The impact of Reform UK on Lancashire County Council

drafted 2026-07-06 · accepted

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This council: flagship · Adult Social Care · Asylum and Migration · Children's services and safeguarding · Climate · Council Spending and Efficiency · Devolution and local government reorganisation · Heritage · Housing, planning and local plans · Outsourcing of public services · Renaming and rebranding · Roads, highways and potholes · SEND and home-to-school transport · Support for (or hostility to) women · Waste, recycling and bins

Reform UK has led Lancashire County Council since May 2025 (source).

Lancashire County Council is led by Reform UK.[1] In October 2025 the council voted to downgrade its non-statutory net zero commitments.[2][1] In June 2025 it commissioned an internal Efficiency Review of the council's finances.[3] It restricted the flags that may be flown on council buildings.[4]

Net zero and climate commitments

Notice of Motion 3

At Full Council on 16 October 2025 the Reform-led council carried Notice of Motion 3, moved by County Councillor Martyn Sutton and seconded by County Councillor Russell Walsh.[1] The motion directs the Cabinet to review all previous non-statutory net zero commitments and to draft all future strategies without them.[2] It instructs the council to cease its voluntary carbon reporting, including the Annual Emissions Report and related greenhouse gas inventories, except where national law requires it.[1] It also asks the Pension Fund Committee to review the Lancashire County Pension Fund's environmental, social and governance requirements and net zero targets so that they do not go beyond statutory requirements.[5] An amendment that would have affirmed man-made climate change was lost, and the substantive motion was carried.[2]

Council finances and the Efficiency Review

The Efficiency Review

On 5 June 2025 the Cabinet commissioned an internal Efficiency Review of the council's financial management, procurement and associated governance arrangements.[3] The review was scoped by the Interim Director of Finance and Commerce and overseen by a new Cabinet Working Group, and was expected to shape the 2026/27 budget.[3] The council confirmed the review would be carried out by its own officers rather than a paid external unit or consultant.[3] The Cabinet Working Group comprised the Leader, the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Members Dwyer and Mirfin.[6] The review's focus areas were property, procurement, digital, organisational structures and income generation.[7] On 27 November 2025 the Cabinet noted that the review had identified savings opportunities of £21.9m over three years, of which £6.7m was expected in 2026/27, and approved a second phase.[8]

The 2026/27 budget

For the 2026/27 budget, the Cabinet noted a wider review of savings across the council that identified a further £16.6m portfolio for 2026/27.[9] This was on top of a £43m savings package already built into the budget by the outgoing administration in February 2025.[9] A preliminary assessment reported a residual 2026/27 budget shortfall of about £9m after that £43m package.[10] Full Council adopted the 2026/27 budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy on 26 February 2026 by 55 votes to 10, with 8 abstentions.[11]

Flag-flying policy

At Full Council on 17 July 2025 the council carried a motion, moved by County Councillor Joshua Roberts and seconded by County Councillor David Dwyer, asking the Cabinet to review the flag-flying policy so that only the Union Flag, the Flag of England, the Lancashire Flag, royal flags and military flags and ensigns take priority.[12] An amendment to send the matter to the Community, Cultural and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee instead was defeated by 27 votes to 52.[13] On 4 September 2025 the Cabinet approved an updated Flag Policy, formally adopting the restricted arrangement.[4]

Adult social care

The care precept

Setting its 2026/27 budget, Lancashire County Council approved a 2.00% adult social care precept, on top of a 1.80% general Council Tax rise, for a combined increase of 3.80%.[14] The budget resolution does not state that 2.00% was the maximum adult social care precept permitted for the year.[14]

Provider fees

As part of the same budget, Full Council agreed to uplift adult social care provider fees for 2026/27.[15] The specific uplift percentage sits in a budget appendix that is not present in the available record.[15] The budget motion carrying the uplift was passed on a recorded vote, after amendments from the Labour Group and the Our West Lancashire Group were both defeated.[15]

In-house services

In October 2025, Cabinet began a formal review of the council's in-house adult social care provider services.[16] It opened a public consultation on an accelerated reprovision of ten older people's services, five residential care homes and five day services across seven sites, citing quality risks from the condition of the buildings.[16] In March 2026, the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Graham Dalton, told Full Council that no decision had been made to close, outsource or privatise any of Lancashire's care provision, and that Cabinet had confirmed no closures were planned.[17] In May 2026, Cabinet noted the consultation findings and endorsed the strategic direction for a new Model of Care, with the co-produced model due back in September 2026 and any site-specific decision deferred.[18]

Children's services

In January 2026 officers told the Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee that Lancashire was directing new investment into Family Hubs to strengthen early years support.[19] In May 2026 officers said an early years redesign involved no reduction in staffing, with resources reallocated towards areas of highest need.[19]

Roads and highways

On 5 March 2026 Cabinet approved the apportionment of a £48.5m Department for Transport highway maintenance grant for 2026/27, together with a further £18.5m from the council's own budget.[20]

