The Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee of Lancashire County Council met on Thursday 29 January 2026. The committee discussed the Get Lancashire Working initiative and reviewed its work programme for 2025/26.

Get Lancashire Working

The committee reviewed the Get Lancashire Working initiative, a plan developed in partnership with the NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board and the Department for Work and Pensions. The initiative aims to boost employment rates and reverse the trend of economic inactivity. A significant part of this plan is the Connect to Work programme, a large-scale supported employment initiative that commenced in the summer of 2025.

Dan Dixon, Programme Manager for Supported Employment, and Linda Ferguson from the Enablement and Employment Team presented the report. They explained that Connect to Work is funded until March 2026 and builds upon previous successful programmes like the Local Supported Employment (LSE) pilot, which has a strong track record of helping adults with disabilities into sustainable employment. The LSE programme, for example, has seen 47% of its referrals gain employment with an 85.7% retention rate for up to six months.

The Connect to Work programme aims to support 11,000 participants across five years with an estimated cost of £38.8 million. The expectation is that at least 50% of participants will achieve sustained employment. The programme utilises a mixed delivery model, involving both in-house delivery by upper-tier local authorities and procured external providers. A Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, known as Data, Collection & Reporting Service (DCRS), has been developed to track participant journeys and performance against key indicators.

During the discussion, councillors raised questions about the scale of the programme and its ability to meet national ambitions. Councillor Mr Chris Snow noted that while the approach was brilliant, the 80% employment target set by the government might be unambitious, especially considering areas with higher proportions of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEETs). Councillor Paul Stubbins sought an overview of how the programme was scaling up and the proportion of service providers needed. Councillor Brian Moore, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Growth, clarified that the £38.8 million funding for the programme comes from the government and that the 80% employment target is a national ambition.

Concerns were also raised about the barriers to employment, including the benefits system, which some councillors felt could disincentivise work. Councillor Mark Wade highlighted that national policies, such as the benefits system and mental health support, significantly impacted employment outcomes. Councillor David Shaw noted issues of low wages, low educational attainment, and poor aspirations. Councillor Moore acknowledged that the programme operates within a national context that can present challenges.

The committee discussed recommendations related to the Get Lancashire Working plan and the Connect to Work programme, encouraging increased participation and engagement from both individuals and employers.

Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2025/26

The committee reviewed its work programme for the 2025/26 municipal year. The report outlined planned activities, including reviews of major transport and infrastructure schemes, electric vehicle infrastructure, and public rights of way efficiencies.

A significant point of discussion revolved around the allocation of Local Transport Grants for 2025/26. Councillor Paul Stubbins expressed concern that £15 million of unallocated capital grant funding remained, representing a lost opportunity if not spent. He questioned whether this money was being used to compensate for overspends in other areas and sought clarity on its intended use. Councillor Mr Chris Snow echoed these concerns, stating it was extraordinary that the reasons for the unallocated funds were unclear and that bids for this funding could be made.

The committee discussed three options regarding the £15 million: waiting for further information, treating it as a reserve item until more information was available, or removing it from the work programme. It was agreed that the committee would insist on receiving an answer regarding the intention for this £15 million by the March meeting.

The committee also considered the Growth Plan, Culture and Tourism Strategy, and Lancashire Skills and Employment Framework. It was noted that there isn't a single, combined culture and tourism strategy for Lancashire, but rather separate strategies for cultural services, cultural investment, and tourism growth. The cultural element of the work programme was noted as being reviewed by the Lancashire Combined Authority (LCCA), with the tourism strategy to be scrutinised once a new strategy is released. The committee agreed to move the tourism element to its 2026-27 work programme.

The committee discussed its work programme for 2025/26, including noting the formal written responses from Cabinet Members regarding previous recommendations and agreeing to consider briefing notes on local transport grants and the growth plan, culture, and tourism strategy. Key lines of inquiry for the report due at the next meeting were also discussed and confirmed.

Minutes of the Meeting Held on 18 December 2025

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 18 December 2025 were discussed, with a minor amendment noted regarding the discussion of Local Transport Grants and the Bus Service Improvement Plan.