Decisions

A decision on approve the award of a quotation process for Heating Replacement at Whitworth Tonacliffe Primary School.

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service, Property, on behalf of Simon Lawrence, Director of Growth and Regeneration,  took the decision which has been delegated to her in accordance with the Council's Directorate Schemes of Delegation to approve the award of a quotation process at Whitworth Tonacliffe Primary School for the provision of a Heating Replacement.

The purpose of these proposals are to prevent conflict between potential U-turning vehicles and the pedestrians using the controlled pedestrian facility across the exit arm of the junction.

Consultations
Formal consultation was carried out between 07 March-2025 until 04 April-2025 which included advertising in the local press and notices being displayed on site. Divisional county councillors were consulted along with the council's usual consultees and the consultation documents posted on the council's website.

Following formal consultation No Objections were received.

Peter Bell, Highway Regulation Manager, on behalf of Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport took the decision to approve the proposal for the purpose of avoiding conflict between vehicles and pedestrians by using the controlled pedestrian facility across the exit arm of the junction.

Peter Bell, Highway Regulation Manager, on behalf of Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport took the decision to approve the proposal for the purpose of avoiding conflict between vehicles and pedestrians by using the controlled pedestrian facility across the exit arm of the junction.

A decision on the comissioning of an Adult Community Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Service.

Jessica Belle Whitcombe, Category Manager, on behalf of Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, Director of Public Health, Wellbeing and Communities took the decision to approve the contract award for the provision for Adult Community Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Service.

A decision on the approval of a contract award for the provision of Vehicle Restraint Systems Repair, Replacement, Maintenance and Inspections works across various locations.

Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport, took the decision as set out in the report.

A decision to approve the award of a single supplier contract for Skew Bridge, Grimsargh – Bridge Widening Works.

Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport, took the decision, which has been delegated to him in accordance with 9.52 (51) of the Council's Scheme of Delegation to Officers, to approve the establishment of a single supplier Contract for Skew Bridge (Grimsargh) – Bridge Widening Works.

A decision on the approval to award a call off contract from the Mechanical Design & Consultancy Framework for Summer Works 2025/26 at various schools.

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service, Property, took the decision as set out in the report.

A decision on the approval of a window replacement at Longton Primary School.

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service, Property, took the decision as set out in the report.

A decision on the approval of conducting a mini-competition procurement exercise from Reactive and Planned Improvement Works for various schools.

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service, Property, took the decision as set out in the report.

A decision on the approval of a mini-competition for the supply of Asphalt to Grange Road Fleetwood FY7 5DD.

Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport, took the decision as set out in the report.

A decision on the approval of a mini-competition for the supply of Asphalt to Tong Lane, Bacup OL13 9LH.

 

Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport, took the decision as set out in the report.

Josh Mynott, Head of Democratic Services, on behalf of the Heloise MacAndrew, Director of Law and Governance, took a decision to approve:

 

1. The provision of ICT equipment to newly elected councillors, as set out in this report; and
2. The revised County Councillor Use of Resources Protocol as set out at Appendix 'A'.

The appointment of an Interim Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer.

The Chief Executive, following consultation with the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Urgency Committee, approved the recommendations as set out in the report.

A decision on contract variation with a supplier to include an additional Enterprise Coordinator.

 

Michele Lawty-Jones, Director, Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub, on behalf of Simon Lawrence, Director of Growth and Regeneration, took the decision as set out in the report.

A decision on a contract award to deliver a series of Skills Bootcamps to upskill a number of Lancashire residents in Procurement.

Simon Lawrence, Director of Growth and Regeneration, took the decision as set out in the report.

A  decision on the re-procurement has been completed for Wave 6 of the Skills Bootcamp Programme.

Simon Lawrence, Director of Growth and Regeneration, took the decision as set out in the report.

A decision on the approval of a contract award for the provision of Digital Services Training.

Peter Lloyd, Director of Digital, took the decision as set out in the report.

Peter Bell, Highway Regulation Manager, on behalf of the Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport took a decision to approve the order for the purpose of a junction table at the junction on Goosnargh Lane/Haymaker Way.

The purpose of this proposal is to install a bus clearway on Clitheroe Road (27m length), allowing buses to stop safely and efficiently at the stop. The proposal also includes the construction of a raised boarding platform, allowing safe boarding and alighting of passengers.

 

Peter Bell, Highway Regulation Manager, on behalf of the Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport took a decision to approve the proposal to install a bus clearway on Clitheroe Road (27m length).

 

A decision to award a call off contract for the provision of window and door replacement at Preston Roebuck Primary School.

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service, Property on behalf of the Director of Finance and Commerce, took the decision which has been delegated to her in accordance with the Council's Directorate Schemes of Delegation to approve the award of a call off contract from the Construction Partnering Framework (Lot B) (PCSA Contract) for the Enabling Works at Cottam Primary School, Haydocks Lane, Cottam PR4 0NY.

Peter Bell, Highway Regulation Manager, on behalf of the Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport took a decision to approve the order for the proposed 20mph speed limit.

A new Toucan Crossing is to be constructed on Freckleton Bypass adjacent to the roundabout. In order to reduce the speed of vehicles approaching the new crossing as well as providing additional protection for all road users and pedestrians, it is proposed to extend the existing 30mph speed limit.

 

The purpose of this proposal is to introduce a shortened extent of derestricted speed limit along Freckleton Bypass that has resulted as a consequence of extending the 30mph by virtue of street lighting

 

Consultations

Formal consultation was carried out between 6 March-2025 until 3 April-2025 which included advertising in the local press and notices being displayed on site. Divisional county councillors were consulted along with the council's usual consultees and the consultation documents posted on the council's website.

 

Following formal consultation No Objections were received.

 

Peter Bell, Highway Regulation Manager, on behalf of the Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport took a decision to approve the order for the construction of new Toucan Crossing is to be constructed on Freckleton Bypass adjacent to the roundabout.

A decision on a contract extension for the provision of water coolers.

Clare Joynson, Head of Service (Facilities Management), on behalf of the Simon Lawrence, Director of Regeneration and Growth took a decision to extend the contract for the provision of water coolers as set out in the report.

A decision on the sale of land and property via Public Auction.

Gary Jones, Estates Manager on behalf of Simon Lawrence, Director of Growth and Regeneration took the decision as set out in the report.

 

A decision on the sale of Garstang Swimming Pool by private treaty.

Gary Jones, Estates Manager, on behalf of Simon Lawrence, Director of Growth and Regeneration took the decision as set out in the report.

 

A decision to approve the award at Lancaster Moorside Primary School - Solar PV Installation (PPMS 15792) M&E Framework (Lot E).

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service, Property, on behalf of the Director of Finance and Commerce took the decision which has been delegated to her in accordance with the Council's Directorate Schemes of Delegation to approve the award of a call off contract from the M&E Partnering Framework (Lot E) for the installation of SV Solar Panels at Lancaster Moorside Primary School.

Public realm improvements are being made to Cleveleys, which is the most important section of the existing high street area. As part of the scheme, the footways are being widened and the carriageway on Princess Road is being narrowed to allow a public events space and market.

 

Consultations

Formal consultation was carried out between 5 March-2025 until 2 April-2025 which included advertising in the local press and notices being displayed on site. Divisional county councillors were consulted along with the council's usual consultees and the consultation documents posted on the council's website.

 

Following formal consultation No Objections were received.

 

Peter Bell, Highway Regulation Manager, on behalf of the Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport took a decision to approve the order.

Clitheroe Road

The purpose of the proposal is to extend the No Waiting at Any Time restriction on the east side of Clitheroe Road and introduce a new No Waiting 8am – 6pm restriction on the west side of Clitheroe Road to improve the safety of motorized and non-motorized users at the junction with Station Road/Brookes Lane.

 

The reason for the proposal is to ensure the safe movement of public transport, protect sightlines and increase visibility by further prohibiting parking within too close a proximity of the junction.

 

Station Road

The purpose of the proposal is to extend the No Waiting at Any Time restriction on the north side of Station Road to improve the safety of motorized and non-motorized users at the junction with Clitheroe Road/King Street.

 

The reason for the proposal is to increase visibility by further prohibiting parking within too close a proximity of the junction.

 

Consultations

Formal consultation was carried out between 6 March-2025 until 3 April-2025 which included advertising in the local press and notices being displayed on site.  Divisional county councillors were consulted along with the council's usual consultees and the consultation documents posted on the council's website.

 

Following formal consultation one response was received.  The main points raised in the responses along with Officer comments are outlines in Appendix C.

 

Peter Bell, Highway Regulation Manager, on behalf of the Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport took a decision to approve the proposal is to extend the No Waiting at Any Time restriction on the east side of Clitheroe Road and introduce a new No Waiting 8am – 6pm restriction.

A decision on the procurement for the provision of 0-19 years (up to 25 years with SEND) Public Health Nursing Service.

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, Director of Public Health, Wellbeing and Communities took the decision as set out in the report.

Peter Bell, Highway Regulation Manager, on behalf of the Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport took a decision to approve the order to remove the existing permanent and casual bus stops on Goosnargh Lane near the junction with Oakleaf Close and introduce 2 new relocated bus stop clearways.

A decision on the approval to award: Accrington Woodhaven Day Centre - Boiler Replacement.

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service, Property, took the decision as set out in the report.

A decision on the disposal of The Woodlands Resources centre by public auction - Setting of Auction Reserve. SDO 2526-4

Gary Jones, Estates Manager on behalf of Simon Lawrence, Director of Growth and Regeneration took the decision as set out in the report.

 

A decision to extend current contracts for the supply and distribution of cleaning materials to Lancashire County Council.

Noel O'Neill, Director of Finance and Commerce, took the decision as set out in the report.

A decision on the approval of a contract award for the Provision of the British Standards Online (BSOL) Subscription.

Paul Turner, Director of Education, Culture and Skills, took the decision as set out in the report.

A decision on the Setting of Auction Reserve - SDO 2425-251.

Gary Jones, Estates Manager, on behalf of the Simon Lawrence, Director of Growth and Regeneration, took the decision as set out in the report.

 

Peter Bell, Highway Regulation Manager, on behalf of Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport, took the decision to approve the junction table on Standen Hall Drive at the junctions with Ellerbeck Close and the new site access is to slow traffic and allow safe passage of pedestrians due to the increase in traffic from the new housing development.

A decision to approve and conduct a mini-competition procurement exercise from the Reactive and Planned Improvement Works Framework (Lot 6) at West End Primary School, Morecambe (PPMS No. 15265).

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service, Property, on behalf of the Director of Finance and Commerce, took the decision which has been delegated to her in accordance with the Council's Directorate Schemes of Delegation for the approval of the commencement of a mini-competition procurement process to publish a mini competition from Reactive and Planned Improvement Works (Lot 6) at West End Primary School, Morecambe  - New Boiler Plant (Phase 2). 

A decision to approve and conduct a mini-competition procurement exercise at Whitworth Tonacliffe Primary School for the provision of a Heating Replacement (PPMS Number 15302).