Waste and recycling

A two-tier waste system

Lancashire County Council operates as an upper-tier, two-tier authority: its own briefing to the Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee states the county and its 12 constituent district councils have different responsibilities, so weekly food-waste collection under Simpler Recycling falls to the district councils, not the county council.[21] The council's published minutes since Reform took control record no introduction, increase or retention of a garden-waste collection charge; garden and food waste kerbside collection is set by the constituent district councils, which hold different responsibilities from the county council.[22]

Disposal capacity and a joint strategy

In September 2025 Cabinet approved a procurement exercise, and an option to extend the Pendle Waste Transfer Station contract, to secure residual-waste disposal capacity for four East Lancashire district councils ahead of the March 2026 expiry of the Whinney Hill landfill contract.[23] In December 2025 the Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee was told a joint waste strategy across the Lancashire Waste Partnership was still being developed, and that unresolved local government reorganisation was making it difficult to plan.[24]

Devolution and local government reorganisation

Local elections

On 20 November 2025 full council carried, by 63 votes with 4 abstentions, a motion instructing the Chief Executive to seek assurance from the Secretary of State that the 2026 local elections would not be cancelled, and to press for repeal of the power to cancel them.[25]

Two unitary councils

Separately on 20 November 2025, full council voted 45 to 29 to recommend a single preferred option of two unitary councils for Lancashire as its Local Government Reorganisation proposal.[26] An amendment from County Councillor Azhar Ali OBE, accepted as friendly, added a request that shadow elections for the new unitary councils not take place before May 2028, to secure stabilisation of services such as adult social care and SEND first.[27] Cabinet formally agreed the two-unitary option as the council's preferred position on 27 November 2025, authorising the Chief Executive to submit it to Government by the 28 November 2025 deadline, and also asked Government for an extension to the reorganisation timetable and for a broader public survey on residents' preferences for future service delivery.[28]

Devolution and the Lancashire Combined County Authority

Lancashire already operates a non-mayoral Combined County Authority: the Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA) was formally established in February 2025, following a Level 2 Devolution Deal the council signed with Government in November 2023.[29] The council has not agreed to convert the LCCA into a mayoral combined authority; in February 2026 the LCCA recorded that the three constituent council leaders had reaffirmed only a collective willingness to explore mayoral devolution, subject to agreed investment and delivery assumptions and to approval by each constituent council.[30] In December 2025 the LCCA noted Government was considering delaying inaugural mayoral elections until 2028 in Devolution Priority Programme areas, including Lancashire, where reorganisation had not yet completed, and sought a meeting with the Minister to discuss the implications.[31]

Outsourcing and in-house delivery

Responding to a question at Full Council on 12 March 2026, the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said the council's review of its in-house adult social care services was intended to strengthen rather than end in-house delivery, and that the Cabinet-approved business case had considered alternative delivery models, including trading companies or shared services.[32] At Budget Council on 26 February 2026 the Labour Group moved an amendment to study insourcing adult social care and remove the profit motive from the Lancashire care market; the amendment was defeated 16 votes to 49, with 11 abstentions.[33]

Support for women

Violence against women and girls

On 17 July 2025 full council carried a Notice of Motion on Violence Against Women and Girls, resolving to continue funding specialist VAWG services and to ask the Leader to appoint a member champion for VAWG.[34] On 30 April 2026 the Community, Cultural and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee, after a presentation on domestic abuse as a public health issue, resolved that consideration be given to using any identified Public Health underspend to increase funding for domestic abuse and community safety services, and to further support for voluntary and third-sector organisations delivering them.[35]

Cabinet gender balance

As recorded in the minutes of Cabinet's meeting on 4 June 2026, of the Leader and eight Cabinet Members, only County Councillor Ella Worthington, appointed Cabinet Member for Civic Pride, was identified as female, making the Cabinet majority-male as recorded.[36]

Renaming and rebranding

The council's LoveCleanStreets defect-reporting app was rebranded and relaunched as the Lancashire Report It App from February 2026.[37] On 22 January 2026 Cabinet renamed the Cabinet Working Group for Museums to the Cabinet Working Group for Culture, approving revised terms of reference for the renamed group.[38] On 27 November 2025 Cabinet resolved to replace the council's Transport Asset Management Plan with a rebranded Highways Asset Management Plan for Lancashire.[39] The same Cabinet meeting resolved to withdraw the Planning Advice Service and establish a renamed Lead Local Flood Authority Advice Service in its place.[40] On 17 February 2026 the Lancashire Combined County Authority resolved to relaunch the £19.4m Growing Places Fund, transferred from the county council, under a new name, the Lancashire Investment Fund.[41]

