This week in Worcestershire:

Council Faces Critical Budget Decisions: Will Council Tax Rise to Fund Services?

Worcestershire County Council is on the brink of making crucial decisions that will significantly impact residents' finances and the delivery of vital services. The Council meeting on Thursday, 26 February 2026, will grapple with the proposed budget for 2026/27 and the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for the following three years. At the heart of these discussions is a projected budget gap of £71.9 million for 2026/27, a shortfall so severe that the council is requesting Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) from the government and is considering a Council Tax increase significantly above the 5% referendum limit.

The implications for households are stark. The council's Chief Financial Officer has warned that without government support and flexibility on Council Tax, the council might be forced to issue a Section 114 notice, a formal declaration that it cannot meet its financial obligations. This would have severe consequences for service delivery across the county.

The report highlights relentless demand and cost pressures in Adult Social Care and Children's Services, which are already straining resources. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for high needs is also a major concern, with a cumulative deficit projected to reach £194.1 million by the end of 2026/27. This could directly impact the support available to children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), potentially leading to longer waits for assessments, reduced services, and increased strain on families.

The council's financial strategy relies heavily on the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement, which has provided less funding than anticipated. To bridge the gap, the council is proposing savings of £9.1 million, but these may not be enough to avert the need for EFS, a temporary measure to provide time for radical change. The report also notes that Worcestershire's Council Tax is currently among the lowest for county councils, and while an increase is being considered, it could still place an additional burden on households, particularly those on lower incomes.

• The Crisis: A projected £71.9 million budget gap for 2026/27.
• The Risk: Potential for a Section 114 notice, severely impacting services.
• The Impact: Increased pressure on Adult Social Care, Children's Services, and SEND provision, with potential for higher Council Tax bills.
• The Hope: Requesting Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) and awaiting government confirmation on Council Tax flexibility.

Read the full meeting details of the Council meeting.

Pension Fund Governance and Investments Under Review

The Pension Board is set to convene on Friday, 27 February 2026, to oversee the governance and financial health of the Worcestershire Pension Fund. This meeting is crucial for ensuring the fund's long-term sustainability and the security of pensions for its members.

Key discussions will include the council's business plan and risk register, providing an overview of the fund's strategic direction and potential challenges. The board will also review updates to the Investment Strategy Statement and the Climate Change Risk Strategy, demonstrating a commitment to responsible investment practices that consider environmental factors.

Furthermore, the board will examine the Pension Fund Budget Forecast Outturn and updated indicative budgets, ensuring financial prudence and transparency. An update from LGPS Central Ltd, the organisation pooling assets for local government pension schemes in the Midlands, will also be provided, offering insights into investment performance and strategic initiatives.

• Focus: Governance, risk management, and investment strategy for the Worcestershire Pension Fund.
• Impact: Ensures the long-term security of pensions and responsible financial management.
• Key Areas: Business plan, risk register, investment strategy, climate change risk, and budget forecasts.

Read the full meeting details of the Pension Board.

Other Matters

• The Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board 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, its work programme, and the Cabinet Forward Plan. See the meeting details.

Upcoming meetings in the next 7 days are listed below. These are included to help you inform readers about what is coming up.

• Pension Investment Sub-Committee on Tuesday 03 March 2026.
• Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 04 March 2026.
• Audit and Governance Committee on Thursday 05 March 2026.
• Joint Museums Committee on Thursday 05 March 2026.
• Council on Friday 06 March 2026.
• Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education on Monday 09 March 2026.
• Adult Care and Well-Being Overview and Scrutiny Panel on Monday 09 March 2026.
• Waste Credit Governance Committee on Thursday 12 March 2026.
• Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel on Wednesday 11 March 2026.
• Economy Overview and Scrutiny Panel on Friday 13 March 2026.

This week in Worcestershire:

Council Faces Critical Budget Decisions: Will Council Tax Rise to Fund Services?

