This week in Warwickshire:

• Councillor Peter Butlin approved the extension of the Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) for another year, adding £1.25 million to the Capital Programme.

Portfolio Holder Decisions/Leader Decisions - Thursday 24 April 2025

Councillor Peter Butlin, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property, approved the extension of the Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) in Warwickshire for another 12 months. This decision allows the council to accept a grant from the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) via the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to continue the programme, which provides energy audits and grants to local businesses. The extension includes adding £1.25 million to the Capital Programme to fund the BEAS grant scheme.

The Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) has been running in Warwickshire since October 2023. It was established to help businesses respond to climate change, and was initially funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), DESNZ via WMCA, and Warwickshire County Council.

The service offers businesses free energy audits and grants to implement energy efficiency measures and adopt low-carbon technologies.

According to the report:

The BEAS has now supported 185 businesses in Warwickshire to develop bespoke decarbonisation plans after a free energy audit of their premises and operations. Thirty-five of these businesses were also successful in securing grants, worth £0.75 million in total, to support with the implementation of recommendations in their audits.

The extension of the BEAS pilot is funded by a grant from DESNZ via WMCA, consisting of approximately £0.27 million of revenue funding and £1.25 million of capital funding. The revenue funding will enable Coventry City Council, the procured supplier, to conduct energy audits for an additional 125 businesses in Warwickshire during 2025/26. The capital grant will extend the BEAS grant scheme for another year, supporting an estimated 57 businesses with the implementation of audit recommendations.

There have been some changes to the eligibility requirements for the scheme. Businesses must now use at least 25,000 kWh of energy annually to qualify for support, which means that some smaller businesses that were previously eligible will no longer be able to participate. However, the range of eligible activities has been expanded to include the installation of solar panels in certain circumstances.

Alternatives to extending the BEAS pilot were considered but rejected. The available UKSPF funding is insufficient to operate an energy advice service without the additional DESNZ funding, and it was deemed unclear whether another organisation would take on the responsibility for delivering the DESNZ funding in Warwickshire.

The report states that:

Failure for the Council to do so could mean a scenario where Warwickshire businesses are unable to benefit from the further 12 months of DESNZ funding. Alternatively (if WMCA was able to identify an alternative delivery partner), it would create unnecessary confusion in the market.

The extension of the BEAS pilot in Warwickshire is expected to support the delivery of key priorities in the new Economic Growth Strategy for Warwickshire and the Sustainable Futures Strategy.¹

This week in Warwickshire:

• The Cabinet meeting saw discussions about the 2025-26 service estimates, additions to the education capital programme, and amendments to contract standing orders.
• A Portfolio Holder Decisions/Leader Decisions meeting was scheduled, but no transcript or summary is available.

Cabinet - Thursday 10 April 2025

The Warwickshire County Council Cabinet met to discuss the 2025-26 service estimates, additions to the education capital programme, and amendments to contract standing orders. The cabinet approved the detailed revenue budget, savings plan, and capital programme for each of the authority’s services. They also agreed to write to local MPs regarding concerns about school funding and the A5 funding cut.

Service Estimates 2025-26

Councillor Peter Butlin, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property, presented the service estimates for 2025-26, a continuation of the budget set on 6 February 2025. The report detailed how each service plans to use allocated resources to meet the ambitions of the Council Plan.

Key points from the presentation:

• Financial Pressures: Significant financial pressures continue in children's services, adult social care, home school transport, and Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) high needs (SEND) provision.
• DSG Statutory Override: The DSG statutory override[^1] is scheduled to end at the end of the financial year, requiring a national resolution of DSG deficits. Councillor Butlin noted that David Davis had recently brought this up in the House of Commons, and there was a positive response from the Minister. [^1]: A statutory override is a temporary measure that allows local authorities to manage deficits in their Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) accounts. It provides flexibility in how these deficits are handled, but it is not a long-term solution.
• Financial Impact of DSG Deficit: The current statutory deficit is £48.24 million and is estimated to reach £151 million by 2026. Councillor Butlin warned that this could potentially push more than half of councils into section 114 territory[^2]. He called for new legislation to provide better guidelines on delivering SEND services. [^2]: Section 114 notices are issued by local authorities when they believe they will be unable to balance their budget.
• Business Rates: Better income from business rates allowed the council to remove savings that were planned for reducing library hours. The remaining money will go into a reserve pot.
• Capital Spend: The planned capital spend for the year is £272 million, primarily for roads, schools and other minor capital projects. This is funded through section 106 payments[^3], section 278 agreements[^4] and highways structures, as well as money for schools. [^3]: Section 106 payments are contributions made by developers to local authorities to mitigate the impact of their developments on the community. [^4]: Section 278 agreements are agreements between developers and local authorities to carry out highway works related to a development.
• Commissioned Services: 64% of the council's planned expenditure is commissioned by third parties, 3% higher than last year, while employee costs are 25%, 3% lower than last year.
• A5 Funding: Funding for the A5 upgrades has been pulled, which will affect employment land and economic growth in the area.
• Education Funding: The council will receive no DSG funding for the next two years, resulting in a £20 million shortfall for delivering new school places.
• PIP and Disability Benefits: Cuts to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and disability benefits will affect the council's ability to deliver adult social services.