References

1. At Full Council on 16 October 2025, Lancashire County Council (Reform UK-led) carried Notice of Motion 3, moved by County Councillor Martyn Sutton and seconded by County Councillor Russell Walsh, resolving to ask Cabinet to cease production and publication of the council's voluntary Annual Emissions Report and related greenhouse gas inventories (except where required by national law), and instructing the Chief Executive to work toward rescinding remaining non-statutory Net Zero goals. A pro-climate amendment moved by County Councillors David Whipp and David Howarth was put to the vote and lost; the substantive motion was then put to the vote and carried.
“Cease the production and publication of voluntary carbon reporting, including the council’s Annual Emissions Report and related greenhouse gas inventories, except where required by national law.” Minutes, 16 October 2025 ↗
“On being put to the vote, the Amendment was LOST. The substantive Motion was then put to the vote and was CARRIED.” Minutes, 16 October 2025 ↗
“Notice of Motion 3 It was moved by County Councillor Martyn Sutton and seconded by County Councillor Russell Walsh that: Council resolves to” Minutes, 16 October 2025 ↗
2. Lancashire County Council carried Notice of Motion 3 (moved by County Councillor Martyn Sutton, seconded by County Councillor Russell Walsh) directing the Cabinet to review all previous non-statutory Net Zero commitments, cease voluntary carbon reporting, draft all future strategies without non-statutory Net Zero commitments, and act to rescind any remaining Net Zero goals should national legislation permit. An amendment affirming man-made climate change was LOST and the substantive Motion was CARRIED, materially downgrading the council's non-statutory net-zero commitments.
“Ensure that all future council strategies and policies are drafted without non-statutory Net Zero commitments that impact on the delivery of efficient and value for money services.” Document, 16 October 2025 ↗
“On being put to the vote, the Amendment was LOST. The substantive Motion was then put to the vote and was CARRIED.” Document, 16 October 2025 ↗
“It was moved by County Councillor Martyn Sutton and seconded by County Councillor Russell Walsh that: Council resolves to Ask the Cabinet to:” Document, 16 October 2025 ↗
3. Lancashire County Council's Cabinet resolved as urgent business on 5 June 2025 to commission an internal 'Efficiency Review of the Council's Financial Management, Procurement and Associated Governance Arrangements', to be scoped by the Interim Director of Finance and Commerce and overseen by a new Cabinet Working Group, expected to shape the 2026/27 budget; a later Audit, Risk and Governance Committee report (21 July 2025) confirmed the review 'would be completed by officers of the council', i.e. an internal review rather than a paid external DOGE-style unit or consultant.
“Cabinet considered a report that sought to commence a review of the Council’s financial management, procurement, and associated governance arrangements.” Minutes, 5 June 2025 ↗
“The commencement of a review of the Council’s financial management, procurement, and associated governance arrangements, be approved” Minutes, 5 June 2025 ↗
“Following the Cabinet decision to conduct a review of the county council's finances, the efficiency review would be completed by officers of the council” Minutes, 21 July 2025 ↗
4. Following the Full Council instruction, Cabinet on 4 September 2025 considered and approved an updated Lancashire County Council Flag Policy setting out which flags could be flown on county council buildings and the process for agreeing future changes, formally adopting the restricted flag-flying arrangement.
“Lancashire County Council Flag Policy Cabinet considered a report on an updated Lancashire County Council Flag Policy which outlined which flags could be flown on county council buildings, and set out the process for agreeing any future changes. Resolved: That the updated Lancashire County Council Flag Policy as set out at Appendix 'A' of the report, be approved.” Minutes, 4 September 2025 ↗
5. At Full Council on 16 October 2025 (item 17, Notice of Motion 3), Lancashire County Council -- the LGPS administering authority for the Lancashire County Pension Fund -- resolved, on a motion moved by County Councillor Martyn Sutton and seconded by County Councillor Russell Walsh, to ask the Pension Fund Committee to review all ESG requirements and Net Zero targets of the Fund so that Net Zero commitments do not go beyond statutory requirements and impinge on fiduciary duty to pensioners, alongside directing the Cabinet/Chief Executive to strip non-statutory Net Zero commitments from council policy and cease voluntary carbon reporting. An amendment by County Councillors David Whipp and David Howarth that would have prefaced the same resolve with an acknowledgement of man-made climate change was LOST, and the substantive motion (without that preamble) was CARRIED.
“Ask the Pension Fund Committee to review all Environmental, Social and Governance requirements and Net Zero targets of the LCC Pension Fund to ensure that Net Zero commitments do not go beyond statutory requirements and impact on the Fund's fiduciary responsibility to current and future pensioners.” Minutes, 20 November 2025 ↗
“On being put to the vote, the Amendment was LOST. The substantive Motion was then put to the vote and was CARRIED.” Document, 16 October 2025 ↗
“It was moved by County Councillor Martyn Sutton and seconded by County Councillor Russell Walsh” Document, 16 October 2025 ↗
6. Lancashire County Council's Efficiency Review (overseen by a Cabinet Working Group of the Leader, Deputy Leader, and Cabinet Members Dwyer and Mirfin) reported Phase 1 findings of potential savings of £21.9m over three years, £6.7m of which falls in 2026/27; the Budget and Finance Scrutiny Committee noted the review on 24 November 2025.
