Decisions

A number of changes to Lead Member and Champion posts are proposed.

The Leader of the County Council approved the recommendations as set out in the report.

This decision should be implemented immediately for the purposes of Standing Order C29 as any delay could adversely affect the execution of the county council's responsibilities and in particular the role and work of the Lead Members and Champion mentioned in the report.

This report presents an application from a local organisation requesting £500 towards getting the chimes on the Mercer Clock working again from the Local Member Grants Scheme.

County Councillor Carole Haythornthwaite considered and approved a Local Member Grant of £250 to Great Harwood Civic Society towards the cost of getting the chimes on the Mercer Clock working again. 

County Councillor Noordad Aziz considered and approved a Local Member Grant of £250 to Great Harwood Civic Society towards the cost of getting the chimes on the Mercer Clock working again.

This report presents an application from a local organisation requesting £2330 towards a Who Let the Dads Out project in Great Harwood from the Local Member Grants Scheme.

County Councillor Carole Haythornthwaite considered and approved a Local Member Grant for the reduced amount of £1200 to Great Harwood Christian Fellowship towards the cost of a Who Let the Dads Out project in Great Harwood.

This report proposes to replace County Councillor Loraine Cox with County Councillor Peter Britcliffe as a member of the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority.

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

The Pension Fund Committee met on 15 September 2023 and, subject to approval by the Urgency Committee, approved proposed changes to the Articles of Local Pensions Partnership Limited as part of the ongoing review of the structures and governances of Local Pensions Partnership Limited.

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

This report presents an application from a local organisation requesting £266.32 towards running a new brownie unit and offering a Girl guiding activity to 30 girls from the Local Member Grants Scheme.

County Councillor Aidy Riggott considered and approved a Local Member Grant of £266.32 towards the cost of running a new brownie unit and offering a Girl guiding activity to 30 girls.

County Councillor Tim Ashton, Vice-Chairman of the County Council, presided for this item.

It was moved by County Councillor Aidy Riggott, and seconded by County Councillor Mike Goulthorpe, that County Councillor Alan Cullens be elected Chairman of the County Council.

There being no other nominations, it was:

Resolved: - That County Councillor Alan Cullens be elected Chairman of the County Council until the Annual General Meeting of the Full Council in 2024. County Councillor Cullens then took the Chair and made his Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

The Democratic and Services Manager, following consultation with County Councillor Stuart Morris, Champion for Mental Health, approved a Champion Grant application of £1,320 to Carousel Music and Movement CIC towards the cost to provide a service called 'Memories R Made' music and movement for people with dementia and their carers. 

County Councillor David Howarth considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Cre8ability CIC towards the cost of a 6 week programme of wellbeing workshops.

The reason for the rejection is County Councillor Howarth was not approached by the group before they submitted the application. He also wishes to focus his budget on groups based in his division.

Resolved: That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business on the grounds that there would be a likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the appropriate paragraph of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 July 2023 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

County Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP considered and approved a Local Member Grant of £250 to Friends of Pendlebrook towards the cost of a dementia café. 

This report presents an application from a local organisation requesting £2500.00 towards an educational theatre performance of Lady in Red, including a British Sign Language film and audio project from the Local Member Grants Scheme.

County Councillor Cosima Towneley considered and approved a Local Member Grant for the reduced amount of £100 to Certain Curtain Theatre Company towards the cost of an educational theatre performance of Lady in Red, including a British Sign Language film and audio project. 

County Councillor Kim Snape considered and approved a Local Member Grant of £250 to Certain Curtain Theatre Company towards the cost of an educational theatre performance of Lady in Red, including a British Sign Language film and audio project. 

County Councillor Yousuf Motala considered and approved a Local Member Grant of £250 to Certain Curtain Theatre Company towards the cost of an educational theatre performance of Lady in Red, including a British Sign Language film and audio project. 

