Agenda and minutes

Prior to the start of the meeting, the Leader of the Council, on behalf of the Cabinet, paid tribute to the Chairman of the County Council, the late County Councillor Keith Iddon who sadly died on Thursday 29 June 2023.

All those present stood and observed a one-minute silence.

County Councillors Scott Smith and Sue Whittam, non-voting Lead Members, replaced County Councillors Jayne Rear and Michael Green respectively for this meeting under Standing Order No. C14(1).

Apologies were received from County Councillors Jayne Rear, Michael Green and Graham Gooch.

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 8 June 2023 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.

There was one question for Cabinet received.

A copy of the question and response is attached to the minutes.

Cabinet considered the annual reports of the county council's six Champions. The annual reports outlined the activities each Champion had undertaken between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023, in the respective roles they held, from the resources allocated to them.

The report also set out proposed changes to the Champion Grants Scheme, to ensure the council's approach to awarding grants to external organisations and community groups was consistent and transparent. It was noted that the revised Champion Grants Scheme was attached at Appendix 'B' of the report.

In presenting the report, the Cabinet thanked all the Council Champions; County Councillors Joan Burrows, Ash Sutcliffe, Paul Rigby, Carole Haythornthwaite, Alf Clempson and Stuart Morris for the work they had undertaken and continued to undertake in the community.

Resolved: That, following consideration of the annual reports of the county council's Champions, the changes to the Champion Grants Scheme, and the revised scheme as set out at Appendix 'B' of the report, be approved and that the Champions be thanked for the work they had undertaken during the course of the year.

Cabinet received the annual reports of the Lead Members. It was noted that the role of the Lead Members was to work with and support the Cabinet in the delivery of the Cabinet's vision for the county council and the council's corporate priorities.

In presenting the report, the Cabinet thanked all the Lead Members; County Councillors Mike Goulthorp, Alan Cullens BEM, Jeff Couperthwaite, Sue Whittam, and Scott Smith for all their work and for the support they had provided Cabinet and continue to provide.

Resolved: That, following consideration of the annual reports of the Lead Members, the annual reports be noted and that the Lead Members be thanked for the work they had undertaken during the course of the year.

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

1. Supported Accommodation for Young People and Combined Family Services
2. Provision of NHS Health Checks

The report also sought approval to waive the council's Procurement Rules as set out in Appendix 'R' of the council's Constitution for the extension of the following contract for a further four months, an additional month than that permitted by the council's Procurement Rules, to allow the procurement exercise to be satisfactorily completed:

  i.  Provision of Extra Care Services at Primrose Gardens, Chorley.

Resolved: That

(i)  The commencement of procurement exercises for the following be approved:

a.  Supported Accommodation for Young People and Combined Family Services

b.  Provision of NHS Health Checks

(ii)  The waiving of the county council's Procurement Rules to allow an extension of the contract for the provision of Extra Care Services at Primrose Gardens, Chorley as set out at Appendix 'A', be approved.

Cabinet considered a report on the establishment of a North West Regional Business Unit for Rail. It was noted that the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail emphasised the importance of strengthening collaboration to improve the outcomes for rail passengers. To support the national agenda as well as delivering on the local and regional objectives, Lancashire County Council, along with neighbouring North West Local Transport Authorities, had been discussing closer partnership working to improve rail services in the region and wished to establish a North West Regional Business Unit for Rail, under the existing Rail North Partnership framework.

Resolved: That

1. Approval be given for Lancashire County Council to become a Member of the North West Regional Business Unit for Rail; and
2. The Director of Highways and Transport be authorised, in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance, Director of Finance and the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, to agree and finalise the terms of the North West Regional Business Unit for Rail's Collaboration Agreement.

Cabinet considered a report that proposed to reallocate funds from underspending projects within the National Productivity Infrastructure Fund programme to other projects.  It was noted that one of the projects was within the existing National Productivity Infrastructure Fund programme and the remaining two sat outside but were still in line with the fund's outcomes.

Resolved: That the following be approved:

1. The reallocation of £432,000 to the existing National Productivity Infrastructure Fund project – A583 Riversway & Strand Road Corridors;
2. The reallocation of £75,000 to provide extra funding to certain capital traffic signal upgrade projects; and
3. The use of £294,000 for a contribution towards a junction modernisation and installation of red light/speed on green enforcement cameras at the "5 Ways/A59 junction/Hayfield Junction", Ormskirk.

Cabinet considered a report that proposed to provide a Toucan crossing on Bocholt Way, Rawtenstall.  It was noted that the proposed crossing would provide a vital, safe link between two sections of the 'Valley of Stone' cycleway and benefit the wider community. It was also noted that a consultation and formal advertising of the proposals had been undertaken and one objection to the scheme had been received.

Resolved: That the proposed creation of a Toucan Crossing, as set out at Appendix 'A' of the report, be approved.

Cabinet considered a report that proposed to provide a zebra crossing and associated works on the B6430, Park Hill Road, Garstang.

Resolved: That the installation of a zebra crossing and associated works on the B6430, Park Hill Road, Garstang as shown on the plan as set out at Appendix 'A' of the report, be approved.