“Phase 1 findings indicated potential savings of £21.9m over three years, with £6.7m of those in 2026/27.” Minutes, 24 November 2025 ↗
7. Cabinet formally resolved on 27 November 2025 to note £21.932m of Efficiency Review savings identified over three years (£6.675m achievable in 2026/27) for incorporation into the 2026/27 budget, but the review's stated focus areas were property, procurement, digital, organisational structures and income generation -- not a consultancy- or agency/interim-staff-specific cut, cap, or reporting decision.
“Resolved: That i. The savings opportunities identified by the Efficiency Review of £21.932m over three years, with £6.675m expected to be achievable in 2026/27, be noted and, for these savings to be incorporated into the preliminary assessment of the 2026/27 budget and future years” Minutes, 27 November 2025 ↗
8. On 27 November 2025, Lancashire's Cabinet noted that the Efficiency Review had identified savings opportunities of £21.932m over three years (£6.675m expected achievable in 2026/27) and approved continuation of the review into a second phase.
“Resolved: That i. The savings opportunities identified by the Efficiency Review of £21.932m over three years, with £6.675m expected to be achievable in 2026/27, be noted and, for these savings to be incorporated into the preliminary assessment of the 2026/27 budget and future years; and ii. Approval be given for the continuation of the Efficiency Review into the next phase of work” Minutes, 27 November 2025 ↗
9. As part of setting the 2026/27 Budget, Cabinet on 27 November 2025 noted a wider review of savings opportunities across the council that had identified a further £16.599m portfolio of savings for 2026/27 (on top of £6.657m identified via the Efficiency Review), alongside a previously agreed £43m savings package already built into the budget when it was set by the outgoing administration on 26 February 2025.
“A wider review of savings opportunities across the council which had resulted in a portfolio to the value of £16.599m for 2026/27 with further savings in subsequent years.” Minutes, 27 November 2025 ↗
“That savings of £42.927m were built into the 2026/27 Budget when the current year budget was set by Full Council on 26 February 2025” Minutes, 27 November 2025 ↗
10. A preliminary budget assessment reported to the Budget and Finance Scrutiny Committee (24 November 2025) put the estimated residual 2026/27 budget shortfall at approximately £9m after accounting for the £43m savings package already agreed.
“an approximate shortfall of £9m was expected for the 2026/27 budget. It was confirmed that this included a previously agreed savings package of £43m.” Document, 24 November 2025 ↗
11. Lancashire County Council's 2026/27 Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), including the savings proposals set out in Annex 3, was recommended by Cabinet on 5 February 2026 and formally adopted by Full Council on 26 February 2026 on a recorded vote of 55 for, 10 against and 8 abstaining.
“Approve the savings proposals (see Annex 3 of Appendix A).” Minutes, 26 February 2026 ↗
“The Motion was CARRIED and it was: Resolved: - That, the Budget for 2026/27 including all the information set out in the appendices with the following specific recommendations” Minutes, 26 February 2026 ↗
12. At Full Council on 17 July 2025, Lancashire County Council carried a motion (Notice of Motion 2, moved by County Councillor Joshua Roberts, seconded by County Councillor David Dwyer) resolving to ask Cabinet to review the council's flag-flying policy so that only the Union Flag, the Flag of England, the Lancashire Flag, royal flags, and military flags/ensigns take priority; a rival amendment (proposed by County Councillor Azhar Ali, seconded by County Councillor Hamish Mills) that would have sent the matter to the Community, Cultural, and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee instead was defeated 27-52, after which the substantive motion was carried.
“This council therefore resolves to ask Cabinet to review the council's approach and policy to flying flags over council property in line with this principle and to ensure the priority of that only the Union Flag, the Flag of England, the Lancashire Flag, royal flags, and military flags and ensigns.” Minutes, 17 July 2025 ↗
“The Amendment was therefore LOST. The substantive Motion was then put to the vote and was CARRIED.” Minutes, 17 July 2025 ↗
“Notice of Motion 2 It was moved by County Councillor Joshua Roberts and seconded by County Councillor David Dwyer that: This council believes we should be proud to fly the flags of our nation and of Lancashire and individual political causes should not take precedence over our shared identity.” Minutes, 17 July 2025 ↗
13. The amendment to route the flag-policy review via scrutiny (rather than direct to Cabinet with the restrictive priority list) was defeated by a recorded vote of 27 for to 52 against.
“The following Amendment was proposed by County Councillor Azhar Ali and seconded by County Councillor Hamish Mills: "This council believes we should be proud to fly the flags of our nation and the flag of our beautiful County of Lancashire. This council therefore resolves to ask the Community, Cultural, and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee to review the Council's policy and make recommendations to Cabinet."” Minutes, 17 July 2025 ↗
“For (27) Ali Buckley Hartley Mills Snow Arif Clempson Howarth Potter Stubbins Asghar Clifford Jewell Razakazi Whipp Ashton de Freitas Johnson Rigby Barnes Dowding Kamran Riggott Brown Duke Lavalette Snape Against (52)” Minutes, 17 July 2025 ↗