County Councillor Hasina Khan considered and approved a Local Member Grant for the reduced amount of £150 to Certain Curtain Theatre Company towards the cost of an educational theatre performance of Lady in Red, including a British Sign Language film and audio project. 

County Councillor Lizzi Collinge considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Certain Curtain Theatre Company towards the cost of an educational theatre performance of Lady in Red, including a British Sign Language film and audio project.

The reason for the rejection was with very little money left in her pot she can't justify for this project when it is not specifically for her area. 

The Democratic and Services Manager, following consultation with County Councillor Alf Clempson, Champion for Armed Forces and Veterans, approved a Champion Grant application of £2,000 to DWS Lifeskills CIC towards the cost of local community and health and wellbeing events.

The Democratic and Services Manager, following consultation with County Councillor Joan Burrows, Champion for Older People, approved a Champion Grant application of £500 to St Paul's Bowling Club towards the insulation of their conservatory. 

A report on the progress made on the Farington Cricket Project.

This is deemed to be a Key Decision and the provisions of Standing Order C21 have been complied with. Compliance with Standing Orders C19 and C20 was not possible for the reasons as set out in the report.

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

This decision should be implemented immediately for the purposes of Standing Order C29 as any delay could adversely affect the execution of the county council's responsibilities, primarily to allow the project to proceed and legal discussions to commence without any delay.

This report outlines proposals to implement No Waiting At Any Time on Leyland Road between The Cawsey and the old Sumpter Horse Pub, Penwortham. The improvements also include the revocation and installation of bus stop clearways to improve bus access to bus stops and to improve traffic flow.

Consultation and formal advertising of the proposals has been undertaken, and this report summarises the results of the formal advertising to which objections have been received.

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

The Head teacher and governors at Gisburn Road Community Primary School have approached the local authority in relation to the future of the nursery provision at the school. The school has asked the local authority to start the formal statutory process, to consult on the proposal to cease the maintained nursery provision by permanently reducing the age range from 3-11 year olds (Nursery 2 to Year 6) to 4–11 year olds (Reception to Year 6), with effect from 31 December 2023.

Under The School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2013 and the Department for Education's statutory guidance, 'Making 'Prescribed Alterations' to Maintained Schools' published in January 2023, the local authority must be the proposer for this type of significant change and carry out a statutory process, which includes publication, representation, decision, rights of appeal and implementation. In line with this, the authority is now required to decide whether to publish a Statutory Notice on the proposal to consult on the future of the maintained nursery provision at Gisburn Road Community Primary School, Barnoldswick.

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

This report provides an update and review on the implementation of the SEND Sufficiency Strategy, and outlines proposals to increase the availability of special needs provision throughout the county, through the expansion of special school places and through the further development of Special Educational Needs Units at mainstream schools.

Final approval is also being sought on the proposal to create additional special school places on the Applebee Wood Specialist School site in Lostock Hall. This proposal forms part of the implementation of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Sufficiency Strategy 2019–2024, agreed by Cabinet in October 2020. 

In addition, final approval is being sought on the proposal to remove the boarding provision at Bleasdale School, Silverdale.

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

County Councillor Lorraine Beavers considered and approved a Local Member Grant of £397.28 to Roots to Branches Forest School Community Interest Company towards the cost of outdoor flasks and cups for participants.

County Councillor Stewart Jones considered and approved a Local Member Grant for the reduced amount of £500 to 2^nd Kirkham Scout Group towards the cost of upgrading Buoyancy Aids. 

The current Premises Use Policy supports the use of the county council's premises by setting out the criteria to be considered when deciding whether to facilitate use by third party/external organisations. This report sets out a revised Premises Use Policy to ensure consistency of approach and use that supports a sustainable portfolio. This begins with the introduction of an online booking method to electronically capture premises use application requests, which will provide data and insight into the types of use and users, and a process for agreeing and documenting all other occupation.

It is proposed that the revised policy will replace the Premises Use Policy adopted in March 2018.

