The Lancashire County Council Cabinet met on Tuesday 19 May 2026, approving a Corporate Peer Challenge action plan and the annual delivery plan for 2026-27, which includes £5 million in additional funding for highway maintenance. 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. Decisions were also made regarding the Home to School Transport Policy, the Lancashire Way Education Strategy, and the Council's response to the Southport Public Inquiry. Additionally, traffic regulation orders for Kirkham Town Centre, Stourton Street in Rishton, and several roads in Lea, Preston were approved.

Corporate Peer Challenge Feedback Report and Action Plan

The Cabinet received and noted the findings of 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 advances in the corporate core, while also identifying areas for further development. The Cabinet approved the proposed action plan in response to the recommendations and agreed to continue supporting the proposed arrangements for governance, monitoring, and preparation for the LGA's follow-up visit.

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

The Cabinet approved the annual delivery plan for 2026-27, titled Building a Better Lancashire: Moving the Dial on Our Priorities. This plan builds on previous work and identifies six key priorities where focused effort will have the greatest impact, including improving services for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), transforming the highway service with an additional £5 million for maintenance, and strengthening civic pride. The Cabinet also approved the allocation of this £5 million for highway maintenance, specifically for preventative surface treatments, and authorised the Chief Executive to oversee the delivery of the programmes outlined in the plan.

Models of Care - Consultation Outcome & Next Steps

The Cabinet noted the findings of a public consultation on the future of adult social care services in Lancashire. The consultation revealed that while residents value existing services for their continuity and community connection, they are open to improvement. The Cabinet endorsed the strategic direction to co-produce a new model of care with service users, carers, and providers, focusing on person-centred redesign. A timeline was agreed for this co-produced model to be presented back to Cabinet 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 current daytime services.

Civic Pride Action Plan

The Cabinet approved the Civic Pride Action Plan, developed in response to a motion agreed by Full Council. This plan outlines how the council will recognise community contributions through awards, promote Lancashire's heritage, encourage participation from various organisations, and highlight success stories. The plan is designed to be cost-neutral, utilising existing resources and partnerships, and will be delivered through collaboration with district councils, schools, businesses, and residents.

Director of Public Health Annual Report 2025-26

The Cabinet considered the Director of Public Health's Annual Report for 2025-26. The report highlighted that Lancashire is at a turning point for health, wellbeing, and prosperity, with progress in prevention and place-based working. It identified key challenges including an ageing population, rising long-term sickness, persistent inequalities, and preventable deaths. The Cabinet supported the report's five calls to action, which aim to inform future strategy, Local Government Reorganisation, devolution, and system-wide prevention priorities across Lancashire. These calls focus on a Best Start guarantee for children and young people, making Lancashire an attractive place for working-age people, addressing long-term sickness, implementing neighbourhood health as the default operating model, and embedding health equity into all policies during Local Government Reorganisation and devolution.

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 includes no changes to existing pupil entitlements.

The Lancashire Way Education Strategy 2026-28

The Cabinet approved The Lancashire Way Education Strategy for 2026-2028. This strategy, co-produced with schools and young people, focuses on key areas for improvement and aims to foster more inclusive practices and deliver better outcomes for all young people in Lancashire. It replaces the previous strategy and acknowledges the impact of Local Government Reorganisation on its timeframe.

Southport Public Inquiry

The Cabinet noted the recommendations from Phase One of the Southport Public Inquiry and approved the establishment of arrangements for their delivery. This includes agreeing to continue full support for Phase Two of the inquiry, which will focus on managing risks from violence-fixated individuals. A Cabinet Oversight Group will be established, led by the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Families, to oversee the implementation of the recommendations. The Council expressed its deep sorrow for the failures identified and committed to implementing all recommendations.

Experimental Traffic Regulation Order Kirkham Town Centre

The Cabinet approved making permanent the restrictions introduced by an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order in Kirkham Town Centre. These restrictions, including a Restricted Parking Zone, aim to improve accessibility and the streetscape by managing on-street parking and loading. Amendments were made to the original proposal following consultation, including changes to bay allocations on Church Street.

Introduction of a Bus Stand - Stourton Street, Rishton

The Cabinet approved the introduction of a Bus Stand on Stourton Street, Rishton, outside Hyndburn Academy. The restriction, operating Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, will allow school buses to stop safely for boarding and alighting, while ensuring residents can still park overnight. This modification addresses concerns raised during consultation about the loss of residential parking.

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 several roads in Lea, Preston. These measures are intended to facilitate the reinstatement of a bus route that previously suffered from delays due to on-street parking, thereby encouraging sustainable travel.

Urgent Decisions and Urgent Business

No urgent decisions were taken by the Leader or Cabinet Members. One item of urgent business was considered: the SEND Reform Plan.

SEND Reform Plan

The Cabinet approved the principles of the SEND Reform Plan, which is required by the Department for Education by 19 June 2026. This plan outlines Lancashire's strategy to make the school system more inclusive. The Chief Executive was authorised to finalise and submit the plan.

The meeting concluded with the noting of the date of the next meeting and the exclusion of the press and public for a discussion on School Catering Traded Service Growth.