14. Lancashire County Council's Full Council resolved to apply a 2.00% Adult Social Care Precept for 2026/27, on top of a 1.80% general Council Tax rise, giving a combined Council Tax increase of 3.80%; the resolution does not itself state that 2.00% was the maximum ASC precept permitted for the year.
“That Council approves an increase of 1.80% in the level of General Council Tax for 2026/27. That Council approves an increase of 2.00% in the level of Adult Social Care Precept for 2026/27.” Document, 26 February 2026 ↗
15. As part of setting the 2026/27 budget, Lancashire County Council's Full Council agreed to uplift Adult Social Care Provider Fees (alongside Children's Services Fostering Fees and other allowances) for 2026/27, as detailed in Appendix A Paragraph 50 and Annex 10 of the budget report; the corpus does not contain the specific percentage or rate set out in that appendix. The budget motion, which included this fee uplift, was carried by a recorded vote after amendments moved by the Labour Group and the Our West Lancashire Group were both defeated.
“The Motion was CARRIED and it was: Resolved: - That, the Budget for 2026/27 including all the information set out in the appendices with the following specific recommendations:” Document, 26 February 2026 ↗
“Agree to uplift Adult Social Care Provider Fees and Children's Services Fostering Fees and other allowances as outlined in Appendix A Paragraph 50 and Annex 10.” Document, 26 February 2026 ↗
16. In October 2025, Cabinet approved the start of a formal review of Lancashire's in-house Adult Social Care Provider Services and a public consultation on an accelerated reprovision (closure or redesign) of ten Older People's services, five residential care homes and five day services across seven sites, because of significant service quality risks linked to the condition and suitability of the buildings.
“To complete public consultation on both the evaluation framework which will guide the future redesign of the wider in-house Provider Services, and to consult on the proposed accelerated reprovision of the ten Older People's Services” Minutes, 9 October 2025 ↗
“The proposals to accelerate reprovision of ten Older People services (five residential care homes and five-day services) due to significant service quality risks arising from the condition and suitability of the buildings across seven sites” Minutes, 9 October 2025 ↗
17. In March 2026, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Graham Dalton told Full Council in response to a question from County Councillor Kim Snape that no decision had been made to close, outsource or privatise any of the council's care provision, and that Cabinet had already confirmed no closures were planned, while an evidence-based review of all in-house services continued.
“no decisions have been made to close, outsource, privatise any of Lancashire care provision. Cabinet has already confirmed that no closures are planned.” Minutes, 12 March 2026 ↗
18. In May 2026, Cabinet considered the outcome of the public consultation into the provider redesign business case and resolved to note the consultation findings and endorse the strategic direction for developing a new Model of Care, with the co-produced model due to return to Cabinet in September 2026, deferring any site-specific closure decision.
“Resolved: That i. The findings of the public consultation be noted; ii. The strategic direction for developing the Model of Care including undertaking coproduction with people who draw on care, carers and providers be endorsed; and iii. The timeline for the co-produced model of care to return to Cabinet in September 2026.” Minutes, 4 June 2026 ↗
19. Lancashire directed new investment into family hubs. Officers told the Children, Families and Skills Scrutiny Committee in January 2026 that new investment was being directed into Family Hubs to strengthen early years support, and in May 2026 that an early years redesign involved no reduction in staffing, with resources reallocated towards areas of highest need.
“new investment was being directed into Family Hubs to strengthen support for early years and the home learning environment.” Minutes, 14 January 2026 ↗
“Officers clarified that there would be no reduction in staffing, but that resources would be reallocated towards areas of highest need to maximise impact.” Minutes, 14 May 2026 ↗
20. Lancashire County Council's cabinet on 5 March 2026 approved the apportionment of the £48.526 million Department for Transport highway maintenance grant for 2026/27 together with an additional £18.474 million provided in the council's own budget.
“The proposed apportionment of the 2026/27 Department for Transport Highway Maintenance funding grant of £48.526m and the additional £18.474m provided in the budget, as detailed in the report and at Appendices 'A' and 'B' of the report, be approved” Minutes, 5 March 2026 ↗
21. Lancashire County Council operates as an upper-tier, two-tier authority: its own briefing to the Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee states the county and its 12 constituent district councils "have different responsibilities", so weekly food-waste collection under Simpler Recycling falls to the district councils, not the county council.
“Lancashire is a two-tier area – Lancashire County Council operates in the same area as 12 District Councils, but they have different responsibilities.” Minutes, 6 November 2025 ↗
22. Lancashire County Council's published minutes since it came under Reform UK majority control record no introduction, increase or retention of a garden-waste collection charge; garden and food waste kerbside collection is set by the county's constituent district councils, which, per the council's own LGR briefing, hold different responsibilities from the county council.
“Lancashire is a two-tier area – Lancashire County Council operates in the same area as 12 District Councils, but they have different responsibilities.” Minutes, 6 November 2025 ↗
