The Community, Cultural and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the council's property strategy and the development of the Farington Cricket Facility. Key decisions included the endorsement of the Property Strategy Principles, which aim to ensure the council's property portfolio is fit for purpose, provides value for money, and enhances community engagement. The committee also reviewed the progress of the Farington Cricket Facility, focusing on its community use programme and ensuring its long-term viability.

Property Service Update

The committee received an update on Lancashire County Council's property portfolio, valued at £2.2 billion, with annual running costs of £22 million. Sarah Robinson, Head of Property Services, presented the revised Property Strategy Principles, which were agreed by Cabinet in October 2025. These principles focus on establishing a portfolio that meets service needs, ensures value for money through data-led decision-making and energy efficiency, maintains compliance across all buildings, ensures assets are fit for purpose, and promotes partnerships with communities.

Discussions highlighted the council's commitment to a data-led approach to property management, utilising the Property Asset Management System (PAMS) and a business partner model to inform decision-making. Concerns were raised about the current data collection methods not always capturing unmet demand from community groups and the challenges faced by these groups in accessing council buildings. The committee was informed about ongoing work to strengthen data management through asset tagging and the introduction of an online booking system to improve the utilisation of council assets. Recommendations were made to clarify delegation levels for building disposals, make the community asset transfer policy more accessible, review barriers to community access to council buildings, and explore the development of a centralised booking system. A request was also made for the report on the condition of care homes to be circulated to committee members.

Farington Cricket Facility

The committee received an update on the Farington Cricket Project, a £20 million development aimed at creating a second home for Lancashire County Cricket Club (LCCC) and a community hub. Tom Turner, Project Manager, and County Councillor Brian Moore, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Growth, presented the progress and plans for the facility. The project's strategic rationale includes addressing facility shortages in Lancashire, increasing cricket participation, and delivering wider social and economic benefits.

The facility, which includes two first-class cricket ovals, a central pavilion, and training facilities, is designed to host both elite cricket and community programmes. A minimum of 750 hours of free community use per year has been contracted with LCCC, with a detailed use plan indicating that 67% of the covered outdoor nets facility's use will be for schools, foundation-led programmes, and community use. The community use programme is structured around four key strands: Schools, Children and Young People; Community Clubs and Informal Participation; Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion; and Education, Skills and Volunteering.

Members raised questions about the seasonal nature of cricket and the availability of the pavilion for non-cricket events 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. Discussions also covered ownership arrangements, with the county council retaining the freehold and leasing the site to LCCC. The project is not expected to be profitable, but profit-share provisions are in place. Concerns about parking capacity were addressed, with assurances that larger matches would continue to be held at Old Trafford, and the Farington site would rely on public transport. The committee was assured that the project remained within budget. A recommendation was made to monitor the community use element of the project 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. Items scheduled for the next meeting on 30 April 2026 include Domestic Violence and the Lancashire County Council Improvement Plan 2025-27.