The Cabinet of Lancashire County Council met on Thursday 3 September 2026 to discuss the council's performance, finances, and key service areas. Decisions were made regarding the refugee resettlement scheme, the SEND capital project, and the consultation on the joint minerals and waste local plan.

Quarter 1 2026/27 Corporate Performance Report

The Cabinet reviewed the council's performance for the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year. The report indicated positive momentum across most of the council's priorities, with 56% of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) rated as Green (on track). Areas of strong performance included adult social care assessments, highways maintenance, and customer satisfaction with access to services. However, challenges remain in areas such as children missing education, the timeliness of Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) assessments, and the proportion of care leavers in education, employment, or training. Improvement plans are in place for these areas. The Cabinet approved the recommendation to note the performance and areas for improvement.

2026/27 Quarter 1 Financial Monitoring Report

County Councillor Hannah Worley, Cabinet Member for Resources, Property and Efficiency, presented the financial monitoring report. The council was forecasting a revenue overspend of £15.655 million (1.18% of the net budget) at Quarter 1, largely due to pressures in adult social care and children's social care, as well as increased energy and fuel costs. The report also detailed a revised Capital Programme of £271.116 million, including an additional £15 million for highways maintenance. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) was forecasting an overspend of £151.88 million, primarily due to increasing demand and placement costs within the high-needs block. The Cabinet noted the forecast positions and approved the recommendations, including the revised Capital Programme and the allocation of the Strategic Contingency Budget for highways and public realm improvements.

Ofsted Inspection of Lancashire Children's Services

County Councillor Simon Evans, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Families, presented a highly positive report on the recent Ofsted inspection of Lancashire's children's services. Ofsted rated the impact of leaders on social work practice and services for care leavers as Outstanding, and services for children needing help and protection, and children in care, as Good. Key strengths highlighted included strong leadership, effective early help, robust safeguarding arrangements, and outstanding services for care leavers. Areas for further improvement identified were better recognition of young carers' needs, greater consistency in safety planning, and stronger management oversight for children in unregistered settings and those subject to Deprivation of Liberty orders. The Cabinet approved the Achieving Excellence Plan, an action plan developed in response to Ofsted's recommendations.

SEND Capital Project

County Councillor Matthew Salter, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, presented proposals to increase specialist and inclusive provision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The Cabinet approved the allocation of £19 million for the expansion of four special schools: Pear Tree Special School in Kirkham, Mayfield Special School in Chorley, White Ash Special School in Oswaldtwistle, and post-19 provision at Sir Tom Finney Community High School in Preston. Additionally, £4 million was approved for a second round of the mainstream inclusion capital fund to support adaptations in schools, early years settings, and colleges. A delegated approval route for specialist base projects was also authorised, subject to positive consultation outcomes.

Consultation on the Joint Lancashire Minerals and Waste Local Plan

County Councillor Joshua Roberts, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities, presented the draft revised Joint Lancashire Minerals and Waste Local Plan for public consultation. The plan, prepared jointly with Blackpool Council and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, sets out planning policies for mineral and waste development up to 2042. Key changes include combining previous documents into a single plan, introducing a policy on onshore oil and gas, and addressing projected shortfalls in sand and gravel reserves. Councillor Gina Dowding raised concerns about the policy on onshore oil and gas, noting that recent national planning policy changes from the government advised against supporting such developments. Councillor Roberts acknowledged that the plan was a draft for consultation and that feedback would be considered. The Cabinet approved the draft plan for public consultation.

Refugee Resettlement Schemes

County Councillor Joshua Roberts also presented a report on the future administration of refugee resettlement schemes in Lancashire. Lancashire County Council currently acts as the coordinating authority for several Home Office schemes, including the Afghan Resettlement Programme and the UK Resettlement Scheme. The report outlined three options: cessation of all administration, cessation for new arrivals only while continuing support for existing families, or continuation of current arrangements. Councillor Roberts moved Option 1, advocating for cessation of all administration with a managed transition, citing housing pressures, the county council's lack of statutory housing responsibility, and the impending Local Government Reorganisation as key reasons. Councillor Azhar Ali OBE, Leader of the Opposition, strongly opposed this, arguing it was pre-meditated and would cost more, while also questioning why other refugee schemes were not under consideration. Following debate, Cabinet voted to approve Option 1, with a managed transition.

Urgent Decisions and Other Matters

The Cabinet noted one urgent decision taken by the Leader and relevant Cabinet Member(s) since the last meeting concerning Local Government Reorganisation. There were no other items of urgent business. The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Thursday 1 October 2026. The meeting then moved into Part II, excluding the press and public.