The Community, Cultural, and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee of Lancashire County Council met on Friday 11 September 2026 to consider a call-in request regarding the Cabinet's decision to cease its administration of refugee resettlement schemes. After extensive debate, the committee voted not to refer the decision back to Cabinet, meaning the original decision can be implemented.

Call-In Request: Refugee Resettlement

The committee convened to review the decision made by Cabinet on 3 September 2026 to withdraw Lancashire County Council's administrative responsibility for several refugee resettlement schemes. The call-in was initiated by a group of county councillors who argued that the Cabinet's decision-making process had breached five key principles of decision-making: taking into account all relevant considerations, proportionality, best value, impartiality, and assessing the impact on human rights, equality, diversity, and sustainability.

County Councillor Azhar Ali and County Councillor Adrian Owens presented the case for the call-in. They argued that the decision was not value for money, as withdrawing from the scheme would necessitate the council finding approximately £800,000 annually from other resources to backfill statutory services currently supported by the resettlement grant. They also challenged the notion that dedicated schemes are inherently unfair, highlighting that many council services are tailored to specific needs. A key point of contention was the alleged predetermination of the decision, with reference made to statements by Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities, County Councillor Joshua Roberts, in The Guardian and on social media prior to the Cabinet meeting. Concerns were also raised about whether confidential information (Annex D to the Cabinet report) was adequately considered.

County Councillor Joshua Roberts, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities, responded to the call-in grounds. He asserted that Cabinet had considered all relevant financial and legal implications, including an Equality Impact Assessment and advice from the Home Office. He argued that proportionality was a key reason for the decision, as the council is not a housing authority, and administration of housing is a statutory duty of district and unitary councils. Councillor Roberts maintained that his previous statements reflected his intentions, not a predetermined decision, and that he approached the Cabinet meeting with an open mind. He also stated that the decision was made in accordance with all 12 principles of decision-making set out in the council's Constitution.

During the debate, councillors raised questions about the financial implications, the rationale for withdrawing from a scheme that did not cost Lancashire taxpayers directly, and the potential impact on other council services. There was also discussion regarding the interpretation of Section 25 of the Localism Act 2011 concerning predetermination and the role of political party policy in decision-making. The committee also discussed the absence of officer recommendations on the Cabinet report and the limited debate during the Cabinet meeting itself.

Following the debate, a vote was held on whether to refer the decision back to Cabinet for reconsideration. The committee voted against the referral, meaning Cabinet's original decision to cease administrative responsibility for the refugee resettlement schemes will proceed.

The next ordinary meeting of the Community, Cultural and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee was scheduled for 24 September 2026.