the purpose of Standing Order C28(3) as any delay could adversely affect the execution of the county council's responsibilities.

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

Cabinet considered a report that provided the outcomes of the feasibility studies and consultation that had been completed in relation to a proposal to expand Thornton Cleveleys Red Marsh School.

Resolved: That;

  i.  After considering the results of the formal consultation, following the publication of the statutory proposal and, subject to the detailed analysis of the consultation responses and the Equality Impact Assessment which was shared with Cabinet ahead of the meeting, approval be given to the creation of a separate 'satellite' provision to expand Thornton Cleveleys Red Marsh School, to increase the number of special school places from 94 to 124; and

  ii.  The funding as set out at Appendix 'C' of the report, be approved.

Please note that Appendix 'B' to this report is in Part II and appears as Item No. 24 on the Agenda.

Cabinet considered a report requesting the authority to start the formal statutory process, to consult on the proposal to cease the maintained nursery provision, by permanently reducing the age range at the school from 3 year olds – 11 year olds (Nursery 2 to Year 6) to 4 year olds – 11 year olds (Reception to Year 6), with effect from 1 April 2022. 

Resolved: That, the publication of a Statutory Notice, to begin the consultation period on the future of the maintained nursery provision currently delivered at Edisford Primary School, Clitheroe, be approved.

Cabinet considered a report seeking approval for the final draft of the joint Lancashire Local Flood Risk Management Strategy 2021 – 2027 as set out at Appendix 'A' of the report.

In presenting the report, it was noted that the joint Lancashire Local Flood Risk Management Strategy 2021 – 2027 had been compiled jointly between Lancashire County Council, Blackpool Council and Blackburn-with-Darwen Council.

Resolved: That, the joint Lancashire Local Flood Risk Management Strategy 2021 – 2027 to fulfil the county council's duty under Section 9 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, be approved.

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 C16(1) since the last meeting of Cabinet, and can be viewed by clicking on the relevant links:

-  Supply and Distribution of Groceries, Soft Drinks and Frozen Foods

-  Lancashire Complex Children's Home Capital Bid

-  Household Support Fund (06 October 2021 to 31 March 2022)

Resolved: That the three urgent decisions taken by the Leader of the County Council and the relevant Cabinet Members, 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 to be considered in Part I of the agenda.

The next meeting of Cabinet will be held on Thursday 2 December 2021 at 2.00pm at County Hall, Preston.

It was noted that the next meeting of Cabinet would be held at 2pm on Thursday 2 December 2021 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 as indicated against the heading to the item.

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 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.

Cabinet considered a report on a land disposal.

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

Exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. The report contains information relating to any individual; information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual; and 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 Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. The report contains information relating to any individual; information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual; and 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.

Cabinet considered a report on extending the contract of an Independent Advisor to the Pension Fund.

Resolved: That, the recommendations 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. 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 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.

Cabinet considered a report on the Ormskirk Eastern Gateway.

Resolved: That, the recommendations 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. The appendix 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 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.

Resolved: That, Appendix D of Item 12 - Developing Provision for Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities - Proposal for the Expansion of Thornton Cleveleys Red Marsh School, be noted.

Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. The appendix 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 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.

Resolved: That, Appendix B of Item 13 - The Future of Maintained Nursery Provision at Edisford Primary School, Clitheroe, be noted.

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 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.

Cabinet considered a report on reviewing the fees paid to the Homecare Framework providers.

Resolved: That, the recommendations as set out in the report, be approved and the decision be implemented immediately for the purpose of Standing Order C28(3) as any delay could adversely affect the execution of the county council's responsibilities.

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.

The Chair had approved that an item of urgent business be included for consideration at the meeting, in relation to the Works Contract for Barnoldswick Church of England Primary School - Defective Roof Replacement.

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 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.

Cabinet considered a report on a Works Contract for Barnoldswick Church of England Primary School

In presenting the report it was noted that the reason for urgency was due to the roofing problems and the current remedial works programme were causing considerable disruption to the school, preventing the school from operating at full capacity, causing inconvenience for the pupils and affecting the school's ability to maintain a COVID safe environment due to access restrictions.

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