The Cabinet of Lancashire County Council met on Thursday 5 February 2026 to discuss the council's performance, financial position, and future budget, alongside decisions on school admissions and special educational needs provision. Key decisions included the recommendation to Full Council to approve the 2026/27 budget, which incorporates a 3.8% council tax increase, and the adoption of admission arrangements for schools for the 2027/2028 academic year.

Corporate Performance Report 2025/26 Quarter 3

The Cabinet received an overview of the council's performance against its Council Plan 2025-2030 for the third quarter of the financial year. They noted the performance and agreed to proposals aimed at improving it. Progress on the Council Improvement Plan 2025-2030 was also noted.

Report of the Budget and Finance Scrutiny Committee

The Cabinet considered 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 care homes and day centres was closed and expressed gratitude for stakeholder feedback. They also noted the timetable for future decision-making, including reports in April and September 2026 concerning the consultation outcomes and business case. Cabinet accepted recommendations to utilise the Public Health Grant for mental health issues and to consider funding for the Adult Social Care Improvement Plan. However, they did not accept the recommendation to write to the Secretary of State regarding future funding allocations, as they were unaware of any proposals that would negatively impact the council.

2025/26 Quarter 3 Financial Monitoring Report

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

2026/27 Budget Report

The Cabinet considered the draft budget for 2026/27. They resolved to ask Full Council to approve the draft budget, which includes a total council tax increase of 3.80% for Lancashire County Council. This comprises a 1.80% increase in general council tax and a 2.00% increase in the Adult Social Care Precept. The report also detailed the Medium Term Financial Strategy, savings proposals, and adjustments to fees and charges. It was recommended that Full Council approve the General Fund Capital Programme, Capital Strategy, Capital Financing Strategy, Non-Treasury Investment Strategy, and the Treasury Management Strategy Statement.

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

The Cabinet approved the admission numbers and arrangements for community and voluntary controlled schools for the 2027/2028 academic year. This decision was made to comply with the School Admissions Code, which requires determination of these arrangements by 28 February 2026.

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

The Cabinet adopted the co-ordinated admissions scheme and timetable for Lancashire's primary and secondary schools and academies for the 2027/2028 academic year. The Executive Director of Education and Children's Services was authorised to ensure the adoption of this scheme by governing bodies of voluntary aided and foundation schools and academies.

SEND Capital Programme

A report was considered proposing the SEND capital programme for 2026/27. The Cabinet approved proceeding with formal consultation on several projects aimed at increasing provision for children and young people with SEND. These include the development of SEND units in mainstream secondary schools across various locations, the creation of two new special schools in the east of the county, the expansion of three existing special schools, and the development of accommodation for Post 19 provision at Sir Tom Finney Special School in Preston.

Questions for Cabinet

Two questions were raised by county councillors.

County Councillor Mark Jewell asked about the £3.5 million investment in the expansion of Lear Community Primary School, questioning the sustainability of the plan and noting the school's request to return to a pupil admission number (PAN) of 30 from 60. County Councillor Ged Mirfin, responding on behalf of the absent Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, stated that the expansion predated the current administration. He explained that pupil projections indicated a sustained need for places and that forecasts suggested a continued need over the next 10 years. He added that Lea Community Primary School had the physical space to absorb 60 places and that maintaining this number was in the interests of families and taxpayers.

County Councillor Aidy Riggott questioned the absence of data for the 'Highway Safety Inspection Policy' KPI in the Quarter 3 Corporate Performance Report. County Councillor Warren Goldsworthy, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, explained that the data was no longer accurate or comparable due to changes in contractor reporting processes and the end-of-life status of the current asset management system, HAMS. He stated that a new system, CONFIRM, would enable more comprehensive performance indicators from 2026/27, including the percentage of defects repaired on time. He assured that while direct comparison with previous quarters was not possible, the number of highway defects had reduced significantly since the current administration took office.