Worcestershire County Council is on the brink of making crucial decisions that will significantly impact residents' finances and the delivery of vital services. The Council meeting on Thursday, 26 February 2026, will grapple with the proposed budget for 2026/27 and the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for the following three years. At the heart of these discussions is a projected budget gap of £71.9 million for 2026/27, a shortfall so severe that the council is requesting Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) from the government and is considering a Council Tax increase significantly above the 5% referendum limit.

The implications for households are stark. The council's Chief Financial Officer has warned that without government support and flexibility on Council Tax, the council might be forced to issue a Section 114 notice, a formal declaration that it cannot meet its financial obligations. This would have severe consequences for service delivery across the county.

The report highlights relentless demand and cost pressures in Adult Social Care and Children's Services, which are already straining resources. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for high needs is also a major concern, with a cumulative deficit projected to reach £194.1 million by the end of 2026/27. This could directly impact the support available to children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), potentially leading to longer waits for assessments, reduced services, and increased strain on families.

The council's financial strategy relies heavily on the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement, which has provided less funding than anticipated. To bridge the gap, the council is proposing savings of £9.1 million, but these may not be enough to avert the need for EFS, a temporary measure to provide time for radical change. The report also notes that Worcestershire's Council Tax is currently among the lowest for county councils, and while an increase is being considered, it could still place an additional burden on households, particularly those on lower incomes.

The Cabinet met on Tuesday, 24 February 2026, to discuss these critical budget proposals, and the Council will make the final decision on Thursday, 26 February 2026. The decisions made in these meetings will shape the council's ability to deliver services and support its residents for years to come.

• The Crisis: A projected £71.9 million budget gap for 2026/27.
• The Risk: Potential for a Section 114 notice, severely impacting services.
• The Impact: Increased pressure on Adult Social Care, Children's Services, and SEND provision, with potential for higher Council Tax bills.
• The Hope: Requesting Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) and awaiting government confirmation on Council Tax flexibility.

Read the full meeting details of the Council meeting.

Pension Fund Governance and Investments Under Review

The Pension Board is set to convene on Friday, 27 February 2026, to oversee the governance and financial health of the Worcestershire Pension Fund. This meeting is crucial for ensuring the fund's long-term sustainability and the security of pensions for its members.

Key discussions will include the council's business plan and risk register, providing an overview of the fund's strategic direction and potential challenges. The board will also review updates to the Investment Strategy Statement and the Climate Change Risk Strategy, demonstrating a commitment to responsible investment practices that consider environmental factors.

Furthermore, the board will examine the Pension Fund Budget Forecast Outturn and updated indicative budgets, ensuring financial prudence and transparency. An update from LGPS Central Ltd, the organisation pooling assets for local government pension schemes in the Midlands, will also be provided, offering insights into investment performance and strategic initiatives.

• Focus: Governance, risk management, and investment strategy for the Worcestershire Pension Fund.
• Impact: Ensures the long-term security of pensions and responsible financial management.
• Key Areas: Business plan, risk register, investment strategy, climate change risk, and budget forecasts.

Read the full meeting details of the Pension Board.

Other Matters

• The Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority met on Wednesday, 18 February 2026. No further details are available at this time.
• The Council meeting scheduled for Thursday, 19 February 2026, was cancelled.
• The Constitution meeting scheduled for Friday, 20 February 2026, has no further details available at this time.

Upcoming meetings in the next 7 days are listed below. These are included to help you inform readers about what is coming up.

• Cabinet on Tuesday 24 February 2026.
• Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board on Wednesday 25 February 2026.
• Council on Thursday 26 February 2026.
• Pension Board on Friday 27 February 2026.
• Pension Investment Sub-Committee on Tuesday 03 March 2026.
• Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 04 March 2026.
• Audit and Governance Committee on Thursday 05 March 2026.
• Joint Museums Committee on Thursday 05 March 2026.

This week in Worcestershire:

Health Services Under the Microscope: Public Health Progress and Ambulance Service Challenges

The Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, to conduct a vital review of Worcestershire's public health performance and to hear an update from the West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS). These discussions are crucial for understanding the health and wellbeing of our communities and the effectiveness of the services designed to protect and improve it.

