Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from County Councillor Phillippa Williamson.

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 6 February 2025 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 C34(7).

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

There was one question for Cabinet.

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

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

1. Primary Care Local Improvement Scheme Agreements

It was noted that at the conclusion of the procurement process, any award of contracts would be made under Section 9.52 (36) of the county council's Scheme of Delegation to Officers.

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

ii.  Primary Care Local Improvement Scheme Agreements

Cabinet considered a report seeking approval to commence the identified procurement exercises in 2025 - 2026. It was noted that on 26 September 2024, the Political Governance Working Group recommended that a forward plan of Key Decision procurement processes for the 2025/26 financial year should be formulated and presented for approval to Cabinet prior to the commencement of the 2025/26 financial year, with this process being repeated on an annual basis prior to the start of each financial year.

It was also noted that at the conclusion of the procurement processes, any award of contracts would be made under Section 9.52 (36) of the county council's Scheme of Delegation to Officers.

Resolved: That the commencement of the procurement exercises as set out at Appendix 'A' of the report, be approved.

Cabinet considered a report that outlined the proposed high-level spending plan for Bus Grant funding for 2025/26. The report also covered the Bus Service Improvement Plan funding carried over from 2024/25, and Cabinet was asked to approve the draft high-level spending plan for Bus Grant in 2025/26 including Bus Service Improvement Plan revenue and capital funding.

Resolved: That

1. The high-level spending plan for Bus Grant in 2025/26 including Bus Service Improvement Plan revenue and capital funding, as set out in the report, subject to Lancashire Combined County Authority decision making to delegate the grant to the Council, be approved; and
2. The Director of Highways and Transport be authorised, in consultation with the county council's Section 151 officer and the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, to submit a delivery plan to the Department for Transport by 31 March 2025.

Cabinet considered a report that proposed to make a Traffic Regulation Order to introduce various parking restrictions on various roads within Burnley, Chorley, Fylde, Hyndburn, Lancaster, Pendle, Preston, Ribble Valley, Rossendale, South Ribble and West Lancashire. The order further formalised the current restrictions along with correcting inconsistencies in Chorley, Fylde, Hyndburn, Lancaster, Pendle, Preston, Ribble Valley and West Lancashire.

Resolved: That the making of a Traffic Regulation Order introducing proposals for new and existing restrictions on the various lengths of road as detailed within the report and as set out in the Modified Draft Order at Appendix 'E' of the report, be approved.

Cabinet considered a report that recommended the Department for Transport's 2025/26 grant and additional funding allocation for Highway Maintenance be added to the highway block of the capital programme, along with additional funding provided in the county council's budget.

The report also set out proposed detailed programmes of work relating to the funding as set out in Appendices 'C' to 'D' of the report and the unfunded schemes in Appendix 'E' of the report. It was also noted that any revisions required on receipt of the confirmed funding envelope be developed and presented for future approval in line with the financial procedures. 

Resolved: That

1. The Department for Transport 2025/26 Highway Maintenance funding grant be added to the Highway Block of the Capital Programme.
2. The proposed apportionment of the 2025/26 Department for Transport Highway Maintenance funding grant of £46.824 million and the additional £15m provided in the county council's budget, as detailed in the report and at Appendices 'A' and 'B' of the report, be approved;
3. The proposed schemes as set out in Appendices 'C' - 'E' of the report as an indicative programme subject to review through the year due to emerging pressures and changes in funding, be noted; and
4. The Director of Highways and Transport be authorised, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Commerce and the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, to amend the programme as needed to address in year emerging pressures.

Cabinet considered a report that set out the proposed revision of the West Lancashire Borough Council Public Realm Agreement as requested by West Lancashire Borough Council.

Resolved: That, the following be approved:

1. That a new West Lancashire Borough Council Public Realm Agreement be proposed for agreement by West Lancashire Borough Council as set out at Appendix 'A' of the report; and
2. That the new Agreement be finalised and authorised, and that, subject to approval by West Lancashire Borough Council, it be entered into by the Director of Highways and Transport, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport.

Cabinet considered a report that set out the options for the creation of a new four form of entry (600 place) Secondary school in north Preston. The report also requested that work commence on the design and planning for both the former Tulketh High School, and a site at Maxy Lane, subject to certain conditions.

Resolved: That the continued development of Maxy Lane site as the preferred site for the provision of a new four form entry (600 place) secondary school in Preston, 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 20 March 2025 at 2.00pm at County Hall, Preston.

It was noted that the next meeting of Cabinet would be held at 2pm on Thursday, 20 March 2025, at County Hall, Preston.