The Lancashire County Council Cabinet met to discuss the county's financial performance, approve transport and highway projects, and update flag policies. The cabinet approved a capital allocation for a new primary school in Preston, accepted transport capital grants, and approved traffic regulation orders for the Accessible Nelson project. They also approved an updated flag policy and discussed the management of residual waste in East Lancashire.

Financial Performance and Budget

The Cabinet reviewed the Corporate Performance Report 2025/26 Quarter 1 and the 2025/26 Quarter 1 Financial Monitoring Report. The financial monitoring report revealed a forecast net pressure at the year-end of £27.863m, representing 2.24% of the agreed budget.

Pressures were linked to:

• Adult social care
• Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
• Home-to-school transport

The Cabinet approved additional expenditure of up to £5.345m to support the SEND Recovery Plan and authorised the Director of Finance and Commerce to draw from the Strategic Investment Reserve as required.

Councillor County Ged Mirfin, Cabinet Member for Resources, HR and Property, noted that the autumn budget of 2024 had tax reforms that impacted businesses in Lancashire, including Boohoo.

The Cabinet also approved a revised capital programme for 2025/26 of £261.529m, subject to the approval of the Transport Capital Grant awards.

Councillor County Dowdy raised concerns about democratic accountability in the financial efficiency review, requesting that data and methods be shared with opposition groups.

Preston Primary School Update

The Cabinet approved the capital allocation for a new two-form entry primary school at the former Whittingham Hospital site, providing 60 places per year from September 2026. This decision followed a question from Councillor County Maria Jones regarding the growing need for school places in North and West Preston.

Councillor County Matthew Salter, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, explained that the new school was needed due to sustained population growth and housing development, with the Central Lancashire Local Plan proposing up to 9,135 new dwellings.

The Development Control Committee had deferred a decision on the planning application.

Transport Capital Grant Funding

The Cabinet approved the acceptance of capital grants from the Department for Transport and Active Travel England, totalling approximately £32 million, to enhance transport infrastructure. They also approved adding these funds to the Transport Block of the Capital Programme.

Additionally, the Cabinet authorised the Executive Director of Growth, Environment, Transport and Health to enter into a funding agreement with the Department for Transport for the £49.6 million East Lancashire Levelling Up Fund project.

Councillor County Warren Goldsworthy, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, announced the £49.6 million award from the Department of Transport for the East Lancashire Levelling Up Fund project, which will deliver transport improvements across four councils in East Lancashire.

Councillor County Dowdy raised concerns about the lack of democratic input in decisions regarding the remaining £6 million unallocated for the year.

Councillor County Arley welcomed the levelling up money for East Lancashire and thanked Andrew Hewitt and his team for their work.

Accessible Nelson Traffic Regulation Orders

The Cabinet approved a series of traffic regulation orders for the Accessible Nelson project, aimed at improving active travel facilities. The project, costing approximately £18 million, includes cycle tracks, controlled carriageway crossings, and improved bus stops along Scotland Road in Nelson.

The approved measures include:

• Removal of footway and construction of a shared-use uni-directional segregated cycle track on Scotland Road.
• Introduction of one-way traffic along Charles Street.
• Revocation of parking restrictions along Charles Street, Rook Street, and Scotland Road.
• Introduction of bus clearways and controlled pedestrian crossings.

Councillor County Goldsworthy noted that objections were received during the consultation process, particularly concerning the limited road space and the importance of on-street parking for local businesses. He committed to exploring opportunities for additional parking in the area.

Lancashire County Council Flag Policy

The Cabinet approved an updated Lancashire County Council Flag Policy, prioritising the Union flag, the flag of England, the Lancashire flag, Royal flags, and Military flags and Ensigns on council property. The policy retains a provision allowing the Leader and Chief Executive to authorise additional flags.

Councillor County Dowdy expressed surprise that the new policy resulted in the banning of flags such as the NHS flag and the white ribbon flag. Other councillors voiced their pride in the Union flag and rejected the notion of it being weaponised.

Councillor County Dalton shared an anecdote about a parish council meeting where the St George's Cross was described as divisive.

Management of Residual Waste in East Lancashire

The Cabinet approved proposals for managing residual waste in East Lancashire following the end of the Winnie Hill landfill contract in March 2026. The approved approach includes:

• Procuring a contractor to accept residual waste from the four district authorities affected.
• Offering an extension to the contract at the Pendle Waste Transfer Station, with the district councils covering the transfer handling fee.
• Supporting district councils that wish to develop alternative proposals.

Councillor County Joshua Roberts, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities, clarified that the proposals would negate the need for Rosendale Borough Council to build a waste transfer station.

Supplementary Procurement Report

The Cabinet approved the commencement of procurement exercises for:

• Ramsclough Farm (Haslingden Road) Retaining Wall Scheme
• Fleet Vehicle Purchases 2025

Councillor County David Dwyer, Cabinet Member for Data, Technology, Customer and Efficiency, stated that repairing and reopening Haslandon Old Road was a clear priority.

Lancashire Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report

The Cabinet considered the Lancashire Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2024/25 and supported its publication. The report reflected on safeguarding practices and challenges, highlighting key achievements such as commissioned projects supporting practice improvement.

Councillor County Graham Dalton, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, noted that the report reflected the challenges faced across partnerships in safeguarding.

Minor Adaptations - New Model of Working

The Cabinet approved a new model of working for the Minor Adaptations Service, delegating authority and funding to district councils via a Section 101 agreement¹ to improve outcomes for people in Lancashire.