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Full Council - Thursday, 16 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 on Thursday 16 July 2026 addressed the critical issue of corridor care
in Lancashire's hospitals, ultimately passing a motion to condemn and seek its urgent elimination. The council also debated and approved a notice of motion to accelerate devolution for Lancashire, aiming to secure greater powers and investment for the county. Additionally, a motion committing Lancashire County Council to full cooperation with the statutory public inquiry into child sexual exploitation and grooming gangs was passed.
Ending Corridor Care in Lancashire
Councillors overwhelmingly supported a motion to condemn and seek the urgent elimination of corridor care
in Lancashire's hospitals. The motion, moved by Councillor Azhar Ali OBE, Leader of the Opposition, highlighted the undignified, unsafe, and unacceptable conditions faced by patients treated in corridors and waiting areas. It acknowledged that this is a national scandal driven by insufficient capacity, workforce shortages, and sustained pressure on NHS services.
An amendment, moved by Councillor Daniel Matchett, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, was accepted by Councillor Ali. This amendment emphasised the council's concern about corridor care and noted that the Health and Wellbeing Board had already convened meetings with NHS Trust chief executives and chairs to address the issue. The amended motion, which became the substantive motion, was carried.
During the debate, Councillor Samara Barnes shared a deeply personal account of her mother's experience with corridor care at Royal Blackburn Hospital, stating, No patient should spend their final days on a corridor. No family should watch a loved one die without dignity and privacy.
Councillor Cameron spoke in support, emphasizing that the system, not the staff, was failing, and that Politics should end at the hospital door.
Councillor Whitt, however, stated he would not vote for the motion as amended, arguing it undermined the principle of a publicly funded NHS. Councillor John Potter abstained from voting, expressing disappointment that a line reaffirming the NHS as a publicly funded service had been removed.
Accelerating Devolution for Lancashire
The council approved a notice of motion, moved by Councillor Mark Clifford, to accelerate the devolution process for Lancashire. The motion calls on the government to put in place the necessary legislative and administrative arrangements for a Lancashire Mayor election in May 2027 and to engage with a cross-party delegation to discuss the county's needs. Councillor Clifford stated, Lancashire has the scale, Lancashire has the economic strength, Lancashire has the ambition. What we need now is the opportunity.
An amendment proposed by Councillor Peter Buckley, which sought to include a reference to wind farm proposals affecting Fylde, was accepted as a friendly amendment by Councillor Walsh, the mover of the original motion. Councillor Buckley argued that the proposed wind farm cabling corridor would have a significant negative impact on Lancashire's rural communities and agricultural landscape.
Cooperation with the Public Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation
A motion committing Lancashire County Council to full cooperation with the statutory public inquiry into child sexual exploitation and grooming gangs was passed unanimously. Moved by Councillor Ellie Close, Champion for Combatting Sexual Exploitation and Violence Against Women and Girls, the motion pledged the council's full cooperation, including providing all requested information and supporting current or former employees giving evidence.
An amendment proposed by Councillor Michael Lavalette, which sought to add a note that child sexual abuse takes place at all levels of society and in all communities, was not accepted as a friendly amendment by Councillor Close. Following a named vote, the amendment was defeated. Councillor Lavalette argued that his amendment was intended to provide context and ensure all victims received full support. Councillor Close stated her reason for not accepting the amendment was its late submission.
During the debate on the substantive motion, Councillor Mark Poulton stated, These were not grooming gangs. Grooming was simply the method used to gain control of vulnerable children. These were child rape gangs.
Councillor Sohail Asghar highlighted the specific issues faced in East Lancashire, noting that Royal Blackburn Hospital ranks among the worst in England for corridor care.
Other Matters Discussed
The council also received reports from various committees, including the Employment Committee, Pension Fund Committee, Political Governance Working Group, Lancashire Combined Fire Authority, and Lancashire Combined County Authority. These reports provided updates on their respective activities and decisions.
During Question Time, councillors raised concerns about the new highway asset management system, the government's proposals for local government reorganisation in Lancashire, and the scrutiny of decisions related to Ormskirk Hospital's Children's Emergency Department. There was also discussion regarding the Multivo single-source contract for pothole repairs and the allocation of £5 million for highways maintenance.
The meeting also included the confirmation of minutes from a previous meeting and the approval of the Lancashire Child and Youth Justice Plan 2026/27. The membership of the Lancashire Health and Wellbeing Board was revised, and an appointment was made to the Police and Crime Panel for Lancashire.
Two notices of motion were withdrawn: one concerning green belt protections in Lancashire, and another regarding supporting veterans and long-term Lancashire residents in housing policy. A further notice of motion by Councillor Ged Mirfin on supporting veterans and long-term Lancashire residents in housing policy was also withdrawn.
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 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 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 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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