The Community, Cultural and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee met on Thursday, 12 February 2026, to discuss the future of the library service, workforce updates, and the committee's work programme. Key decisions included supporting the development of a new library strategy and considering recommendations for library service sustainability.

Libraries as Community Hubs

The committee received a report detailing the current provision and performance of the Lancashire Libraries service, alongside proposed plans for its future. Libraries are described as vital community hubs, contributing to the council's ambitions for stronger communities and better lives for all. The service comprises 64 static branches, 565 public computers, a mobile library service with five vehicles, and digital resources. In 2024/25, libraries saw over 2.6 million visits, with nearly 3 million books issued and 3.3 million e-book, e-newspaper, and e-magazine downloads. The service is also actively involved in partner working across culture, creativity, health, wellbeing, information, digital access, and reading.

A new library strategy for 2026-2028 is being drafted, with a focus on making libraries fit-for-purpose, innovative, and embedded within communities. The report highlighted the upcoming National Year of Reading in 2026 as a significant opportunity to engage new audiences and address declining reading levels. The committee was asked to consider formulating recommendations on library service sustainability, provision, and performance to the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, and to support the development of the new library strategy.

Workforce Update Report

The committee received an update on the council's workforce, noting that public sector employment has increased, but local government employment remains at a record low. The report highlighted ongoing recruitment and retention difficulties across critical roles within local government. Lancashire County Council's workforce is predominantly female with a median age of 48, and the ethnic profile is largely White, indicating a need for sustained action to improve data recording and workforce diversity.

Key developments discussed included employee engagement, with a reduced response rate in the latest staff survey, but continued praise for teamwork and flexible working. However, priorities for improvement include communication during change, fairer pay, and clearer career pathways. The council's Apprenticeship Programme remains strong, with a high retention rate, and new initiatives like the Growth and Skills Levy and T Levels are being introduced. Recruitment and retention efforts are focused on high-need areas such as SEND and social care, with a centralised recruitment approach improving consistency. Employee relations activity has increased due to more robust absence controls and a rise in disciplinary and grievance cases, particularly involving senior employees. The council is also preparing for the Employment Rights Act 2025, which will introduce significant reforms to employment law, and is developing a hybrid working framework. A new Fairness, Equality, and Inclusion Workforce Framework has been approved, aiming to make the council an employer of choice. The Leading Lancashire framework continues to strengthen leadership capability, with the Manager's Journey development programme seeing significant uptake.

The committee was asked to provide feedback on the progress and direction of travel for workforce matters.

Community, Cultural and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2025/26

The committee reviewed its work programme for the 2025/26 municipal year. The programme includes planned activities such as discussions on the Property Strategy and Disposal of Buildings, the Farington Cricket Facility, and Domestic Violence. The committee was also scheduled to consider the Lancashire County Council Improvement Plan 2025–2027. Additionally, the committee reviewed responses to previous recommendations concerning the Transformation Portfolio and the Digital Strategy 2024-2029: First Year Delivery Report.

The committee was asked to confirm the work programme, consider key lines of enquiry for upcoming meetings, and review the responses to previous recommendations.