Warwickshire County Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 16 December 2025 to discuss a range of topics, including the annual governance statement, additions to the education capital programme, and the appointment of an independent person. Councillors will also consider motions on school road safety, statutory walking distances for free school transport, and tackling child poverty. Additionally, the council is expected to review the external auditor's annual report, the council's statement of accounts, the Warwickshire Pension Fund accounts, a developer funded scheme in Nuneaton, the youth justice plan, and walking and cycling schemes.

School Road Safety

A joint motion from Councillor Nicki Scott and Councillor Scott Cameron calls for the council to explore the feasibility of several measures to improve road safety for pupils. These include providing school crossing patrols outside all educational establishments where needed, funding safe crossings and traffic calming measures outside new schools, considering developer contributions for safe crossings near schools for developments larger than 8 dwellings, introducing 20mph limits or advisory speed limits near schools during peak times, and working with the Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership to explore the further introduction of average speed cameras.

Access to Education and Statutory Walking Distances

A Conservative motion, proposed by Councillor Jan Matecki and seconded by Councillor Adrian Warwick, expresses concern over a letter sent by Councillor George Finch, Leader of the Council, to the Secretary of State for Education, requesting delegated authority to change the statutory walking distance required for children to qualify for free school transport. The motion seeks to reaffirm the council's commitment to safeguarding children's access to education and ensuring no child is disadvantaged due to geography or financial constraints, and requests that Councillor George Finch withdraw the letter.

Tackling Child Poverty

A Liberal Democrat motion, proposed by Councillor Jerry Roodhouse and seconded by Councillor Jennifer McAllister, calls for the development of a comprehensive Warwickshire Child Poverty Reduction Strategy (2026–2030) with measurable targets, the establishment of a cross-party Child Poverty Commission, and the requirement of an annual Child Poverty Impact Assessment on all major council decisions and budget proposals.

External Auditor's Annual Audit Report

The council will be presented with the External Auditor's Annual Audit Report 2024/25, which includes a commentary on the council's arrangements for securing value for money. Councillors will be asked to request that the Audit and Standards Committee monitor the delivery of management actions in response to the key recommendation in the report, which relates to Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficit management. The report states that the council should:

continue to deliver its planned mitigations and current governance arrangements of monitoring and reporting on deficit within established processes.

Due to the immediate impact on cash flow the Council should continue to implement enhanced cashflow and treasury monitoring.

Warwickshire County Council Statement of Accounts 2024/25

The council will be asked to approve the Warwickshire County Council Statement of Accounts 2024/25. The statement includes the statement of responsibilities for the accounts, a narrative statement by the Executive Director for Resources, the core financial statements, the statement of accounting policies, the notes to the core financial statements, and the Firefighters' Pension Fund statement.

Warwickshire Pension Fund Accounts 2024/25

The council will also be asked to approve the Warwickshire Pension Fund Accounts 2024/25. The statement includes the Warwickshire Pension Fund Account, the Net Assets Statement, and notes to the accounts.

Additions to the Education Capital Programme 2025/26

The council will be asked to approve additions to the capital programme for schemes at Whitestone Infant School, Chetwynd Junior School and Avon Valley School. These additions, which total £39.745 million, will be funded by developer contributions and education capital funding.

Section 278 Developer Funded Scheme - C11 Higham Lane/Peake Avenue

The council will be asked to approve the addition of £2,110,400 to the Capital Programme for 2025/2026 for highway improvements at the C11 Higham Lane/Peake Avenue junction in Nuneaton. The scheme, which will be fully funded by the developer, involves the introduction of a 4-arm roundabout, including associated signage, relocated bus stops, footways, and cycle infrastructure, to be used as an access route to the approved development at Top Farm.

Youth Justice Plan 2025/26

The council will be asked to approve the Youth Justice Plan 2526 for 2025/2026. The plan sets out the vision for the Warwickshire Youth Justice Partnership to deliver great services, and builds on the progress made in 2024/25. The plan's key local priorities are serious youth violence interventions, children's physical health, and victims.

Annual Governance Statement 2024/25

The council will be asked to approve the Annual Governance Statement 2024/25, which provides assurance of the way the council meets the highest standards required of public office. The statement sets out the council's approach to governance, the key challenges, changes, and achievements in 2024/25, and compliance with the seven principles of governance.

Walking and Cycling Schemes

The council will be asked to note the approach taken to assessing and establishing the value for money of walking and cycling schemes with internal or external funding, and to endorse the delivery of schemes which contribute to the development of a holistic network of routes as set out in the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan, subject to the identification of available funding.

Appointment of Independent Persons

The council will be asked to approve the appointment of Mr Prodromos Mavridis to the Panel of Independent Persons required by the Localism Act 2011, from the date of the council meeting to 30 September 2029.

A46 Stoneleigh Junction

A report regarding the A46 Stoneleigh Junction is included in the reports pack, but is marked as restricted, and will be discussed after the exclusion of press and public.