This week in Shropshire:

CQC Report Praises Adult Social Care, But Flags Delays and Accessibility Issues

The People Overview and Scrutiny Committee were scheduled to meet to discuss the Care Quality Commission (CQC) update report, the Local Youth Transformation Pilot, and a quarterly performance monitoring report. You can find the agenda for the meeting here. The CQC report rated Shropshire Council's adult social care services as 'Good' overall, but highlighted areas needing improvement, particularly around timeliness, accessibility, and support for carers.

• The Stakes: The CQC report provides a crucial assessment of the quality of care services provided to vulnerable adults in Shropshire. Addressing the identified weaknesses is essential to ensure that residents receive timely and effective support.
• Key Strengths: The report praised positive user experiences, effective use of assistive technology, strong reablement outcomes, and innovative rural service models like Technology Enabled Care (TEC) and the 'Two Carers in a Car' scheme (2CiC).
• Areas for Improvement: The report identified delays in assessments and reviews (especially for sensory needs and occupational therapy), inconsistent online information accessibility, mixed feedback on carer support, and inconsistencies in service transitions for young people.
• Equity Concerns: The report also noted gaps in data and accessibility for protected groups, lower than average uptake of direct payments, significant delays in lower-risk Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) assessments, and a need for improved impact visibility and strategic embedding of co-production.
• Action Plan: Shropshire Council has developed a Towards Outstanding Action Plan (TOAP) to address the identified areas for improvement.

The report recommended that the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee formally acknowledge the outcome of the CQC Assurance Assessment, commit to continuous improvement as set out in the Towards Outstanding Action Plan, note the specific risks and challenges identified in the report, and support the ongoing development and implementation of robust governance arrangements for monitoring progress against the TOAP.

Health Committee Explores Health in All Policies Approach

The Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss embedding health considerations across all of Shropshire Council's activities. You can find the agenda for the meeting here. This Health in All Policies approach aims to ensure that health and wellbeing are considered in all council decisions, from planning and transport to education and economic development.

• The Stakes: By integrating health considerations into all aspects of council policy, Shropshire aims to improve the overall health and wellbeing of its residents, reduce health inequalities, and create a healthier and more sustainable community.
• Key Areas: The committee was scheduled to explore how health considerations and prevention could be embedded across Shropshire Council.
• Work Programme: The committee also discussed their work programme, which includes items such as Neighbourhoods, Community and Family Hubs, Digital Health and Wellbeing, and Local Implications of the NHS 10 Year Plan¹.

Other Matters

• The People Overview and Scrutiny Committee were scheduled to review the Local Youth Transformation Pilot Development Plan. You can find the agenda for the meeting here.
• The People Overview and Scrutiny Committee were scheduled to scrutinise performance at Quarter 4 and identify areas that may require further investigation. You can find the agenda for the meeting here.

Upcoming Meetings

• Standards Sub-Committee on Wednesday 05 November 2025
  • Link to meeting

This week in Shropshire:

Shropshire Council's Financial Crisis: Illegal Financial Position Looms

Shropshire Council is facing a severe financial crisis, with the Cabinet acknowledging a potential illegal financial position by the end of the financial year at their meeting on October 15th. You can find the full details of the meeting here. This alarming situation could lead to drastic measures, impacting essential services and vulnerable residents.

• The Stakes: The council's financial instability threatens the delivery of vital services and the well-being of Shropshire residents.
• Emergency Action: The council is continuing emergency action to reduce spending and increase income between October and March.
• Illegal Position: The projected General Fund Balance is now negative (£1.251m), indicating a potentially illegal financial position by the end of the financial year.
• Exceptional Financial Support: Active discussions regarding Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) have commenced with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
• Possible Scenarios: The council forecasts potential budget variations ranging from a £32.431m overspend in a favourable scenario to a staggering £94.837m overspend in an adverse scenario.

The Financial Monitoring Period 5 report paints a bleak picture:

Immediate emergency measures need to continue and progress further to ensure the financial survival of the Council in the current year.

The cabinet agreed to discuss emerging pressures for the coming year and work with officers to identify decisions necessary to achieve a legal budget for 2026/27 and a balanced financial position across the medium term.