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service, Property, on behalf of Noel O'Neill, Director of Finance and Commerce took the decision which has been delegated to her in accordance with the Council's Directorate Schemes of Delegation took the decision as set out in the report.

A decision to award grants and contract variations for drugs and alcohol services.

 

Paula Hawley-Evans, Consultant in Public Health, on behalf of the Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, Director of Public Health, Wellbeing and Communities, took a decision as set out in the report.

 

Proposed amendments to the Highways, Bridges Maintenance Capital Programme

Executive Summary.

 

Head of Service is asked to approve the reallocation of funds within the above programme to allow projects to be closed and financially reconciled ahead of the Financial Year end. The amounts detailed will allow outstanding, unprocessed cost items costs to be settled. Details of the proposed reallocations are as follows:

 

Transfer a total of £9841.46 from completed project id 14935 24/25 30423 Church Brow Retaining Wall to the following projects to allow them to be reconciled

£1000 to project 12764 22/23 6602 Peel Road

£2000.23 to project 12780 22/23 4661 Yorkshire Street Aqueduct

£300 to project 12779 22/23 1000B Carr Road Canal

£3500 to project 13984 23/24 6188 Worsley Park

£325.31 to project 11454 21/22 Moor Street Railway Bridge

£2715.92 to project 13990 23/24 1072 Grindleton

The reallocations are between completed projects in the same programme and there is no change to the total approved budget.

 

Background

Budget allocations are regularly reviewed to ensure the programme is delivered within available resources and completed project budgets reconciled.

Consultations

N/A

Risk management

The changes are required to ensure that the budget is managed effectively.

Financial

There is no change to the approved programme budget. This item does not require cabinet approval.

Christopher Wilding

Bridges and Structures Design Manager

27th March 2025.

 

John Davies, Head of Highway Network Management, on behalf of the Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport, took a decision to approve changes to the Bridges Maintenance Capital programme detailed in this report.

A decision to approve the award of a contract to appoint a supplier to lay the paving for Area 5 of the Nelson Town Deal project.

The Director of Highways and Transport took the decision as set out in the report.

The purpose of this proposal is to improve bus services as part of the wider Bus Services Improvement Plans (BSIP's). It is proposed to introduce a NWAAT on Longridge Road to stop vehicles parking on the road which is currently creating problems with bus manoeuvres.

 

These improvement works will allow the safe passage and manoeuvring of the local bus.

 

Consultations

Formal consultation was carried out between 14 February 2025 until 14 March 2025 which included advertising in the local press and notices being displayed on site. Divisional county councillors were consulted along with the council's usual consultees and the consultation documents posted on the council's website.

 

Following formal consultation No Objections were received.

 

Peter Bell, Highway Regulation Manager, on behalf of Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport, took the decision to approve the improvement works will allow the safe passage and manoeuvring of the local bus.

Peter Bell, Highway Regulation Manager, on behalf of Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport, took the decision to approve the improvement works that will allow the safe passage and manoeuvring of the local bus.

Peter Bell, Highway Regulation Manager, on behalf of Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport, took the decision to approve the proposed order to reduce the isolated section of the derestricted speed limit along Woodplumpton Road North to link up with the proposed 30mph speed limit on New Road and the existing 30mph speed limit on Glen View Road.

A decision to approve the award at Larches House School, Preston for the provision of the refurbishment and alterations to toilets (PPMS Number 15799).

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service, Property on behalf of the Director of Finance and Commerce, took the decision which has been delegated to her in accordance with the Council's Directorate Schemes of Delegation to approve the award of a call off contract from the Reactive and Planned Improvement Works Framework (Lot 2) for the Refurbishment and Alterations to Toilets at Larches House School, Preston.

 

A decision on the award of a contract for the provision of Forensic Toxicology Services.

Josh Mynott, Head of Democratic Services, on behalf of Heloise MacAndrew, Director of Law and Governance, took the decision as set out in the report.

As part of the normal process of service delivery, the approved highways capital programme now requires amendments to the street lighting programme to meet emerging priorities.

 

The Head of Service is asked to approve the reallocation of funds within the Street Lighting Defects Programme. Details of the proposed reallocation is shown in appendix A. There is no change to the total budget.

 

It is proposed to reallocate funds within the programme to allow completed projects to be closed out.

 

The financial implications of the proposed changes detailed in the report can be accommodated within the overall approved programme allocations. There is no change to the overall budget. Details of the proposed changes in the programme are set out in the table in Appendix A.

 

John Davies, Head of Highways Network Management, on behalf of Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport took a decision to approve the reallocation of funds within the Street Lighting Defects Programme as set out in Appendix A.

 

As part of the normal process of service delivery, the approved highways capital programme now requires amendments to the street lighting programme to meet emerging priorities.

 

The Head of Service is asked to approve the reallocation of funds within the Street Lighting Defects Programme. Details of the proposed reallocation is shown in Appendix A. There is no change to the total budget.

 

It is proposed to reallocate funds within the programme to allow completed projects to be closed out.

 

The financial implications of the proposed changes detailed in the report can be accommodated within the overall approved programme allocations. There is no change to the overall budget. Details of the proposed changes in the programme are set out in the attached Appendix A.

 

John Davies, Head of Highways Network Management, on behalf of Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport took a decision to approve the reallocations as set out in Appendix A.

 

Under the Scheme of Delegation the Head of Service is asked approval the reallocation of funding totalling £2,000 from 15092 Coring and Surveying 2024/25 to 15093 drainage CCTV works, in order to balance an overspend due to unprocessed costs.

 

John Davies, Head of Highways Network Management, on behalf of Matt Townsend, Director of Growth, Environment and Planning took a decision to approve the reallocation of funds as set out in the report.

A decision to approve the award of PCSA Contract from the Partnering Framework at Broughton-in-Amounderness CE School for the provision of Expansion (Phase 3) Enabling Works.

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service, Property, on behalf of the Director of Finance and Commerce, took the decision which has been delegated to her in accordance with the Council's Directorate Schemes of Delegation to approve the award of a call off contract from the Construction Partnering Framework (Lot C) for Expansion Works (Phase 3) Enabling Works at Broughton-in-Amounderness CE School.

John Davies, Head of Service, on behalf of the Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport took a decision to approve adjustment of budgets as requested.

Transfer of budgets to clear unprocessed costs March 2025 as set out in Appendix 'A'.

 

Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport took a decision to approve transfer of budgets as set out in 'Appendix A'.

The transfer of budgets to clear unprocessed costs March 2025 as set out in Appendix 'A'.

 

Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport took a decision to approve transfer of budgets to clear underspends as set out in Appendix 'A'.

John Davies, Head of Service, on behalf of the Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport took a decision to approve adjustment of budgets as requested.

Due to County Councillor Ged Mirfin no longer being a member of the Conservative Group, the following changes have been proposed to the following Outside Bodies/Joint Working Arrangements appointments:

County Councillor Rupert Swarbrick to replace County Councillor Ged Mirfin on Forest of Bowland National Landscape.

County Councillor Sue Hind to replace County Councillor Ged Mirfin on Whalley Educational Foundation.

Heloise MacAndrew, Director of Law and Governance took a decision for County  Councillor Rupert Swarbrick to replace County Councillor Mirfin on Forest of Bowland National Landscape Outside Body and for County Councillor Sue Hind.

 

Heloise MacAndrew, Director of Law and Governance took a decision to replace County Councillor Matthew Salter with County Councillor Stephen Clarke in Knott End to Fleetwood Ferry Service Working Group.

A decision to approve the framework agreement for the provision of waste mattress acceptance and recycling services.

Jonathan Edwards, Director of Environment and Planning, took the decision as set out in the report.

A number of projects across the £3.661m Drainage Defects and Drainage Structural Maintenance programmes have overspent and have outstanding costs, while others have remining funds. As the end of the 2024/25 financial year approaches these budgets are required to balance the individual budgets within the scope of the overall programme.

Transfer from PPMS ID 14714 23/24 £3.661m Hyndburn Drainage £75,000 to cover budget deficits within the £3.661m Drainage Defects programme.
Transfer from PPMS ID 14715 23/24 £3.661m Lancaster Drainage £10,000 to cover budget deficits within the £3.661m Drainage Defects programme.
Total £85,000

Transfer from PPMS ID 14715 23/24 £3.661m Lancaster Drainage £110,000 to cover budget deficits within the Drainage Structural Maintenance programme.
Transfer £200,000 from Trawl 2 PPMS review, as approved by Matt Townsend 01/04/2025 to cover budget deficits within the Drainage Structural Maintenance programme. Total £310,000

John Davies, Head of Highways Network Management on behalf of Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport took a decision to approve the transfers as set out in the report.

The transfer of budget to clear unprocessed costs, as per below:

 

£25,000.00to PPMS14948 from15845

£5,500.00to PPMS15445 from15696

£3,000.00to PPMS15454 from15696

£1,000.00to PPMS15649 from15696

£1,500.00to PPMS15656 from15696

£5,000.00to PPMS15667 from15696

£12,000.00to PPMS15660 from15696

 

John Davies, Head of Service, on behalf of the Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport took a decision to approve adjustment of budgets as requested.

The committee considered the work programme for the 2024/25 municipal year, and an update on actions and assurances.

 

It was noted that the Public Realm Agreement Budget allocations for 2024/25 and projected budget allocations for 2025/26 along with an updated list of Parish and Town Council allocations was awaited.

 

Resolved: That the;

 

(i)  Work programme for 2024/25 at Appendix 'A' be noted.

 

(ii)  Formal written response from County Councillor Shaun Turner, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change to the Committee's recommendations on Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure at Appendix 'B' be noted.

 

(iii)Formal written response from County Councillor Jayne Rear, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills to the Committee's recommendations on Skills, Interventions and Initiatives led by the Skills and Employment Hub at Appendix 'C' be noted.

 

(iv)Actions and assurances at Appendix 'D' be noted.

 

The committee considered the work programme for the 2024/25 municipal year, and an update on actions and assurances.

 

It was reported that the 'Value for Money Potholes Repair' item would now include information regarding Highways Reactive Maintenance. It was further reported that the Road Safety Partnership Inquiry Day would take place on 10 December 2024 and a report would be brought to the next meeting of the Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee.

 

Resolved: That;

 

(i)  Work programme for 2024/25 at Appendix 'A' be noted.

 

(ii)  Formal written response from County Councillor Rupert Swarbrick, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport to the Committee's recommendations on the Bus Service Improvement Plan at Appendix 'B' be noted.

 

(iii)Formal written response from County Councillor Aidy Riggott, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Growth to the Committee's recommendations on the Preparation of the Local Transport Plan 4 at Appendix 'C' be noted.

 

(iv) Actions and assurances at Appendix 'D' be noted.

 

The committee considered the work programme for the 2024/25 municipal year, and an update on actions and assurances.

 

It was reported that an initial meeting of the Lancashire Road Safety Partnership inquiry day panel would take place in December to help provide further context on the development of the new partnership arrangements. The date for this meeting was yet to be confirmed.

 

Resolved: That;

 

(i)  The Work Programme for 2024/25 at Appendix 'A' be noted.

