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Full Council - Thursday, 16th October, 2025 1.00 pm
October 16, 2025 Full Council View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
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The Full Council of Lancashire County Council convened on Thursday, 16 October 2025, addressing a wide range of issues from community safety and members' allowances to the county's pension fund and the controversial topic of fracking. Key decisions included the approval of the Lancashire Community Safety Agreement 2025-2028, a freeze on members' allowances, and a commitment to a permanent national ban on fracking.
Lancashire Community Safety Agreement 2025-2028 Approved
The council approved the Lancashire Community Safety Agreement for 2025-2028, a statutory document outlining how responsible authorities will collaborate to reduce crime and disorder across the county. The agreement, informed by the Lancashire Strategic Assessment 2025-2028, identifies key risks and threats including domestic abuse, violence against women and girls, serious violence, exploitation, organised crime, road safety, anti-social behaviour, and cyber crime. Councillor Joshua Roberts, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities, presented the report, emphasizing a partnership approach and the need for preventative measures. The agreement will be reviewed annually to ensure its continued relevance.
Members' Allowances Frozen Amidst Calls for Savings
In a move aimed at demonstrating fiscal responsibility, the council voted to freeze members' allowances for the 2025/26 financial year. This decision, proposed by Councillor Ged Mirfin, Cabinet Member for Resources, HR and Property, overrides recommendations from the Independent Remuneration Panel to increase allowances. Councillor Mirfin argued that in incredibly straightened times
and with pressure to make savings, an increase in allowances would be unacceptable, particularly given the public expectation for councils to be prudent with taxpayer money. The freeze is expected to save Lancashire residents £115,000, including an additional £22,000 that would have been allocated to opposition groups. While the freeze was supported by many, some councillors expressed disappointment at the rejection of the panel's recommendations and the approach to opposition group funding.
Permanent Ban on Fracking Called For
In a significant decision, the council resolved to call on the government to replace the current moratorium on fracking with a permanent national ban. Councillor Mark Clifford, who moved the motion, highlighted the environmental risks, geological dangers, and lack of economic benefits associated with shale gas extraction. He cited concerns about water contamination, greenhouse gas emissions, induced earth tremors, and the industrialisation of rural landscapes. The motion also emphasized the strong opposition to fracking from Lancashire residents and the potential for renewable energy sources to create sustainable, long-term jobs. An amendment proposed by Councillor Joel Tetlow, which suggested a review of all domestic energy sources rather than an outright ban, was defeated.
Libraries to Reopen Fully as Staff Shortages Addressed
Councillor Matthew Salter, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, addressed concerns raised by Councillor Mark Jewell regarding the reduced opening hours of libraries across Preston and Lancashire due to staff shortages. Councillor Salter acknowledged the challenges but explained that a restructure of the model for Band C libraries had been completed, creating more flexible working arrangements. Recruitment for vacancies is underway, and while short-term issues have caused regrettable closures, the aim is for libraries to be fully operational. Councillor Jewell sought reassurance that libraries like Savick and Ingle would be fully open before Christmas, to which Councillor Salter responded affirmatively, though acknowledging that exact opening times for November and December could not be guaranteed.
Council Pledges Action on Disadvantaged Pupils' Education
A motion moved by Councillor Azhar Ali OBE, calling for a 'Lancashire Education Summit' and the establishment of a Poverty Commission, was passed. The motion highlights the concerning statistics of educational attainment among disadvantaged pupils in Lancashire, particularly white British boys and Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller children. Councillor Ali emphasized the need for concrete action beyond empty words
to address the growing inequality. The approved motion calls for the council to write to former Education Secretary Estelle Morris and Sir Hamid Patel CBE, inviting them to engage with Lancashire stakeholders. It also tasks the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills with convening a summit and asks the Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee to establish a Poverty Commission.
Committee Appointments and Scrutiny Reports Approved
The council approved various committee appointments and noted the annual reports from the Overview and Scrutiny Committees and the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority. Councillor Joel Tetlow was appointed as the new Chair of the Pension Fund Committee, replacing Councillor David Shaw. Councillors David Shaw and Andy Blake were appointed as Chair and Deputy Chair of the new Budget and Finance Scrutiny Committee, respectively. The Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2024-25 was noted, highlighting the committees' work on community safety, waste operations, health services, and the local transport plan. The report from the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority was also noted, acknowledging its Outstanding
HMICFRS rating and a motion to explore funding opportunities and lobby for fair funding.
Pension Fund Performance and Governance Reviewed
The Lancashire County Pension Fund reported a 3.3% return on investments, with the overall value of assets rising to £12 billion. Councillor David Shaw, presenting the annual report, highlighted that the fund is the twelfth best performing out of 62 local authority funds. Significant savings of £22.4 million were achieved in investment management fees through pooling arrangements. The council also approved the extension of Ms Fiona Miller's contract as Independent Chair of the Lancashire Local Pension Board for a further two years. Discussions also touched upon the fund's investments in companies active in Israel, with the interim head of fund confirming that exposure was less than 1% and no investments were held in Israeli government bonds.
