The Economy Overview and Scrutiny Panel of Worcestershire Council met on Friday 13 March 2026 to discuss the Worcestershire Growth Hub, the Worcester Six Business Park, and the council's performance and budget monitoring for 2025/26. The panel also reviewed and refreshed its work programme for the upcoming year.

Worcestershire Growth Hub

The panel was scheduled to receive an update on the Worcestershire Growth Hub (WGH). This initiative, which transferred to Worcestershire County Council in April 2024, aims to support businesses and entrepreneurs by providing tailored advice, online resources, and access to funding. The WGH operates within the national Business Growth Service framework and is informed by the county's economic strategy, the Worcestershire Plan for Growth (2020-2040). The report highlighted that the UKSPF income stream, which had provided significant investment, would cease at the end of March 2026, and discussions were ongoing with district councils for follow-on investment. The WGH had achieved numerous successes over the past three years, including engaging with nearly 1,500 businesses in 2024/25 and supporting over 2,240 residents through the Worcestershire Skills Boost grant. Future plans included revamping the WGH website, extending the Professional Business Advisors programme, and designing a support programme for access to finance.

Worcester Six Business Park

The meeting was also set to include an overview of the Worcester Six Business Park, a 72-hectare commercial development located near junction 6 of the M5 motorway. This development, a partnership between the Spetchley Estate, commercial property developer Stoford, and various local authorities, has been operational for over 10 years, delivering 1.2 million sq. ft of commercial space with a further 800,000 sq. ft available. The park has attracted significant investment, estimated at over £300 million, and is home to a diverse range of businesses including Kohler Mira, Spire Healthcare, and Bidfood. The report noted that while initial job creation projections were optimistic, the park had successfully navigated economic challenges such as Brexit uncertainty and the COVID-19 pandemic. The next steps for the park include securing occupancy for the remaining plots and exploring feasibility for a potential Phase 3 development.

Performance and 2025/26 In-Year Budget Monitoring

The panel was scheduled to be updated on the performance and financial information for services within its remit for Quarter 3 (October to December 2025). This included a review of the Directorate level scorecard and a summary provided via a Power BI report. The financial information presented was for Period 9 (Quarter 3) and included a summary of reserves. The report indicated a forecast breakeven position for the council overall after the use of reserves and exceptional financial support, though with predicted overspends in Adult and Children's Social Care. Savings delivery for 2025/26 was largely on track, with 95% of approved savings rated as green. The forecast reserves showed a decrease from the start of the financial year, with only £18 million deemed unearmarked and usable. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for High Needs was facing national pressures, with Worcestershire forecasting a significant overspend and a deficit projected by March 2026. The capital programme for 2025/26 was valued at £150.2 million, with a significant portion funded by external sources. Specific to the Economy and Infrastructure (E&I) directorate, a net forecast underspend of £1.2 million was projected, influenced by factors such as waste management rates and LED rollout for road lighting. Home to School Transport also showed a net forecast underspend of £6.1 million, attributed to a review of expected new children, contracts, and routes.

Refresh of the Scrutiny Work Programme 2026/27

The panel was asked to consider suggestions for its 2026/27 Work Programme. This process involved reviewing potential topics based on feasibility criteria, such as whether an issue is a council priority, of key interest to local people, and likely to lead to practical improvements. The remit of the Economy Overview and Scrutiny Panel covers Economy, Workforce Skills, Strategic Infrastructure, and Broadband and Communications. The panel was to provide feedback on its priorities, which would then be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board and subsequently to the full Council for approval. The report also listed the dates for future panel meetings in 2026.