The Lancashire County Council Cabinet met on 5 June 2025 and approved several key decisions, including the allocation of Growing Places Fund monies to the Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA), the allocation of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery improvement grants, and the commencement of an efficiency review of the council's financial management. The cabinet also approved the proposed closure of the sixth form at Moor Park High School and Sixth Form in Preston.

Efficiency Review

The Cabinet approved the commencement of an efficiency review of the council's financial management, procurement, and associated governance arrangements. The review, which will take place over the summer, aims to identify in-year efficiencies and improvements to strengthen value for money arrangements, and will shape the budget setting process for next year.

The review will:

Provide assurance with regard to the existing savings plans and financial resilience. Take an insight led approach involving benchmarking and comparative data analysis. Consider key contractual and procurement arrangements for both revenue and capital funded activities and explore opportunities for savings through the lens of benefit to the public. Establish cross-cutting workstreams potentially covering contracts, assets, digital and income to identify further efficiencies. Consider most effective ways of communicating with the public the Council's efficiency agenda. Understand the impact of Comprehensive Spending Review in determining the likely funding envelope for the Council over the next three years.

Councillor Stephen Atkinson, Leader of the County Council, highlighted the importance of the review to prioritise efficiencies and ensure value for money for residents. Councillor Azhar Ali supported the review, emphasising the need for scrutiny and collaboration to achieve savings.

A Cabinet Working Group will be established to consider the work of the efficiency review and report to the Cabinet accordingly. The Interim Director of Finance and Commerce will agree the detailed scope and programme of the review in consultation with the Leader of the County Council, the Chief Executive and the Director of Law and Governance.

Allocation of Growing Places Fund Monies

The Cabinet approved the allocation of £19.4 million from the Growing Places Fund (GPF) to the Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA). The GPF is a resource previously managed by the Lancashire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). Following the LEP's dissolution, Lancashire County Council became the custodian of the fund. The English Devolution White Paper, published in December 2024, set the expectation that former LEP functions would transfer to the LCCA. The fund is deployed as a revolving loan fund to release commercial development projects in Lancashire.

County Councillor Brian Moore, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Growth, explained that the decision aligns with government expectations for the LCCA to assume the functions of the former LEP. The Cabinet also agreed to delegate to the Executive Director of Growth, Environment, Transport and Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Growth, to make appropriate transfer and staffing arrangements.

Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) Substance Use Additional Grants Programme

The Cabinet approved the allocation of £10.6 million in Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Improvement Grant funding from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID). County Councillor Daniel Matchett, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said that the funding would support drug and alcohol treatments and recovery improvements, with allocations going to external bodies such as Maundy Relief, Lancashire Women, and Red Rose Lancashire.

Councillor Azhar Ali welcomed the grant and highlighted the need to address the ketamine crisis in areas like Burnley. County Councillor Matchett agreed to meet with Councillor Ali and councillors from Burnley to discuss prevention work, particularly among young people.

The grant allocation includes:

• Core element of Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Grant: £8,174,432
• Housing Support: £873,232
• Inpatient Detox: £430,109
• Support for Rough Sleepers: £834,239
• Individual Placement and Support: £321,710

Supplementary Procurement Report

The Cabinet approved the commencement of several procurement exercises:

• Chorley Botany Bay and Hartwood Roundabout: This project involves highway upgrades at Hartwood Roundabout and Hospital Roundabout to increase road capacity. The estimated contract value is £2,250,000, funded by the developer for Botany Bay.
• Street Lighting Maintenance Framework: This framework covers repairs, maintenance, and installation of street lighting across Lancashire. The estimated annual value is £800,000, with a total estimated value of £3,200,000 over four years.
• Provision of a Community Equipment Service: The Cabinet approved the award of a call-off contract utilising the Kent County Council framework for the short-term provision of the statutory Community Equipment Service. The total estimated value for the proposed contract is £15,000,000, with the council's estimated annual spend being £2,750,000. The Executive Director of Adult Services was authorised to commence a further procurement exercise for the future provision of the Community Equipment Service, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and the Cabinet Member for Data, Technology, Customer and Efficiency.

Proposed Closure of the Sixth Form Provision at Moor Park High School

The Cabinet approved the proposal to discontinue the sixth form provision at Moor Park High School and Sixth Form in Preston, permanently lowering its age range from 11-18 years to 11-16 years, with effect from 31 August 2026. County Councillor Matthew Salter, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, stated that the decision was in line with the Department for Education's statutory guidance, citing concerns about the sixth form's financial and educational viability due to low student numbers and a narrow curriculum offer.

Councillor Salter confirmed that current sixth form students would be able to complete their education, and the space occupied by the sixth form could be used to expand student numbers in years 7 to 11. Councillor Azhar Ali confirmed that students in their second year at the sixth form would be able to complete their education.

Other Matters

The Cabinet also:

• Approved Cabinet Member responsibilities.
• Approved appointments to outside bodies, with an amendment to include County Council on the Nelson Town Board and Nelson Town Deal.
• Reviewed urgent decisions taken by the Leader of the County Council.
• Confirmed the next meeting date as 3 July 2025.