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Annual General Meeting, Full Council - Thursday, 21st May, 2026 1.00 pm
May 21, 2026 at 1:00 pm Full Council View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
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The Full Council of Lancashire County Council met on Thursday 21 May 2026, electing Councillor Lee Hutchinson as the new Chairman and Councillor Clive Balchin as Vice-Chairman. The meeting also saw the approval of the council's Constitution for 2026/27 and a reduction in the financial threshold for key decisions.
Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman
Councillor Lee Hutchinson was elected as the new Chairman of Lancashire County Council, and Councillor Clive Balchin was appointed as Vice-Chairman. Both expressed their honour and commitment to serving the council and the people of Lancashire with fairness and impartiality.
Constitution of the County Council 2026/27
The council approved its Constitution for the year 2026/27, incorporating several amendments proposed by the Political Governance Working Group and other consequential changes. These updates included adjustments to committee terms of reference, schemes of delegation, and procedural standing orders relating to notices of motion.
Financial Threshold for Key Decisions
Following analysis of comparator authorities and the council's Net Revenue Budget, the financial threshold for key decisions was reduced from £2.2 million to £1.9 million for 2026/27. This change aims to align Lancashire County Council's threshold with the average of similar authorities and ensure greater transparency in decision-making.
Audit, Risk and Governance Committee Report
The council received the report of the Audit, Risk and Governance Committee, including the Annual Governance Statement for 2025/26 and the updated Code of Corporate Governance for 2026/27. The Annual Governance Statement provided satisfactory assurance that the council's governance arrangements are fit for purpose. The updated Code of Corporate Governance was approved, reflecting best practice and aligning with the council's vision and values.
Appointment of an Independent Person
Ms Zara Cohen was appointed as an independent person to fulfil the role required by the Localism Act 2011 in relation to allegations of members' misconduct. Ms Cohen, who lives in Lancashire and has a background in the Royal Air Force, will serve a two-year term.
Membership of Committees and Related Appointments 2026/27
The council approved the Constitution and membership of its committees for 2026/27, along with the appointment of Chairs and Deputy Chairs. This included the establishment of a new Budget and Finance Scrutiny Committee.
Lancashire Combined County Authority - Appointment of County Council Representatives for 2026/27
The council approved the appointment of two representatives and two substitute members to the Lancashire Combined County Authority for 2026/27. The Director of Law and Governance was authorised to approve appointments to the Authority's Scrutiny and Audit Committees following consultation with political groups.
Appointments to Outside Bodies
The council approved appointments to various outside bodies for 2026/27, including the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority, the Police and Crime Panel for Lancashire, the Local Government Association's General Assembly and Special Interest Groups, and the County Councils Network.
Report of the Cabinet (Part B)
The council noted the report of the Cabinet, which included updates on the allocation of the Crisis Resilience Fund, proposals for 'No Waiting At Any-Time' restrictions on Goosnargh Lane, Preston, the proposed Highways Capital Programmes for 2026/27, the Procurement Pipeline for 2026/27, and the council's response to the statutory consultation on Local Government Reorganisation. Cabinet also approved plans for the development of Best Start in Life Family Hubs and the Capital Strategy for Schools – Condition Led Investment Programme 2026/27.
Reports of County Council Committees
The council received and noted reports from various committees:
- Audit, Risk and Governance Committee: The committee approved the Council's Annual Governance Statement 2025/26 and recommended the updated Code of Corporate Governance 2026/27 to Full Council. It also approved the Corporate Risk and Opportunity Register and noted the Self-Assessment of Good Practice Summary Report.
- Employment Committee: The committee approved the extension of the Chief Executive's secondment to the Lancashire Combined County Authority and approved remuneration policies and pay scales for Local Pensions Partnership Administration and Investments.
- Pension Fund Committee: The committee approved the Lancashire County Pension Fund Strategic Plan 2026-29, the Fund budget for 2026/27, and the Funding Strategy Statement. It also approved updates on governance matters, the recruitment of a single Independent Investment Adviser, and the 2026/27 Training Plan.
- Overview and Scrutiny Committees: Reports were received from the Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee, the Community, Cultural and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee, the Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee, and the Health and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee. These reports included recommendations on school attendance, children not in school, school place planning, property management, domestic abuse services, street lighting, and mental health services.
- Lancashire Health and Wellbeing Board: The Board ratified the Quarter 3 2025/26 Better Care Fund submission and agreed to expand the Neighbourhood Health Working Group.
- Lancashire Combined Fire Authority: The council noted the report from the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority meeting on 27 April 2026, which included updates on member champion activity, operational incidents, and the appointment of an Independent Person.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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The Lancashire Health and Wellbeing Board
Recommendations ApprovedThe Full Council of Lancashire Council approved recommendations on 21/05/2026. The council noted the report of the Lancashire Health and Wellbeing Board.