 

(ii)  Information provided as part of the actions and assurances to the Committee with regard to future work programme items at Appendix 'B' be noted.

The committee considered the work programme for the 2023/24 municipal year.

 

Members were informed that the next scheduled meeting of the committee would be utilised for the purposes of developing its work programme for 2024/25. The Chair proposed to follow the same process for how the current work programme was developed which included a process of taking suggestions from members of the committee.

 

It was reported that the Scrutiny Management Board at its last meeting on 16 April agreed to the committee's request to establish an Inquiry Day to review the changes to the Lancashire Road Safety Partnership.

 

On the response from the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport in relation to a report on Road Closures which was considered by the committee at its meeting held on 21 September 2023, a request was made for further information on when the policy on road closures for events and parades would be updated. Further information would be circulated to the committee to confirm the position.

 

Resolved: That the Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny work programme for 2023/24, be noted.

 

A copy of the committee's work programme for 2023/24 which contained an update on progress with responses to the committee's recommendations on the Love Clean Streets App Review was presented.

 

Resolved: That;

 

(i)  The Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee work programme for 2023/24 be noted.

 

(ii)  The formal response from the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport to the committee's recommendations on the Love Clean Streets App Review be noted.

A copy of the committee's work programme for 2023/24 which contained an update on progress with responses to the committee's recommendations on enabling net zero infrastructure was presented.

 

It was noted that the Scrutiny Management Board at its meeting held on 16 January 2024 had agreed the committee's request to add the Transport Asset Management Plan item to the Work Programme.

 

Resolved: That;

 

(i)  The Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee work programme for 2023/24 be noted.

 

(ii)  The formal response from the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate to the committee's recommendations on enabling net zero infrastructure be noted.

 

A copy of the committee's work programme for 2023/24 which contained an update on progress with responses to the committee's recommendations on road closures was presented.

 

The Chair reported that a request had been received from the Community, Cultural, and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee, to consider reviewing the Traffic [Transport] Asset Management Plan (TAMP), taking into consideration if it is working effectively and to what extent the data is demonstrating the need to address highway issues. In considering the request the Chair felt this matter should be added to the committee's work programme. It was felt that the current system for resurfacing was entirely automated and suggested that there should be more councillor involvement in the process. There was a consensus from the committee that the matter be added to the current work programme.

 

The Chair informed members that since the last committee meeting, an informal virtual meeting had taken place with representatives from the National Grid with a view to attending a future meeting of the committee to present on the work they were undertaking to enable net zero infrastructure in Lancashire. Discussions were underway to finalise arrangements and agree a date.

 

Resolved: That:

 

(i)  The Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee work programme for 2023/24 be noted.

 

(ii)  The formal response from the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport to the committee's recommendations on road closures be noted.

 

(iii)A request to add a new topic to the Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee's work programme for 2023/24 on reviewing the Transport Asset Management Plan (TAMP) be made to the Scrutiny Management Board at its next scheduled meeting on 16 January 2024.

 

The committee was presented a report which provided members of the Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee with the committee's work programme for 2023/24.

 

It was confirmed that the Carbon Capture in Grasslands topic that was marked as a reserve topic on the work programme would be considered as an agenda item for the April 2024 meeting.

 

Resolved: That the Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee's work programme for 2023/24 be noted.

The committee was presented a report which provided members of the Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee with the committee's work programme for 2023/24.

 

Resolved: That the Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee's work programme for 2023/24 be noted.

The committee was presented a report which provided members of the Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee with the committee's work programme for 2022/23.

 

Resolved: That the Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee's work programme for 2022/23 be noted.

The Chair presented a report which outlined the Constitution, Membership and Terms of Reference of the Scrutiny Management Board.

 

It was noted that since the membership was agreed by Full Council, and the publication of the agenda for this meeting, County Councillor Lorraine Beavers was to be replaced by County Councillor Jennifer Mein on a permanent basis.

 

Resolved: That;

 

(i)  The appointment of County Councillor D Westley as Chair and County Councillor S Hind as Deputy Chair of the Scrutiny Management Board for the 2024/25 municipal year be noted.

 

(ii)   The membership of the Board, following the county council's annual meeting on 23 May 2024, subject to the permanent change of County Councillor Jennifer Mein for County Councillor Lorraine Beavers be noted.

 

(iii)   The Scrutiny Management Board Terms of Reference be noted.

 

(iv)  The Terms of Reference for the four scrutiny committees be noted.

Members of the Board were provided an overview of matters presented and considered by the Councillor Support Steering Group at its meeting held on 31 January 2024.

 

Resolved: That the report of the Councillor Support Steering Group be received.

John Davies, Head of Highways Network Management, on behalf of Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport took a decision to approve the transfers as set out in the report.

 

Resolved: that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during the 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 Scheduled 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

The Committee considered a report setting out the updated work programme of the Company Member Cabinet Committee for 2025/26.

 

Resolved: that the updated work programme for 2025/26 be approved.

Following approval from Cabinet in December 2024 to progress the procurement process the award criteria have been amended in order to achieve the best outcome. The approval of these amendments was to be delegated to the Director of Highways and Transport.

Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport took a decision to establish the award criteria for the procurement as 70% quality, 20% price, 10% social value.

A decision to approve the commencement of the procurement of bitumen emulsion as set out in the Procurement Initiative Plan.

Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport, took a decision to approve the commencement of the procurement of bitumen emulsion.

In order to complete priority street lighting repairs and column replacement. A total of £456k is required and will be funded from the underspends across the highways maintenance block.

Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport took a decision to approve the reallocation of funds for the provision of street lighting repairs and column replacement.

A decision to approve the Procurement Service to conduct a tender exercise to appoint a contractor for Hapton Footbridge works.

Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport took the decision which has been delegated to him in accordance with 9.52 (50) of the Council's Scheme of Delegation to Officers to approve the procurement of Hapton Footbridge works.

In order to continue to deliver priority structural defect repairs a total of £690k is required and will be funded from the underspends across the highways maintenance block.

Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport took a decision to approve the reallocation of funds for the provision of structural defect repairs.

A report was presented on an application for the diversion of part of Footpath FP1404038 at Crofters Bank, Loveclough, Rawtenstall.

 

The length of existing path to be diverted was shown on the Committee Plan attached to the agenda papers by a bold continuous line and marked as A-B and the proposed alternative was shown by a broken line marked A-C.

 

Consultations with the statutory undertakers had been carried out and no objections or adverse comments on the proposal had been received. There were no adverse ecological effects as this was an already well-used location surfaced with tarmac and concrete.

 

The proposed diversion was considered expedient in the interests of the owner of the land for reasons of facilitating the sale of the property and also for privacy and security. 23 Crofters Bank is a private residential property. Currently the public footpath passed through the garden fence of 23 Crofters Bank and across the garden, and also that of the immediate neighbour before passing through a block of four flats and also across the grass and through a low wall of a further property on All Saints Close.

 

It was reported that diverting the path from the curtilage of the residential properties onto an existing path adjacent to All Saints Close would significantly increase the privacy and security of the residents, whilst providing a route that was safe and convenient for public use.

 

Resolved:

 

(i)  That an Order be made under Section 119 of the Highways Act 1980 to divert part of Footpath FP1404038 shown by a bold continuous line and marked A-B on the attached map to bold broken line A-C.

 

(ii)  That in the event of no objections being received, the Order be confirmed and in the event of objections being received and not withdrawn, the Order be sent to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Authority take a neutral stance with respect to its confirmation.

 

(iii)  That provision be included in the Order such that it is also made under Section 53A of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, to amend the Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way in consequence of the effect of the Order.

 

A report was presented on a further decision required on the stance to be taken with regards to the submission of 'The Lancashire County Council (Ormerod Street to Gamble Road, Thornton Cleveleys) Definitive Map Modification Order 2015' to the Planning Inspectorate.

 

An application under Schedule 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 had been received to record on the Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way a public footpath from Ormerod Street to Gamble Road, Thornton Cleveleys. The application route was shown on the Committee Plan attached to the agenda papers between points A-B-C-D-E-F.

 

At the meeting of the Regulatory Committee held on 13 May 2015, a decision had been made to make an Order in accordance with the application and subsequent investigation and that, being satisfied that the higher test for confirmation could be met, the Order be promoted to confirmation if necessary by submitting it to the Secretary of State (Appendix A referred).

 

Committee noted that two objections had been duly made to the Order. These objections had been summarised in a second report presented to the Regulatory Committee on 25^th September 2024 (Appendix B referred). In that report, officers had recommended that the Order be referred to the Planning Inspectorate, with the available evidence, with the Order Making Authority taking a neutral stance. Committee had resolved that:

 

"That being satisfied that the higher test for confirmation can be met, the Order be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate and promoted to confirmation."

 

Committee had also suggested that officers seek further evidence. It was reported that this further information had now been obtained from the applicant and a thorough interrogation of the evidence carried out, the details of which were set out in the Committee report. 

 

Taking all this information into account, Committee were advised that they may consider there was insufficient evidence that a public footpath subsists on the balance of probabilities, and that the Authority take a neutral stance when submitting the Order to the Planning Inspectorate for a decision on confirmation of the Order.

 

It was reported that, should members agree that the Order be submitted with the Order Making Authority taking a neutral stance, it was advised that it would still be open to the applicant, or anyone wishing to support the Order, to submit evidence and/or representations directly to the Planning Inspectorate and that, if done in the correct manner, the Planning Inspectorate would take representations and evidence into account when determining the Order.

 

County Councillor Kay expressed disappointment with Wyre Council and Fleetwood Town Council who had agreed an alternative route to be provided, as part of a planning application 10 years ago, that had not yet been provided. However, County Councillor Kay thanked Jayne Elliott for all her work on this application.

 

Resolved: That, following further investigations and consideration of the evidence and objections received, the Committee recommended that the Order Making Authority now take a neutral stance with regards to confirmation when submitting the Order to the Planning Inspectorate for determination.

 

A report was presented on an application for the upgrading on the Definitive Map and Statement of the recording of footpath to bridleway across Hoscar Moss from the junction of Bleak Lane and Wood Lane to Meadow Lane, Lathom. The application route was shown on the Committee Plan attached to the agenda papers between points A-B-C-D-E.

 

A variety of maps, plans and other documents had been examined to discover when the route came into being, and to try to determine what its status may be.

 

The legal officer informed Committee that emails had been received from the landowner and the tenant after the deadline, raising concerns in relation to the peatland. Details of the concerns were provided verbally to Committee.

 

It was suggested that Committee had sufficient evidence, on balance, that the route was a historical public route available not only for use on foot or horseback but also as a vehicular highway. There had been no legal stopping up of those rights and so it was advised that the legal maxim "once a highway always a highway" would apply.

 

Committee noted the response from one of the landowners which referred to their understanding of the "alleged bridleway" having been fenced off for the past 43 years "only to provide footpath access." However, Committee noted that in this instance the county council was relying on historical map evidence and that this fencing was relatively recent.

 

Committee were advised if they were content that there was sufficient evidence of an old vehicular highway between points A-E, the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 would have extinguished mechanically propelled vehicular rights, leaving the route to be appropriately recorded as a restricted byway. It was therefore recommended to make an Order as set out in the Recommendation of the report and that the Order be promoted to confirmation.