Cabinet considered a report that proposed to make the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order for a prohibition of driving for all motor vehicles on Queen Street at its junction with King Street and one-way traffic on Queen Square, Lancaster permanent, which was required to improve road safety for cyclists using the cycle lane on King Street.

It was noted that during the statutory 6-month period of public consultation, the county council received 22 responses in support, 9 objections and 1 no objection, to the proposals.

Resolved: That the making permanent of the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order as advertised and attached at Appendix 'A' of the report and supporting plan attached at Appendix 'B' of the report, be approved.

Cabinet considered a report that provided an update on the recent decision of the Integrated Care Board (which had responsibility for the budget and performance of the NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria) to delegate responsibility for some NHS services to all four Places in the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System including Lancashire Place.

An update was also received following the outcome of the decision made at the Integrated Care Board at its meeting on 5 July 2023.

Resolved: That

  i.  The update on the outcome of the decision made at the Integrated Care Board at its meeting on 5 July 2023, be noted; and

  ii.  The delegation be welcomed as the first step toward closer integration between health and care, recognising that further delegations from other partners will be expected, including from the county council, and that it be noted that further decisions from Cabinet including decisions in relation to governance would be required in due course.

Cabinet considered a report that proposed the county council signed up to and adopted the Care Leaver Covenant's 'whole council approach', in order to improve the services provided to and opportunities for care leavers (i.e. Local Offer) with the county council's partners in Lancashire. It was noted that the Care Leaver Covenant was a national inclusion programme that supported care leavers aged 16 to 25 to live independently. The scheme was funded by the Department for Education and encouraged local authorities and partners to sign up and make pledges to support care leavers.

Resolved: That

1. The county council sign up to the Care Leaver Covenant's 'whole council approach' and adopts the five-part strategy, be approved; and
2. The responsibility for overseeing the county council's adoption and implementation of the Care Leavers Covenant 'whole council approach' be added to the Terms of Reference of the Corporate Parenting Board.

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 that provided an update on the implementation of the SEND Sufficiency Strategy approved by Cabinet in October 2020 and outlined the proposals to increase the availability of special needs provision throughout the county, through the expansion of special school places and through the further development of mainstream school Special Educational Needs Units. The report also requested funding for the opening of the second Special Educational Needs Unit at Padiham St Leonard's Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School.

It was noted that Appendix 'A' to the report was in Part II and was set out at Item 27 on the agenda.

Resolved: That, following consideration of the update on the implementation of the SEND Sufficiency Strategy as set out in the report, the funding as set out in Appendix 'A' of the report, for the opening of the second Special Educational Needs Unit at Padiham St Leonard's Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School, be approved.

Cabinet considered a report on the recommendations of the Edward Stocks Massey Bequest Fund Joint Advisory Committee.

Resolved: That

1. The allocation of funds as recommended by the Joint Advisory Committee at its meeting on 16 June 2023 as set out at Appendix 'A' of the report, be approved; and
2. The interview panel of the Joint Advisory Committee be authorised to award the scholarships at its meeting on 1 September 2023, In respect of the Higher Education Student Scholarship Awards.

Cabinet considered a report on a new Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy for Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen. It was noted that the purpose of the Strategy was to provide a clear direction and transparency to the deployment of electric vehicle infrastructure, supporting the needs of existing electric vehicle drivers and to meet the anticipated growth in electric vehicle usage.

Resolved: That, following consideration of the information provided in the report, the Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy as set out at Appendix 'A' of the report, be approved.

Cabinet considered the Lancashire Community Food Grant Scheme for 2023-24. It was noted that over the last three years, the communities' team had administered the Lancashire Community Food Grant Scheme. The Scheme was a small grants programme for community groups within Lancashire and was aimed at local organisations within the voluntary, community and faith sector that delivered projects to tackle food insecurity.

Resolved: That

1. The allocation of £100,000 to the Lancashire Community Food Grant Scheme for 2023-24, with one application round in late summer/autumn 2023, be approved; and
2. The Head of Service for Health, Equity, Welfare and Partnerships be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, to approve individual grants under this scheme.

Cabinet considered a report on tackling loneliness and social isolation in over 50s. It was noted that in early 2023, the communities team carried out listening exercises with residents and partners and the evaluation of those listening exercises by the team had identified a number of projects which would provide an effective use of the available budget to address loneliness in over 50s.

In presenting the report, the Cabinet thanked the communities' team which had worked and liaised with all the county council's partners within the community and voluntary areas, for the work they had done.

Resolved: That the award of grant funding to the organisations as set out in the report, be approved.

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

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

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 7 September 2023 at 2.00pm at County Hall, Preston.

It was noted that the next meeting of Cabinet would be held at 2pm on Thursday, 7 September 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 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 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 on Building Schools for the Future.

County Councillor Azhar Ali OBE declared a Non-Pecuniary interest as he was a member of the Governing Body of one of the school's listed within the report.

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 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 on an asset disposal in Chorley.

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 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.

Resolved: That Appendix 'A' of Item 15 - SEND Sufficiency Strategy Implementation - Provision of Special School Places at Padiham St Leonard's Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School and Update on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Provision, be noted.