Councillor John Holland, Deputy Leader of the Labour Group, raised concerns about the future of the Barrick Street offices, asking if the council would implement a previously agreed plan to demolish and rebuild the building, rather than continuing to spend money keeping it empty. Councillor Butlin responded that there was no current plan for the building due to the expense of various options and potential local government reform.

Councillor Jerry Roodhouse, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, and Councillor Marian Humphreys both emphasised the importance of the A5 for economic development and housing, particularly in North Warwickshire. Councillor Martin Watson, Portfolio Holder for Economy, added that the A5 decision puts the five-year housing plan at risk for North Warwickshire.

The cabinet agreed to the recommendations and also agreed to write to local MPs about the school funding and A5 funding issues.

Additions to the Education Capital Programme 2024/25

Councillor Kam Kaur, Portfolio Holder for Education, presented a report on additions to the education capital programme, totalling £2.322 million. The report proposed allocating resources to deliver specialist resourced provision and capital works at six schools across Warwickshire.

The schemes include:

• Specialist resource provision at Glendale Infant School, Nuneaton (£0.050 million)
• Specialist resource provision at Nursery Hill Primary School, Nuneaton (£0.096 million)
• Capital works at Nicholas Chamberlaine School, Bedworth (£0.127 million)
• Additional teaching capacity at Bilton Church of England Junior School (£1.105 million)
• Additional teaching capacity at Temple Herdewyke Primary School, Temple Herdewyke (£0.253 million)
• Additional funding for the expansion project at Warton Nethersole Church of England Primary School, Warton (£0.691 million)

Councillor Kaur also raised concerns about the government's cut of £20 million in basic needs funding, which will make it difficult to provide sufficient school places. She stated:

Over the last 10 years, we have, as a local, as a authority, created 10,000 additional school places for young people. We've demonstrated that the need is there, and I, for one, cannot understand why, when we know that we continue, continually are developing, we continually are, um, have board classes in certain areas of the county, why the DfE have pulled this funding.

Councillor Sarah Boad, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, echoed these concerns, noting the contradiction between the government's push for more housing and the reduction in school funding. Councillor Humphreys emphasised the need to provide education in the areas where children live, given the challenges with transport in rural areas.

The cabinet approved the recommendations set out in the report.

Amendments to the Contract Standing Orders

Councillor Yousef Dahmash, Portfolio Holder for Customer and Transformation, introduced a report outlining amendments to the council’s Contract Standing Orders following the introduction of the Procurement Act 2023 and the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023.

The Procurement Act 2023, which came into force on 25 February 2025, reforms the rules for public procurement and consolidates existing rules into one regime. The Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 apply to the procurement of certain healthcare and public health services.

The main changes to the standing orders are in section 4.1 of the report, with further amendments in section 4.2, including processes for when the council is acting as a supplier. The changes were considered and endorsed by the Audit and Standards Committee on 20 March 2025.

The cabinet approved the recommendations, sending the amendments to full council for approval.

This past week, Warwickshire County Council held several notable meetings, including the Resources and Fire & Rescue Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 26 June 2024, the Warwickshire Police and Crime Panel on Monday 24 June 2024, and a Portfolio Holder Decisions/Leader Decisions meeting on Monday 24 June 2024.

Resources and Fire & Rescue Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service: Resourcing to Risk

The committee discussed the Resourcing to Risk proposal, Model A for Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service (WFRS). This proposal aims to modernize the service by ensuring the availability of 14 fire engines during the day and 13 at night, along with four 'Resilience Appliances' that can respond within two hours. The proposal also includes the creation of 30 new full-time firefighter positions and requires a revenue investment of £556,000 per year for three years, plus a capital investment of £600,000.

It's not a cut. There's going to be an extra commitment of 2.268 million, £600,000 of latest capital over the next three years. - Portfolio Holder for Fire & Rescue

The committee decided to refer the proposal to Cabinet with a request for further public consultation before making a decision.

Year End Integrated Performance Report 2023/24

The committee reviewed the Year End Integrated Performance Report 2023/24, which highlighted the need for a briefing note on employee sickness due to increased sickness levels.

Treasury Management and Investment Outturn 2023/24

The committee endorsed the Treasury Management and Investment Outturn 2023/24, noting that the Council's Weighted Average Yield was 4.45%, slightly lower than the benchmark of 4.96%.

Warwickshire Police and Crime Panel

Reappointment of the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner

The panel met to consider the reappointment of Emma Daniell as the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner (DPCC). After a question-and-answer session, the panel decided to proceed to a private session to finalize their decision.

Prevention is key... police officers alone cannot prevent crimes from occurring; it absolutely needs to be an integrated approach. - Emma Daniell, DPCC

Ms Daniell emphasized the importance of partnership working, community engagement, and addressing crime prevention through collaborative efforts.

