The Cabinet of Wiltshire Council met on Thursday 25 June 2026 to discuss the council's financial outturn for the 2025/26 year, review the capital investment programme, and approve the commencement of a new Local Plan. Key decisions included approving transfers to and from earmarked reserves, noting the year-end revenue and capital financial positions, and authorising the preparation of the Wiltshire Local Plan.

Treasury Management Outturn Report 2025/26

Cabinet was asked to note that the contents of the Treasury Management Outturn Report for 2025/26 were in line with the Treasury Management Strategy for that year. They were also requested to recommend the report to Full Council for consideration. The report provided an opportunity for members to review the council's treasury management performance against the approved strategy.

Year End Revenue Financial Outturn Position 2025/26

Cabinet was asked to approve several financial movements related to the 2025/26 revenue outturn. These included transfers to and from earmarked reserves totalling £9.305m and £44.529m respectively, and the creation of new earmarked reserves amounting to £10.568m. Amendments to fees and charges were also proposed. Cabinet was also asked to approve the transfer of the final General Fund revenue underspend of £0.846m to reserves, specifically for early help in children's and families (£0.600m) and communities (£0.246m).

The report noted the overall General Fund outturn position for the financial year 2025/26, the final year-end position of savings delivery, the net operating surplus on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) of £0.303m and its impact on the HRA reserve, and a total overspend against Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) budgets of £49.703m. This DSG overspend was £13.190m more than budgeted, impacting the cumulative DSG deficit. The reasons for these financial positions were detailed, including pressures in Adult Services and Family and Children Services, offset by underspends in other areas, and the impact of savings delivery.

Year End Capital Investment Programme Financial Outturn Position 2025/26

Cabinet was asked to approve several budget movements and proposals concerning the Capital Investment Programme for 2025/26. These included virements totalling £4.190m, £0.376m, £0.470m, and £0.550m between various capital scheme lines. A proposal was also made to merge the Property Carbon Reduction Capital Scheme line and the Park and Ride Solar Canopy Capital Scheme line to create a single programme for energy-saving and generating projects.

Additional capital budgets of £4.770m, funded by grants, developer contributions, and other sources, were proposed to be added to the programme under delegated powers. Cabinet was also asked to approve the use of £7.726m of High Needs Place Allocation grant to reduce borrowing on the High Needs Capital Scheme line, with a resulting addition of £0.318m to future years. Furthermore, up to £14.701m of grant funding from Homes England's Social and Affordable Homes Programme was proposed to be accepted to offset borrowing against the Council House Build Programme. The acceptance of grant income as set out in Appendices C and D was also requested.

Cabinet was asked to note various virements made under delegated powers, budgets brought forward from future years, budgets reprogrammed into future years, and the removal of £0.291m from budgets for completed or non-progressing schemes. A motion to utilise £0.025m of budget removal in 2026/27 for the purchase of Blood Control Kits was also noted. Finally, Cabinet was asked to note the capital programme's end-of-year spend position of £200.995m, the reduction in the Council House Build programme from 1,000 to 500 homes, and the reallocation of £60.264m of removed budget to the Refurbishment of Council Stock capital scheme. A note was also made that the final Capital Programme spend sets a Minimum Revenue Provision charge to the 2026/27 revenue budget of £24.393m, which is £4.210m less than budgeted.

Wiltshire Towns' Programme - Update and Delivery Plan

Cabinet noted the contents of the report and the delivery of the Wiltshire Towns' Programme to date, as well as the delivery plan for 2026/27. They approved the delegation of budget allocations, including any underspend, to the Director of Planning, Economy & Climate, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Regeneration, and Assets. This decision was made to ensure the most effective use of funds in line with the programme's objectives. The programme has shown positive results, with many towns outperforming regional and national footfall benchmarks, and has supported various initiatives such as the Wiltshire Marque, town centre visions, and vacant unit grants.

Commencement of New Local Plan

Cabinet approved the preparation of the Wiltshire Local Plan in line with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026. They also approved the timetable for its preparation and publication, along with a Notice of Intention to Commence the Wiltshire Local Plan, stating that it will incorporate the minerals and waste plan by 30 June 2026. Cabinet agreed to update the council's Local Development Scheme to clarify that the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers will be addressed through the Wiltshire Local Plan, and that a separate Gypsies and Travellers Development Plan Document will not be prepared. The broad content of the Draft Local Plan Engagement Strategy was also approved.

Furthermore, Cabinet authorised the Director of Planning, Economy and Climate, in consultation with the Director for Legal and Governance and the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, to take all necessary steps for the publication of the Local Plan timetable, its monthly review and update, and the publication of the Notice of Intention to Commence. This delegation also covers preparing for and undertaking the Scoping Consultation, preparing and publishing a consultation report, and finalising and publishing the Local Plan Engagement Strategy. Finally, authority was granted to take all necessary steps to achieve the approval, submission, and publication of documents for Gateway 1 self-assessment, Gateway 2, and Gateway 3. The reasons for these decisions included compliance with new plan-making regulations and ensuring the timely preparation of a comprehensive and up-to-date local plan for Wiltshire.