This week in Lancashire:

Youth Justice Service Faces Scrutiny Over Re-offending Rates and Education Gaps

The Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee met this week to examine the work of the Lancashire Child and Youth Justice Service (CYJS). While the service has seen successes in areas like first-time entrants and custody rates, concerns were raised about rising re-offending rates and the significant number of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET).

Tackling Re-offending: A Complex Challenge

Georgine Lee, Head of Service for Fostering, Adoption and Adolescent Services, presented an overview of the CYJS, which works with approximately 500 children annually. While Lancashire's re-offending rates are higher than national averages, the committee is actively seeking ways to address this. A task and finish group has been established to analyse key demographics and offending patterns, aiming to develop a targeted action plan.

Councillor Mackenzie Ritson highlighted concerns about the timeliness of data and the potential for duplicated efforts in addressing NEET individuals. Councillor Samara Barnes inquired about progress in reducing the criminalisation of looked-after children and the embedding of restorative practices.

Georgine Lee acknowledged the challenges, explaining that re-offending data has an 18-month measurement period, which accounts for some of the lag in reporting. She confirmed that plans for addressing NEET individuals are joined up across services and that the service is working to understand the reasons behind higher re-offending rates.

Education Strategy: Closing the Attainment Gap

The committee also reviewed the education strategy and attainment data for Lancashire schools. While overall attainment is slightly below national averages, the gap narrows as children progress through the system. Key areas of focus include early years, phonics, and support for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND.

Abi Hardy, Head of Education Improvement, presented data showing that Lancashire's attainment is slightly below national averages, with the gap being larger in early years. However, the gap narrows as children progress through the system. The Lancashire Way education strategy aims to create a welcoming and aspirational environment for all children, focusing on early years, attendance, transitions, outcomes for vulnerable groups, and inclusive practice.

Councillor Samara Barnes questioned the link between nursery hour uptake and struggling early years areas, while Councillor Fiona Duke asked about attainment gaps between boys and girls. Youth Council representatives raised concerns about parental engagement and support for disadvantaged GCSE students.

The committee recommended that the education strategy be presented to Cabinet for ratification and requested data on early years attainment across all districts and attainment differences between maintained schools and academies.

SEND Improvement Programme: Addressing Backlogs and Improving Support

Paul Turner, Director of Education, Culture & Skills, provided an update on the SEND Improvement Programme. While the number of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) is increasing, this is attributed to improved assessment capacity. The backlog of EHCPs is being reduced, with a focus on timely educational psychology assessments. However, bottlenecks have shifted to the consultation process and finalisation of plans.

Councillor Mackenzie Ritson expressed concern about the rapid increase in EHCP requests, potentially driven by fears about upcoming legislation. Councillor Samara Barnes, representing the parent-carer forum, asked if families are seeing a difference in their experiences. Paul Turner acknowledged the disconnect between system improvements and on-the-ground experiences, apologising for past poor experiences and stating that while improvements are being made, it will take time for families to feel the full benefit.

Upcoming Meetings

• Lancashire Health and Wellbeing Board: Tuesday 20 January 2026. Topics include the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board's NHS Medium Term Planning and 5 Year Strategic Commissioning Plan, and the development of neighbourhood health plans. Link to meeting
• Budget and Finance Scrutiny Committee: Wednesday 21 January 2026. The committee will discuss the Draft Budget for 2026/27 and the committee's Work Programme. Link to meeting
• Development Control Committee: Wednesday 21 January 2026. The committee will consider planning applications for an outdoor educational area at Woodnook Primary School and a road junction reconfiguration in Preston. Link to meeting
• Cabinet: Thursday 22 January 2026. Key items include the Schools Budget 2026/27, an update on school place sufficiency in Preston, and the Fairness, Equality and Inclusion Workforce Framework. Link to meeting
• Pension Fund Committee: Friday 23 January 2026. Topics include employer pension contribution rates, responsible investment activity, and the Fund's strategic plan. Link to meeting
• Audit, Risk and Governance Committee: Monday 26 January 2026. Link to meeting
• Lancashire Local Pension Board: Tuesday 27 January 2026. Link to meeting
• Regulatory Committee: Wednesday 28 January 2026. Link to meeting
• Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee: Thursday 29 January 2026. Link to meeting

This week in Lancashire:

Lancashire Combined County Authority to Take Control of Local Transport: A Step Towards a Unified System?

The Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA) is poised to become the sole Local Transport Authority for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Blackpool Council and Lancashire County Council from 1 April 2026. The Lancashire Combined County Authority met to discuss the transition, which aims to create a unified, efficient, and inclusive transport system. But will this centralization of power lead to better services for residents, or will it create a disconnect between local needs and regional decision-making?

Key Changes on the Horizon

From April 2026, the LCCA will directly manage crucial transport functions, including:

• Developing and maintaining a Local Transport Plan for the LCCA area
• Establishing and managing a pan-Lancashire Enhanced Partnership with local bus operators, with the ability to explore Bus Franchising if desired
• Administering a Concessionary Travel Scheme and relevant multi-operator bus ticketing schemes
• Securing public passenger transport services which the LCCA deems appropriate to secure, principally where socially necessary journeys cannot be made by the commercial bus network
• Provision of information on public transport in any way deemed appropriate
• Receiving and utilising grants and other public transport related funding including Bus Service Improvement Plan / Bus Grant

The LCCA Transport Transition Report outlines three options for delivering these functions: direct delivery by the LCCA, commissioning a single Constituent Council, or commissioning all three Constituent Councils. Agreements for commissioning functions are expected to be drawn up in January 2026 and signed by March 2026.

Branding and Bus Stops: What's Changing?

The LCCA is also planning to develop a new brand and style for roadside publicity, printed materials, online information, and marketing. Additionally, the LCCA intends to formalize agreements with constituent councils, district councils, and other parties to ensure that all bus stops, shelters, and bus stations continue to be owned and maintained by their current owners on behalf of the LCCA.

Adult Skills Fund: Investing in Lancashire's Workforce

The Lancashire Combined County Authority also discussed its approach to the full devolution of the Adult Skills Fund¹ (ASF) from August 2026. The meeting included a discussion of how the indicative £40.8 million annual ASF budget, plus the additional £2.9 million in ringfenced Free Courses for Jobs funding (FCFJ), will be allocated and utilised, with the likelihood of supporting around 36,000 residents annually.

Strategic Flexibilities: Tailoring Funding to Local Needs

The LCCA is proposing several strategic flexibilities to national funding rules, including:

• Ringfencing 3% of each grant-funded provider's allocation for innovative activity against LCCA priorities
• Approving a £200 payment for each learner who is referred to and starts Connect to Work or Skills Bootcamps
• Raising the Level 3 earnings threshold to £29,431 (median wage in Lancashire), increasing eligibility by approximately 50,000 individuals
• Extending fully funded provision to individuals under formal redundancy consultation, regardless of income

These changes aim to better align ASF delivery with Lancashire's priorities, as outlined in the Lancashire ASF Strategic Skills Plan.

Household Waste Recycling Centres: Security Concerns and Rising Costs

The Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the challenges facing Lancashire's household waste recycling centres (HWRCs), including security breaches, increasing waste volumes, and rising costs.

Security Breaches and Commercial Waste: A Growing Problem

The report highlighted that most sites experience nightly intrusions, with intruders rummaging through skips, damaging fences, and leaving waste strewn around the perimeter. The report estimates that employing overnight security guards across the network would cost over £1.5 million per year. Additionally, an estimated 10% of the waste received at HWRCs could be commercial or 'trade' waste, which is illegal for businesses to deposit at a HWRC.

Inert Waste Surge: New Policy Needed?

