The Cabinet of Worcestershire Council met on Thursday 2 July 2026 to discuss a range of important issues, including the council's provisional financial results for 2025/26, a request to withdraw a proposal for a new secondary school in Worcester, the Worcestershire Energy Strategy, and the Worcestershire Library Strategy. Key decisions made included noting the financial performance for the year ended 31 March 2026, approving transfers to and from earmarked reserves, and recommending to Full Council the approval of the revised Capital Programme. The Cabinet also authorised the Strategic Director of Children's Services to request the withdrawal of the new Worcester City secondary school presumption proposal from the Department for Education and agreed to recommend a reduction in the capital programme budget for this project. Furthermore, the Cabinet approved the Worcestershire Energy Strategy – 2026 refresh and Worcestershire's Library Strategy 2026-2028.

Resources Report - Provisional Financial Results 2025/26

The Cabinet considered the provisional revenue outturn for 2025/26, noting that it was close to the original budget assumptions. Significant financial pressures were reported in Adult Social Care (£17.6 million overspend) and Children's Services (£9.9 million overspend), with the cost and complexity of placements for looked-after children being a significant driver of expenditure. Home to School Transport achieved an underspend of approximately £7 million. The reliance on Earmarked Financial Support (EFS) and borrowing remained a significant concern for the authority's future financial sustainability. The Leader of the Council highlighted the need to deliver sustainable savings and improve productivity. Cabinet Members responsible for Adult Social Care and Children's Services noted that these financial pressures reflected national challenges, and lobbying of the Government for reform and adequate funding would continue. Support was expressed for increasing therapeutic foster care capacity as a means of reducing placement costs and improving outcomes for children. The Cabinet noted the financial performance for the year ended 31 March 2026 and approved transfers to and from earmarked reserves and general balances. They also noted the delivery of savings in 2025/26 and considered the draft Annual Governance Statement for 2025/26. Finally, the Cabinet noted the capital outturn for 2025/26 and recommended to Full Council the approval of the revised Capital Programme.

Request to the Department for Education to withdraw the Free School Presumption proposal for a new Worcester City Secondary School

The Cabinet considered a report seeking approval to request the Department for Education to withdraw the free school presumption proposal for a new Worcester City secondary school. The Cabinet Member for Education, SEND and Skills explained that previous work had addressed secondary school place sufficiency in Worcester City. As of 2 July 2026, only six Worcester City children had not been offered a place at one of their preferred secondary schools, with nine children living outside Worcester City being offered places closer to their home addresses. Local schools, including Tudor Grange Academy Trust, Bishop Perowne CE College, and Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, had agreed to support additional capacity. The proposed approach would be funded through existing resources, avoiding the need for borrowing associated with a new school construction, and would save future borrowing costs. Concerns were raised regarding the impact of planned housing growth and the adequacy of developer contributions. The Cabinet resolved to note that sufficient secondary school places for Worcester City secondary pupils between 2029 and 2033 would be provided through the expansion of existing schools. They also authorised the Strategic Director of Children's Services to request the Department for Education to withdraw the new Worcester City secondary school presumption proposal and agreed to recommend to Council the reduction of the capital programme budget for Worcester City Secondary sufficiency by £33.634 million of borrowing.

Worcestershire Energy Strategy

The Cabinet considered the Worcestershire Energy Strategy – 2026 refresh, presented by the Cabinet Member for Environment and Communities. The strategy aims to address climate change, support net zero ambitions, tackle fuel poverty, and improve energy security. It was noted that Worcestershire has a higher rate of fuel poverty than the national average, and local energy generation and improved energy efficiency could help protect residents from price volatility and reduce household costs. The strategy also aims to support access to external funding. The Council has achieved a 44% reduction in carbon emissions since 2005 and increased renewable energy generation, but further work is required. Members discussed the economic benefits of energy efficiency and low-carbon technologies, and concerns were raised regarding electricity network capacity and the need for investment in grid infrastructure. The Cabinet approved the Worcestershire Energy Strategy – 2026 refresh and agreed that a progress report be returned to Full Council as part of the annual CMR report.

Worcestershire Library Strategy

The Cabinet considered the Worcestershire Library Strategy, presented by the Cabinet Member for Environment and Communities. The strategy emphasises the importance of libraries as community assets supporting learning, information access, social connection, and wellbeing. Libraries are to be developed as wider community hubs, increasing access to services, improving awareness of the library offer, and generating income for long-term sustainability. The Cabinet Member confirmed there were no proposals to close libraries. Members discussed the role of libraries in supporting prevention and early intervention, particularly in relation to health and wellbeing, and noted the potential for libraries to provide access to information, advice, and support services. Examples of expanded community roles, such as banking hubs, were discussed. The Cabinet resolved to note the context for Worcestershire's Library Strategy 2026-2028, approve the strategy itself, and authorise the relevant Strategic Director to take all appropriate action to implement it.