Portfolio Holder Decisions/Leader Decisions

Winter Weather Stations and Bureau Contract

The council signed a £1.1 million contract to replace its six weather stations, which are crucial for deciding when to grit roads in winter. The new stations, supplied and maintained by Vaisala, will enable the council to potentially move to a domain-based approach, which could save at least 5% of the salt used each year, equating to £32,000 annually.

The winter service would like to review how the service operates and move to a multi domain-based approach as it is felt there would be environmental and revenue savings with reduced vehicle movements and salt usage compared to our current 'one out all out' approach to treatments.

Implications and Future Considerations

The discussions and decisions made during these meetings highlight ongoing themes of governance, community engagement, and service improvement. The Resourcing to Risk proposal for WFRS reflects the council's commitment to modernizing emergency services and ensuring community safety. The reappointment of the DPCC underscores the importance of leadership continuity in addressing crime prevention and community concerns.

The new weather stations contract indicates a proactive approach to improving winter road safety and operational efficiency. As these initiatives progress, they will likely bring significant benefits to the community, enhancing safety, service delivery, and environmental sustainability.

These meetings and their outcomes are crucial for maintaining public trust and ensuring the council's operations are efficient, transparent, and responsive to community needs.

This week, the Warwickshire council held several meetings, including the Warwickshire Police and Crime Panel on Thursday 20 June 2024, the Children & Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday 18 June 2024, the Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Local Pension Board of the Firefighters' Pension Scheme on Monday 17 June 2024, and the Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 19 June 2024. Unfortunately, we have not been able to find video broadcasts for the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 19 June 2024 and the Schools Forum on Thursday 20 June 2024.

Warwickshire Police and Crime Panel

Re-election of Chair and Vice Chair

The meeting saw the re-election of Andy Davis as Chair and Councillor Derek Poole as Vice Chair for the next year. This continuity in leadership is expected to provide stability and ongoing focus on key issues.

Public Speaker on Warwickshire Hunt

Dr. Denise Taylor addressed the panel, raising concerns about the enforcement of hunting legislation and the lack of convictions against the Warwickshire Hunt despite evidence of illegal activities. The Police and Crime Commissioner refuted claims of bias and emphasized the complexity of the law and the high bar for evidence required for prosecution. He announced an independent review of the policing of the Warwickshire Hunt to ensure transparency and public confidence.

Police and Crime Plan

The Commissioner discussed the upcoming comprehensive consultation for the new Police and Crime Plan, which will include wide-ranging input from communities, businesses, and various stakeholders. The draft plan is expected to be presented to the panel in November.

Children & Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Public Speakers on Complaints Process and SEND

The committee heard from Mr. Dooley, who criticized the council's handling of his complaints regarding safeguarding and early help services. Elaine Lam from Warwickshire Parent Care Voice also spoke, emphasizing the need for improved relationships between councillors and the SEND community.

Voice Influence and Change Team

The committee received an update on the work of the Voice Influence and Change team, which has expanded its focus to include SEND, youth justice, and parental participation. Young people from various forums, including the Children in Care Council and the Youth Council, presented their experiences and priorities, highlighting the importance of feeling safe, being heard, and having consistent support.

Pathfinder Program

The committee discussed Warwickshire's selection as a sector-led improvement partner by the Department of Education and its involvement in the Families First for Children Pathfinder program. This initiative aims to implement reforms in social care for children, with a focus on early intervention and support.

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Local Pension Board of the Firefighters' Pension Scheme

Risk Register and Governance Updates

The board reviewed updates to the risk register, including the Matthews project, which allows retained officers to buy into their service pension. Governance updates included a revised valuation of employer contribution rates and the delegation of scheme manager functions to the Section 151 officer.

Pension Administration

The board discussed the progress of the McCloud age discrimination remedy and the Matthews project, with efforts to trace individuals who have not responded to communications. The West Yorkshire Pension Fund provided an update on administration activities, including the completion of annual scheme returns and ongoing court cases.

Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Economic Development Update

Isabel Bates provided an update on economic development activities, highlighting a decrease in unemployment to 2.4% and significant business support initiatives. The committee discussed the success of the Warwickshire Investment Fund and the transition from EU funding to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

20 mph Speed Limit Zones

The committee reviewed the implementation of 20 mph speed limit zones, with six schemes completed and several others in design or consultation stages. The importance of post-implementation studies to assess the impact on speed and safety was emphasized.

Implications and Future Considerations

The discussions during these meetings reflect ongoing themes of governance, community engagement, and service improvement. The re-election of the Police and Crime Panel's leadership and the independent review of the Warwickshire Hunt policing highlight the council's commitment to transparency and accountability. The focus on early intervention and support in children's services aligns with previous efforts to enhance social care and educational outcomes.

The economic development update underscores the council's proactive approach to supporting local businesses and reducing unemployment, while the review of 20 mph speed limit zones indicates a continued emphasis on road safety and community well-being.

These meetings and their outcomes are crucial for maintaining public trust and ensuring the council's operations are efficient, transparent, and responsive to community needs.