The Community, Cultural and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee of Lancashire County Council met on Thursday, 26 March 2026, to discuss the council's property services update and the Farington Cricket Facility. The committee received recommendations regarding improvements to community access to council assets and recommended that the community use element of the Farington Cricket Facility project be monitored on an ongoing basis.

Property Service Update

The committee received an update on the council's property services, including an overview of its £2.2 billion property portfolio and the strategy for managing these assets. Sarah Robinson, Head of Property Services, presented the revised Property Strategy Principles, which focus on ensuring the portfolio meets service needs, delivers value for money, maintains compliance, is fit for purpose, and promotes partnerships with communities.

Members discussed the council's approach to asset valuation, highlighting the balance between financial considerations and community benefits, with decisions being data-led and informed by intelligence from the business partner model. Concerns were raised about the current data collection not always capturing the unmet demand from community groups, particularly in light of the decline in public meeting spaces. The committee was assured that ongoing work to strengthen data management through asset tagging and electronic systems would improve visibility and utilisation of the council's estate.

Several recommendations were made to improve community access to council buildings. These included clarifying delegation levels for building disposals, making the community asset transfer policy more accessible to all councillors, and arranging a briefing session on the topic. A review was also recommended to address barriers faced by communities in accessing council assets, with a view to improving transparency and marketing of available spaces. The committee also requested a copy of the report on the condition of care homes.

Farington Cricket Facility

An update was provided on the Farington Cricket Facility project by Tom Turner, Project Manager, Simon Lawrence, Director of Growth and Property, and County Councillor Brian Moore, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Growth. The committee was informed that the £20 million development aims to be a North West centre of excellence for cricket, with a strong focus on community wellbeing and educational outcomes.

The project's strategic rationale was linked to facility shortages across Lancashire, with key objectives including increasing participation and delivering wider social and economic benefits. The facility is designed to accommodate both elite and community cricket, with a minimum of 750 hours of free community use contracted annually. The community use programme is structured around four key strands: Schools, Children and Young People; Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion; and Education, Skills and Volunteering.

Members raised questions about the seasonal nature of cricket and the availability of the building for non-cricket organisations during the off-season. It was confirmed that the covered outdoor nets would allow year-round cricket activity, and the pavilion is intended for year-round use, subject to restrictions on non-cricket events. The committee was assured that the project remained within budget and that there was no financial liability to the county council in case of losses.

The committee recommended that the community use element of the Farington Cricket Facility project be monitored on an ongoing basis.

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

The committee reviewed and confirmed the work programme for the 2025/26 municipal year. The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, 30 April 2026, with planned items including Domestic Violence and the Lancashire County Council Improvement Plan 2025-27.