This is deemed to be a Key Decision and the requirements of Standing Order C19 have been complied with.

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

This report covers the first quarter of 2023/24 and is the first time for reporting against a number of new Key Performance Indicators which were agreed by Cabinet on 8 June 2023, following a comprehensive review. This report provides an overview of performance to enable monitoring against the four priorities of the corporate strategy: 

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

For the first time, there is an additional section on corporate health.

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

This report presents an application from a local organisation requesting £1250 towards an alleyways project and gingerbread festival
from the Local Member Grants Scheme.

County Councillor Eddie Pope considered and approved a Local Member Grant of £250 to Ormskirk Community Partnership towards the cost of an alleyways project and gingerbread festival.

Economic development, skills and place promotion activity conducted within the county council, Local Enterprise Partnership and Marketing Lancashire has typically been dependent on attracting external grant resource from a range of sources including government departments and charities. As these bodies have become more integrated within the county council, new processes to authorise officers to compete for and receive these funds need to be put in place, balancing the pace and flexibility often needed to meet bid deadlines with an accurate recognition of ongoing costs, potential funding requirements, liabilities and risks in being accountable for the proper use of public funds.

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

This report presents an application from a local organisation requesting £2300 towards two promotion events for Memories R Made dementia friendly choir for Ormskirk and Tarleton from the Local Member Grants Scheme.

County Councillor Rob Bailey considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Carousel Music and Movement towards the cost of two promotion events for Memories R Made dementia friendly choir for Ormskirk and Tarleton.

The reason for the rejection is because County Councillor Rob Bailey was not aware of any specific work undertaken by the group within his local division area.

County Councillor Eddie Pope considered and approved a Local Member Grant of £300 to Carousel Music and Movement towards the cost of two promotion events for Memories R Made dementia friendly choir.

In line with the county council's procurement rules, this report sets out a recommendation to approve the commencement of the A601(M) Highways maintenance project.

This is deemed to be a Key Decision and the requirements of Standing Order C19 have been complied with.

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

This programme of works has been created to prevent the further deterioration of a number of roundabouts throughout Lancashire.  It is proposed that it be funded from the additional funding made available from the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Spring Budget 2023 of which £5.122m was made available for Lancashire. £530,000 was apportioned for preventative treatments and a resurfacing programme of roundabouts as approved by Cabinet on 4 May 2023.  A proposed preventative programme has been developed up to the value of £155,000 and the remainder of the funds, £375,000, will be used to develop a proposed resurfacing programme which will be presented to Cabinet later in the financial year.

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

This report sets out the actions proposed to be delivered arising from two recent findings of fault by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman in relation to failures to provide "reasonable adjustments" for Deaf and disabled people as required under the Equality Act 2010.

The Cabinet approved the recommendations as set out in the report, with the addition of the following recommendation:

(iii)That a further action be added to provide training for Committee Chairs and other councillors on the Equality Act and the requirement to provide reasonable adjustments.

This report provides an update on the development and the use of alternative provision in Lancashire. In October 2020, Cabinet approved the current Alternative Provision Strategy 2020 to 2024.

In March 2023, the Department for Education published the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan. This publication was the government's response to the public consultation on the SEND Green Paper; Right Support, Right Place, Right Time consultation, which took place in 2022. There has also been increased demand for alternative provision in Lancashire. The Alternative Provision Strategy 2020 to 2024 was subsequently reviewed in light of these developments to create the new Alternative Provision Strategy 2023 to 2026.

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

The Adult Social Care Short Breaks Policy (formerly Respite Policy) sets out the county council's approach to providing and charging for Short Breaks from October 2023.

The Short Breaks Policy aligns to a strength-based social care practice model.

Strength-based social care practice is a way of working with people who have care and support needs as well as their families and carers, to work together to determine the outcomes a person wants to achieve and linking this to the person's own strengths and assets. Strengths and assets can be the person's own skills and abilities, their social network and includes community resources (what is available to them locally which can support them).

