The Cabinet of Buckinghamshire Council met on Thursday 8 January 2026 to discuss a range of important financial and strategic matters. Key decisions included the approval of a six-week public consultation on proposed changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and the consolidation of grounds maintenance services into a single countywide contract. The Cabinet also approved the use of Conservation Covenants to secure offsite Biodiversity Net Gain.

Council Tax Reduction Scheme Consultation Approved

A significant decision made by the Cabinet was to approve a six-week public consultation on proposed amendments to the Council Tax Reduction (CTR) Scheme, set to commence from 17 December 2025. This scheme is designed to assist residents on lower incomes or in receipt of certain benefits in reducing their Council Tax charges. The proposed changes aim to reduce volatility in CTR awards, simplify calculations, and expedite processing times from 29 days to 10 days by removing the need to cross-reference with Universal Credit applications.

The new banded CTR scheme is projected to increase income available for local services by £1.5 million by 2028/29, with £1.2 million benefiting Buckinghamshire Council directly. While 75% of current CTR households are expected to see their award maintained or increased, approximately 25% will experience reduced awards, and 5.5% will no longer meet the criteria. To mitigate the impact of significant reductions, transitional protection will be offered to households experiencing a decrease of more than £10 per week in their first year, costing an estimated £0.8 million in 2026/27. The scheme will also retain an exceptional hardship fund.

During the discussion, Cabinet Members agreed that the system needed updating and simplification, aligning with national policies. Concerns were raised about the impact on households, but assurances were given that the scheme would support those in hardship and that every application would be assessed on a case-by-case basis. The consultation will involve partner organisations, social networking, and other communication channels to reach a wide audience. The new system was described as a lot fairer to recipients and to taxpayers, and more efficient and more accessible. This decision was taken under special urgency procedures to meet statutory requirements and deadlines for setting council tax.

Consolidation of Grounds Maintenance Provision

The Cabinet resolved to consolidate all grounds maintenance activities into a single, countywide outsourced contract. This move aims to replace the current mix of in-house services and multiple external arrangements with a unified contract, managed by an outsourced provider. The objective is to achieve greater consistency, efficiency, and value for money across all council-operated sites. The procurement process is expected to commence by the end of December 2026, with the new contract anticipated to begin no earlier than 1 January 2027.

The current contract with idverde, which covers the ex-Wycombe area, is at its legal limit and will end on 31 December 2026. The contract with John O'Connor, serving the ex-Chiltern and South Bucks areas, can be extended until 31 March 2028. The proposed new contract will be output-based, specifying standards of delivery rather than prescribed actions, allowing for flexibility and potential cost savings. The contract term is proposed to be five years, with an option for the Council to extend it for up to 48 months.

A representation was received from a member of staff in the North In-House Grounds team regarding the protection of their terms and conditions upon transfer to a new contractor. It was confirmed that the transfer would be managed under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE), which ensures that permanent staff members' contractual terms and conditions, such as pay, hours of work, and annual leave entitlement, will generally remain the same. A formal consultation period will be held to discuss any proposed changes.

During the discussion, confidence was expressed in a buoyant market with a good level of interest from potential providers. The depot strategy, considering Buckinghamshire's length, was highlighted as a key factor. While the new contract focuses on council assets, continued engagement with registered providers will occur. The Leader emphasised the importance of the local supply chain and supporting smaller businesses while ensuring best value for the Council.

Use of Conservation Covenants for Biodiversity Net Gain Approved

The Cabinet approved the use of Conservation Covenants (CCs) in relation to securing offsite Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) on sites that geographically cross the council's boundary with a neighbouring authority. Conservation Covenants, introduced by the Environment Act 2021, are voluntary agreements between a landowner and a designated Responsible Body to deliver lasting conservation benefits. Buckinghamshire Council became a Responsible Body in May 2024.

This approval specifically relates to Option 3, which involves securing offsite BNG sites that span across local authority boundaries. Using CCs is seen as a simpler and more streamlined approach compared to multiple agreements, reducing costs and facilitating the delivery of large landscape-scale nature recovery sites. The primary risk identified is the management and enforcement of agreements outside the Council's boundary. Option 2, which is already authorised under delegated powers, involves securing offsite BNG sites within Buckinghamshire.

The use of CCs will help the Council deliver on its strategic environmental objectives, including those within the recently approved Local Nature Recovery Strategy. They also present opportunities to support emerging markets for biodiversity, such as mandatory BNG, as well as other nature markets like carbon, water quality, and flood protection. Crucially, they can provide much-needed river offsite BNG units, which are currently scarce in the market.

During the discussion, it was clarified that for cross-border sites, the Buckinghamshire portion would be governed by a Section 106 agreement, and the neighbouring county would need a separate agreement with the same landowner. A CC, however, allows for a single agreement where Buckinghamshire Council acts as the responsible body under the Environment Act. The Council with the largest amount of land would typically lead as the Responsible Authority. The Leader highlighted that the absence of river biodiversity units in the local habitat banks makes the facilitation of such a habitat bank through CCs a clear benefit for both nature recovery and enabling growth in Buckinghamshire.

Other Matters Discussed

Buckinghamshire Skills Bootcamps: The Cabinet noted the progress of the Skills Bootcamps programme, which offers free, flexible training in high-demand sectors. The programme has demonstrated high performance against key performance indicators, with 405 participants enrolled and a 72% job outcome rate against a target of 70-75%. Cabinet Members welcomed the scheme's role in developing independence and resilience, particularly for veterans and care leavers. The courses are developed in collaboration with employers, and learners are guaranteed an interview.

Forward Plan and Select Committee Work Programme: The Cabinet noted the Forward Plan, which provides advance notice of reports to be discussed at future meetings, and the Select Committee Work Programme, detailing discussions by Select Committees.

Q2 Strategic Risk Register: The Cabinet noted the Council's Risk Management Framework, which provides oversight of strategic risks essential for delivering public services and managing public funds.

Confidential Minutes: The confidential minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2025 were approved.

Question Time: The Cabinet addressed questions from Councillors Stuart Wilson and Robin Stuchbury. Councillor Wilson questioned the consultation timeline for the Council Tax Reduction scheme, given its inclusion in budget assumptions and the timing over the Christmas and New Year period. Councillor Stuchbury inquired about actions being taken to address flood risk in Buckingham by reinstating Tingewick Mill. Councillor Maru Mormina also raised a follow-up question regarding the absence of a four-weekly Council Tax payment option for pensioners and low-income residents. Responses indicated that the CTR consultation timeline was aligned with statutory requirements and comparable to other authorities, and that further viability work was underway for a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charging schedule in North and Central Buckinghamshire. The response to Councillor Mormina's question stated that national legislation governs payment schedules, though local discretion exists within the framework.