23. In September 2025 Cabinet approved a procurement exercise, and an option to extend the Pendle Waste Transfer Station contract, to secure residual-waste disposal capacity for four East Lancashire district councils ahead of the March 2026 expiry of the Whinney Hill landfill contract; this is disposal-side capacity planning, not a food-waste collection decision.
“Cabinet considered a report that outlined proposals to support the waste collection authorities in East Lancashire in respect of arrangements for the management of residual wastes. It was noted that the proposals were intended to provide choice and flexibility to resolve the immediate challenges associated with the expiration of the Whinney Hill landfill contract in March 2026.” Minutes, 4 September 2025 ↗
24. In December 2025 Lancashire's Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee was told that a joint waste strategy across the Lancashire Waste Partnership, the vehicle through which the county coordinates with its collection districts, was still being developed and that unresolved local government reorganisation was making it difficult to plan.
“On the impact of Local Government Reorganisation on the waste service, it was recognised that there would be impacts but it was difficult at this moment in time to plan for reorganisation when national government had yet to finalise how many unitary authorities would be established in Lancashire. A new joint local waste strategy was currently in development with the Lancashire Waste Partnership.” Minutes, 18 December 2025 ↗
25. On 20 November 2025 Lancashire full council carried, 63 for with 4 abstentions, a motion moved by County Councillor Tom Lord and seconded by County Councillor Luke Parker opposing any cancellation of the 2026 local elections, instructing the Chief Executive to seek assurance from the Secretary of State that elections would not be cancelled and to press for repeal of the power to cancel them.
“Abstain (4) Brown Clifford Snape Snow The Motion was CARRIED.” Minutes, 20 November 2025 ↗
“Instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State seeking an assurance from him that local elections will not be cancelled, and request that steps are taken to repeal s.87 of the Local Government Act 2000, removing the Secretary of State's power to cancel elections without a debate and vote in Parliament.” Minutes, 20 November 2025 ↗
“It was moved by County Councillor Tom Lord and seconded by County Councillor Luke Parker that: The Secretary of State for Local Government, Steve Reed, has refused to rule out the cancellation of next year's local elections.” Minutes, 20 November 2025 ↗
26. On 20 November 2025 Lancashire full council, on a report moved by County Councillor Stephen Atkinson, voted 45 to 29 in a recorded vote to recommend that Cabinet endorse a single preferred option of two unitary councils for Lancashire as the county's Local Government Reorganisation proposal.
“County Councillor Stephen Atkinson moved a report recommending that Cabinet endorse the proposal for two unitary councils for Lancashire (as set out at Appendix A) at its meeting on 27 November 2025.” Minutes, 20 November 2025 ↗
“Against (29) Ali Clempson Howarth Mills Singleton Arif Clifford Iqbal Owens Snape Ashton de Freitas Jewell Potter Snow Barnes Dowding Johnson Razakazi Stubbins Brown Duke Kamran Rigby Whipp Buckley Hartley Lavalette Riggott The substantive motion was CARRIED. Resolved: - That; (i) The proposal for two unitary councils for Lancashire (as set out at Appendix A), be recommended to Cabinet for endorsement at its meeting on 27 November 2025.” Minutes, 20 November 2025 ↗
27. Separately on 20 November 2025, when full council voted 45 to 29 to recommend the two-unitary Local Government Reorganisation proposal to Cabinet, County Councillor Azhar Ali OBE's amendment (accepted as friendly) added a request that the Chief Executive ask the Secretary of State that shadow elections for the new Lancashire unitary councils not take place before May 2028, to secure stabilisation of services such as adult social care and SEND first; this concerns the timing of future shadow elections for the new unitaries, not cancellation of the county's own scheduled elections.
“The substantive motion was CARRIED. Resolved: - That; (i) The proposal for two unitary councils for Lancashire (as set out at Appendix A), be recommended to Cabinet for endorsement at its meeting on 27 November 2025. (ii) Request that the Chief Executive separately writes to the Secretary of State to request that shadow elections for the new Lancashire unitaries do not take place before May 2028, to ensure stabilisation and improvements to key services i.e. adult social care and SEND are secured.” Minutes, 20 November 2025 ↗
“The following amendment was proposed by County Councillor Azhar Ali OBE: Request that the Chief Executive separately writes to the Secretary of State to request that shadow elections for the new Lancashire unitaries do not take place before May 2028, to ensure stabilisation and improvements to key services i.e. adult social care and SEND are secured. The amendment was accepted as friendly and added to the original recommendation to become the substantive motion.” Minutes, 20 November 2025 ↗
28. Cabinet formally agreed the council's position on 27 November 2025, resolving that the proposal for two unitary councils be adopted as the county council's preferred option for reorganisation and authorising the Chief Executive to submit it to Government by the 28 November 2025 deadline; Cabinet also asked for a broader public survey on service delivery preferences and requested Government extend the reorganisation timetable.
“The Chief Executive be authorised, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to make any final amendments to the proposal and submit it to Government on 28 November 2025” Minutes, 27 November 2025 ↗