 

The officer answered questions from Committee.

 

After a discussion, it was:

 

Resolved:

 

(i)  That the application to upgrade 8-19-FP87 and part of 8-19-FP88 to bridleway on the Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way be accepted, subject to the recording of additional rights.

 

(ii)  That an Order be made pursuant to Section 53 (2)(b) and Section 53 (3)(c)of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to upgrade 8-19-FP87 and part of 8-19-FP88 to restricted byway on the Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way as shown on Committee Plan between points A-B-C-D-E.

 

(iii)  That being satisfied that the test for confirmation can be met the Order be promoted to confirmation.

 

The annual report to Regulatory Committee was presented, in relation to requests or applications for definitive map modification orders and public path orders in progress and waiting to be processed as recorded on the statutory register.

 

The legal officer reported that, in May 2024, the county council had secured some additional funding to specifically assist with the submission of opposed orders to the Planning Inspectorate. These were matters that had previously been decided by Committee, orders made and, due to objections being received, needed to be sent to the Planning Inspectorate. There had been over 50 opposed orders on the list to be submitted which involved time consuming, specialised work. Officers had now submitted 28 of these matters to the Planning Inspectorate, which was considered to be a substantial achievement.

 

The Chair thanked the officers for all their hard work on these matters.

 

Committee were informed that the Government had announced their intention to remove the 2031 cut-off date for recording historical public rights of way for those that were considered to have come into existence before 1949 but were not shown on the Definitive Map. The cut-off date would be repealed by the government when parliamentary time allowed. It was reported that this would not have a huge effect on the number of applications received or on officer workloads.

 

The officer answered questions on the Annual Progress Report.

 

County Councillor Cheetham stated that part of Croston Close Road, Ramsbottom was on Lancashire's boundary line with Rochdale and included access to Scout Moor Windfarm. Committee noted that if a road or path stopped at a border, the county council would always liaise with the other responsible authority on these applications.

 

Resolved: The Regulatory Committee commented on the report and noted the contents.

 

Paula Hawley-Evans, Public Health Consultant, on behalf of the Sakthi Karunanithi, Director of Public Health, Wellbeing and Communities took a decision toapprove a waiver and direct award a contract for 12 months to Optum for the PharmOutcomes system.

 

Wyre Council received a grant to improve the amenities on parts of Victoria Road West, Princess Road, Slinger Road, Rough Lea Road and North Promenade Cleveleys.

 

The highway construction works commenced on 17th March. Works are being carried out by Highway Operations through a S278 agreement with Wyre Council.

 

The advance payment of fees and the Section 278 Agreement provides a robust mechanism for the County Council to ensure it is at no financial risk from carrying out the design, construction and supervision of these work.

 

Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport took a decision to bring monies, up to a maximum amount of £466,900, into the Capital Programme to cover the design and construction costs of the Cleveleys highway works.

 

In 2018 LCC took the decision not to pursue the purchase of land safeguarded for a new school, instead opting to deliver additional places at existing local schools. The applicant is seeking to remove the land purchase option via a Section 106 Deed of Variation in relation to planning application 3/2013/0137 (& RM3/2014/0043).

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service Property, on behalf of Noel O'Neill, Director of Finance and Commerce took a decision to authorise officers to proceed with the engrossment of the Section 106 Deed of Variation agreement in relation to planning application 3/2013/0137 (& RM3/2014/0043).

 

A decision to approve and conduct a mini-competition procurement exercise from the Reactive and Planned Improvement Works Framework (Lot 12) at Clayton le Moors Manor Road Primary School - Re-Roofing.

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service, Property, on behalf of Noel O'Neill, Director of Finance and Commerce, took the decision which has been delegated to her in accordance with the Council's Directorate Schemes of Delegation for the approval of the commencement of a mini-competition procurement process to publish a mini competition from Reactive and Planned Improvement Works (Lot 12) at Clayton le Woods Manor Road Primary School – Re-Roofing. 

A decision to approve and conduct a mini-competition procurement exercise from the Reactive and Planned Improvement Works Framework (Lot 3) at Longton Primary School - Window Replacement (PPMS 16004).

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service, Property, on behalf of Noel O'Neill, Director of Finance and Commerce, took the decision which has been delegated to her in accordance with the Council's Directorate Schemes of Delegation for the approval of the commencement of a mini-competition procurement process to publish a mini competition from Reactive and Planned Improvement Works (Lot 3) at Longton Primary School – Window Replacement.

A decision to approve the award Lancashire County Council's contribution to Hyndburn Borough Council's Town Centre Masterplan for Accrington.

The funding will be taken from LCC's Capability Fund and be agreed through a Grant Funding Agreement with Hyndburn Borough Council.

Jonathan Edwards, Director of Environment and Planning, took the decision as set out in the report.

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service, Property, on behalf of Noel O'Neill, Director of Finance and Commerce, took the decision which has been delegated to her in accordance with the Council's Directorate Schemes of Delegation for the approval of the commencement of a mini-competition procurement process to publish a mini competition from Reactive and Planned Improvement Works (Lot 6) at Colne Park Primary School – Boiler Replacement.

 

A decision to approve and conduct a mini-competition procurement exercise from the Reactive and Planned Improvement Works Framework (Lot 6) at Rockwood Nursery School, Burnley - Boiler and Heating Works 2025 (PPMS - Retender 11891).

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service, Property, on behalf of Noel O'Neill, Director of Finance and Commerce, took the decision which has been delegated to her in accordance with the Council's Directorate Schemes of Delegation for the approval of the commencement of a mini-competition procurement process to publish a mini competition from Reactive and Planned Improvement Works (Lot 6) at Rockwood Nursery School, Burnley – Boiler and Heating Works 2025. 

A decision to approve the award from a call off contract from the M&E Partnering Works (Lot D) at Tower Wood Outdoor Activity Centre - Domestic Hot Water Replacement (PPMS 15933).

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service, Property, on behalf of Noel O'Neill, Director of Finance and Commerce, took the decision which has been delegated to her in accordance with the Council's Directorate Schemes of Delegation to approve the award of a call off contract from the M&E Partnering Framework (Lot D) for Domestic Hot Water Replacement at Tower Wood Outdoor Activity Centre  Windermere.

A decision to approve the award of a single supplier contract for the provision of Floating Vehicle Data (FVD) service and system.

Marcus Hudson, Head of Planning and Transport, on behalf of the Jonathan Edwards, Director of Environment and Planning, took the decision as set out in the report.

A decision to approve and conduct a mini-competition procurement exercise from the Reactive and Planned Improvement Works Framework at Ashton-on-Ribble Roebuck Primary School.

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service, Property, on behalf of the Director of Finance and Commerce, took the decision as set out in the report.

A decision to approve the award for Ormskirk Neighbourhood Centre - Boiler Replacement (PPMS Number 15587).

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service, Property, on behalf of Noel O'Neill, Director of Finance and Commerce, took the decision which has been delegated to her in accordance with the Council's Directorate Schemes of Delegation to approve the award of a call off contract from the Reactive and Planned Improvement Works Framework (Lot 6) for Boiler Replacement at Ormskirk Neighbourhood Centre.

A decision to approve the award at Fulwood Meadowfield House RCH - New Boiler/ASHP - (PPMS Number 14156).

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service, Property, on behalf of Noel O'Neill, Director of Finance and Commerce, took the decision which has been delegated to her in accordance with the Council's Directorate Schemes of Delegation to approve the award of a call off contract from the Reactive and Planned Improvement Works Framework (Lot 6) for New Boiler/ASHP at Meadowfield House RCH Fulwood.

A decision to approve the the signing of a Section 106 Public Transport Contribution Agreement.

Phil Green, Executive Director of Growth, Environment, Transport & Health took the decision as set out in the report.

A decision to approve the award of a single supplier contract for the provision of social value evaluation and contract management support services and system.

Noel O'Neill, Director of Finance and Commerce, took the decision as set out in the report.

A decision on the award of a call off contract for roofing works at Ribbleton Avenue Methodist School, Preston, PR1 5SN. (PPMS Ref: 13901).

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service for Property, on behalf of Noel O'Neil, Director of Finance and Commerce took a decision which has been delegated to her in accordance with 9.52 (51) of the Council's Scheme of Delegation to Officers, to approve the award of the mini-competition.

 

Approval is sought to receive £300,000 from Ribble Valley Borough Council whilst a S278 agreement is being drafted to deliver Market Place (Clitheroe) footway renewal and replacement of new street furniture (Public Realm type works). No works will be delivered until the S278 has been entered into which will include the requirements for the full cost of the works and any associated costs are fully funded, in this case by Ribble Valley Borough Council, that might exceed the £291,172 cost estimate.

Approval is also sought to accept the financial contribution of an initial £300,000 by Ribble Valley Borough Council to construct the Public Realm type works by LCC Operations.

The scheme is a continuation of the Castle Street works that were constructed in 2024, using the same pallet of materials etc.

Authority to take this decision has been delegated under the Scheme of Delegation to Heads of Service.

it is recommended that LCC finance is authorised to accept £300,000 as an initial payment for the Market Place works. The fund will be assigned to a project specific Market Place, Clitheroe Programme and Project Management System (PPMS) code, that will be set up for the project.

 

John Davies, Head of Highways Network Management, took a decision, on behalf of the Director of Highways and Transport, to seek approval to receive £300,000 from Ribble Valley Borough Council whilst a S278 agreement is being drafted to deliver Market Place (Clitheroe) footway renewal and replacement of new street furniture (Public Realm type works), and to seek approval to accept the financial contribution of an initial £300,000 by Ribble Valley Borough Council to construct the Public Realm type works by LCC Operations.

 

On 9 June 2022 Lancashire County Council agreed a capital contribution of £5 million be made as local match funding to the East Lancashire Levelling up Fund (LUF) split over four years from 2023/24 to 2026/27.

As part of this commitment £1.25million of this contribution was included in the 2025/26 Capital Delivery Plan (Appendix A, Annex E) in the approved 2025/26 Budget Report to Cabinet on 6 February 2025.

Currently spend to March 2025 is scheduled to exceed the receipts available and additional monies are required to be allocated to funding East Lancashire LUF temporarily until the 2025/26 Grants are received. 

As part of the East Lancashire LUF Programme Investment Board meeting on the 7 March 2025 it was agreed that subject to a Scheme of Delegation Report being signed off by the Director of Environment and Planning the £1.25million allocation could be added into the East Lancashire LUF Programme in March 2025.

 

Jonathan Edwards, Director of Environment and Planning, took a decision to approve the allocation of £1.25million from the unallocated Transport grants pot temporarily awaiting 2025/26 Capital Transport Programme funding into the East Lancashire LUF Programme in April 2025. The £1.25million forms part of total contribution of £5million by LCC.

A decision to approve the award of a single supplier contract for the provision of ArcGIS.

Carol Groom, Head of ICT Strategy & Assurance, on behalf of Peter Lloyd, Director of Digital took the decision as set out in the report.