Oswestry Skatepark Project Moves Forward Amidst Financial Uncertainty

Despite the council's financial woes, the Cabinet agreed to work with Oswestry Town Council to deliver a new skatepark and BMX pump track in Oswestry. You can find the full details of the meeting here.

• The Stakes: This project could provide valuable recreational opportunities for young people in Oswestry, but its future depends on the Town Council’s support and funding.
• Location Appraisal: The Head of Property and Development was instructed to complete an options appraisal of available sites within the Council's ownership, considering the most appropriate and beneficial location.
• Rapid Progress: The Head of Property and Development was instructed that the work is to be undertaken rapidly with a report on the options appraisal brought back to the Cabinet meeting on 19 November 2025.

Complaint Handling Code Adopted: Will It Improve Council Responsiveness?

The Cabinet supported the application of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s (LGSCO) Complaint Handling Code from 1 April 2026. You can find the full details of the meeting here.

• The Stakes: This code aims to improve the way the council handles complaints, but resource challenges may lead to practical challenges and delays.
• Compliance Focus: The council will focus on compliance with the code, which sets out a process for organisations to apply with regard to non-statutory complaints.
• Oversight and Scrutiny: The code requires oversight and scrutiny of the complaints handling processes and annual reporting to elected members, including the Ombudsman’s annual letter and performance data.

Other Matters

• The Cabinet agreed the CPC action plan and the plan’s integration into the overarching improvement plan as the first section of the Council’s Strategic Plan. You can find the full details of the meeting here.
• The Cabinet approved the Highways Future Operating Model Report and the EXEMPT Report of the Highways Contract Review Task and Finish Group. Details of these reports are exempt from publication. You can find the full details of the meeting here.

Upcoming Meetings

• People Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 22 October 2025
  • Link to meeting
• Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Monday 20 October 2025
  • Link to meeting

This week in Shropshire:

Council's Financial Crisis Deepens: Emergency Measures and Potential Service Cuts Loom

Shropshire Council's financial woes have escalated, with the Cabinet scheduled to meet on October 15th to grapple with a worsening financial emergency. You can find the agenda for the meeting here. The council faces a projected £35.531 million overspend, potentially leading to an illegal financial position by year-end. This dire situation could trigger significant cuts in essential services, disproportionately impacting vulnerable residents.

• The Stakes: The council's financial instability threatens the delivery of vital services and the well-being of Shropshire residents.
• Emergency Actions: The council has already implemented emergency measures to control spending, but further action is needed to avoid a financial collapse.
• Exceptional Financial Support: The council has begun discussions with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) regarding Exceptional Financial Support (EFS).
• Possible Scenarios: The council forecasts potential budget variations ranging from a £32.431 million overspend in a favourable scenario to a staggering £94.837 million overspend in an adverse scenario.
• Service Impact: The largest projected overspends are in Care & Wellbeing and Children & Young People, raising concerns about potential cuts to social care and education services.

The Financial Monitoring Period 5 report paints a bleak picture:

This report highlights a worsened forecast outturn position, when compared to Period 4 of £35.531m, indicating what could become an illegal financial position by year-end if not rectified. Immediate emergency measures need to continue and progress further to ensure the financial survival of the Council in the current year.

Licensing Fees Under Review: Will Your Costs Rise?

The Strategic Licensing Committee met on October 8th to discuss potential changes to licensing fees for 2026-2027, impacting a wide range of activities from taxi services to animal-related businesses. You can read the full details of the meeting here. These revisions could affect businesses and individuals across Shropshire, with potential increases in costs for essential services and regulated activities.

• The Stakes: Changes to licensing fees could impact businesses and individuals across Shropshire, with potential increases in costs for essential services and regulated activities.
• Fees Under Review: The committee discussed fees for hackney carriage and private hire vehicles, public health services (like acupuncture and tattooing), animal-related services, scrap metal, sex establishments, street trading, explosives and fireworks, and more.
• Cost Recovery: The council aims to recover regulatory and enforcement costs from those who are licensed, but fee increases could place a burden on businesses and individuals.
• Animal Welfare: The committee discussed the implementation of the Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024, requiring anyone who keeps a primate to be licensed from April 6, 2026.
• Relevant Protected Sites: The committee was scheduled to agree the Relevant Protected Site fees policy, which relates to residential caravan sites.

