The Cabinet of Bath and North East Somerset Council met on Thursday 2 July 2026. The Cabinet noted the Revenue and Capital Outturn Report for 2025-26, which reported an adverse revenue variance of £2.631 million. The Cabinet also endorsed the SEND Reform Plan, which had been submitted to the Department for Education.

Movement Strategy for Bath

The Cabinet considered the Movement Strategy for Bath, a plan aiming to reduce car dependency by enhancing public transport, walking, wheeling, and cycling infrastructure. This strategy sets a ten-year vision for the city's transport network, aiming to create better public spaces, improve travel choices, and reduce overall traffic volume, supporting the Council's net zero ambitions. The strategy acknowledges the need for a balanced approach, considering the essential role of car travel while promoting sustainable alternatives. The Cabinet moved to adopt the strategy.

Revenue and Capital Outturn Report 2025-26

The Cabinet noted an adverse revenue variance of £2.631 million for the 2025-26 financial year. This figure includes a one-off pressure of £0.840 million related to irrecoverable invoices from the previous financial year. The remaining variance is attributed to various service pressures, particularly within Children's Services. The report also noted the outturn position of the Capital Programme. The Cabinet noted that the adverse variance is proposed to be funded by drawdowns from the Commercial Income Risk Reserve (£1.176 million) and the Revenue Budget Contingency Reserve (£1.455 million).

SEND Reform Plan

The Cabinet considered the Bath & North East Somerset Local Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Reform Plan, which was submitted to the Department for Education (DfE) on time in June 2026. The plan, developed through extensive partnership working, aims to strengthen inclusion in mainstream education, improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND, and secure better value for money. Feedback from the DfE is expected in September 2026. The Cabinet moved to approve retrospectively the plan and endorse its implementation.

Treasury Management Outturn Report 2025/26

The Cabinet noted the Treasury Management Outturn Report for 2025/26, which confirmed that all prudential indicators were within target levels. The Council's average credit rating on its investments ended the year at AA+, well above the minimum threshold. Liquidity never dropped below £18.4 million against a minimum threshold of £15 million. Borrowing was almost exactly in line with the liability benchmark. Operational investments earned an average of 4.03% over the year, beating the benchmark by 0.07%. The report highlighted the effective management of treasury operations despite significant economic volatility, resulting in an overall outturn of £2.087 million under budget for interest and capital financing costs. The Cabinet moved to approve the recommendations.

Bath Riverside - Council Housing Delivery

The Cabinet considered the progression of the Bath Western Riverside residential quarter, seeking delegation for entering funding agreements with Homes England to secure delivery of 303 affordable homes. This development aims for 30% affordable housing across the site. Berkeley Homes will build these homes, with the Council purchasing 303 units for affordable rent and shared ownership, managed by B&NES Homes. This is expected to deliver a financial benefit to B&NES in the region of £19.5 million. The Cabinet moved to approve the recommendations.

Clean Air Zone State 4 Modelling

The Cabinet noted the success of Bath's Clean Air Zone (CAZ), which has achieved sustained compliance with nitrogen dioxide (NO2) legal limits since its implementation in March 2021, reducing NO2 levels by approximately 40%. The Cabinet was asked to formally take the decision to begin State 4 modelling, which will assess whether measures can be modified or removed without risking a return to exceedances. The Cabinet moved to approve the recommendations.

Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring, Cash Limits and Virements - 2026/27 Quarter 1

The Cabinet noted the forecast position of the Council's 2026/27 Revenue Budget as at the end of Quarter 1, showing an adverse net variance of £5.320 million, mitigated by Corporate Contingency Release and Commercial Income Risk Reserve Utilisation. The report highlighted significant pressures within Children's Services, accounting for £6.825 million of the risk. The Cabinet also noted the forecast position of the Capital Programme, which is on track to deliver the total £117.862 million budget. The Cabinet moved to approve the recommendations.

Corporate Strategy 2023-2027 - End-of-Year Review for 2025-26

The Cabinet noted the progress made in delivering the Corporate Strategy during 2025-26, highlighting key achievements such as the completion of the Midsomer Norton town centre regeneration, securing funding for the Bath Fashion Museum, and the announcement of plans for a new SEND special free school at Culverhay. The report also shared the Local Government Association's Corporate Peer Challenge Progress Report. The Cabinet moved to note the progress.

Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring, Cash Limits and Virements - 2025-26

The Cabinet noted the Revenue Budget adverse net variance of £2.631 million for 2025/26. This included a one-off pressure of £0.840 million related to irrecoverable invoices. The adverse variance is proposed to be funded by drawdowns from the Commercial Income Risk Reserve (£1.176 million) and the Revenue Budget Contingency Reserve (£1.455 million). The Cabinet also noted the outturn position of the Capital Programme, with £77.826 million spent against a budget of £97.267 million, with the remaining £19.440 million rephased to future years. The Cabinet moved to approve the recommendations.

The meeting also included questions from councillors and the public on various topics. Statements were heard from Councillor Romero on HMOs and the local plan, Councillor Walker on VAT on fuel, Councillor Amerigan on SEND reform, and Guy Hodgson on the Vision Zero initiative and 20mph speed limits in Bath.