Since 2019-20, there has been a 138% increase in inert waste (soil, rubble etc) and plasterboard delivered to HWRCs, costing the council an estimated £0.5 million per year. The Waste service is developing a new inert waste policy to limit householder deliveries.

Potential Solutions: ANPR and Improved Security

To address these issues, the report suggests immediate improvements such as improved security systems, a limiting policy for inert waste, and the introduction of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems to prevent the deposit of trade waste.

Other Matters

• The Company Member Cabinet Committee met to discuss its work programme and receive an update on the Urban Development Fund. The committee also considered whether to exclude the public from a portion of the meeting. Link to meeting
• The Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) met to discuss a population health needs assessment, commissioning intentions, and social prescribing. Link to meeting
• The Development Control Committee meeting was cancelled. Link to meeting

This week in Lancashire:

Pension Fund Committee Grapples with Employer Contribution Rates and Responsible Investing

The Lancashire County Council Pension Fund Committee met on Friday to discuss a range of critical issues, including employer pension contribution rates, responsible investment activity, and the Fund's strategic plan. You can find the full agenda and reports here.

Employers Seek Lower Pension Contributions Amid Funding Strategy Review

A key focus of the meeting was the Funding Strategy Statement (FSS) consultation, which sought feedback from scheme employers on proposed parameters for determining employer pension contribution rates. The report recommended that the Pension Fund Committee approve the key parameters of the proposed Funding Buffer (120%), Recovery Period (20 years), Future Service Discount Rate (CPI + 2.25%) and Past Service Discount Rate (CPI + 2.65%). It was noted that this would reduce average total employer pension contribution rates across the Fund from 17.1% to a provisional 10.8% of pensionable pay.

While the proposed changes would significantly reduce average employer contribution rates, some employers, primarily councils and academies, expressed concerns that the parameters used in the valuation were too prudent and requested further reductions. According to the report, 25 employers (27% of respondents and 7% of all employers) expressed their concerns with the parameters used within the valuation and requested that the Fund offset some prudence to enable employer contribution rates to be reduced further. These employers were primarily Councils (9 respondents representing 10 Councils) and Academies (3 respondents representing 12 Academies).

Councillor Smith raised concerns about the proposed parameters, stating that Blackpool Council was £207 million above what they need to if they fully paid the pension fund as of today. Councillor Smith proposed that the decision of the proof that recommendation of report updated funded statement considered to be deferred to a future meeting.

The committee ultimately voted to defer the decision to a special meeting in January, with a request for additional information and analysis on various options.

Responsible Investment Policy Under Scrutiny

The committee also reviewed a report on responsible investment activity by Local Pensions Partnership Investments Limited (LPPI), including a response to a Full Council resolution relating to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Net Zero targets.

The report stated that on 16 October 2025, Full Council resolved to:

ask the Pension Fund Committee to review all Environmental, Social and Governance requirements and Net Zero targets of the LCC Pension Fund to ensure that Net Zero commitments do not go beyond statutory requirements and impact on the Fund's fiduciary responsibility to current and future pensioners.

The report stated that the Fund has not made a Net Zero commitment and therefore Net Zero is not considered when requesting LPPI to implement the Fund's Investment Strategy.

Councillor Whipp emphasized the importance of environmental responsibility, stating that the fund managers have always been extremely responsible in terms of ensuring that we have a return on investment, which is the overriding requirement, but also that they are genuinely responsible in terms of that wider environmental responsibility, which encompasses combating climate change and ensuring that the world that we leave for our retirees, pension recipients in 50 years or 100 years time is one that's worth living in.

Investments In Occupied Territories (Israel)

The committee was scheduled to discuss investments in occupied territories (Israel).

Health and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee Discusses Digital Technology and Orthodontics Transformation

The Health and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the use of digital technology in adult services, the 10 Year Health Plan, and proposed changes to secondary care orthodontics. You can see the full details of the meeting here.