“The proposal for two unitary councils for Lancashire be agreed as the county council's preferred option for Local Government Reorganisation for Lancashire (as set out at Appendix 'A' of the report)” Minutes, 27 November 2025 ↗
“a request be made that a broader public survey be undertaken to ascertain residents’ preferences and aspirations regarding future service delivery, thereby informing the development of a comprehensive proposal” Minutes, 27 November 2025 ↗
“A request be made to Central Government for an extension to the current timetable, to allow additional time for the formulation and implementation of proposals.” Minutes, 27 November 2025 ↗
29. Lancashire already operates a non-mayoral Combined County Authority: the Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA) was formally established in February 2025 following a Level 2 Devolution Deal Lancashire signed with Government in November 2023, and held its inaugural meeting the following month.
“November 2023 - Lancashire signs a Level 2 Devolution Deal with the Government – a Level 2 deal is equivalent to the powers and functions devolved under a Combined Foundation Strategic Authority” Minutes, 29 July 2025 ↗
“February 2025 - the Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA) was formally established following agreement of the Statutory Instrument and held its inaugural meeting in March 2025” Minutes, 29 July 2025 ↗
30. The council has not agreed to convert the LCCA into a mayoral combined authority. In February 2026 the LCCA recorded that the three constituent council leaders had written to the Minister for Devolution confirming their governance review was complete and reaffirming only a collective willingness to explore mayoral devolution, noting any formal proposal would depend on agreed investment and delivery assumptions and would still require approval from each constituent council.
“the leaders of the three constituent councils had written to the Minister for Devolution confirming that the review had been completed in accordance with the agreed Autumn 2025 timetable. The letter acknowledged that the authorities held a range of views but reaffirmed a collective willingness to engage positively in exploring the prospect of mayoral devolution for Lancashire.” Minutes, 17 February 2026 ↗
“It was further noted that any formal proposal would depend on a set of agreed assumptions, including expected investment levels, delivery timescales, and the need for consultation with residents and stakeholders. Approval would also be required from each constituent council.” Minutes, 17 February 2026 ↗
31. Lancashire's LCCA minutes record the council monitoring, but not itself named as decided into, the Devolution Priority Programme: in December 2025 the LCCA noted Government was considering delaying inaugural mayoral elections until 2028 in four Devolution Priority Programme areas where reorganisation had not yet completed, prompting the LCCA to seek a meeting with the Minister to discuss the implications for Lancashire.
“Government had recently announced that they are considering delaying inaugural mayoral elections until 2028 in four of the Devolution Priority Programme areas where local government reorganisation had not yet taken place.” Minutes, 16 December 2025 ↗
“The combined authority intended to write to the Minister this week to confirm completion of the governance review and to request a meeting to discuss the implications of this announcement for Lancashire and investment levels.” Minutes, 16 December 2025 ↗
32. At Full Council on 12 March 2026, responding to a question about care homes and day care centres, the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care stated that no decision had been taken to close, outsource or privatise any Lancashire care provision, and that the council's review of its in-house adult social care services was intended to strengthen rather than end in-house delivery, following a Cabinet-approved business case that had considered alternative delivery models including trading companies or shared services.
“no decisions have been made to close, outsource, privatise any of Lancashire care provision. Cabinet has already confirmed that no closures are planned.” Minutes, 12 March 2026 ↗
“What we are doing is carrying out a full evidence based review of all our in-house services. This review is about strengthening our provision, not weakening it.” Minutes, 12 March 2026 ↗
“The business case outlined a strategy to reshape the care market, including consideration of alternative delivery models such as transitioning from local authority provision to trading companies or shared services.” Document, 5 November 2025 ↗
33. At Budget Council on 26 February 2026 the Labour Group moved a budget amendment (moved by County Councillor Mark Clifford, seconded by County Councillor Matthew Brown) that included undertaking a study to explore how to insource adult social care and take the profit motive out of the Lancashire care market; a recorded vote was taken and the amendment was lost 16 votes for, 49 against, 11 abstentions, so no insourcing study was adopted.
“g. Undertake a study to explore how to insource adult social care and take the profit motive outside the Lancashire care market in conjunction with Unison and other stakeholders.” Minutes, 26 February 2026 ↗
“County Councillor Mark Clifford then made his Budget speech and moved an Amendment to the Budget proposals on behalf of the Labour Group, which was seconded by County Councillor Matthew Brown.” Minutes, 26 February 2026 ↗
“The Labour Group's Amendment was therefore LOST.” Minutes, 26 February 2026 ↗
