The Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board of Worcestershire Council met on Wednesday, 25 February 2026, to discuss the council's updated budget position for 2026-27 and its Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP). The board also reviewed updates from scrutiny chairs and lead members, the board's work programme, and the Cabinet Forward Plan.

Scrutiny on Updated Budget Position 2026-27 and Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP)

The board scrutinised the council's updated budget position for 2026-27 and its Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP). A key focus was the council's financial sustainability, particularly in light of a response from Central Government regarding an application for Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) in the form of a capitalisation direction. The council had also received approval for additional Council Tax flexibility, allowing for a 4% increase above the maximum limit of 4.99%, which was deemed critical for financial stability. The board was tasked with agreeing comments to be considered by Full Council on 26 February 2026.

This discussion followed a series of previous meetings and reports. The Scrutiny Panels had been engaged in quarterly performance and financial monitoring throughout the year. A budget briefing for all councillors was held on 9 December 2025. The draft MTFP outlook was presented to the Cabinet on 18 December 2025, and the board considered the draft budget for 2026/27 and the draft MTFP, including proposed savings and capital amendments, on 6 January 2026. Cabinet then considered the draft budget and MTFP on 13 January 2026, following the Provisional Local Government Settlement on 17 December 2025. Full Council also reviewed the draft budget position and MTFP on 15 January 2026. Subsequently, Overview and Scrutiny Panels met to consider the implications relevant to their remits, with their comments being considered by Cabinet on 5 February 2026.

The purpose of this meeting was for the board to determine any comments to highlight to the Leader of the Council, Chief Executive, and Deputy Chief Financial Officer for consideration by Full Council, and to identify if any further information or scrutiny was required on particular topics.

Scrutiny Chairs and Lead Member Update, Work Programme and Cabinet Forward Plan

Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board (OSPB) were asked to consider and comment on updates from Scrutiny Chairs and Lead Members, the OSPB Work Programme, and the Cabinet Forward Plan.

Member Updates: The board aimed to ensure members were fully informed about scrutiny activities in Worcestershire through essential communication. Members were invited to provide feedback on recent Scrutiny meetings, Task Groups, and emerging issues within their remits to highlight potential future agenda items. The areas of responsibility for board members were outlined, including Adult Care and Well-Being (Councillor Mel Allcott, Chair; Councillor Jenny Shaw, Vice-Chair), Children and Families (Councillor Natalie McVey, Chair; Councillor Richard Tudge, Vice-Chair), Corporate and Communities (Councillor Seb James, Chair; Councillor Sam Bastow, Vice-Chair), Economy (Councillor Marcus Hart, Chair; Councillor Dave Edmonds, Vice-Chair), Environment (Councillor Josh Robinson, Chair; Councillor Matthew Jones, Vice-Chair), Health (Councillor Karen May, Chair), and Crime and Disorder (Councillor Richard Udall). Members leading scrutiny task groups were also expected to provide updates on their progress.

Work Programme: The board reviewed its rolling annual Work Programme, which was last agreed by Council on 6 November 2025. Members were asked to consider the 2025/26 Work Programme and agree on any necessary amendments. The board's main responsibilities include commissioning work for Scrutiny Panels, establishing Scrutiny Task Groups, advising on the Council's Policy Framework (such as the Corporate Plan and Local Transport Plan), handling 'call-ins', and acting as the statutory Crime and Disorder Committee. A set of criteria was provided to guide the prioritisation of the scrutiny programme, including whether an issue is a priority for the Council, of key interest to local people, practicable to implement, likely to result in improvements for local people, examines a poor-performing service, will improve Council operations, or is related to new Government guidance or legislation.

Cabinet Forward Plan: The board also considered the Council's Cabinet Forward Plan, with the latest version available at the time of the agenda despatch attached as Appendix 2. The purpose of this agenda item was for members to provide feedback on their scrutiny remits, consider the Board's Work Programme for amendments, and review the Cabinet Forward Plan to identify any issues that should be added to the Scrutiny Work Programmes.

The Cabinet Forward Plan indicated several upcoming key decisions, including the future use of Vale Lodge, admission arrangements for community and voluntary controlled schools for 2027/28, proposed changes to the Early Years Single Funding Formula, the response from Government regarding the EFS application and Council Tax increase, the delivery of the Severn Stoke Flood Risk Management Scheme, and the adoption of an Advertising and Sponsorship Policy.