Digital Technology in Adult Services: Balancing Innovation and Inclusion

The committee discussed a report providing an overview of the use of digital technologies in adult services, including digital tools being piloted to improve care delivery and efficiency, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in triage¹, risk prediction, and care planning.

While welcoming the potential benefits of digital technology, Councillor Jewell cautioned that AI doesn't replace face-to-face advocacy for complicated cases. Councillor Crimmins raised concerns about access to online services for vulnerable elderly patients.

Orthodontics Transformation: Centralizing Services and Addressing Workforce Challenges

The committee also discussed a proposed transformation of NHS secondary care orthodontics across Lancashire and South Cumbria, which aims to address workforce shortages, financial sustainability, and inequitable waiting times.

The proposed model involves standardizing services, creating an advice and guidance service, and concentrating clinics at fewer sites. The changes would have the following impacts on patients:

• ELHT: No change to service, with approximately £0.5 million investment in Royal Blackburn Hospital for dental suite reconfiguration.
• LTH: Consultations would take place only at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital, with approximately £1 million investment at the hospital to support additional dental suites. Some patients may have to travel further.
• BTH: Improved service with more reliable and regular access to a consultant and dental therapist.
• UHMBT: Service would no longer be provided at Royal Lancaster Infirmary and Queen Victoria Hospital. Patients may have to travel further to Furness Hospital or Chorley.

Councillor Crimmins expressed concern about the long distances patients in North Lancashire would have to travel.

The committee ultimately voted that the proposed transformation constituted a significant change to the service, which would require a formal public consultation before implementation.

Lancashire Combined County Authority Focuses on Transport Transition and Governance Review

The Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA) Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the LCCA's progress, focusing on the transition of transport functions and an update from the Chief Operating Officer. You can see the full details of the meeting here.

Transport Transition: Aiming for a Modern and Inclusive System

The committee received an update on the transport transition progress, as the function is mobilised within the LCCA. Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport, provided an update on the phased transfer of transport powers from Lancashire's three upper tier local authorities to the LCCA.

Councillor Mitchell raised concerns about Blackpool's voice within the LCCA, given that Blackpool has a wholly owned transport operator, Blackpool Transport Services. Matt Townsend, Director of Highways and Transport, reassured the committee that Blackpool officers are involved in the conversation, and that the LCCA is cognisant of the need to ensure that Blackpool Transport Services continues to run as it does today.

Governance Review: Exploring Options for the Future

The committee received an update on the review of governance models, which was completed and reported to the LCCA meeting in October. The review considered retaining the status quo as a non-mayoral combined county authority versus converting to a mayoral-led combined county authority.

The committee requested that future updates on the governance review be provided via a report rather than verbally, to improve accessibility.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday 18 December 2025. Link to meeting
• The Company Member Cabinet Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday 15 December 2025. Link to meeting
• The Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) is scheduled to meet on Monday 15 December 2025. Link to meeting

This week in Lancashire:

Cuadrilla's Fracking Site Restoration Delayed Again: Residents Object to Unacceptable Harm

Plans to restore the Preston New Road Exploration Site in Little Plumpton have hit another snag, with Cuadrilla seeking a further two-year extension to complete restoration works. The Development Control Committee was scheduled to discuss the application, which has drawn strong opposition from local residents concerned about the unnecessary and unacceptable harm to the rural character of the area.

Fracking Fallout: A Lingering Eyesore?

Cuadrilla, the company behind the controversial fracking operations at the site, had previously been granted permission to postpone final restoration until June 2025. This new application seeks to push that deadline back to June 2027, citing delays in obtaining an Environmental Agency groundwater permit.

Clear Up Their Mess : Residents Demand Action

The proposal has sparked outrage among local residents, with 60 letters of objection submitted to the council. Critics argue that the extended delay would prolong the disruption and visual impact of the site, conflicting with the original intention to restore the land to its former condition within a strict timeframe.