A Year in Public Health: Successes and Areas for Focus

The committee reviewed the annual performance of Worcestershire's Public Health Department, highlighting a broad range of initiatives aimed at improving health and wellbeing across the county. Significant progress has been made in several key areas:

• Family and Child Health: Initiatives like the operation of nine core Family Hubs are providing integrated support for families. The report notes a rise in children from low-income families, underscoring the persistent link between poverty and health outcomes. The School Wellbeing Grant Programme has supported over 200 educational settings.
• Adult Health Improvement: The Healthy Worcestershire programme has engaged over 1,000 residents in physical activity and social connection. Adult smoking rates have fallen to 7.5%, one of the lowest in England.
• Health Protection: Worcestershire has strong MMR uptake, though efforts continue to increase second-dose coverage to prevent measles outbreaks. The Clean Hands, Safe Hands campaign promotes effective hand hygiene.
• Mental Health and Wellbeing: Suicide prevention programmes, such as the Orange Button scheme, are in place, and the report indicates a reduction in suicide rates in Worcestershire.
• Community Development: The Public Health Community Wellbeing Grant Programme has awarded over £1.1 million to local communities, supporting a diverse range of initiatives through an asset-based approach.

Despite these successes, the report also flags areas requiring continued attention, such as increasing MMR second-dose coverage and addressing the impact of poverty on health.

Ambulance Service Under Pressure: Handover Delays Impacting Response Times

The committee also received a critical overview from the West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust (WMAS). While WMAS has strived to maintain Category 2 response times, this has been significantly hampered by increasing hospital handover delays.

• The Problem: Thousands of hours are lost each month due to delays in handing over patients from ambulances to hospital care. This issue is reportedly worse than the previous year.
• The Impact: These delays directly affect the ambulance service's ability to respond to new emergencies, potentially impacting patient safety and increasing waiting times for those in urgent need.
• The Cause: While WMAS has deployed additional resources, the report suggests the issue is not solely ambulance activity but also relates to hospital capacity and efficiency.
• The Commitment: The Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has committed to implementing an NHS England requirement for no patients to wait more than 45 minutes for handover. WMAS is also mandating a call before you convey process to ensure crews discuss patients with a single point of access before conveyance, where appropriate.

The financial implications of addressing these delays are substantial, with a settlement of £23 million for the 2025/26 financial year. The report also references a coroner's report that cited ambulance handover delays as a factor in a death, highlighting the serious consequences of these systemic issues.

Read the full meeting details of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Other Matters

• A meeting of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee scheduled for Monday, 9 February 2026, was cancelled.

Upcoming meetings in the next 7 days are included below to help you inform readers about what is coming up.

• Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority on Wednesday 18 February 2026.
• Council on Thursday 19 February 2026. (This meeting has been cancelled).
• Cabinet on Tuesday 24 February 2026.
• Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board on Wednesday 25 February 2026.
• Council on Thursday 26 February 2026.

This week in Worcestershire:

Police Budget Decisions Loom: Will Council Tax Rise to Fund Services?

The West Mercia Police and Crime Panel convened on Friday, 6 February 2026, to scrutinize the proposed budget and precept for the upcoming financial year. The core of the discussion revolved around the Police and Crime Commissioner's (PCC) plan to increase the police precept, a portion of your council tax, by £15 for an average household. This 5.2% uplift is presented as essential to maintain policing services amidst rising costs and complex demand.

The PCC, along with the Chief Constable, outlined the challenging financial landscape. They highlighted that while the Home Office grant has increased, it hasn't kept pace with inflation and pay awards for officers and staff. This means a greater reliance on local taxpayers to fund policing. The PCC stressed that maximizing the precept flexibility is no longer a choice but a necessity to keep pace with cost pressures.

The implications for residents are significant. While the PCC stated that the proposed precept increase is necessary to avoid cuts to services, the panel expressed concerns about the impact on frontline policing and the overall sustainability of the budget. Councillor Liz Harvey, speaking on behalf of the budget task group, noted that the savings that are needing to be sought now are not going to happen without there being some kind of impact at community level. The panel ultimately recommended supporting the PCC's proposal, but with a strong emphasis on understanding the precise impact on service delivery.