Other Matters Discussed
The council also approved the Lancashire County Council Timetable of Meetings for 2026/27 and noted reports from the Urgency Committee, Audit, Risk and Governance Committee, Employment Committee, and the Lancashire Health and Wellbeing Board. A report on Cabinet activities from July and September 2025 was also noted.
The meeting also saw debate on a motion concerning the council's approach to flying flags, ultimately resolving to ask Cabinet to review the policy to prioritize national and Lancashire flags over individual political causes. A notice of motion to replace the First Past the Post voting system with a fairer system for local elections was lost. Finally, a notice of motion to recalibrate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles, focusing on meritocracy and value for money, was passed.
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 Lancashire Combined Fire Authority
Recommendations Approved...to note the report of the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority meeting held on 15 September 2025.
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Local Pensions Partnership Investments Limited - Admission in Principle of New Partner Funds
Recommendations Approved...to approve in principle the admission of new partner funds into Local Pensions Partnership Investments Limited (LPPI), as recommended by the Pension Fund Committee.
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Committee Appointments
Recommendations Approved...to approve the appointment of County Councillor Joel Tetlow as Chair of the Pension Fund Committee in place of County Councillor David Shaw, and to appoint County Councillors David Shaw and Andy Blake as the Chair and Deputy Chair respectively of the Budget and Finance Scrutiny Committee, for the remainder of the 2025/26 municipal year.
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To consider Notices of Motion Submitted under Standing Order B37
Recommendations Approved -
Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2024-25
Recommendations Approved...to consider and approve the recommendations within the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for 2024/25, which summarized the activities, findings, impacts, and contributions of the scrutiny committees to the council's corporate priorities.
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The Overview and Scrutiny Committees
Recommendations Approved...to note the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees, encompassing the Children, Families and Skills, Community, Cultural and Corporate Services, Environment, Economic Growth and Transport, and Health and Adult Services committees' meetings and their associated recommendations.
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Exclusion of Press and Public
Recommendations Approved -
The Audit, Risk and Governance Committee
Recommendations Approved...to approve the recommendations from the Audit, Risk and Governance Committee meeting held on 21 July 2025, effectively noting the reports, updates, and strategies discussed therein, including the 2024/25 Statement of Accounts, audit plans, treasury management activity, procurement waivers, internal audit reports, and the corporate risk register.
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Contract Extension - Independent Chair of the Lancashire Local Pension Board
Recommendations Approved...to extend the contract of the current Independent Chair of the Lancashire Local Pension Board, Ms. Fiona Miller, for a further two years, until 31 October 2027.
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The Pension Fund Committee
Recommendations Approved...to note the report of the Pension Fund Committee from its meeting held on 19 September 2025, which included approvals for the draft Lancashire County Pension Fund Annual Report 2024/25, the updated Governance Compliance Statement, and the draft Funding Strategy Statement for consultation, as well as noting updates on training, responsible investments, the McCloud regulatory decision, internal audit assurance, pensions administration performance, cyber security, the Local Pensions Partnership, investment performance, the Investment Panel, and recommending the contract extension for the independent Chair of the Lancashire Local Pension Board.
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Recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel - Members' Allowance Scheme 2025/26
Recommendations Approved...to approve the revised Members' Allowance Scheme for 2025/26, including a 3.2% uplift to the Basic Allowance and adjustments to Special Responsibility Allowances, Chairman/Vice-Chairman Allowances, and Dependents' Carers' Allowance, as recommended by the Independent Remuneration Panel.
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The Urgency Committee
Recommendations Approved...to note the report regarding the Chief Executive's appointment of Brendan Arnold as Interim Director of Finance and Commerce and Section 151 Officer, made on behalf of the Urgency Committee.
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Confirmation of the minutes from the meeting held 17 July 2025
Recommendations Approved -
The Lancashire Health and Wellbeing Board
Recommendations Approved...to note the report of the Lancashire Health and Wellbeing Board as presented.
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Report of Cabinet (Part A) - Lancashire Community Safety Agreement 2025 - 2028
Recommendations Approved...the Full Council approved the recommendations of the Cabinet to adopt the Lancashire Community Safety Agreement 2025-2028, which outlines how responsible authorities will collaborate to address key community safety issues in Lancashire.
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The Employment Committee
Recommendations Approved...to note the report of the Employment Committee from its meetings held on 15 July 2025 and 30 September 2025, which included resolutions regarding interviews for the Executive Director of Resources role, a decision made under the Urgent Business procedure, a review of Coroner salaries and fees, and the Local Pensions Partnership Limited Remuneration Report.
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Report of the Cabinet (Part B)
Recommendations Approved...the recommendations from the Cabinet meetings on July 10, 2025, and September 4, 2025, were approved, including the Lancashire Child and Youth Justice Plan 2025-26.
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Lancashire County Council Timetable of Meetings 2026/27
Recommendations Approved...to approve the timetable of Full Council, Cabinet, and Committee meetings for the period of June 1, 2026, to May 31, 2027.
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Lancashire County Pension Fund Annual Report Year Ending 31 March 2025
Recommendations Approved...to note the performance and state of the Lancashire County Pension Fund and investment activities for the year ended 31 March 2025, as detailed in the Lancashire County Pension Fund Annual Report.
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