A decision to approve and conduct a mini-competition procurement exercise from the Reactive and Planned Improvement Works Framework (Lot 2) at Larches House School, Preston - Refurbishment and Alterations to Toilets (PPMS 15799).

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service, Property, on behalf of Noel O'Neill, Director of Finance and Commerce, took the decision which has been delegated to her in accordance with the Council's Directorate Schemes of Delegation for the approval of the commencement of a mini-competition procurement process to publish a mini competition from Reactive and Planned Improvement Works (Lot 2) at Larches House School, Preston – Refurbishment and Alterations to Toilets. 

The committee considered the work programme for the 2024/25 municipal year, and an update on actions and assurances.

 

 Resolved: That the:

 

  i.  Work programme for 2024/25 at Appendix 'A' be noted.

 

  ii.  Formal written response from County Councillor Shaun Turner, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change to the Committee's recommendations on the Management of Waste Operations through Planning Policy and Enforcement at Appendix 'B' be noted.

 

  iii.  Formal written responses from County Councillor Rupert Swarbrick, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport to the Committee's recommendations on Highways Reactive Maintenance Performance and the Love Clean Streets App at Appendices 'C' and 'D' respectively be noted.

 

  iv.  Actions and assurances at Appendix 'E' be noted.

 

The committee received a report that set out the findings from an initial meeting of the Lancashire Road Safety Partnership Inquiry Panel held on 10 December 2024 and certain suggested recommendations for the Committee to considered.

 

It was noted that paragraph 2 of the report mentioned a progress report on the recent review and transformation of the Lancashire Road Safety Partnership. The panel aimed to recommend certain actions and determine whether an Inquiry Day was needed to understand the changes and assess how it could add value to the new arrangements. It was requested that the progress report be circulated to the committee members.

 

It was also noted that the Terms of Reference of the Lancashire Road Safety Delivery Group, as set out in Appendix 'A' of the report, did not specify who attended from partner organisations. It was requested that information on attendees of the delivery group be provided to the committee. Additionally, it was requested that the minutes of the last meeting of the delivery group be shared with the committee.

 

Resolved: That

 

  i.  The findings and the options and proposals set out in the report be noted.

 

  ii.  The Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee agreed that an Inquiry Day was no longer required.

 

  iii.  The following suggested recommendations proposed by the Inquiry Panel be supported:

 

·  That the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport gives consideration to:

1)  From a Lancashire County Council perspective, reviewing the terms of reference for the Lancashire Road Safety Partnership Challenge Board and the Lancashire Road Safety Delivery Group after the first 12 months of operation to reaffirm the effectiveness of the new arrangements.

2)  Liaising with the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire to:

a)  Consider asking the Police and Crime Panel for Lancashire to carry out a review on improving speed enforcement across Lancashire.

b)  Request that speeding concerns raised by county councillors are actioned as part of the enforcement regime.

 

The Chair welcomed County Councillor Shaun Turner, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, Rachel Crompton, Principal Flood Risk Officer, Fiona Duke, Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Manager, Environment Agency, and Adam Walsh and Fiona Stewart – Team Leaders, Environment Agency to the meeting.

 

The report provided considered the main sources of public funding for flood risk management projects, how the funds were accessed, and how the projects in Lancashire were managed and delivered nationally, regionally and locally. The officers provided a brief verbal update at the meeting and took questions from the committee.

 

Comments and queries raised from the committee were as follows:

 

• The county council had three key functions with Flood Risk Management. These were:

 

 

• It was clarified that high-benefit schemes were those in urban areas where there was a considerable number of properties and infrastructure whereas low-benefit schemes were those predominantly affecting a small number of properties in for example rural areas. It was noted that for those schemes with a score of 100% or more were deemed viable and fully eligible for grant and aid. The challenge would be if there was available grant and aid from central government to deliver the scheme when the funding pot was accessible to schemes from around the country. Increases in construction costs now meant that less schemes were going ahead.

 

• The previous six-year program under Defra had allocated £5.2 billion nationally for flood risk management projects. However, with the change of government, this figure was under review, and a one-year program was in place while the new government assessed how to fund schemes. There was an awareness of significant shortfalls in funding based on the old funding formula. A consultation on a new funding formula was expected in May 2025 with an aim to implement the new formula from April 2026. It was also noted that £160 million was scheduled for investment in Lancashire over the next five years, with £65 million allocated to risk management authorities and £95 million to the Environment Agency. It was noted that existing coastal schemes would take up a considerable element of funding allocated as those schemes would help to protect thousands of properties.

 

• The estimated costs of the schemes outlined in Appendix 'C' of the report varied, depending on the size of the project. An example was given, and it was noted that the Preston and South Ribble scheme was a large project protecting around 5,000 properties, whereas the Padiham flood risk management scheme protected around 150 properties and required additional government funding to bridge a funding gap.

 

• The committee heard from one member that residents often expressed their frustration with recurring flooding issues in the same areas, and whilst those areas might not be considered a high priority statistically, they posed significant practical issues for residents. It was reported that the Flood Risk Management team investigated every flooding incident, including those homes that have repeatedly flooded and would communicate any identified issues to the relevant authority or service that would be responsible for delivering improvements needed. It was noted that the Flood Risk Management team could not force the pace of improvements to be carried out.

 

• On riparian ownership and legal action taken, the committee was informed that the county council had adopted a new policy for regulating ordinary watercourses in February 2024. It was reported that since March 2024, there were no examples of the county council taking a landowner to court. However, the Flood Risk Management Team was handling multiple cases were there was ongoing negotiations with landowners to get improvements completed. The challenge for the team was that landowners did not realise they had the legal responsibility for maintaining watercourses. Investment in time and effort to explain landowners' responsibilities was significant.

 

• Video surveys were used to identify specific issues in watercourses and to help target the right landowner to resolve problems. However, this process could be slowed down when a series of problems and multiple landowners are identified.

 

• The North West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (NWRFCC) had set aside £100k local levy for risk management authorities across the five partnerships in the North West to bid into to help carry out work identified as quick wins. The fund had become oversubscribed due to its short and quick process to obtain monies. It was explained the funding could be used for minor drainage works, footpaths, highways and parks as well as ordinary watercourses. In recognition of the funding challenges, the NWRFCC as a one-off had increased the levy to £250k for 2025/26.

 

• Climate change was having a significant impact on how much and how rapidly water was flowing into the system, and the time of year this was happening. Increased summer rainfall events were leading to faster runoff from fields into rivers, which could cause drains to back up. The committee was informed that the Agency had just released new National Flood Risk Assessment modelling (NaFRA2) which was available to every risk management authority to review. It was suggested that this committee could recommend an action for the county council to review its responsibilities, and the changes highlighted n the new modelling data.

 

• It was reported that the amount of requests received from the county council for flood risk management funding were smaller in number compared with other local authorities such as Blackburn with Darwen. There was a lot of study work produced by the county council, but not as much in the design phase and delivery stages. It was noted that more investment in flood risk management could be achieved if Lancashire had additional dedicated resources to focus on bidding and delivering projects. It was therefore suggested that the Cabinet Member should consider allocating additional resources to the flood risk management team to focus on bidding for flood risk management projects and delivering the work. It was acknowledged that officers would need to investigate what additional resources they required and to report back accordingly.

 

• It was also suggested that when considering a potential increase in resources that the county council should take account of the increased risks identified from the newly published climate change modelling information.

 

• The committee expressed an interest in being involved in the upcoming national consultation on changes to the funding formula and it was suggested that the county council's final draft response to the consultation, be presented to the committee for consideration at a future meeting. Further information on the current funding formula for flood defence projects was also requested.

 

• One member noted the positive progress made with the Padiham scheme.

 

The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member and officers for attending and answering the committee's questions.

 

Resolved: That;

 

  i.  The Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change gives consideration to assessing what resources are required to further access monies available for smaller flood risk management schemes taking account of the Environment Agency's new national flood risk assessment (NaFRA) modelling data.

 

  ii.  The Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport gives consideration to working with the Environment Agency to identify whether county council contributions can be made for infrastructure change arising from flood defence projects.

 

  iii.  Information on the Government's current funding formula for flood defence projects be shared with the Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee.

 

  iv.  The county council's final draft response to the consultation on the Government's funding formula for flood defence projects be presented to the Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee for consideration.

 

It was noted that a response had not yet been received in relation to the Public Realm Agreement Budget allocations for 2024/25 and projected budget allocations for 2025/26, including the updated list of Parish and Town Council allocations and a response would be circulated to the committee once received.

 

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 30 January 2025 be confirmed as an accurate record and signed by the Chair.

The Chair welcomed Debbie King, Head of Service Environment and Climate, and David Goode, Public Rights of Way Manager to the meeting. County Councillor Shaun Turner, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change also attended for this item.

 

The report provided an overview of the responsibilities of the council in relation to Public Rights of Way and how those functions were delivered by the service. The officers provided a brief verbal update at the meeting and took questions from the committee.

 

Comments and queries raised from the committee were as follows:

 

• Obstructions counted for a considerable number of investigations carried out by the Public Rights of Way team. Examples included the public assuming they could redirect footpaths from their property without proper process or believing that livestock in a field was grounds for redirecting a footpath. It was highlighted that the team covered maintenance and enforcement and in providing context to this work, the committee was informed that if a landowner did not fix an issue, such as a broken gate, it would become an enforcement matter for the county council.

 

• It was clarified that the county council had the power to confirm unopposed right of way Orders, but not opposed Orders. Opposed Orders were processed by the Planning Inspectorate.

 

• The report highlighted numerous unresolved defects or obstructions, some of which had persisted for years. However, it was noted that there had been no specific plans to address those unresolved issues, as they often were resolved naturally (e.g. weather related issues) or were fixed by landowners. Any safety related issues would be prioritised and responded to on the same day where possible.

 

• Integration between the Public Rights of Way system and the Love Clean Streets app would depend on the review of the highways asset management system (HAMS) to determine whether data would be integrated with the Love Clean Streets app or an alternative system. As the systems were not integrated, it was suggested that the instruction on the county council's website to use the Love Clean Streets app for reporting public rights of way defects be removed. Officers agreed with the suggestion as the app also often led to unresolved issues and confusion due to its street-based maps functionality. Email was often the preferred method for contacting the Public Rights of Way team instead of using the Love Clean Streets app, as administrative staff were available to assist the public in accurately reporting issues, ensuring better service delivery.

 

• The Local Delivery Scheme grants had been designed to pump prime local projects and encourage local ownership of public rights of way. It was suggested that providing generic suggestions or examples of what could be achieved could help parish and town councils prioritise important local projects and these could be included in future correspondence.

 

• Whilst one member felt the £500 Local Delivery Scheme grants were not considered sufficient by some parish and town councils, it was noted that the grants were intended for minor works that were important to the local community but may not be a priority for the county council.

 

• Due to the limited number of Public Rights of Way Officers operating in the field, it was not possible for the team to adopt the highways service model of having a dedicated officer and point of contact for each district in the back office.

