Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from County Councillor Lorraine Beavers.

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 3 November 2022 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).

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 no questions received.

Cabinet considered a report providing an overview of the key performance indicators as well as corporate risks and opportunities to enable monitoring against the four priorities of the corporate strategy:

• Delivering better services
• Protecting our environment
• Supporting economic growth
• Caring for the vulnerable

This report covered quarter 2 of 2022-23.

Resolved: That, following consideration of the report and the additional information set out in Appendices 'A' to 'C', the report be noted.

Cabinet considered a report on the progress made since January 2022, when the county council, together with Lancashire's 14 District and Unitary Councils, considered and supported the proposal to develop a long-term Strategic Plan for Lancashire. 

The report also set out the continuing commitment to ensure that there continues to be opportunities for all the partner authorities to contribute to and influence thematic plans, including identifying specific schemes and activities.

Cabinet also thanked the Leader of the Council and the officers for their work in developing the report.

Resolved: That

1. The outline Lancashire 2050 strategic framework (Appendix 'A') be the strategic framework that would guide further development of shared detailed priorities and actions with partners and stakeholders across the whole of Lancashire; and
2. The Leader of the Council continues to work with Lancashire Leaders in line with the principles already agreed by Full Council in January 2022 including that the Leader will make representations to that forum on any matters arising from Cabinet's consideration of this report.

Cabinet considered a report that provided an update on the county council's 2022/23 revenue and capital financial position. It was noted that the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were still evident in some services particularly relating to demand for Adults and Children's Social Care. There were also significant inflationary pressures resulting from a number of factors including the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

Resolved: That

  i.  The current forecast overspend of £7.989m on the revenue budget in 2022/23 be noted; and

  ii.  The revised 2022/23 capital delivery programme of £222.069m and the forecast outturn of £172.135m primarily due to slippage of delivery to future years be noted.

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

  i.  Provision of Library stock and other Library materials

  ii.  Framework Agreement for Haulage Fleet for Lancashire Renewables Limited

  iii.  Road markings and associated services

  iv.  Routine gully cleansing.

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

  i.  Provision of Library stock and other Library materials

  ii.  Framework Agreement for Haulage Fleet for Lancashire Renewables Limited

  iii.  Road markings and associated services

  iv.  Routine gully cleansing.

Please note that Appendix 'A' to this report is in Part II and appears as Item No. 26 on the Agenda.

Cabinet considered a report proposing the submission of Expressions of Interest to the Youth Investment Fund for 2 sites in Lancashire to seek funding for renovation. It was noted that the sites currently deliver a wide Early Help offer to children, young people and families as well as services directly targeted at young people during the day and into the evening. The Youth Investment Fund provides grant funding to renovate existing facilities to improve the health and wellbeing of young people, equip them with skills for work and life and empower them to become active citizens in their communities.

It was also noted that Appendix 'A' of the report was in Part II and appeared at Item No. 26 on the agenda.

Resolved: That

  i.  The submission of Expressions of Interest to the Youth Investment Fund before the end of the year to renovate the 2 sites detailed within the report for the amounts outlined within Appendix 'A' of the report, be approved;

  ii.  Works to the boiler and electrical installation approved within the Condition Led Programme 2019/20 at Fleetwood Children and Family Wellbeing (Milton Street), be considered match funding within the Expression of Interest for that site, and

  iii.  The Director of Finance and the Director of Corporate Services be authorised to accept receipt of any grant funds were the submission to be successful in the full application stage, to agree grant conditions and to authorise the entering into of a Grant Funding Agreement by the council.

Please note that Appendix 'A' to this report is in Part II and appears as Item No. 27 on the Agenda.

Cabinet considered a report on the A601(M) Maintenance Project. It was noted that funding for the A601(M) bridge and highway maintenance project was originally approved by Cabinet in July 2020 as the lowest cost option for maintenance of the A601(M) over a 30-year period and included revoking the motorway status, reducing the speed limit and the replacement of Higher North Road bridge with an at grade junction as a means of achieving this.

However, it had been found that the estimated cost of the new junction had increased significantly due to construction inflation adversely affecting the activities associated with that part of the project. It was therefore being proposed to retain and repair Higher North Road bridge, that was being the lowest cost option within budget, whilst seeking to deliver the other aspects of the original project.

It was noted that Appendix 'A' of the report was in Part II and appeared at Item No. 27 on the agenda.

Resolved: That approval be given for the alternative option of retaining and repairing Higher North Road bridge, and that the proposal to replace the bridge with a new junction, approved by Cabinet in July 2020, be rescinded and not implemented.

Cabinet considered a report that proposed to introduce new restrictions in the districts of Burnley, Pendle, Preston, Rossendale, West Lancashire and Wyre whilst removing current restrictions that are no longer required and correcting inconsistencies with the current Order in the districts of Burnley, Chorley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Preston and West Lancashire.

Resolved: That the proposals for new and existing restrictions on the various lengths of road within the Burnley, Chorley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Preston, Rossendale, West Lancashire and Wyre districts as detailed within the report and as set out in the Draft Order and Appendix 'A' of the report, be approved.