34. On 17 July 2025 Lancashire County Council's Full Council carried a Notice of Motion on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), moved by County Councillor Samara Barnes and seconded by County Councillor Gina Dowding, with a friendly amendment from County Councillor Maria Jones; the council resolved to continue funding specialist VAWG services and to ask the Leader to appoint a member champion for VAWG.
“It was moved by County Councillor Samara Barnes and seconded by County Councillor Gina Dowding that:” Minutes, 17 July 2025 ↗
“ii. To continue to fund much needed specialist services across Lancashire.” Minutes, 17 July 2025 ↗
“the substantive Motion was put to the vote and was CARRIED.” Minutes, 17 July 2025 ↗
35. On 30 April 2026 the Community, Cultural and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee, after receiving a presentation on domestic abuse as a public health issue, resolved that consideration be given to using any identified Public Health underspend to increase funding for domestic abuse, community safety and related preventative services, and that further consideration be given to additional support for voluntary and third-sector organisations delivering domestic abuse and community safety services.
“Consideration be given to whether any identified Public Health underspend could be used to increase funding to support Domestic Abuse, community safety and related preventative services, consistent with Public Health priorities.” Minutes, 30 April 2026 ↗
“Further consideration be given to additional support for voluntary and third sector organisations delivering Domestic Abuse and community safety services” Minutes, 30 April 2026 ↗
“4. Domestic Abuse - A Public Health Approach” Minutes, 30 April 2026 ↗
36. The minutes of Lancashire County Council's Cabinet meeting of 4 June 2026 record the Cabinet as County Councillor Stephen Atkinson (Leader of the Council, in the Chair) plus eight Cabinet Members: County Councillors Simon Evans, David Dwyer, Warren Goldsworthy, Daniel Matchett, Brian Moore, Tom Pickup, Joshua Roberts, Matthew Salter and Ella Worthington; of these nine named cabinet members, Ella Worthington (appointed Cabinet Member for Civic Pride, welcomed to Cabinet 'in her new capacity') is the only one identified as female, making the cabinet majority-male as recorded.
“County Councillor Stephen Atkinson Leader of the Council (in the Chair)” Minutes, 4 June 2026 ↗
“The Leader welcomed County Councillor Ella Worthington to Cabinet in her new capacity as the Cabinet Member for Civic Pride.” Minutes, 15 April 2026 ↗
“County Councillor Simon Evans County Councillor David Dwyer County Councillor Mr Warren Goldsworthy County Councillor Daniel Matchett County Councillor Brian Moore County Councillor Tom Pickup County Councillor Joshua Roberts County Councillor Matthew Salter County Councillor Ella Worthington” Minutes, 4 June 2026 ↗
37. Rename #1 (council tally): the LoveCleanStreets defect-reporting app was rebranded and relaunched as the Lancashire Report It App from February 2026, per the 23 October 2025 EEG&T Scrutiny minutes.
“The rebranded Lovecleanstreets App would be launched in February 2026 as the Lancashire Report It App.” Minutes, 23 October 2025 ↗
38. As a constitutional/governance tidy-up, Lancashire County Council's Cabinet renamed the Cabinet Working Group for Museums to the Cabinet Working Group for Culture on 22 January 2026, approving revised terms of reference for the renamed group.
“Cabinet considered a report on a revision to the terms of reference for the existing Cabinet Working Group for Museums, including the renaming of it to the Cabinet Working Group for Culture.” Minutes, 22 January 2026 ↗
“Resolved: That the revised terms of reference, as attached at Appendix 'A' of the report, for a Cabinet Working Group on Culture, be approved.” Minutes, 22 January 2026 ↗
39. Lancashire County Council rebranded its highways asset-management programme with a locally-branded name: on 27 November 2025 Cabinet resolved to replace the Transport Asset Management Plan with the Highways Asset Management Plan for Lancashire.
“Resolved: That i. Approval be given to begin a review of the original Transport Asset Management Plan and the production of a new strategy rebranded as the Highways Asset Management Plan for Lancashire with its refreshed approach and shift of emphases as set out in the report;” Minutes, 27 November 2025 ↗
“It was proposed to review the original Transport Asset Management Plan and produce a strategy rebranded as the Highways Asset Management Plan for Lancashire, to reflect the current priorities and changes to the delivery of highway maintenance in Lancashire.” Minutes, 27 November 2025 ↗
40. Rename #4 (council tally): Cabinet resolved on 27 November 2025 to withdraw the Planning Advice Service and establish the renamed 'Lead Local Flood Authority Advice Service' in its place.
“Resolved: That i. The current Planning Advice Service be withdrawn; ii. An updated and renamed 'Lead Local Flood Authority Advice Service' be established, which included planning advice with ordinary watercourse consent advice as standard;” Minutes, 27 November 2025 ↗
41. Rename #5 (council tally): the Lancashire Combined County Authority resolved on 17 February 2026 to relaunch the £19.4m Growing Places Fund, transferred from Lancashire County Council, under a new name, the Lancashire Investment Fund.
“The Lancashire Combined County Authority considered a report that provided an update on the conclusion of the transfer of the existing £19.4m Growing Places Fund from Lancashire County Council to the Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA).” Minutes, 17 February 2026 ↗
“The proposal to undertake a relaunch of the Fund under a new name with associated promotional activity to drive increased awareness and returns, be agreed;” Minutes, 17 February 2026 ↗
“The Lancashire Investment Fund (formerly Growing Places Fund) Investment Strategy for 2026/27 at Appendix 'A' of the report be approved” Minutes, 17 February 2026 ↗