 

• It was highlighted that the geographical information (GIS) for public rights of way available on the county council's MARIO website needed to be aligned with the legal record (Definitive Map and Statement) and if completed would largely avoid any confusion with local search information. It was acknowledged that digitising the Definitive Map would be a significant task and it was suggested that this task be prioritised by the Cabinet Member, and for a timescale to be provided for when this could be achieved by.

 

• In formulating recommendations, it was further suggested that the Love Clean Streets app be improved to log incidents in rural areas by capturing GPS locations at the time of initiating a report, rather than when a phone signal was received. It was felt this could ensure the accurate reporting of issues, even when in areas with poor mobile phone signals.

 

The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member and officers for attending and answering the committee's questions.

 

Resolved: That;

 

  i.  The prioritisation of digitising the Definitive Map be recommended to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change for consideration.

 

  ii.  The Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change also gives consideration to further publicising with examples of what could be achieved with use of the annual Local Delivery Scheme grant available to Parish and Town Councils.

 

  iii.  The Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport gives consideration to reviewing whether the Love Clean Streets App can capture a GPS location at the point in time of initiating a report rather than when a phone signal is received.

 

The Chair welcomed Katherine Bentley, Resilience Service Delivery Manager to the meeting. County Councillor Shaun Turner, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, Rachel Crompton, Principal Flood Risk Officer, Fiona Duke, Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Manager, Environment Agency, and Adam Walsh and Fiona Stewart – Team Leaders, Environment Agency remained in the meeting for this item.

 

The report provided information on the roles and responsibilities of the county council in response to flooding, what Lancashire would expect in terms of weather warning and informing, with a particular focus on heavy rain and flooding, and what response the various authorities provided in a flooding event. The officers provided a brief verbal update at the meeting and took questions from the committee.

 

Comments and queries raised from the committee were as follows:

 

• It was highlighted that there was frustration among members and the public about not knowing who to contact during emergencies and that more clarity was needed. It was reported that members had previously been issued with an emergency contacts card and that officers were in the process of updating the card to include the automated 24/7 Floodline number which was available for public use.

 

• The Environment Agency's role was to lead on forecasting and warnings about flood risks and they would issue flood alerts and flood warnings and severe flood warnings to inform the public and partners of potential floods. They would also gather data post-flood to inform where flood risk management investment was needed best. It was suggested that one area of improvement with incident response could be to co-ordinate the recovery phase and send out one representative rather than multiple representatives for different purposes.

 

• It was noted that United Utilities would respond to flooding caused by their assets. The committee was informed that responding to flooding events wasn't the responsibility of just one organisation and depending on whose assets were the cause of the flood would depend on who led with the remedial work.

 

• On who to contact in an emergency situation, members of the public could ring 999 and the Fire and Rescue Service might be deployed. However, it was highlighted the Fire and Rescue Service had a finite resource and could be working across multiple locations. Incidents were triaged with a view to ensure that the service delivered the 'most for the most'.

 

• It was emphasised that there wasn't a single public authority that carried the duty and responsibility of saving people's homes from being flooded. Whilst generally one authority was responsible for managing the roads and drainage; one authority was responsible for sewers; and one authority was responsible for defending and rescuing people at risk of significant danger, ultimately not one organisation was responsible for water entering and flooding a property – this was the responsibility of the householder. Considerable effort was carried out by the risk management authorities on encouraging people about what they can do for themselves. The Resilience Forums across the North West had created a flood plan available to all authorities and a considerable amount of engagement was happening with local flood action groups.

 

• The Flood Hub was the central place for all flood-related information, preventing duplication across authorities and communities and members were directed to the hub for more information. It was noted that considerable work had been done recently to promote understanding and the responsibilities of riparian ownership. The website was funded by the North West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee and maintained by Newground Community Interest Community (CIC).

 

• On those unseen and preventative measures taken, it was noted that in areas where a flood was likely, the Environment Agency would perform enhanced maintenance on the main rivers and clearing grids, to ensure water would flow freely to help prevent flooding. Assurance was sought on preventative measures carried out by the county council in respect of clearing trash screens and gullies. It was suggested that the schedule for clearing trash screens and gullies be shared with members.

 

• Concerns were raised that homes could be built on fields that currently help mitigate flooding. However, it was noted that as with any new development in Lancashire, district councils would be required to consult with relevant agencies about flood risks and provide their advice. On individual planning applications for ten or more homes or equivalent area of commercial space, the Flood Risk Management team (Lead Local Flood Authority) would advise on the developer's proposals for managing surface water flood risks. If such advice was taken by the planning authorities (district councils), the Flood Risk Management team would support the authority when it came to the discharge of conditions and help assess what was built by developers.

 

• It was reported that the Environment Agency had a flood map to assist planning services that would be updated with new climate change and surface water modelling information. The Agency reported that 99% of its comments through the statutory consultee process were taken onboard by the district councils and were confident in that process. However, what was found to be problematic was in those cases where previous permissions had been given that did not take into account recent changes to the mapping and flood risk modelling data.

 

• Concerns about forthcoming planning reforms and the effect this could have on local decision-making for housing developments were expressed, however it was noted that agencies would still provide their statutory advice.

 

• The committee was informed that sandbags were not recommended by any authority in Lancashire for household flood defence due to their weight and inefficiency and that alternative products such as floodsax or hydrosacks were recommended because they were lightweight, commercially available, and could be composted or disposed of easily. It was suggested that information on the alternatives to sandbags be shared with the committee.

 

• It was also suggested that there should be an increased marketing and advertising of the Flood Hub resource, targeting those areas most at risk and improving communication as a preventative measure, including providing clear, basic information during emergencies.

 

The Chair thanked the Cabinet Member and officers for attending and answering the committee's questions.

 

Resolved: That;

 

  i.  The Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change gives consideration to:

a.  Increasing marketing and promotion of the Flood Hub to people in areas of risk as a preventative measure.

b.  Reviewing the Flood Hub website to determine if emergency advice could be strengthened.

 

  ii.  The process and schedule for clearing trash screens and gullies ahead of inclement weather be shared with all County Councillors.

 

  iii.  Information on the alternatives to sandbags be shared with the Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee.

 

A decision on the approval of the allocations of funds from Burnley Borough Council to the Lancashire County Council LUF budget.

Jonathon Edwards, Director of Environment and Planning, took the decision as set out in the report.

County Councillor Erica Lewis considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Bay Veterans' Association towards the cost of a weekly veterans breakfast club.

 

The reason for the rejection is Councillor Lewis has no funds remaining for this financial year.

 

County Councillor Charles Edwards considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Bay Veterans' Association towards the cost of a weekly veterans breakfast club.

 

The reason for the rejection is Councillor Edwards has no funds remaining for this financial year.

 

County Councillor Lizzi Collinge considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Bay Veterans' Association towards the cost of a weekly veterans breakfast club.

 

The reason for the rejection is Councillor Collinge has no funds remaining for this financial year.

Approval is sought for the County Council to enter into an agreement for an obligation on the developer to pay:

1.£2,000 to be paid to the County Council as a contribution towards the cost of carrying out improvement work to footpath FP1404309 running from the northern end of the Site.

 

Rossendale Borough Council's Planning Committee have resolved to approve the application, subject to various conditions and subject to an agreement to cover related matters.

 

Authority to take this decision has been delegated under the Scheme of Delegation to Heads of Service.

 

It is recommended that the Director of Law and Governance Democratic Services is authorised to enter into an agreement under Section 106 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 in connection with the proposed development, providing for obligations on the owner or developer of the land to pay a sum of £2,000.

 

John Davies, Head of Highways Network Management, on behalf of Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport took a decision to approve the recommendation in the report.

 

The Director of Highways and Transport took the decision to approve the award of a contract for the supply of stone & paving for Nelson Town Deal – Areas 1,2,3,4,5,6 & 7 in accordance with the Stone & Paving Framework.

Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport took the decision to approve the award of the mini-competition to Hardscape Products Ltd. 

Lancashire County Scientific Services department manages eight landfill sites across Lancashire. Each landfill site has a leachate collection and treatment system which collects and treats leachate, which is the liquid that drains or "leaches" from a landfill and is an unavoidable product of landfill. The liquid will have passed through materials and extracted solutes, suspended solids or any other component of the material through which it has passed. LCC has a responsibility to ensure the leachate is collected and treated prior to its safe disposal into foul sewer to avoid pollution.

 

Lancashire County Council currently has a contract in place for the Provision of Maintenance Service for Leachate Collection & Treatment Systems which provides various services including the cleaning and maintenance of the leachate collection and treatment systems. The current contract was established via an Open Above Threshold procurement procedure in 2023 and was awarded to Monks Contractors Limited. The initial term commenced 1^st August 2023 and expires 31^st July 2025. There is the option to extend the contract for up to an additional 24-months.

 

LCC is exercising the permissible option to extend the contract for the full 24-months. The extension will run from 1^st August 2025 to 31^st July 2027.

 

Paul Noone, Head of Service Trading Standards and Scientific Services, on behalf of the Director of Public Health, Wellbeing and Communities took a decision to extend the contract for the Provision of Maintenance Service for Leachate Collection & Treatment Systems with Monks Contractors Limited from 1^st August 2025 to 31^st July 2027 as permitted in the current terms and conditions of the contract, of which the initial period is due to expire 31^st July 2025.

A decision to approve and conduct a mini-competition procurement exercise from the Reactive and Planned Improvement Works Framework (Lot 6) at Accrington Woodhaven Day Centre - Boiler Replacement.

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service, Property took the decision which has been delegated to her in accordance with the Council's Directorate Schemes of Delegation for the approval of the commencement of a mini-competition procurement process to publish a mini competition from Reactive and Planned Improvement Works (Lot 6) at Woodhaven Day Centre, Accrington – Boiler Replacement. 

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service, Property took the decision which has been delegated to her in accordance with the Council's Directorate Schemes of Delegation to approve the award of a call off contract from the Reactive and Planned Improvement Works Framework (Lot 6) for the provision of a new boiler at Colne Park Primary School.

A decision on the award of contract for Cleaning Services at Ribblesdale School, following a competitive tender procedure.

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service, Property, on behalf of Noel O'Neill, Director of Finance & Commerce took a decision which has been delegated to them in accordance with the Scheme of Delegation 9.52 (51) to approve the award of a contract for the 'Provision of Cleaning Services at Ribblesdale School (Secondary Provision)'.

A decision to approve and conduct a mini-competition procurement exercise from the Mechanical Design & Consultancy Framework.

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service, Property on behalf of Noel O'Neill, Director of Finance and Commerce took the decision which has been delegated to her in accordance with the Council's Directorate Schemes of Delegation for the approval of the commencement of a mini-competition procurement process to publish a mini competition from Mechanical Design & Consultancy Framework at various establishments – Summer Works 2025. 

County Councillor Gina Dowding considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Supportive Approachable Friendly Environment (SAFE) towards the cost of new uniforms, ID badges and DBS checks for volunteers.

 

The reason for the rejection is Councillor Dowding has no funds remaining for this financial year.