The practice model supports practitioners to have distinct conversations with a person and/or their families and carers and how they can access:

• Information, advice and guidance about accessing universal support.
• Short breaks for up to 6 weeks to regain skills and confidence, and to prevent, reduce and delay the need for long-term care and support.

·  Long-term support which is assessed against Care Act eligibility, for both the person with care and support needs and their carer.

The proposed Policy is aligned to delivering best practice and implementing national policy on charging for adult social care, based on a financial assessment.

In accordance with the county council's budget options for 2023/24, it is proposed to deliver the budgeted additional income from cared for people in receipt of short breaks through implementation of the following:

·  Removing the current cap on charges for residential short breaks so that people pay up to the actual cost of receiving the service, subject to a financial assessment under the Care Act 2014, which determines how much a cared for person can afford to pay; and

·  Where direct payments are used to purchase short breaks, the person will be charged what they can afford to pay up to the actual cost of the care, based on a financial assessment.

This is deemed to be a Key Decision and the requirements of Standing Order C19 have been complied with.

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

A Code of Practice has been written in conjunction with national guidance to provide a clear methodology for the determination of the correct Polished Stone Values and the use of High Friction Surfacing when resurfacing the carriageway. Application of this will seek to ensure long term skid resistance is not compromised while reducing whole life maintenance costs and improving the overall sustainability of road surfacing.

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

This report outlines proposals to introduce a 20mph zone and accompanying speed cushions on Church Brow and Halton Road, Halton. The scheme has been designed to reduce vehicle speeds and subsequent speed related collisions.

Consultation and formal advertising of the proposals has been undertaken. No objections to the 20mph zone were received which can therefore be progressed under the Scheme of Delegation to Heads of Service. Two (identical) objections to the speed cushion element of the scheme have been received which therefore requires Cabinet approval.

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

County Councillor Stewart Jones considered and approved a Local Member Grant for the reduced amount of £500 to Friends of Newton Community Park towards the cost of creating a nature walk through the wooded area.

This report outlines a proposed Speed Limit Order, to set appropriate speed limits for the newly constructed Edith Rigby Way, East West Link Road and Cottam Link Road, Lea Lane North and Lea Lane South.

It is also proposed to lower the existing speed limits on Bartle Lane and Sandy Lane which connect into the new roads.

Consultation and formal advertising of the proposals has been undertaken and a number of objections have been received.

This is deemed to be a Key Decision and the requirements of Standing Order C19 have been complied with.

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

County Councillor Stewart Jones considered and approved a Local Member Grant of £500 to Parochial Church Council St Michael's Parish Church, Kirkham towards the cost of developing a church choir.

Following investigations and formal public consultation it is proposed to make the following three Traffic Regulation Orders to introduce various parking restrictions:

• Lancashire County Council (Various Roads, Preston City Area) (Revocation and Introduction Of Parking Places) Order 202*.
• Lancashire County Council (Various Roads, Preston City Area) (Revocation, Prohibition and Restriction Of Waiting, Prohibition Of Loading, Limited Waiting Parking Places and Disabled Parking Places) Order 202*.
• Lancashire County Council (Lancaster and Preston City) (Amendment To Permit Parking Provisions) Order 202*.

The proposals are to:

• Amend the current Permit Parking Order to define exact residential address points for eligible properties.
• Where possible increase highway space that could be utilised for the use of 'Permit Parking' creating a further 158 spaces across the Preston permit areas.
• Increase the availability of short term on-street Pay & Display Parking within close proximity to the City Centre creating a further 30 spaces.
• Introduce a new BG1 Permit Zone in the Broadgate Area covering Grafton Street, Lauderdale Street, Hind Street and a section of South Meadow Lane.
• Extend the current DP1 Permit Zone to include Church Avenue, Fishwick Parade and Beaconsfield Avenue.
• Remove the restrictions within the St Mark's area and Queens Road areas and introduce new restrictions to assist with dangerous/obstructive parking and the free flow of traffic.
• Amend the Pay & Display charges from Monday-Saturday 8am-6pm to Monday-Sunday 8am-6pm.
• Increase the Pay and Display tariffs.

