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Full Council - Thursday, 16th July, 2026 1.00 pm
July 16, 2026 at 1:00 pm Full Council View on council websiteSummary
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The Full Council meeting of Lancashire County Council, held on Thursday, 16 July 2026, addressed a range of significant issues, including corridor care
in hospitals, the acceleration of devolution for Lancashire, and the council's cooperation with the Public Inquiry into child sexual exploitation. The council also debated and voted on motions concerning green belt protection and the appointment of honorary aldermen.
Ending Corridor Care in Lancashire Hospitals
A major focus of the meeting was the issue of corridor care,
where patients are treated in inappropriate settings within hospitals. The council passed a motion condemning this practice and calling for its elimination. The motion was amended to include Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals alongside Royal Preston, Chorley and South Ribble, Blackpool Victoria, Royal Lancaster Infirmary, and Royal Blackburn. The amended motion calls for the Lancashire Health and Wellbeing Board to ensure corridor care is an urgent priority, to ask all Lancashire NHS trusts to submit trust-level data to Board meetings to monitor reductions in corridor care, and to agree a cross-system action plan covering acute capacity and social care discharge by November 2026. It also resolves to invite Lancashire MPs to contribute to the Health and Wellbeing Board's work on corridor care and to write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to call for a long-term NHS workforce plan, greater flexibility to fund adult social care and discharge services, and a meeting with Lancashire County Council group leaders and the Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board. The council also resolved to ask the Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board and county council representatives on the Board to visit Lancashire's emergency departments to inform the Board's evidence base and report back.
Accelerating Devolution for Lancashire
The council debated a motion to accelerate devolution for Lancashire, aiming to secure greater powers, funding, and influence for the county. An amendment was accepted, removing the specific call for a mayoral election in May 2027, but retaining the commitment to write to the Prime Minister urging the Government to accelerate the devolution process for Lancashire and to write to the Secretary of State responsible for Devolution seeking a meeting with a cross-party delegation to pursue greater powers and funding for Lancashire. This amended motion was carried.
Cooperation with the Public Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation
The council passed a motion pledging full cooperation with the statutory Public Inquiry into child sexual exploitation and abuse committed by grooming gangs. The motion was amended to reaffirm the council's commitment to safeguarding children and young people, supporting victims and survivors of child sexual exploitation and abuse, and working with partner organisations to ensure that lessons identified through the Inquiry are fully considered and, where appropriate, implemented. The motion commits the council to welcoming the work of the Inquiry, pledging its full cooperation, and providing all information that the Inquiry requests. It also asks the Chief Executive to ensure appropriate allocation of resources and support for current or former employees giving evidence, and to collaborate with strategic partners, including Lancashire Constabulary, the Police and Crime Commissioner, health partners, and other local authorities to cooperate and share relevant data.
Green Belt Protections in Lancashire
A motion to reaffirm the council's commitment to protecting Lancashire's green belt and countryside was debated. An amendment was accepted to include opposition to the proposed windfarm cabling corridor across Fylde. However, the motion was subsequently withdrawn by County Councillor Russell Walsh, with the agreement of the seconder, to be resubmitted for consideration at the next scheduled meeting of Full Council. This decision was made due to the complexity of amendments and the late hour.
Other Matters Discussed
The meeting also included the confirmation of minutes from a previous meeting, reports from various committees including the Cabinet, Pension Fund Committee, and Lancashire Combined Fire Authority, and the appointment of nine former county councillors as Honorary Aldermen in recognition of their long service. County Councillor Lee Hutchinson was elected Chairman of the County Council, and County Councillor Clive Balchin was appointed Vice-Chairman. The council also approved the revised membership of the Lancashire Health and Wellbeing Board. An appointment was made to the Police and Crime Panel for Lancashire for 2026/27, subject to notification and approval of the Home Office.
The council was also recognised for being ranked 38th in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer 2026 awards, the highest ranking council in the country. This achievement was highlighted as reinforcing the council's commitment to apprenticeships and workforce development.