Cabinet considered a report on the Moving Traffic Enforcement powers. It was noted that since the introduction of the Traffic Management Act 2004 legislation has been in place but not enacted to allow councils to undertake moving traffic enforcement.  In 2022 the power was enacted, and councils could now apply to take on these powers. The report set out an overview of the powers, the process of the application and the potential start date, if the application was successful.

It was noted that Appendix 'B' of the report was circulated to the Cabinet following the agenda publication. A copy of Appendix 'B' is attached to the minutes.

Resolved: That the Regulation and Enforcement Manager be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, to submit a completed application, signed by the Chief Executive, for the provision of moving traffic powers in line with the requirements set out by Government and as set out in the report.

Cabinet considered a report on the updated policy and procedure for Speed Indicator Devices. It was noted that Speed Indicator Devices were a popular tool to tackle speeding issues on the highway and the responsibility for considering requests for Speed Indicator Devices sat with the county council's Road Safety team. Over the years a clear process and procedure had been developed and was operating effectively and the report sought to establish this process and procedure as a formally adopted policy of the county council.

Resolved: That approval be given to adopt the Speed Indicator Device Policy and Procedure, as set out at Appendix 'A' of the report, as a method for considering and implementing Speed Indicator Devices across Lancashire.

Cabinet considered a report on the Town2Turf Public Realm Transformation. It was noted that Burnley Borough Council had been successful in securing "Levelling Up Fund" monies for significant improvement works to the route between Burnley Town Centre and the Turf Moor Football stadium and Burnley Borough Council confirmed that it was willing to enter into an S278 Agreement for the delivery and payment of the works with the county council. 

Resolved: That

1. Approval be given for the county council to enter into a S278 Agreement under which it will accept staged payments totalling £5,755,866 from Burnley Borough Council along with any other additional financial provisions for the project that may be agreed; and
2. Approval be given for any payments received in connection with the agreement to be added to the Externally Funded block of the 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25 capital programme in advance of any application for payment from appointed contractors.  It was estimated that the following expenditure would be incurred in each year as £1,553,595 (2022/23); £3,952,567 (2023/24); £249,704 (2024/25). The final wording of the S278 Agreement would be agreed under the present authorisations for S278 Agreements.

Cabinet considered a report on the Statutory Social Care Annual Report on Complaints and Customer Feedback 2021-2022.

In presenting the report, officers were requested to explore options for undertaking regular surveys of Lancashire residents on council services.

Resolved: That

1. The Statutory Social Care Complaints Annual Report on Complaints and Customer Feedback for children and young people and adult services for 2021/22, acknowledging the associated learning, so that the county council can meet its legal obligations, be noted; and
2. Officers explore options for undertaking regular surveys of Lancashire residents on council services.

Cabinet considered a report that proposed to create additional special school places at West Lancashire Community High School, through the development of satellite provision in the Children's Centre on the site of St John's Catholic Primary School, Skelmersdale.

Resolved: That

1. Approval be given for the initiation of a feasibility study and informal consultation to increase the number of pupil places at West Lancashire Community High School, Skelmersdale through satellite provision on the site of St John's Catholic Primary School; and
2. The Executive Director of Education and Children's Services be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, to proceed to formal consultation on the proposals.

Cabinet considered a report on the new Environment and Climate Strategy for Lancashire County Council to run from 2023 to 2025.

Resolved: That the Lancashire County Council Environment and Climate Strategy 2023-25, as set out at Appendix 'A' of the report, be approved.

Cabinet considered a report requesting additional funding from the county council by Preston City Council as a contribution to the rising construction and refurbishment costs associated with the Re-imagining the Harris project.

Resolved: That

1. The provision of additional funding of £375,000 be agreed in principle as Lancashire County Council's contribution to the funding gap which has been identified due to rising costs associated with the project;
2. The Director of Corporate Services be authorised, in conjunction with the Director of Education, Culture and Skills, for the negotiation and approval of such legal agreements as are appropriate to secure Lancashire County Council's interest in the funding; and
3. The Director of Finance be authorised to clarify and determine the source of the funding, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources, HR and Property (Deputy Leader).

There were no urgent decisions taken since the last meeting of Cabinet.

The Leader reported the details of an urgent decision which had been taken on 28 November, i.e. after the agenda publication, setting out changes to Cabinet, Lead Member and Champion appointments which would take effect on 2 December. In doing so, the Leader thanked County Councillor Charlie Edwards for his work as Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport during the last 18 months. In reply, County Councillor Edwards wished County Councillor Rupert Swarbrick well in the role of Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport and thanked officers, in particular Phil Green and Phil Durnell, for their support during his time as Cabinet Member.

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 19 January 2023 at 2.00pm at County Hall, Preston.

It was noted that the next meeting of Cabinet would be held at 2pm on Thursday, 19 January 2023 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 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 disposal of the former Skerton High School, Lancaster.

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 implementation and funding for the migration to Oracle Cloud from the current e-business suite Oracle platform.

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. 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. 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.

Resolved: That, Appendix 'A' of Item 9 - Submission of an Expression of Interest to the Youth Investment Fund, 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. 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.

Resolved: That, Appendix 'A' of Item 10 - A601(M) Maintenance Project, be noted.