Health Committee Examines Winter Preparedness Amidst Ongoing Concerns

The Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on October 6th to discuss winter preparedness and the Hospital Transformation Project, among other topics. You can find the agenda for the meeting here. The meeting took place against a backdrop of ongoing concerns about the performance of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SATH) and the provision of out-of-hours GP services.

• The Stakes: Effective winter preparedness is crucial for protecting the health and well-being of Shropshire residents, particularly vulnerable groups.
• Winter Plan: The committee was scheduled to review the Winter Plan for Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, but the report pack did not contain any further information about this topic.
• Hospital Transformation Project: The committee was also scheduled to receive an update on the Hospital Transformation Project, but the report pack did not contain any further information about this topic.
• SATH Concerns: The co-chairs previously sent a letter to the Secretary of State expressing concerns about the performance of SATH, inadequate care, poor outcomes, and distressing patient experiences.
• Out-of-Hours GP Contract: Concerns were raised about the Integrated Care Board's (ICB's) notice of intent to award the out-of-hours GP contract to a company called Medvivo, with concerns that the provider appeared to have misrepresented itself and would not understand the geography of Shropshire and rural issues.

Other Matters

• The Cabinet is scheduled to consider the Draft Financial Strategy 2026/27 - 2030/31 on October 15th. You can find the agenda for the meeting here.
• The Cabinet will consider a report on the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman's Complaint Handling Code on October 15th. You can find the agenda for the meeting here.
• The Cabinet is scheduled to discuss the provision of a Skateboard & BMX Pump Track in Oswestry on October 15th. You can find the agenda for the meeting here.

Upcoming Meetings

• Cabinet on Wednesday 15 October 2025
  • Link to meeting
• Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Monday 20 October 2025
  • Link to meeting
• Southern Planning Committee on Tuesday 21 October 2025
  • Link to meeting
• People Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 22 October 2025
  • Link to meeting

This week in Shropshire:

Pensions Board Discusses Performance in Private

The Shropshire Council Pensions Board met this week to discuss administration, regulatory updates, and reports from the Pensions Committee. You can find the agenda for the meeting here. However, the public was excluded from key discussions, including an economic update and reports from the Pensions Committee, citing confidentiality.

• The Stakes: The decisions made by the Pensions Board directly impact the financial security of Shropshire's pensioners. Limited transparency raises concerns about accountability and public trust.
• Exclusion of Public: Citing the Local Government Act 1972, the board excluded the press and public from discussions on exempt minutes, the economic update, Pensions Committee exempt reports, and a governance update.
• Administration and Regulatory Updates: The board was scheduled to review the Pensions Administration Strategy, Business Plan, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Pensions Committee Reports: The board was also scheduled to discuss reports and feedback from Pensions Committee meetings held on 20 June 2025 and 19 September 2025.

Administration and Regulatory Updates

The Pensions Board was scheduled to discuss administration and regulatory updates, including a review of the Pensions Administration Strategy, the Business Plan, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

• Business Plan Update: Appendix B contains a summary of progress against the plan's objectives.
• Monthly Progress Report: Appendix C provides a monthly progress report for June to August 2025.
• Key Performance Indicators: Appendix A contains information on key performance indicators for the first quarter of 2025.

Pensions Committee Reports and Feedback

The Pensions Board was scheduled to discuss reports and feedback from the recent Pensions Committee meetings held on 20 June 2025 and 19 September 2025. Agendas for these meetings are available on the Shropshire Council website.

Economic Update

The board was scheduled to receive an economic update. This discussion was scheduled to be held in private, with the press and public excluded.

Upcoming Meetings

• Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Monday 06 October 2025
  • Link to meeting
• Strategic Licensing Committee on Wednesday 08 October 2025
  • Link to meeting
• Northern Planning Committee on Tuesday 14 October 2025
  • Link to meeting
• Cabinet on Wednesday 15 October 2025
  • Link to meeting