The Full Council of Lancashire County Council met on Thursday, 26 February 2026, to approve the council's budget for 2026/27. The meeting saw the rejection of four opposition amendments before the main budget proposal was ultimately approved.

Budget Approved with Council Tax Increase

The council's budget for 2026/27 was approved, which includes a 3.8% increase in council tax. This comprises a 1.8% rise for general council tax and a 2.0% increase for the Adult Social Care precept. The approved budget also includes a £1,329.312 million General Fund Net Budget and a £1,329.312 million General Fund Net Budget. The council's Band D council tax will rise to £1,801.75.

The meeting also saw the approval of the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), which incorporates guiding principles for revenue and capital, and notes the development of the council's approach to transformation. The council also approved the use of Flexible Use of Capital Receipts (FLUCR) in the 2026/27 financial year and agreed to uplift Adult Social Care Provider Fees and Children's Services Fostering Fees.

Opposition Amendments Rejected

Four amendments to the budget were proposed by opposition groups but were all ultimately defeated:

• Progressive Lancashire Group Amendment: This amendment sought to invest in care homes and day centres, community safety and highway schemes, gully clearing, increase members' grants, create energy efficiency posts, reinstate the young person's transport scheme, and create a team to support a bid for the Olympics in the North of England. It also proposed reducing management posts and increasing income from council property. The amendment was defeated by 47 votes to 18, with 10 abstentions.

• Conservative Group Amendment: This amendment proposed reinstating the Public Rights of Way Grant Scheme, creating a War Memorial Grant Scheme, expanding the Utilities Permit Inspection Scheme, and increasing funding for the Culture and Sport Fund and the County Book Fund. It also proposed a £5 million Pothole Fund over two years. The amendment was defeated by 50 votes to 18, with 8 abstentions.

• Liberal Democrat Group Amendment: This amendment focused on investing in mental health services, including funding for mental health advocates and an awareness programme. It also proposed scrapping bus gate fines in Preston for two years, increasing parking enforcement, enhancing gully maintenance, and investing in road repairs, pavements, pedestrian crossings, and traffic lights. The amendment was defeated by 49 votes to 17, with 10 abstentions.

• Labour Group Amendment: This amendment proposed seed funding for two new schools, a trial suspension of bus gate fines in Preston, the introduction of a Fair Work Charter, the creation of a County Council Ownership Hub, a cap on school bus fares, and studies into council land assets for housing and renewable energy, as well as insourcing adult social care. The amendment was defeated by 49 votes to 16, with 11 abstentions.

• Our West Lancashire Group Amendment: This amendment sought to increase staffing for the flood risk team, address overgrown pavements in West Lancashire, and assign the balance of the additional Revenue Support Grant to a Strategic Contingency. The amendment was defeated by 48 votes to 6, with 21 abstentions.

Key Discussions and Decisions

The meeting began with the playing of the National Anthem and a housekeeping announcement regarding fire safety. The council also noted apologies from several councillors. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the budget, with extensive debate and recorded votes on the various amendments.

During the budget debate, councillors discussed a range of issues including:

• Financial Discipline and Efficiency: Councillor Stephen Atkinson, Leader of the County Council, highlighted the administration's commitment to financial discipline, citing reduced overspends and efficiency savings. Councillor David Dwyer, Cabinet Member for Data, Technology, Customer and Efficiency, spoke about the council's innovative use of AI and automation to improve efficiency and free up officer time for resident-facing work. Councillor Joshua Roberts, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities, detailed achievements in waste management, environmental initiatives, and trading standards.

• Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND): Councillor Matthew Salter, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, spoke about the significant investment in SEND provision, highlighting the backlog of assessments and the steps being taken to improve services for children and young people with special educational needs.

• Adult Social Care: Councillor Graham Dalton, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, presented progress in adult social care, noting improvements in first point of contact resolution, assessment timeliness, and workforce stability. He emphasised the council's focus on prevention and well-being.

• Highways and Infrastructure: The state of the roads and the issue of potholes were a recurring theme throughout the debate, with various amendments proposing increased funding for repairs. Councillor Warren Goldsworthy, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, detailed achievements in road repairs, utility permit inspections, and bus services.

• Public Health and Mental Health: Councillor Daniel Matchett, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, outlined achievements in public health, including investment in drug and alcohol services, NHS health checks, and a focus on prevention and well-being strategies. The Liberal Democrat amendment specifically proposed increased funding for mental health advocates and an awareness programme.

• Care Homes and Day Centres: The future of care homes and day centres was a point of contention, with opposition groups raising concerns about potential closures and privatisation, while the administration stated its commitment to investing in and improving these services.

• Council Tax: The increase in council tax was a key point of discussion, with opposition groups criticising the rise and the administration defending it as necessary to maintain services.

The meeting concluded with the approval of the main budget proposal and thanks extended to officers and councillors.