The Cabinet of Lancashire County Council met on Tuesday 19 May 2026 to discuss a range of important issues, approving an action plan in response to a Corporate Peer Challenge, and outlining priorities for the upcoming year. Key decisions also included the approval of a Civic Pride Action Plan, the adoption of the Lancashire Way Education Strategy, and the noting of recommendations from the Southport Public Inquiry.

Corporate Peer Challenge Feedback Report and Action Plan

The Cabinet received and noted the findings of the Local Government Association's (LGA) 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 council's corporate core. Areas for development included the need to maintain financial discipline, further embed data and insight, and strengthen place-based leadership and scrutiny. The Cabinet approved an action plan in response to the recommendations, outlining steps to address areas for development, and supported the proposed arrangements for governance and monitoring.

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 concentrated effort will have the greatest impact for residents. These priorities include improving services for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), enhancing Adult Health and Wellbeing, transforming highways, strengthening civic pride, delivering financial sustainability, and preparing for Local Government Reorganisation. An additional £5 million in capital funding for highway maintenance, focused on preventative surface treatments, was also approved.

Models of Care Consultation Outcomes and 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, relationships, and proximity to home, they are open to improvement. The Cabinet endorsed the strategic direction for developing a new Model of Care through co-production with service users, carers, and providers. A timeline was noted for this co-produced model to be presented to Cabinet in September 2026. Additionally, a pilot for a more flexible, community-based day opportunities model was approved, aiming to test new ways of using council buildings and collaborating with the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector.

Civic Pride Action Plan

The Cabinet approved the Civic Pride Action Plan, developed in response to a motion agreed by Full Council. The plan outlines 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. The report highlights Lancashire's progress in shifting towards prevention, equity, and place-based working, while also identifying the need for system-level changes to address persistent inequalities, rising long-term sickness, an ageing population, and avoidable early deaths. The Cabinet supported the report's five calls to action, which aim to inform future strategy, Local Government Reorganisation, devolution, and 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, breaking the cycle of long-term sickness, implementing neighbourhood health as the default operating model, and ensuring health equity is embedded in all policies during Local Government Reorganisation.

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 from the previous year's policy.

The Lancashire Way Education Strategy 2026-28

The Cabinet approved Lancashire County Council's Education Strategy for 2026-2028. This strategy, developed through co-production with schools and young people, focuses on key areas for driving improvement and fostering inclusive practice. It aims to make school unmissable and ensure the best outcomes for all young people in Lancashire.

Southport Public Inquiry

The Cabinet noted the recommendations of Phase One of the Southport Public Inquiry and approved the establishment of arrangements for their delivery. This includes agreeing the formation of a Cabinet Oversight Group, to be led by the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Families, in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance. The Council also agreed to continue its full support for Phase Two of the inquiry. The report detailed five major areas of systemic failure identified by the inquiry, including absence of risk ownership, failures in information sharing, misunderstanding of autism, lack of oversight of online activity, and significant parental failures.

Experimental Traffic Regulation Order Kirkham Town Centre

The Cabinet approved making permanent the restrictions within the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order for Kirkham Town Centre. These restrictions, which include a Restricted Parking Zone prohibiting waiting and loading/unloading at certain times, were implemented to support public realm improvements and enhance the streetscape. Amendments were made to bay allocations on Church Street following consultation.

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 between 8.00am and 4.30pm, aims to facilitate the safe boarding and alighting of school buses, improving student safety and reducing conflicts with other road users. The operational hours were modified from the original proposal following resident objections regarding parking capacity.

Proposed Traffic Regulation Orders on Thorntrees Avenue, Thornpark Drive, Hawthorn Crescent, Parkthorn Crescent, 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 in Lea, Preston. These measures are intended to enable the reinstatement of a bus route that previously ceased operating due to on-street parking issues, thereby encouraging sustainable travel. The locations and extents of the restrictions were developed in partnership with the bus operator and public transport team.