In addition to the Permit Zones and City Centre Pay & Display reviews, the proposal also redefines the descriptions of the existing restrictions in the area to allow for effective enforcement along with introducing some additional No Waiting and No Loading restrictions where parking would compromise safety. The measures contained in the three proposed Orders form a comprehensive suite of measures and consideration of all three Orders together is advised.

This is deemed to be a Key Decision and the requirements of Standing Order C19 have been complied with.

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

The Transport Asset Management Plan 2015-2030 was approved by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport on 10 June 2014 and identified the key strategic priorities of the county council.

It is proposed to publish a review of the progress made during year 3 of Phase 2 of the Plan and refresh the data to show the latest condition of the county council's assets and progress in a number of key areas in highway asset management over the past 12 months and to use the Data in the delivery of the Transport Asset Management Plan.

This is deemed to be a Key Decision and the requirements of Standing Order C19 have been complied with.

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

This report provides details for Cabinet on the county council's 2022/23 revenue and capital outturn position.

The 2022/23 revenue position at the end of the year is net expenditure of £948.857m, against an approved budget of £948.107m, which represents an in-year overspend of £0.750m or 0.08% of the revenue budget.

The capital delivery programme for 2022/23 totalled £223.115m with the programme delivering an outturn position of £138.585m, resulting in a variance against budget of £84.530m.

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

This report presents an application from a local organisation requesting £2500.00 towards syringe drivers from the Local Member Grants Scheme.

County Councillor Stuart C Morris considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to St. John's Hospice towards the cost of syringe drivers.

The reason for the rejection is County Councillor Morris would like to spend his grant on local matters in his division.

This report presents an application from a local organisation requesting £500 towards self-defence fitness classes for children from the Local Member Grants Scheme.

County Councillor Sobia Malek considered and approved a Local Member Grant for the reduced amount of £400 to Stoneyholme Community Project towards the cost of self-defence fitness classes for children.

This report presents an application from a local organisation requesting £2500 towards weekly activities such as art and crafts, animal visits and entertainment for people living with dementia in the community from the Local Member Grants Scheme.

County Councillor Peter Britcliffe considered and approved a Local Member Grant for the reduced amount of £100 to Friends of Pendlebrook towards the cost of weekly activities such as art and crafts, animal visits and entertainment for people living with dementia in the community.

A decision was not reached by County Councillor Steawrt Jones for a Local Member Grant to Kirkham Twinning Association towards the cost of commemorative medals for the 50th anniversary of the twinning agreement between Kirkham and Ancenis, France before the project date began, and therefore had to be rejected. 

This report presents an application from a local organisation requesting £726.92 towards new equipment to improve facilities from the Local Member Grants Scheme.

A decision was not reached by County Councillor Erica Lewis for a Local Member Grant to Lancaster Cricket and Sports Club towards the cost of new equipment to improve facilities, before the project date passed and therefore had to be rejected.

This report presents an application from a local organisation requesting £2500 towards a life skills pack, street pastor training, new uniforms, room hire and refreshments from the Local Member Grants Scheme.

County Councillor John Fillis considered and approved a Local Member Grant of £250 to Ormskirk Street Pastors towards the cost of a life skills pack, street pastor training, new uniforms, room hire and refreshments.

This report presents an application from a local organisation requesting £2000 towards bowling games for members and pool nights from the Local Member Grants Scheme.

County Councillor Terry Aldridge considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Sporting Challenge towards the cost of bowling games for members and pool nights.

The reason for the rejection is County Councillor Terry Aldridge is reserving his funding for organisations within his local division area.

