Councillor County Andy Blake

Budget and Finance Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday, 21st January, 2026 9.30 am

The Budget and Finance Scrutiny Committee of Lancashire County Council met on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, to discuss the draft budget for 2026/27. The committee reviewed proposals across all directorates, including significant investments in adult social care, education, and highways, alongside plans for efficiency savings. Key decisions included urging Cabinet to consider not-for-profit models for care homes and day centres, establishing a cross-party working group on their modernisation, and asking Cabinet to consider an indicative capital sum for this purpose. The committee also recommended that Cabinet give consideration to mental health outcomes for adults and children, the utilisation of the Public Health Grant for these services, and the funding required to implement the improvement plan for Adult Social Care following a Care Quality Commission inspection report. Additionally, the committee resolved that the Leader should write to the relevant Secretary of State to seek assurance that setting a council tax precept below the maximum available would not lead to future funding penalties.

Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday, 14th January, 2026 10.30 am

The Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the progress of the Child and Youth Justice Service, review the Education Strategy and attainment data, and consider the committee's work programme. Key decisions included supporting the Child and Youth Justice Service's priorities for 2025-2026 and agreeing for the Education Strategy to be presented to Cabinet for ratification.

Pension Fund Committee - Friday, 12th December, 2025 10.30 am

The Lancashire County Council Pension Fund Committee was scheduled to meet on 12 December 2025 to discuss pension-related training for committee members, budget monitoring for the 2025/26 financial year, and responsible investment activity. Also on the agenda was an update on the Funding Strategy Statement consultation, and the Local Pensions Partnership Annual Report and Accounts for 2024/25. Some items, including updates on the Lancashire County Pension Fund (LCPF) Strategic Plan 2024/25, Local Pensions Partnership Administration (LPPA), risk register, shareholder and investment performance, and the appointment of an independent investment advisor, were scheduled to be discussed in Part II of the meeting, which was not open to the press or public.

Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday, 3rd December, 2025 10.30 am

The Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the Principal Social Worker's annual report, the Family First programme, and the committee's work programme for the coming year. The committee agreed to receive updates on the Family First programme at future meetings and to focus on the impact of local government reorganisation in future discussions.

Budget and Finance Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 24th November, 2025 2.00 pm

The Budget and Finance Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the financial outlook for Lancashire County Council, focusing on the 2025/26 financial year, the preliminary budget assessment for 2026/27, and an efficiency review. The committee requested more detailed information in future reports, particularly regarding capital programme changes, and approved a full-day meeting in January to discuss budget proposals.