The Cabinet meeting on 05 February 2026 addressed a range of critical issues, including the council's financial performance, the future of adult social care, and educational admissions. Key decisions included the approval of the 2026/27 budget, which incorporates a 3.80% Council Tax increase, and the determination of school admission arrangements for the 2027/2028 academic year. The meeting also saw discussions on the SEND capital programme and the Corporate Performance Report for Quarter 3 of 2025/26.

Questions for Cabinet

Lear Community Primary School Expansion

County Councillor Mark Jewell questioned the investment of over £3.5 million in the expansion of Lear Community Primary School without a sustainable plan, noting the school's request to reduce its pupil admission number (PAN) from 60 to 30. County Councillor Ged Mirfin, responding on behalf of the absent Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, County Councillor Matthew Salter, stated that the expansion predated the current administration. He explained that pupil projections indicated a sustained need for additional places, justifying the enlargement. Councillor Mirfin added that current forecasts for Preston suggest a continued need for school places in the area, including at Lea Primary, over the next decade. He emphasised the council's statutory duty to provide sufficient school places and that Lea Primary was being asked to remain a 60-place school based on these forecasts. Reducing the PAN could necessitate finding places in other schools, for which there is insufficient capacity. Councillor Mirfin concluded that it was in the interest of families and taxpayers for the school to continue operating with a PAN of 60, given its physical capacity.

Highways Maintenance Performance Data

County Councillor Aidy Riggott raised concerns about the reporting of highway maintenance performance data for Quarter 3 of 2025/26. She noted that the Corporate Performance Report stated six indicators lacked targets due to baseline setting or unavailable data, including highways maintenance. Councillor Riggott pointed out that the decision to change the 'Highway Safety Inspection Policy' was made in January, after the conclusion of Quarter 3, and questioned why Q3 data for this KPI could not be published in accordance with the existing framework. County Councillor Mr Warren Goldsworthy, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, explained that it was not possible to report Q3 data as it was found to be inaccurate and not comparable to previous quarters. He detailed how the corporate Key Performance Indicator (KPI) data historically relied on three measures: defects completed on time, streetlights defects completed on time, and cyclical gully cleaning completed on time. These were combined to provide an indicative measure of overall highway condition. However, changes to contractor reporting processes in September 2025 led to the current asset management system, HAMS, pulling data from incorrect sources. As HAMS is nearing decommissioning, it has not been possible to correct these reporting functions. Councillor Goldsworthy stated that a replacement system, CONFIRM, will enable the measurement of a broader range of performance indicators, with six new KPIs planned for 2026/27, including the percentage of defects repaired on time. He assured Councillor Riggott that the total number of highway defects had reduced by 42% since the current administration took office, and that new measures, informed by a coroner's report and a peer review following a tragic accident, would provide greater flexibility in repairing serious issues. He also explained that the repair timeframes had been revised from a blanket 10-day window to a tiered system of five days for urgent issues and 20 days for less critical ones, a system used by comparator councils.

Corporate Performance Report 2025/26 Quarter 3

Cabinet noted the council's performance in Quarter 3 of 2025/26 against the ambitions set out in the Council Plan 2025-2030. Proposals to improve performance were agreed, and progress achieved against milestones within the Council Improvement Plan was also noted.

Report of the Budget and Finance Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet considered the recommendations from the Budget and Finance Scrutiny Committee regarding the county council's draft budget for 2026/27. The committee had also reviewed the 2025/26 Quarter 3 Financial Monitoring Report. Cabinet noted that the consultation on adult social care was closed and expressed gratitude for stakeholder feedback. A timetable for future decision-making, including reports in April and September 2026 on the outcome of the consultation and business case, was noted. Cabinet also acknowledged ongoing engagement with stakeholders and potential partners regarding adult social care services. The committee's recommendation to utilise the Public Health Grant for mental health issues was accepted, with the note that this was already occurring at a significant level. The recommendation to consider funding for the Adult Social Care improvement plan was also accepted, with assurances that the council was committed to the plan's recommendations and had established an Adult Improvement Board. However, Cabinet did not accept the recommendation to write to the Secretary of State regarding future funding allocations, as the council was unaware of any government proposals that would negatively impact Lancashire.

2025/26 Quarter 3 Financial Monitoring Report

The report provided an update on the council's financial position at the end of Quarter 3. The forecast revenue outturn for 2025/26 was an overspend of £6.117 million, representing 0.49% of the approved budget. The Capital Programme for 2025/26 was revised to £299.106 million, with a forecast outturn of £203.257 million, resulting in an underspend of £95.849 million. A forecast overspend of £73.08 million was noted for the Dedicated Schools Grant, attributed to growing demand and placement costs for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Cabinet noted the revenue overspend, approved the revised Capital Programme, and noted the forecast capital expenditure and the Dedicated Schools Grant overspend.

2026/27 Budget Report

Cabinet considered the draft Budget for 2026/27. It was resolved that the Section 151 Officer be authorised to make any necessary financial adjustments to the reports. Full Council was asked to approve the Draft Budget 2026/27, which included a provisional Council Tax base and a proposed total increase of Council Tax for Lancashire County Council of 3.80%. This comprised a 1.80% increase in the General Council Tax and a 2.00% increase in the Adult Social Care Precept. The report also included the approval of the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), savings proposals, and adjustments to fees and charges. The General Fund Capital Programme, Capital Strategy, Capital Financing Strategy, Non Treasury Investment Strategy, and Treasury Management Strategy Statement were also recommended for approval by Full Council.

Determination of Admission Arrangements for Community and Voluntary Controlled Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools and Sixth Forms for the School Year 2027/2028

Cabinet approved the admission numbers and arrangements for nursery, primary, secondary schools, and sixth forms for the 2027/2028 academic year. This decision was made to comply with the School Admissions Code, which requires the determination of admission arrangements by 28 February 2026. Recommendations addressing issues raised by governing bodies, the community, and parents were also approved.

Co-ordinated Admissions Scheme 2027/2028 - Determination of the Qualifying Scheme

Cabinet adopted the statutory scheme and mandatory timetable for co-ordinating admissions for Lancashire's primary and secondary schools and academies for 2027/2028. The Executive Director of Education and Children's Services was authorised to secure the adoption of the scheme by the relevant governing bodies and academies to inform the Secretary of State for Education.

SEND Capital Programme

Cabinet approved the SEND capital programme for 2026/27, which aims to increase provision for children and young people with SEND. This includes proposals for the development of SEND units in mainstream secondary schools in Lancaster, Wyre, West Lancashire, Chorley, and Burnley, as well as formal consultation for two new special schools in the East of the county. Further consultations are planned for the expansion of three existing special schools: Kirkham Pear Tree in Fylde, Mayfield in Chorley, and White Ash in Hyndburn. Additionally, there are plans for formal consultation on accommodation for Post 19 provision at the Sir Tom Finney Special School in Preston.