The Lancashire County Council Cabinet meeting on 2 July 2026 reviewed the council's performance for the fourth quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, noting that 71% of key performance indicators were on track. The Cabinet also considered the annual reports of the county council's champions and lead members for 2025/26, and approved the launch of the Lancashire Supplier Charter.

Key decisions made during the meeting included the recommendation for approval of the Lancashire Child and Youth Justice Plan for 2026/27 by Full Council, the noting of the 2025/26 financial outturn which showed a £2.992 million overspend, and the approval of the Lancashire Agreed Syllabus for Religious and Non-Religious Worldviews for use in schools from September 2026. The Cabinet also recommended deferring consultation on the Minerals and Waste Local Plan to allow for further detailed review.

Quarter 4 2025/26 Corporate Performance Report

The Cabinet reviewed the council's performance for the fourth quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, noting that 71% of key performance indicators (KPIs) were on track or within 5% of their target. Overall, the council performed well in areas such as strategic and economic development, digital projects, customer access, children's social care, finance, and aspects of adult social care and public health. Improvements were noted in the percentage of children with education, health and care plans supported in mainstream education, and the percentage of young people in education, employment, or training. However, challenges remain in areas such as children's missing education and the timeliness of adult social care assessments and reviews. The report also proposed a suite of KPIs and targets for 2026/27.

Annual Reports of the County Council's Champions 2025/26

The Cabinet considered the annual reports from the seven county council champions, who support the Leader and Cabinet Members in their respective areas of responsibility. The reports detailed the activities undertaken and funding used by each champion between May 2025 and March 2026. Councillors praised the champions for their commitment and the valuable overview they provided of their contributions to the council's priorities and the communities served. Specific recognition was given to County Councillor Gaynor Hargreaves (Champion for Disabled People), Jan Schofield (Champion for Older People), County Councillor Gary Kniveton (Champion for Armed Forces and Veterans), and County Councillor Mackenzie Ritson (Champion for Young People) for their outstanding work.

Annual Reports of the Lead Members 2025/26

The Cabinet reviewed the annual reports of the county council's lead members for 2025/26. Lead members are appointed to support Cabinet members in gathering information, developing policy, and providing advice on key service areas. The reports outlined the work undertaken by each lead member over the past year.

Lancashire Child and Youth Justice Service Plan 2026/27

County Councillor Simon Evans, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Families, presented the Lancashire Child and Youth Justice Plan for 2026/27. The plan outlines the council's approach to preventing offending and reducing re-offending, while supporting young people to achieve positive outcomes. It emphasizes a child-first, compassionate approach to understanding the challenges young people face and providing the right support at the right time. The plan was recommended for approval by Cabinet and subsequently by Full Council. Councillor Azhar Ali OBE raised a question regarding the breakdown of knife possession incidents per district, which officers agreed to provide.

The County Council's Financial Position 2025/26 Outturn

County Councillor David Dwyer, Cabinet Member for Resources, Property and Efficiency, presented the 2025/26 outturn report. The council inherited a challenging financial position with a forecasted overspend of almost £28 million at Quarter 1, which was reduced to a final overspend of just over £2.9 million (0.24% of the revenue budget) through strong financial discipline and mitigation efforts. The report highlighted the delivery of £58.7 million in savings, achieving 98% of the agreed programme. Challenges remain in areas such as social care, SEND, and home-to-school transport, as well as inflationary pressures. The capital programme saw a slippage of £10.4 million in highways maintenance, which was explained as ongoing work to be rescheduled. Cabinet noted the revenue and capital outturn positions and approved the transfer of £2.992 million from the transitional reserve to cover the revenue overspend. The schools budget reported an overspend of £79 million, resulting in a cumulative deficit of £102 million for the Dedicated Schools Grant.

Launching the Lancashire Supplier Charter

The Cabinet approved the launch of the Lancashire Supplier Charter, which establishes a framework for how Lancashire County Council will work with suppliers, contractors, and businesses across the county. The Charter aims to create a more open, transparent, and collaborative relationship with the market, securing better value for taxpayers, supporting local businesses, driving innovation, and delivering wider economic and social benefits. The Charter will be launched at an event on July 14th, expecting over 150 suppliers and businesses. Councillor Azhar Ali OBE welcomed the initiative, highlighting the importance of making it accessible for small businesses.

