The Corporate and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel met to review the Archive & Archaeology Strategy and the Museums Strategy, and to discuss the 2025/26 draft year-end budget monitoring. Key discussions included the financial sustainability of heritage services, the impact of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) on staffing, and performance across various community services.

Review of Archive & Archaeology Strategy and Museums Strategy

The panel reviewed the Archive & Archaeology Strategy 2023-2026 and the Museums Strategy 2025-2030. Councillor Dan Boatright-Greene, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Education, SEND and Skills, highlighted the positive commercial reputation of Worcestershire Archaeology, noting its success in winning competitive bids and generating income. He also emphasised the importance of community engagement in archaeological projects, drawing parallels with the popularity of television programmes like Time Team.

Philippa Tinsley, Head of Joint Museums Service, presented an update on the Museums Worcestershire Strategic Plan 2025-30. She detailed successes in securing external funding and philanthropy for museum developments, including the acquisition of the Worcestershire Conquest Hoard and refurbishment projects at Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum and The Commandery. Tinsley also discussed the ongoing redevelopment of the Worcestershire County Museum at Hartlebury Castle, outlining a new complementary business model with the Hartlebury Castle Preservation Trust.

Councillor Paul Bennett, Chair of the Council, raised a concern about potential heritage relics disappearing abroad from a school in Malvern that was closing. The panel discussed the need for a process to investigate such situations and ensure the protection of historic items.

Performance and 2025/26 Draft Year-End Budget Monitoring

Councillor Adam Kent, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Finance, Corporate Services and Business, provided an overview of the council's financial position. He reported an overall underspend in most services, with the exception of Adult Social Care and Children's Social Care, which are experiencing increased demand and costs. The council's reserves are running low, with only £18.6 million deemed usable risk reserves.

Dave Corbett, Head of Libraries, Heritage & Culture, presented performance data for various community services. Library visits saw a slight decrease, but issues of all items increased, driven by digital offerings. The County Museum experienced a dip in visits, partly due to maintenance closures, but a new business model focusing on learning and well-being programmes is being implemented. Bikeability training for children saw a decrease in Level 2 training, attributed to reduced school engagement, but overall training numbers remained strong.

Councillor Andrew Cross raised concerns about the social value of Bikeability training and school travel plans, suggesting the need for better measurement and recognition of these benefits. Councillor Paul Bennett discussed the potential for libraries to become more integrated community hubs, particularly in light of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

The panel also discussed the challenges in recruiting to vacant posts, particularly in legal and finance departments, attributing this to a competitive job market and salary differences between the public and private sectors. Hannah Perrott, Assistant Director for HR and Communities, outlined the council's workforce strategy, which includes efforts to retain and recruit talent through market forces supplements, well-being offers, and career development opportunities.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the work programme for the upcoming year, with a proposal to defer decisions on the future work plan until a new chair is in place.