• The Stakes: A proposed £15 increase in the police precept (council tax) for the average household.
• The Justification: Rising costs, increased demand, and insufficient central government funding.
• The Concern: Potential impact on frontline policing and community services.
• The Decision: The panel recommended supporting the PCC's proposal, but with a call for clarity on service impacts.

Read the full meeting details of the West Mercia Police and Crime Panel.

Council Cabinet Grapples with £71 Million Budget Black Hole

Worcestershire County Council's Cabinet met on Thursday, 5 February 2026, facing stark realities about the council's financial health. The meeting was dominated by discussions around the draft budget and Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP), revealing a staggering projected budget gap of £71.9 million for 2026/27. This immense shortfall means the council is seriously considering requesting Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) from the government and is contemplating a Council Tax increase significantly above the 5% referendum limit.

The Chief Financial Officer, Phil Rook, delivered a sobering assessment, stating that the council is very, very close to being the precipitate of a section one on full notice. This refers to a formal declaration that a council cannot meet its financial obligations, a situation that would have severe consequences for service delivery. The report highlights relentless demand and cost pressures in Adult Social Care and Children's Services, which are already straining resources to breaking point. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for high needs is also a major concern, with a cumulative deficit projected to reach £194.1 million by the end of 2026/27. This could directly impact the support available to children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), potentially leading to longer waits for assessments, reduced services, and increased strain on families.

The council's financial strategy relies heavily on the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement, which has been described as providing less funding than anticipated. To bridge the gap, the council is proposing savings of £9.1 million, but these may not be enough to avert the need for EFS, a temporary measure to provide time for radical change. The report also notes that Worcestershire's Council Tax is currently among the lowest for county councils, and while an increase is being considered, it could still place an additional burden on households, particularly those on lower incomes.

• The Crisis: A projected £71.9 million budget gap for 2026/27.
• The Risk: Potential for a Section 114 notice, severely impacting services.
• The Impact: Increased pressure on Adult Social Care, Children's Services, and SEND provision, with potential for higher Council Tax bills.
• The Hope: Requesting Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) and awaiting the final Local Government Finance Settlement.

Read the full meeting details of the Cabinet meeting.

Children's Services Under Scrutiny: Sufficiency of School Places and SEND Support

The Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Panel met on Monday, 2 February 2026, to review critical updates on education sufficiency and school organisation. The panel examined reports detailing the availability of childcare, mainstream school places, and provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). These discussions are vital for ensuring that all children in Worcestershire have access to appropriate education and support.

The reports highlighted that while there is currently sufficient childcare available for children aged 0-14, projected housing growth means demand is likely to increase, potentially reducing parental choice. For mainstream school places, the picture is mixed. Falling birth rates are leading to surplus places in some areas, while significant housing development in others, such as Worcester City and Bromsgrove, is creating a need for additional secondary school places. The council is working with schools to expand capacity, but the scale of development presents ongoing challenges.

The situation for SEND provision remains a significant concern. Demand for specialist provision continues to outweigh supply, with an increasing number of Worcestershire children and young people placed in out-of-county and independent settings. This is not only costly but also means children may be educated far from their families and support networks. The council is committed to increasing its own state-funded specialist provision, including the proposed Enterprise Academy in Malvern, to reduce reliance on expensive independent placements and improve outcomes for SEND pupils.

• The Challenge: Ensuring sufficient school places and specialist SEND provision amidst demographic shifts and housing development.
• The Impact: Potential for reduced parental choice in childcare, the need for new school places in growing areas, and the high cost and potential disruption of out-of-county SEND placements.
• The Plan: Expanding state-funded specialist provision and working with schools to meet demand.

Read the full meeting details of the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

Other Matters

• The Planning and Regulatory Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 3 February 2026, was cancelled.

Upcoming meetings in the next 7 days are listed below. These are included to help you inform readers about what is coming up.

• Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Monday 09 February 2026. (This meeting has been cancelled).
• Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 11 February 2026.
• Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority on Wednesday 18 February 2026.
• Council on Thursday 19 February 2026. (This meeting has been cancelled).