Cultural Services Strategies 2026-2028

County Councillor Ella Worthington, Cabinet Member for Civic Pride, presented the refreshed strategies for Lancashire Libraries, Lancashire County Museum Service, and Lancashire Archives and Local History for the period 2026-2028. These strategies align with the overarching Cultural Services Strategy and aim to maintain accreditation, engage residents, enhance learning and wellbeing, increase awareness, achieve income targets, and measure social value and civic pride. Cabinet approved the updated strategies for implementation.

Champion Grants Scheme: Armed Forces and Veterans

The Cabinet approved the expansion of the Armed Forces and Veterans Champion Grant scheme in partnership with BAE Systems. This expansion will significantly increase the annual grant funding available for community projects supporting Lancashire's armed forces community and veterans, rising from £10,000 to £50,000 per year. This initiative aligns with the council's priorities and exemplifies civic pride through partnership working with the business community. Councillor David Dwyer was thanked for his role in spearheading this proposal.

Lancashire Agreed Syllabus for Religious and Non-Religious Worldviews

County Councillor Matthew Salter, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, presented the updated Lancashire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education, titled 'Searching for Meaning - What is it to be human?'. This syllabus, developed by the Agreed Syllabus Conference, adopts a religious and non-religious worldviews approach and is recommended for use in Lancashire schools from September 2026. Cabinet approved the syllabus and authorised the Executive Director of Education and Children's Services to make any final minor amendments prior to publication. Councillor Azhar Ali OBE acknowledged the intensive work involved in developing the syllabus and thanked all contributors.

Consultation on the Minerals and Waste Local Plan

County Councillor Joshua Roberts, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities, reported on the consultation for the Joint Lancashire Minerals and Waste Local Plan. While the plan had been reviewed by the Joint Advisory Committee, Cabinet recommended deferring any consultation on the Local Plan to allow for further review and development with partners.

Matters for Information

There were no urgent decisions taken by the Leader or Cabinet Members since the last meeting. The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Thursday, 3 September 2026, at 9:00 am.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The press and public were excluded from the meeting for agenda items 16, 17, and 18 due to the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to financial or business affairs, or personal information.

Grant of Option for / Land Exchange - Barrowford St Thomas Church of England Primary School

Cabinet approved the recommendations, as set out in the report, related to a Purchase and Land Exchange at Barrowford St Thomas Church of England Primary School.

Appendix 'F' to Item 8 - SEND Capital Project

Cabinet noted Appendix 'F' to the SEND Capital Project report, which contained exempt information.

Appendix 'C' to Item 10 - Refugee Resettlement

Cabinet noted Appendix 'C' to the Refugee Resettlement report, which contained exempt information relating to individuals and legal professional privilege.

Decisions Made:

• Quarter 4 2025/26 Corporate Performance Report: Noted.
• Annual Reports of the County Council's Champions 2025/26: Considered and noted.
• Annual Reports of the Lead Members 2025/26: Considered and noted.
• Lancashire Child and Youth Justice Service Plan 2026/27: Recommended for approval by Full Council.
• The County Council's Financial Position 2025/26 Outturn: Noted the revenue and capital outturn positions; approved the transfer from the transitional reserve for the revenue overspend; noted the schools budget outturn.
• Launching the Lancashire Supplier Charter: Approved the Charter and endorsed its implementation.
• Cultural Services Strategies 2026-2028: Approved the strategies for Lancashire Libraries, Lancashire Archives and Local History, and Lancashire County Museum Service.
• Champion Grants Scheme: Armed Forces and Veterans: Approved the expansion of the grant funding and authorised the Director of Law and Governance to update the scheme rules.
• Lancashire Agreed Syllabus for Religious and Non-Religious Worldviews: Approved the syllabus for use in Lancashire schools from September 2026 and authorised the Executive Director of Education and Children's Services to make minor amendments.
• Consultation on the Minerals and Waste Local Plan: Recommended deferring consultation on the Local Plan.
• Urgent Decisions: Noted.
• Grant of Option for / Land Exchange - Barrowford St Thomas Church of England Primary School: Approved the recommendations, as set out in the report.
• Appendix 'F' to Item 8 - SEND Capital Project: Noted.
• Appendix 'C' to Item 10 - Refugee Resettlement: Noted.