 

County Councillor Lizzi Collinge considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Supportive Approachable Friendly Environment (SAFE) towards the cost of new uniforms, ID badges and DBS checks for volunteers.

 

The reason for the rejection is Councillor Collinge has no funds remaining for this financial year.

County Councillor Jeff Couperthwaite considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to  Chorley Women's Centre towards the cost of improving access to the centre building.

 

The reason for rejection is no decision was received from County Councillor Couperthwaite before the decision deadline for this financial year.

A decision to approve the award at Kirkham Carr Hill High School - Demolition of Modular Building from the Construction Partnering Framework - PPMS Number 15255.

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service, Property on behalf of Noel O'Neill, Director of Finance and Commerce took the decision which has been delegated to her in accordance with the Council's Directorate Schemes of Delegation to approve the award of a call off contract from the Construction Partnering Framework (Lot A) for the demolition of modular building at Carr Hill High School, Kirkham.

County Councillor Eddie Pope considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to West Lancs Debt Advice towards the cost of training volunteers.

 

The reason for rejection is no decision was received from County Councillor Pope before the decision deadline for this financial year.

Authority is sought to proceed with engrossment of the S106 agreement in relation to planning application 'Land adjoining Woodfield Tabley Lane, Higher Bartle, Preston' (06/20024/0023). The agreement will secure a secondary education contribution for the provision of 3 secondary school places. The contribution secured will be either £82,476.00 for permanent expansion or £86,736.00 for provision of additional places at a new school. The contribution will be adjusted by BCIS Indexation at point of payment. The primary education requirement of 6 places will be mitigated by Community Infrastructure Levy contributions.

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service Property, on behalf of the Noel O'Neill, Director of Finance and Commerce took a decision to authorise the engrossment of the S106 agreement in relation to planning application 06/2024/0023 Land adjoining Woodfield Tabley Lane, Higher Bartle, Preston.

County Councillor Alan Hosker considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Emerald Earth Medicine towards the cost of purchasing 15 frame drums.

 

The reason for the rejection is Councillor Hosker has no funds remaining for this financial year.

County Councillor Terry Hurn considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Baxenden Community Forum towards the cost of transforming the family room at Haworth Art Gallery.

 

The reason for the rejection is Councillor Hurn has no funds remaining for this financial year.

This report presents an application from a local organisation requesting £1590 towards community hall and equipment hire for a project Lancs Women Dance Together from the Local Member Grants Scheme.

County Councillor Usman Arif considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Women Rise Up CIC towards the cost of community hall and equipment hire for a project Lancs Women Dance Together.

 

The reason for rejection is no decision was received from County Councillor Arif before the decision deadline for this financial year.

County Councillor Carole Haythornthwaite considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Women Rise Up CIC towards the cost of community hall and equipment hire for a project Lancs Women Dance Together.

 

The reason for rejection is County Councillor Haythornthwaite has no funds remaining in her budget for this financial year.

County Councillor Charles Edwards considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to St. John's Hospice Lancaster towards the cost of the purchase of essential items for the in-patient unit.

 

The reason for the rejection is no decision was received from Councillor Edwards before the decision deadline for this financial year.

County Councillor Usman Arif considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Pendle + Burnley District Angling Association towards the cost of beginning the 2nd phase of footpath repairs around Foulridge reservoir.

 

The reason for rejection is no decision was received from County Councillor Arif before the decision deadline for this financial year

 

County Councillor Terry Hurn considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to JC's Gym and Fitness Centre towards the cost of building maintenance and new equipment.

 

The reason for rejection is Councillor Hurn has no funding remaining in his budget for this financial year.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 March 2025 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

It was moved by County Councillor Matthew Tomlinson that:

 

This Council notes that the recent Ofsted inspection of SEND services in Lancashire highlighted 'widespread failings' which led to 'significant concerns about the experience of Children and Young people with SEND'.

 

Council notes the conspicuous lack of political leadership on the issue since the report has been made public.

 

Council calls upon the Cabinet Member responsible to make a full statement to the Full Council on the circumstances that have led to such a damning report and to lay out the plans to rectify the identified failings.

 

Council calls for the establishment of a cross party monitoring group to ensure any plans are open to the strongest possible scrutiny. Any such group must include representatives of the Children and Families affected.

 

The following friendly Amendment was proposed by County Councillor John Fillis in accordance with Standing Order B43:

 

To add:

 

Due to the lack of political leadership and lack of recognition of the ever increasing numbers of children being failed, council demands that the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills should resign. If they refuse to do so, they should be removed by the Leader of the County Council.

 

The friendly Amendment was accepted by County Councillor Tomlinson and became the substantive Motion as follows:

 

This Council notes that the recent Ofsted inspection of SEND services in Lancashire highlighted 'widespread failings' which led to 'significant concerns about the experience of Children and Young people with SEND'.

 

Council notes the conspicuous lack of political leadership on the issue since the report has been made public.

 

Council calls upon the Cabinet Member responsible to make a full statement to the Full Council on the circumstances that have led to such a damning report and to lay out the plans to rectify the identified failings.

 

Council calls for the establishment of a cross party monitoring group to ensure any plans are open to the strongest possible scrutiny. Any such group must include representatives of the Children and Families affected.

 

Due to the lack of political leadership and lack of recognition of the ever increasing numbers of children being failed, council demands that the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills should resign. If they refuse to do so, they should be removed by the Leader of the County Council.

 

The following Amendment was proposed by County Councillor Jayne Rear and seconded by County Councillor Michael Green:

 

Council notes that the NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Lancashire County Council, as part of the Lancashire SEND Partnership, are jointly responsible for the planning and commissioning of services for children and young people with SEND in Lancashire. 

 

Council notes that the Ofsted report notes that there were 'widespread failings' leading to 'significant concerns about the experience of Children and Young People with SEND', which the local area partnership must address urgently.

 

Council notes the Cabinet report of the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills published yesterday providing a comprehensive update on the Priority Action Plan.

 

Council supports the Cabinet recommendation to agree that the Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee be asked to oversee the progress against milestones in the Priority Action Plan in addition to quarterly performance updates to Cabinet and that the Council continues to engage with representatives of the Children and Families affected.

 

Council supports the Cabinet report recommendation to agree that the Council writes to government to offer support from Lancashire County Council to inform national legislative change and ensure that local needs and perspectives are represented.

 

Following a brief adjournment and a period of debate, the Amendment 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 Amendment and those who abstained are set out below:

 

For (40)

 

Ashton	Couperthwaite	Haythornthwaite	Rear	Sutcliffe
Bailey	Cox	Hind	Rigby, P	Swarbrick
Britcliffe	Cullens	Hosker	Rigby, S	Towneley
Buckley	Gardiner	Jones	Riggott	Turner
Burrows	Gooch	Kay	Salter	Vincent
Cheetham	Goulthorp	Maxwell-Scott	Schofield	Westley
Clarke	Green	O'Toole	Singleton	Whittam
Clempson	Hartley	Pope	Smith	Yates

 

Against (24)

 

Aldridge	Clifford	Gibson	Mein	Serridge
Arif	Cunliffe	Hennessy	Oakes	Snape
Aziz	Dad	Holgate	Parr	Tomlinson
Barnes	De Molfetta	Iqbal	Pattison	Whittaker
Berry	Fillis	Lewis	Potter

 

Abstain (0)

 

The Amendment was therefore CARRIED and became the substantive Motion.

 

There being no further Amendments, the substantive Motion was put to the vote and was CARRIED. It was therefore:

 

Resolved: - That:

 

Council notes that the NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Lancashire County Council, as part of the Lancashire SEND Partnership, are jointly responsible for the planning and commissioning of services for children and young people with SEND in Lancashire. 

 

Council notes that the Ofsted report notes that there were 'widespread failings' leading to 'significant concerns about the experience of Children and Young People with SEND', which the local area partnership must address urgently.

 

Council notes the Cabinet report of the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills published yesterday providing a comprehensive update on the Priority Action Plan.

 

Council supports the Cabinet recommendation to agree that the Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee be asked to oversee the progress against milestones in the Priority Action Plan in addition to quarterly performance updates to Cabinet and that the Council continues to engage with representatives of the Children and Families affected.

 

Council supports the Cabinet report recommendation to agree that the Council writes to government to offer support from Lancashire County Council to inform national legislative change and ensure that local needs and perspectives are represented.

 

 

 

County Councillor Alan Vincent moved a report setting out details of the changes to the Constitution that have been made since the last report to Full Council on 17 October 2024.

 

Resolved: - That the changes to the Constitution that have been made since the last report to Full Council on 17 October 2024, as set out in the report, now presented, be noted.

County Councillor Alan Schofield moved the report of the Audit, Risk and Governance Committee from its meeting on 27 January 2025.

 

Resolved: - That the report of the Audit, Risk and Governance Committee, now presented, be noted.

County Councillor Nikki Hennessy moved the report of the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority from its meetings on 16 December 2024 and 17 February 2025.

 

Resolved: - That the report of the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority, now presented, be noted.

County Councillor David Westley moved the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees from their meetings as follows:

 

-  Scrutiny Management Board (4 February 2025)  

-  Children, Families and Skills (18 December 2024 and 29 January 2025)

-  Community, Cultural and Corporate Services (9 December 2024 and 12 February 2025)

-  Environment, Economic Growth and Transport (4 December 2024 and 30 January 2025)

-  Health and Adult Services (13 December 2024 and 5 February 2025)

 

Resolved: - That the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees, now presented, be noted.

County Councillor Alan Vincent moved a report setting out the proposed appointment of three new members of the Independent Remuneration Panel, together with the proposed reappointment of an existing member for a second term of office for a further four years.

 

Resolved: - That:

 

(i)  The appointment of Ms L Keane, Mr C Ainsworth and Mr G Krawiec to serve on the Independent Remuneration Panel for a four-year term with effect from 13 March 2025, as set out in th report, now presented, be approved.

(ii)  The reappointment of Ms L Strapps for a second term of office for a further four-year term, with effect from 13 March 2025, as set out in the report, now presented, be approved.

County Councillor Alan Vincent moved a report setting out details of the proposed Members' Allowance Scheme for 2025/26.

 

During the debate, members asked if further consideration could be given to the arrangements for Dependants' Carers' Allowance and it was noted that this would be referred back to the Independent Remuneration Panel in order that recommendations could be made back to Full Council.

 

Resolved: - That the 2025/26 Members' Allowance Scheme, as set out at Appendix 'A', to the report, now presented, be approved.

 

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.

 

 

Resolved: - That the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 12 December 2024 and the Extraordinary General and Budget Meetings held on 26 February 2025 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

County Councillor Eddie Pope moved a report providing Full Council with an update on recruitment in respect of a vacancy on the Local Pension Board for a Scheme Member representative and the extension to the terms of two current members.

 

Resolved: - That:

 

(i)  The appointment of Ms Christine Firth to the Lancashire Local Pension Board for a term of 4 years with effect from 1 April 2025 with the option to extend the term by a further 4 years, as set out in the report, now presented, be approved.