County Councillor Shaun Turner considered and approved a Local Member Grant of £279.12 to Claughton Memorial Village Hall towards the cost of bike hoops and fixing bolts to provide bicycle parking outside the village hall. 

This report presents an application from a local organisation requesting £2500.00 towards replacing trampoline beds from the Local Member Grants Scheme.

County Councillor Julia Berry considered and approved a Local Member Grant for the reduced amount of £500 to Springfield Park Leisure Centre towards the cost of replacing trampoline beds.

County Councillor Julia Berry declared a non-pecuniary interest as she is a member of the Parish Council which has an office and holds meetings within the leisure centre.

This report proposes the appointment of County Councillor Sue Hind to replace County Councillor Andrea Kay as Chair of the Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee and to be a member and Deputy Chair of the Scrutiny Management Board, and the appointment of County Councillor Andrea Kay to replace County Councillor Sue Hind as Chair of the Regulatory Committee. It is also proposed to replace County Councillor Andrea Kay with County Councillor Matthew Salter as a member of the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority.

The Director of Law and Governance, following consultation with the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Urgency Committee, approved the recommendation as set out in the report, in accordance with Standing Order D15(1).

This report presents an application from a local organisation requesting £2000 towards trips for a bowls club and food for a dementia café from the Local Member Grants Scheme.

County Councillor Eddie Pope considered and approved a Local Member Grant of £250 to Community Lives Matter towards the cost of trips for a bowls club and food for a dementia café.

County Councillor Nikki Hennessy considered and approved a Local Member Grant of £250 to Community Lives Matter towards the cost of trips for a bowls club and food for a dementia café.

This report presents an application from a local organisation requesting £500 towards the purchase and fitting of five benches from the Local Member Grants Scheme.

County Councillor Mohammed Iqbal considered and approved a Local Member Grant of £500 to Victoria Park Pavilion CIC towards the purchase and fitting of five benches.

This report presents an application from a local organisation requesting £1700 towards improving access to services from the Local Member Grants Scheme.

County Councillor Julia Berry considered and approved a Local Member Grant for the reduced amount of £500 to Chorley Women's Centre towards the cost of improving access to services.

County Councillor Hasina Khan considered and approved a Local Member Grant of £150 to Chorley Women's Centre towards the cost of improving access to services.

County Councillor Steve Holgate considered and approved a Local Member Grant for the reduced amount of £350 to Chorley Women's Centre towards the cost of improving access to services.

County Councillor Aidy Riggott considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to Chorley Women's Centre towards the cost of improving access to services.

The reason for the rejection is because County Councillor Aidy Riggott is reserving his remaining funding for an expected application local to his division area.

County Councillor John Potter considered and approved a Local Member Grant of £625 to Crusaders Morris Dancers towards the cost of travel to Championships and competition wear and equipment. 

This report presents an application from a local organisation requesting £2500.00 towards refurbishing the bar at the Civic from the Local Member Grants Scheme.

County Councillor Rob Bailey considered and approved a Local Member Grant for the reduced amount of £500 to Ormskirk Civic Hall CIC towards the cost of refurbishing the bar at the Civic.

This report presents an application from a local organisation requesting £950.00 towards a mini buskers festival from the Local Member Grants Scheme.

County Councillor John Potter considered and approved a Local Member Grant of £120 to Community Help Africa/UK CIC towards the cost of a mini buskers festival.

This report presents an application from a local organisation requesting £2500 towards improving the mental health of people living within the South Ribble Borough Council from the Local Member Grants Scheme.

County Councillor Jayne Rear considered and rejected a Local Member Grant to The South Ribble Wellbeing Trust towards the cost of improving the mental health of people living within the South Ribble Borough Council.

The reason for the rejection is because County Councillor Jayne Rear had been informed that the proposed services were already provided by the National Health Service.

County Councillor David Howarth considered and approved a Local Member Grant of £312:50 to The South Ribble Wellbeing Trust towards the cost of improving the mental health of people living within the South Ribble Borough Council.