The Lancashire County Council Cabinet met on Tuesday 19 May 2026, approving a Corporate Peer Challenge action plan and the Moving the Dial on Our Priorities delivery plan for 2026/27. The Cabinet also endorsed the strategic direction for developing a new adult social care model of care, approved a Civic Pride Action Plan, and supported the five calls to action from the Director of Public Health's annual report.

Corporate Peer Challenge Feedback Report and Action Plan

The Cabinet received and noted the findings and recommendations from the Local Government Association's Corporate Peer Challenge report, which assessed Lancashire County Council's leadership, governance, culture, financial sustainability, and capacity for improvement. The report highlighted strengths such as strong leadership, a committed workforce, and progress in strengthening the corporate core. Key recommendations included maintaining financial discipline, further embedding data and insight, strengthening place-based leadership and civic pride, and continuing to review overview and scrutiny arrangements. The Cabinet approved the proposed action plan in response to these recommendations and supported the proposed governance, monitoring, and preparation arrangements for the Local Government Association's follow-up visit.

Building a Better Lancashire: Moving the Dial on Our Priorities in 2026/27

The Cabinet approved the Moving the Dial on Our Priorities in 2026/27 document, which sets out the council's priorities and areas of focus for the year ahead. This plan builds on the 2025-2030 Council Plan and the previous year's Improvement Plan, acknowledging the challenging operating context of rising demand, financial pressures, and local government reorganisation. The plan identifies six key priorities where concentrated effort will have the greatest impact: improving services for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), enhancing Adult Health and Wellbeing, transforming highways, strengthening civic pride, ensuring financial sustainability, and preparing for Local Government Reorganisation. The Cabinet also approved an allocation of £5 million in additional capital funding for highway maintenance, focused on preventative surface treatments.

Models of Care - Consultation Outcome & Next Steps

The Cabinet noted the findings of a public consultation on the future of adult social care services and endorsed the strategic direction for developing a new Model of Care. This co-produced model will be shaped by input from people who draw on care, their carers, and providers, aiming to improve people's experience of care and support. The Cabinet also noted the timeline for the co-produced model of care to return for approval in September 2026. Additionally, the Cabinet agreed to test a new, more flexible, community-based model for day opportunities in partnership with the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector, which will not affect existing daytime services.

Civic Pride Action Plan

The Cabinet approved the Civic Pride Action Plan, developed in response to a motion agreed by Full Council. The plan details how the county council will recognise community contributions through awards, promote Lancashire's heritage through events, encourage participation from schools and community groups, and highlight success stories. The plan is designed to be cost-neutral, utilising existing resources and partnerships.

Director of Public Health Annual Report 2025/26

The Cabinet considered the Director of Public Health's Annual Report for 2025/26, which provides an independent assessment of the health of Lancashire's population and identifies necessary actions to improve health and reduce inequalities. The report highlights that Lancashire is at a pivotal moment for health, wellbeing, and prosperity, with progress made in prevention, equity, and place-based working. It also identifies system-level changes needed to address persistent inequalities, rising long-term sickness, an ageing population, and avoidable early deaths. The Cabinet supported the five calls to action within the report, which are intended to inform future strategy, Local Government Reorganisation, devolution, and system-wide prevention priorities.

Determination of the Home to School Transport Policy - Academic Year 2027/2028

The Cabinet approved the statutory Home to School Transport Policy for Lancashire families for the academic year 2027/2028. The policy remains compliant with Department for Education guidance and no changes to pupil entitlement were proposed.

The Lancashire Way Education Strategy 2026-2028

The Cabinet approved Lancashire County Council's Education Strategy for 2026-2028, titled The Lancashire Way. This strategy replaces the previous one and focuses on key areas for driving improvement and working with schools, with an emphasis on co-production involving schools and young people. The strategy aims to foster inclusive practice and deliver the best outcomes for all young people in Lancashire.

Southport Public Inquiry

The Cabinet noted the recommendations from Phase One of the Southport Public Inquiry and agreed to establish arrangements for delivering against these recommendations. This includes agreeing the membership and terms of reference for a proposed Cabinet Oversight Group, to be led by the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Families. The Cabinet also agreed to continue full support for Phase Two of the Inquiry, which will focus on the effective management of risk from violence-fixated individuals. The Council acknowledged its role in systemic shortcomings identified in the report and committed to implementing all recommendations directed to it.

Experimental Traffic Regulation Order Kirkham Town Centre

The Cabinet approved making permanent the restrictions within the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order for Kirkham Town Centre. This order prohibits waiting and loading/unloading at any time, except in designated bays, along specified sections of Poulton Street, Preston Street, Freckleton Street, Church Street, and Birley Street. These measures aim to improve accessibility and the streetscape following a public realm improvement scheme.

Introduction of a Bus Stand - Stourton Street, Rishton

The Cabinet approved the introduction of a Bus Stand with a No Stopping Except Buses restriction operating Monday to Friday between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm in the layby outside Hyndburn Academy on Stourton Street, Rishton. This measure is intended to facilitate the safe boarding and alighting of school buses, improving student safety and manoeuvrability. The operational hours were modified from the original proposal following objections from residents.

Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders on Thorntrees Avenue, Thornpark Drive, Hawthorn Crescent, Parkthorn Road, Campion Drive and The Campions in Lea, Preston

The Cabinet approved the introduction of No Waiting at Any Time parking restrictions and five Bus Stop Clearways on Thorntrees Avenue, Thornpark Drive, Hawthorn Crescent, Parkthorn Road, Campion Drive, and The Campions in Lea, Preston. These measures are intended to enable the reinstatement of a bus route that previously ceased operating due to access problems caused by on-street parking. The proposals aim to encourage sustainable travel and improve bus service reliability.