Councillor County Samara Barnes
Email: Samara.Barnes@lancashire.gov.uk
Council: Lancashire
Council Profile: View on council website
Committees:
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Activity Timeline
Meetings Attended Note this may include planned future meetings.
32 meetings · Page 2 of 7
Extraordinary General Meeting, Full Council - Thursday, 26th February, 2026 12.55 pm
The Full Council of Lancashire County Council met on Thursday, 26 February 2026, to approve the appointment of a new Corporate Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer, and to debate and vote on the council's budget for the upcoming financial years. The meeting saw the approval of Gary Fielding for the permanent role of Corporate Director of Finance, with John Betts appointed as interim officer. Following this, the council engaged in extensive debate and voting on several budget amendments proposed by various political groups before ultimately approving the administration's budget.
Budget Meeting, Full Council - Thursday, 26th February, 2026 1.00 pm
The Full Council of Lancashire County Council met on Thursday, 26 February 2026, to approve the 2026/27 budget. The council agreed to increase council tax by 3.8%, with a 1.8% increase for general services and a 2% increase for the adult social care precept. Several amendments proposed by opposition groups, including those from the Progressive Lancashire Group, Conservative Group, Liberal Democrat Group, Labour Group, and Our West Lancashire Group, were debated and subsequently defeated.
Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday, 25th February, 2026 10.30 am
The Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee met to discuss school attendance, children not in school, and school place planning. Key decisions included noting the work programme for 2025/26 and receiving an update on the SEND Improvement Programme.
Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday, 14th January, 2026 10.30 am
The Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee met to review the progress of the Child and Youth Justice Service, discuss 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 noting updates on the SEND Improvement Programme.
Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday, 3rd December, 2025 10.30 am
The Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee of Lancashire County Council met on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, to discuss significant updates on the Principal Social Worker's Annual Report and the Families First Programme. Key decisions included noting the progress made in social worker recruitment and retention, and the phased implementation plan for the Families First initiative, which aims to transform children's social care.
Decisions from Meetings
119 decisions · Page 1 of 24
Report of the Employment Committee - Appointment of the Corporate Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer)
From: Extraordinary General Meeting, Full Council - Thursday, 26th February, 2026 12.55 pm - February 26, 2026
...approved the appointment of Gary Fielding as the Corporate Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) and John Betts as the interim Section 151 Officer until Gary Fielding starts.
Recommendations Approved
2026/27 Budget Report
From: Budget Meeting, Full Council - Thursday, 26th February, 2026 1.00 pm - February 26, 2026
...approved the 2026/27 budget, including setting the Council Tax at an overall increase of 3.80%.
Recommendations Approved
Updates to the County Council's Constitution
From: Full Council - Thursday, 20th November, 2025 1.00 pm - November 20, 2025
...to note the minor and/or corrective changes to the County Council's Constitution that had been approved by the Director of Law and Governance since the Annual General Meeting in 2025.
Recommendations Approved
Committee Appointment
From: Full Council - Thursday, 20th November, 2025 1.00 pm - November 20, 2025
...to replace County Councillor Ella Worthington, they approved the appointment of County Councillor Alice Jones as the new Deputy Chair of the Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee for the remainder of the 2025/26 municipal year.
Recommendations Approved
The Employment Committee
From: Full Council - Thursday, 20th November, 2025 1.00 pm - November 20, 2025
...to note the report of the Employment Committee, thereby approving its recommendations regarding the recruitment of a Director of Finance, coroner salaries and fees, and the employment of the Executive Director of Adult Services.
Recommendations Approved
Summary
Meetings Attended: 32
Average per Month: 1.1
Decisions Recorded: 119 Not all decisions are recorded, so this may significantly underestimate the number of decisions actually made.