The Warwickshire Council Cabinet is scheduled to meet to discuss the 2026/27 budget, the education capital programme, and the Get Warwickshire Working Plan. The Cabinet will also consider updates to the strategic risk management framework and supported lodgings for young people.

Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy

The Cabinet will be asked to consider background information and options for developing the draft 2026/27 Budget and 2026-31 Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS). The report pack highlights that there are still considerable uncertainties, particularly around the local government finance settlement and the resolution of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) deficits.

The report pack states that the Fair Funding Review¹, the Business Rates Reset, and the Business Rates Revaluation all introduce significant uncertainty into local government finance.

The Fair Funding Review (FFR) is intended to overhaul how central government allocates resources to councils, basing funding more directly on measures of local need and deprivation. While this reform promises fairness, the uncertainty lies in how the new formulas will be applied, the total quantum of funding made available by government, and which councils will gain or lose. Until the final settlement is published, councils cannot accurately forecast their medium‑term budgets.

-- Public reports pack Thursday 11-Dec-2025 13.45 Cabinet.pdf

The report pack also sets out Corporate Board's proposed budget strategy, which includes taking the maximum 4.99% council tax increase allowed in 2026/27 and each year thereafter. It notes that without this, material levels of additional budget reductions would need to be approved from April 2026, in addition to the £95.5m already built into the assumptions.

The report pack also sets out proposed revenue funding allocations, including provisions for inflationary costs, the National Living Wage, and other permanent and time-limited revenue budget adjustments.

The report pack also considers the sustainability of spend funded from the Dedicated Schools Grant[^3] (DSG), noting that the single largest financial risk to the council is the rapidly growing DSG High Needs Block deficit.

The report pack also sets out options for balancing the budget, including proposals for budget reductions totalling £95.5m over the next five years.

The report pack also includes a draft revised Reserves Strategy 2026-31, and a draft Capital Strategy 2026-31.

Finally, the report pack includes a summary of responses to a public budget consultation, which ran from 12 September to 12 October 2025.

Get Warwickshire Working Plan

The Cabinet will be asked to consider approving the Get Warwickshire Working Plan, which gives an overview of the economy of Warwickshire and the local labour market, along with key issues and challenges.

The report pack states that the plan is central to the government's ambition for a thriving labour market, and that a key purpose of the plan is to support the integration of Jobcentre Plus and Jobs and Careers services into local areas.

The report pack notes that Warwickshire currently has an employment rate of 80.9%, but that this has fallen from a recent peak of 82.8%. It also notes that the unemployment rate has seen a significant recent rise from 2.5% in March 2025 to 4.3% in June 2025.

The report pack identifies the following priorities:

• Supporting those with health and mental health conditions
• Addressing rising youth unemployment
• Targeting support at those in greatest need

The report pack also sets out the strategic framework for the plan, including national strategy, local strategy, and the current system and offer.

Education Capital Programme

The Cabinet will be asked to consider proposals for allocating resources in the Education (Schools) Capital Programme to specific projects at a number of schools located throughout the county.

The report pack recommends increasing the capacity of Whitestone Infant School in Nuneaton, and Chetwynd Junior School in Nuneaton.

The report pack also recommends increasing the capacity of The Avon Valley School in Rugby, and establishing additional specialist resourced provision for up to 20 learners with SEND.

The report pack also recommends establishing specialist resourced provision at Race Leys Infant School in Bedworth, and Holy Trinity CofE Primary School in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Finally, the report pack recommends adding funding to the capital programme to deliver schemes at Henry Hinde Junior School in Rugby, and Atherstone Nursery School.

Supported Lodgings for Young People

The Cabinet will be asked to consider authorising officers to commence a procurement process, and enter into all necessary contracts, for the provision of supported lodgings for young people in care aged 16 – 21.

The report pack notes that the council has a statutory duty to provide sufficient suitable accommodation for its Children in Care, and that in July 2025, the council passed a motion to commit to a Close to Home principle.

The report pack states that supported lodgings represents significantly better value for money compared to foster care and supported accommodation, and that a new tender opportunity could help to increase the number of providers and hosts, as well as the range of support available.

Strategic Risk Management Framework

The Cabinet will be asked to consider approving the updated Strategic Risk Management Framework and risk appetite statements for 2005-27.

The report pack notes that the framework has been reviewed to ensure that it remains relevant and fit for purpose in what is an increasingly challenging environment for local government.

The report pack states that there is an increased level of uncertainty in the council's operating context, and that to ensure effective operation of Risk Management there is a need to remain open to risk.