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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Report of the Political Governance Working Group
Recommendations ApprovedThe Full Council of Lancashire Council approved recommendations on 16/07/2026. The council agreed to increase the carryover for the Local Member Grant scheme to £500 for the 2027/28 grant year, continue using Lancashire's existing Code of Member Conduct, and approved the Champions' Role Description.
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The Pension Fund Committee
Recommendations ApprovedThe Full Council of Lancashire Council decided to approve recommendations on 16/07/2026. The council noted the report of the Pension Fund Committee.
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To consider Notices of Motion Submitted under Standing Order B37
Recommendations ApprovedThe Full Council of Lancashire Council approved recommendations on 16/07/2026. The council resolved to condemn corridor care and work with NHS partners on an action plan, accelerate devolution for Lancashire by writing to the Prime Minister and seeking a meeting with the Secretary of State, pledge full cooperation with the Public Inquiry into Grooming Gangs and Operation Beaconport, reaffirm commitment to protecting green belt land and write to district councils and the Planning Inspectorate, and reaffirm commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant and work with district councils on housing policy for veterans.
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Report of the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority
Recommendations ApprovedThe Full Council decided to note the report of the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority on 16 July 2026. The Lancashire Combined Fire Authority approved the appointment of an Independent Person to its Audit, Risk and Governance Committee and delegated recruitment to the Monitoring Officer. The Authority also approved the Chair and Chief Fire Officer to make a final decision on the Fleetwood Flexible Day Crewing pilot.
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Appointment to the Police and Crime Panel for Lancashire for 2026/27
Recommendations ApprovedThe Full Council decided to approve the appointment of County Councillor Simon Evans to the Police and Crime Panel for Lancashire for 2026/27, and County Councillors Daniel Matchett and Mackenzie Ritson as substitute representatives. This decision was made on 16/07/2026. The council approved the appointment of County Councillor Simon Evans and substitute representatives County Councillors Daniel Matchett and Mackenzie Ritson.
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Lancashire Health and Wellbeing Board Membership
Recommendations ApprovedThe Full Council of Lancashire approved recommendations for the revised membership of the Health and Wellbeing Board on 16/07/2026. The revised membership includes statutory members plus up to 27 additional members from NHS, primary care, fire and rescue, constabulary, Healthwatch, VCFSE sector, district councils, and Lancashire County Council.
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Confirmation of the Minutes from the Meeting held 21 May 2026
Recommendations ApprovedThe Full Council of Lancashire Council on 16 July 2026 approved the minutes from the meeting held on 21 May 2026. The council elected County Councillor Lee Hutchinson as Chairman and County Councillor Clive Balchin as Vice-Chairman. The council also approved the Constitution for 2026/27, reduced the financial threshold for Key Decisions to £1.9m, approved the updated Code of Corporate Governance for 2026/27, and appointed Ms Z Cohen as an independent person. Appointments to various committees, the Lancashire Combined County Authority, and outside bodies for 2026/27 were also approved.
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Report of the Cabinet (Part A) - Child and Youth Justice Service Plan 2026/27
Recommendations ApprovedFull Council approved the Lancashire Child and Youth Justice Plan 2026/27 on 16/07/2026. The plan details strategic and operational priorities for delivering effective youth justice services. It focuses on strengthening governance, improving data quality, responding to serious violence, developing workforce knowledge, reducing the criminalisation of children in care, enhancing out-of-court disposals, improving children's experiences, and strengthening health and neurodiversity pathways.
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Report of the Cabinet (Part B)
Recommendations ApprovedThe Full Council of Lancashire Council approved recommendations from the Cabinet on 16 July 2026. The Cabinet had previously approved various reports and plans, including the SEND Reform Plan, the Lancashire Supplier Charter, and the Education Strategy 2026-2028. The Cabinet also approved the making permanent of traffic restrictions in Kirkham town centre and the introduction of a bus stand in Rishton.
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Report of the Lancashire Combined County Authority
Recommendations ApprovedThe Full Council of Lancashire Council approved recommendations on 16/07/2026. The Lancashire Combined County Authority's reports from its April and June 2026 meetings were noted.
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