(ii)  The new Board member will be bound by the county council's Code of Conduct for Members with immediate effect, as set out in the report, now presented, be noted.

(iii)  The extension to the terms of current Lancashire Local Pension Board members, Mr Stephen Dunstan and Mr Kevin Ellard for a further four years, as set out in the report, now presented, be approved.

County Councillor Alan Vincent moved a report setting out the council's proposed pay policy statement for 2025/26 which must be approved by Full Council before it is published.

 

Resolved: - That the proposed pay policy statement for 2025/26, as set out at Appendix 'A' to the report, now presented, be approved.

County Councillor Michael Green moved the report of the Lancashire Health and Wellbeing Board from its meeting on 21 January 2025.

 

Resolved: - That the report of the Lancashire Health and Wellbeing Board, now

Presented, be noted

County Councillor Alan Vincent moved a report specifying the financial threshold for 2025/26 for significant key decisions for the purposes of Section 5.9(a) of the Constitution.

 

Resolved: - That the proposal that the financial threshold for Key Decisions, for the purposes of Section 5.9 of the Constitution, as set out in the report, now presented, remain at £2.2m for 2025/26 be approved.

County Councillor Alan Vincent moved the report of the Cabinet from its meetings on 5 December 2024, 16 January 2025 and 6 February 2025.

 

Resolved: - That the report of the Cabinet, now presented, be noted.

County Councillor Alan Vincent moved the report of the Employment Committee from its meetings on 5 December 2024, 14 January 2025 and 7 February 2025.

 

Resolved: - That the report of the Employment Committee, now presented, be noted.

A decision to approve and conduct a mini-competition procurement exercise from the Reactive and Planned Improvement Works Framework (Lot 3) at Stalmine Primary School - New Classroom Extension.

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service, Property, on behalf of Noel O'Neill, Director of Finance and Commerce, took the decision which has been delegated to her in accordance with the Council's Directorate Schemes of Delegation for the approval of the commencement of a mini-competition procurement process to publish a mini competition from Reactive and Planned Improvement Works (Lot 3) at Stalmine Primary School – New Classroom Extension. 

The government has invited proposals for local government reorganisation, in line with the proposals set out in its English Devolution White Paper of December 2024.

 

This report sets out the government's requirements and the initial response of the county council. This response sets out a wide range of views, rather than a consensus. It is not final, formal or binding.

Resolved: That

 

1. The collaborative interim plan be approved for submission to Government by 21 March 2025, as presented at Appendix B of the report; and
2. The decision be implemented immediately for the purposes of Standing Order C28(3) as any delay could adversely affect the execution of the county council's responsibilities. The reason for this is that the Interim Plan must be submitted by 21 March to meet the government's deadline, and any delay could put at risk the process of local government reorganisation and devolution in Lancashire.

In October 2022, Cabinet approved the School Place Planning Delivery Programme 2023-25. The expansion projects at Cottam Primary School and Broughton-in-Amounderness Church of England Primary School are two of the projects delivering new school places in areas where projected shortfalls had been identified.

 

These projects are being delivered in phases. The provision of places at these schools and the funding for phases 1 and 2 have been previously agreed by Cabinet. This report seeks to approve allocation of the funding for the final phases of the schemes. 

The Cabinet approved the recommendation(s) as set out in the report.

A decision to approve the award of mini competition exercise at Preston Day Services - Boiler Replacement (PPMS 15591).

Sarah Robinson, Head of Service, Property, took the decision as set out in the report.

County Councillor Lizzi Collinge considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Lancaster District Community & Voluntary Solutions (LDCVS) towards the cost of  the Lancaster District CVS Volunteer Achievement Awards 2025.

The reason for the rejection is County Councillor Lizzi Collinge has no funds remaining in her Local Member Grant budget for this financial year.

The national challenges around Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) have included concerns around funding, workforce retention and skills, and increasing demand for SEND services. These challenges have put significant pressure on local authorities to meet the needs of children and young people with SEND. In response to these challenges, the Lancashire SEND Partnership has been working collaboratively to improve services and outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

 

This report highlights the significant investment made by the council to stabilise and enhance these services, shares the outcome of the SEND inspection, and outlines the development of a Priority Action Plan and next steps for the local area partnership. Additionally, it provides details on the broader SEND transformation programme.

The Cabinet approved the recommendation(s) as set out in the report.

 

The decision be implemented immediately for the purposes of Standing Order C28 as any delay could adversely affect the execution of the county council's responsibilities. The reason for this is to ensure the Priority Action Plan can be submitted to the Department for Education and Ofsted by the 25 March 2025 deadline.

County Councillor Andrew Gardiner considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Friends of The Storey Gardens towards the cost of resurfacing the paths in The Storey Gardens to improve accessibility for wheelchair users and other individuals with mobility issues.

The reason for the rejection is we didn't receive a decision from County Councillor Andrew Gardiner before the decision deadline for this financial year.

County Councillor Lizzi Collinge considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Friends of The Storey Gardens towards the cost of resurfacing the paths in The Storey Gardens to improve accessibility for wheelchair users and other individuals with mobility issues.

The reason for the rejection is County Councillor Lizzi Collinge has no funds remaining in her Local Member Grant budget for this financial year.

County Councillor Charles Edwards considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Friends of The Storey Gardens towards the cost of resurfacing the paths in The Storey Gardens to improve accessibility for wheelchair users and other individuals with mobility issues.

The reason for the rejection is County Councillor Charles Edwards has no funds remaining in her Local Member Grant budget for this financial year.

County Councillor Margaret Pattison considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Friends of The Storey Gardens towards the cost of resurfacing the paths in The Storey Gardens to improve accessibility for wheelchair users and other individuals with mobility issues.

The reason for the rejection is we didn't receive a decision from County Councillor Margaret Pattison before the decision deadline for this financial year.

County Councillor Jennifer Mein considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Preston & South Ribble Ladies Circle towards the cost of activities and welcome pack supplies.

The reason for the rejection is no decision was received from County Councillor Jennifer Mein before the decision deadline for this financial year.

County Councillor Nweeda Khan considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Preston & South Ribble Ladies Circle towards the cost of activities and welcome pack supplies.

The reason for the rejection is no decision was received from County Councillor Nweeda Khan before the decision deadline for this financial year.

County Councillor Ged Mirfin considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Milly's Smiles towards the cost of supporting children in Lancashire who receive a cancer diagnosis.

The reason for the rejection is we didn't receive a decision from County Councillor Ged Mirfin before the decision deadline for this financial year.

County Councillor Lizzi Collinge considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Milly's Smiles towards the cost of supporting children in Lancashire who receive a cancer diagnosis.

The reason for the rejection is we didn't receive a decision from County Councillor Lizzi Collinge before the decision deadline for this financial year.

County Councillor Rob Bailey considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Milly's Smiles towards the cost of supporting children in Lancashire who receive a cancer diagnosis.

The reason for the rejection is we didn't receive a decision from County Councillor Rob Bailey before the decision deadline for this financial year.

County Councillor Matthew Salter considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to LPM Dance towards the cost of specialist dance and movement classes for people living with disabilities.

The reason for the rejection is County Councillor Matthew Salter has no funds remaining in his Local Member Grant budget for this financial year.

County Councillor Ged Mirfin considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Friends of Balderstone School towards the cost of replacing the playground.

The reason for the rejection is no decision was received from County Councillor Ged Mirfin before the decision deadline for this financial year.

County Councillor David O'Toole considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to The Sewing Rooms towards the cost of itineraries and refreshments for West Lancashire Borough Celebrating International Women's Day event.

The reason for the rejection is we didn't receive a decision from County Councillor David O'Toole before the decision deadline for this financial year.

County Councillor Rob Bailey considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to The Sewing Rooms towards the cost of itineraries and refreshments for West Lancashire Borough Celebrating International Women's Day event.

The reason for the rejection is we didn't receive a decision from County Councillor Rob Bailey before the decision deadline for this financial year.

County Councillor Erica Lewis considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Community Mind Connect C.I.C towards the cost of community engagement eco innovation project.

The reason for the rejection is County Councillor Erica Lewis has no funds remaining in her Local Member Grant budget for this financial year.

County Councillor Lizzi Collinge considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Community Mind Connect C.I.C towards the cost of community engagement eco innovation project.

The reason for the rejection is County Councillor Lizzi Collinge has no funds remaining in her Local Member Grant budget for this financial year.

County Councillor Usman Arif considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Council for Voluntary Service towards the cost of painting and flooring the 'head office' building.

The reason for the rejection is no decision was received from County Councillor Usman Arif before the decision deadline for this financial year.

County Councillor Lian Pate considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Council for Voluntary Service towards the cost of painting and flooring the 'head office' building.

The reason for the rejection is County Councillor Lian Pate has no funds remaining in her Local Member Grant budget for this financial year.

County Councillor Howard Hartley considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Council for Voluntary Service towards the cost of painting and flooring the 'head office' building.

The reason for the rejection is no decision was received from County Councillor Howard Hartley before the decision deadline for this financial year.

County Councillor Andrew Gardiner considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Green Pathway Outdoors CIC towards the cost of Lancashire Steps Forward project.

The reason for the rejection is no decision was received from County Councillor Andrew Gardiner before the decision deadline for this financial year.

County Councillor Erica Lewis considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Green Pathway Outdoors CIC towards the cost of Lancashire Steps Forward project.

The reason for the rejection is County Councillor Erica Lewis has no funds remaining in her Local Member Grant budget for this financial year.

County Councillor Stuart C Morris considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Green Pathway Outdoors CIC towards the cost of Lancashire Steps Forward project.

The reason for the rejection is no decision was received from County Councillor Stuart C Morris before the decision deadline for this financial year.

County Councillor Lizzi Collinge considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Green Pathway Outdoors CIC towards the cost of Lancashire Steps Forward project.

The reason for the rejection is County Councillor Lizzi Collinge has no funds remaining in her Local Member Grant budget for this financial year.

County Councillor Charles Edwards considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Green Pathway Outdoors CIC towards the cost of Lancashire Steps Forward project.

The reason for the rejection is County Councillor Charles Edwards has no funding remainig in his Local Member Grant budget for this financial year.

County Councillor Sean Serridge considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to St Mary's RC Parent Teacher Association towards sports kits for children.

The reason for the rejection is County Councillor Sean Serridge has no funding remaining in his Local Member Grant budget for this financial year.

The Director of Highways is asked to take the decision to approve the request to run a mini competition for the procurement of materials from the pre-existing Stone and Paving Framework on behalf of the Director of Highways in accordance with the Council's directorate schemes of Delegation 9.52 (50). 

Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport took the decision which has been delegated to him in accordance with 9.52 (50) of the Council's Scheme of Delegation to Officers for approval of the approval of the commencement of a mini competition process, to publish a mini competition from the stone and paving framework for the provision of materials, as set out in the report.

County Councillor Jennifer Mein considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to TAAG Youth Committee towards the cost of creation of TAAG's first junior committee.

The reason for the rejection is no decision was received from County Councillor Jennifer Mein before the decision deadline for this financial year.