Officer Recommendation: Refusal

The Director of Environment and Planning recommended that the Development Control Committee refuse the application, stating that the extension would result in:

unnecessary and unacceptable harm to the rural character of the area. The proposed variation would conflict with the original intention and purpose of the condition which was imposed to ensure the lifetime of the development was strictly controlled and the land would be restored to its former condition within the approved timescale.

The Director of Environment and Planning stated that the extension would be contrary to Paragraph 224 of the National Planning Policy Framework, Policy DM2 of the Joint Lancashire Minerals and Waste Local Plan, and policies GD4 and GD7 of the Fylde Local Plan.

Families First Programme Aims to Strengthen Support for Vulnerable Families

The Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the Families First Programme, a national initiative designed to improve how support is delivered to families by promoting early, relationship-based help through integrated services. You can see the full details of the meeting here. Lancashire has been awarded a ringfenced grant of £5.048 million to implement the programme.

Integrated Family Help: A One-Stop Shop for Support?

The programme focuses on three core components: family help, multi-agency child protection teams, and family group decision making. A key element is integrated family help, which involves providing support to families through a lead practitioner, who may be a social worker, health visitor, or early help worker. The aim is to reduce the number of handoffs for families and provide specialist oversight and supervision.

Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams: A Coordinated Response to Risk

Expert-led multi-agency child protection teams will consist of dedicated professionals from children's social care, police, and health, working together to make decisive decisions for children at risk of significant harm.

Family Group Decision Making: Empowering Families to Take Control

Family group decision making involves empowering families to take an active role in planning for their children's welfare.

Concerns Raised About Police Resources and Local Government Reorganisation

Councillor County Joanne Ash, Chair of the Committee, asked how Lancashire County Council could guarantee that police officers would be ring-fenced for the multi-agency child protection teams, and not moved to other areas. Louise Anderson, Director of Children's Social Care, responded that the police are creating a vulnerability hub, which will bring together officers who undertake strategy discussions, child protection investigations, and attend child protection conferences.

Councillor County Mackenzie Ritson raised concerns about the impact of local government reorganisation¹ (LGR) on the programme, and whether the £5 million ring-fenced funding would be sufficient if the new footprints multiply the capital cost onto the project.

Focus on Home-Educated Children

Councillor County Mrs Marion Atkinson asked how the council knows the number of children who are not attending school or are home tutored, and how it would overcome the issue of children being hidden from care visitors. Louise Anderson responded that the council does know the number of children who are electively home educated, and that the Children and Families Wellbeing and Education Bill will give the local authority more power to see children who are being educated at home.

Social Worker Recruitment and Retention: Lancashire Outperforms National Averages

The Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee also reviewed the Principal Social Worker's Annual Report, which focused on workforce strategy. The report highlighted significant achievements in recruitment, retention, and workforce development.

Vacancy Rates: A Positive Trend

Tonya Harrison, the Principal Social Worker, presented the report, noting that the vacancy reduction is 12.7% lower than national levels, and the agency reduction is 9.7% lower than national levels. She stated that the council has a very sophisticated, excellent, centralised recruitment, targeted recruitment, and international recruitment strategy.

Praised by Cabinet Member

Councillor County Simon Evans, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, praised the report, stating that it contained nothing but good news. He noted that having such a settled workforce and low turnover rates in social work is nothing short of miraculous.

International Recruitment: A Thing of the Past?

Councillor County Samara Barnes asked where the internationally recruited social workers are coming from, how they are being supported to feel welcome, and what the council's duty of care looks like to them. Tonya Harrison responded that the practitioners came over from South Africa in three different waves, and that the council has updated policies around how it supports this cohort of practitioners. Louise Anderson added that the council is no longer recruiting internationally and does not foresee the need to.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Pension Fund Committee is scheduled to meet on Friday 12 December 2025. Link to meeting
• The Lancashire Combined County Authority is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 16 December 2025. Link to meeting
• The Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday 18 December 2025. Link to meeting
• The Health and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 10 December 2025. Link to meeting
• The Company Member Cabinet Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday 15 December 2025. Link to meeting