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The Pension Fund Committee
Recommendations ApprovedThe Full Council of Lancashire Council approved recommendations on 21/05/2026. The Pension Fund Committee's report from its meeting on 20 March 2026 was noted.
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The Audit, Risk and Governance Committee
Recommendations ApprovedThe Full Council of Lancashire Council approved recommendations on 21/05/2026. The council noted the report of the Audit, Risk and Governance Committee.
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Financial Threshold for Key Decisions
Recommendations ApprovedThe Full Council of Lancashire Council decided to approve a reduction in the financial threshold for Key Decisions to £1.9m for 2026/27. This decision was made on 21/05/2026.
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Appointment of Vice-Chairman
Recommendations Approved -
Membership of Committees and Related Appointments 2026/27
Recommendations ApprovedThe Full Council decided to approve the constitution and membership of committees for 2026/27, along with the appointment of Chairs and Deputy Chairs. This decision was made on 21/05/2026. The council approved the committee structure as set out in Appendix 'A'.
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Confirmation of the Minutes from the Meeting held on 12 March 2026
Recommendations ApprovedThe Full Council of Lancashire Council decided to confirm the minutes from the meeting held on 12 March 2026. This decision was made on 21 May 2026.
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Election of Chairman
Recommendations Approved -
Report of the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority
Recommendations ApprovedThe Full Council of Lancashire Council approved the recommendations of the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority on 21 May 2026. The council noted the summary report of the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority meeting held on 27 April 2026. The Authority approved the extension of appointment of Independent Person Julie Byrom for four years to May 2030.
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The Overview and Scrutiny Committees
Recommendations ApprovedThe Full Council of Lancashire Council approved recommendations on 21/05/2026. The Overview and Scrutiny Committees' reports were noted.
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Appointments to Outside Bodies
Recommendations ApprovedThe Full Council of Lancashire decided to approve appointments to several outside bodies on 21/05/2026. The council approved the appointment of 19 members to the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority, one county councillor to the Police and Crime Panel with a substitute, and four representatives to the County Councils Network. The council also agreed to consider and appoint representatives to the Local Government Association's General Assembly and Special Interest Groups.
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The Employment Committee
Recommendations ApprovedThe Full Council of Lancashire Council approved recommendations on 21/05/2026. The Employment Committee's report was noted. The Full Council also approved the extension of the Chief Executive's secondment to the Lancashire County Combined Authority and approved remuneration policies and pay scales for Local Pensions Partnership Administration and Investments.
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Report of the Cabinet (Part B)
Recommendations ApprovedThe Full Council of Lancashire Council approved recommendations from the Cabinet on 21/05/2026. The Cabinet had previously approved the allocation of the Crisis Resilience Fund, introduced 'No Waiting At Any-Time' restrictions on Goosnargh Lane, Preston, approved proposed Highways Capital Programmes for 2026/27, and approved the Procurement Pipeline for 2026/27. The Cabinet also approved the council's response to the Government's consultation on local government reorganisation and approved recommendations for the A582 Croston Road Junction Improvements Compulsory Purchase Order. Additionally, the Cabinet approved programme implementation plans for Best Start Family Hubs, the Capital Strategy for Schools – Condition Led Investment Programme 2026/27, and the addition of the Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership CIC to the county council's list of outside bodies with County Councillor Martyn Sutton appointed as representative. The Cabinet deferred a report on Accessible Nelson - Forest Street and North Street Moving Orders.
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Appointment of an Independent Person
Recommendations ApprovedThe Full Council decided to approve the appointment of Ms Z Cohen as an independent person for a two-year term. This decision was made on 21/05/2026. Ms Cohen will support the council and work alongside two existing independent persons.
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Lancashire Combined County Authority - Appointment of County Council Representatives for 2026/27
Recommendations ApprovedThe Full Council decided to approve recommendations for appointments to the Lancashire Combined County Authority and its committees on 21/05/2026. The Director of Law and Governance was authorised to approve county council representatives for the Scrutiny and Audit Committees and any necessary changes to these appointments.
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Constitution of the County Council 2026/27
Recommendations ApprovedThe Full Council decided to approve the Constitution of the county council for 2026/27 on 21/05/2026. This approval included noting changes made since the previous year and approving proposed amendments. The council agreed to increase the number of Special Responsibility Allowances to five to include a new allowance for the Chair of the Budget and Finance Scrutiny Committee and to appoint Hannah Race as the Statutory Scrutiny Officer.
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Report of the Audit, Risk and Governance Committee - Annual Governance Statement 2025/26 and Code of Corporate Governance 2026/27
Recommendations ApprovedThe Full Council approved the Annual Governance Statement for 2025/26 and the updated Code of Corporate Governance for 2026/27 on 21 May 2026. The decision maker was the Full Council. The Annual Governance Statement summarises the council's review of its governance arrangements, and the Code of Corporate Governance sets out the principles and behaviours for council operations.
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