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Cabinet - Wednesday, 15 July 2026 - 10:00am
July 15, 2026 at 10:00 am Cabinet View on council websiteSummary
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The Staffordshire County Council Cabinet met on Wednesday 15 July 2026, approving significant investments in children's services, education, and infrastructure, alongside a report on the council's financial performance. Key decisions included the allocation of nearly £29 million for new special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision, the extension of a community learning framework, and the approval of the Staffordshire Better Care Fund plan.
Children's Services and Education Investments
The Cabinet approved the allocation of nearly £29 million from the High Needs Provision Capital Allocations (HNPCA) to develop two significant projects aimed at increasing local capacity for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and those requiring alternative provision. This funding will be used to establish a new all-age special school on the former Hagley Park Academy site in Rugeley, which will cater for pupils with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs and autism, and a new primary pupil referral unit (PRU) in Stafford. Councillor Janet Higgins, Cabinet Member for Education and SEND, stated that these developments are part of a wider strategy to increase local capacity for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and for those requiring alternative provision.
The new all-age special school will provide 180 places, supporting children and young people with SEMH needs and autism, while the PRU will offer dedicated support for primary-aged pupils.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved Staffordshire County Council's participation in the School-based Nursery Capital Grant programme for 2027 to 2030. This initiative will support the creation of additional nursery places, particularly in communities where access to high-quality provision is most needed. Councillor Higgins highlighted that the programme will help us work with schools, academies and partners to extend provision in the areas where it is most needed.
The council will receive grant funding from the Department for Education (DfE) to deliver this programme, with authority delegated to the Director for Children and Families to manage the process.
Community Learning Framework Extension
The IA2616 Community Learning Framework, which supports approximately 3,000 residents annually in community learning, was approved for an extension. This modification, driven by uncertainty surrounding local government reorganisation, will extend the existing framework from 1 August 2027 to 31 July 2029. Councillor Robin Hall, Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, explained that the extension will provide important continuity during the period of Local Government Reorganisation,
ensuring that high-quality learning opportunities remain in place while longer-term arrangements are developed.
There are no additional contractual obligations or cost implications associated with this extension.
Staffordshire Better Care Fund
The Cabinet approved the Staffordshire Better Care Fund (BCF) plan for 2026-27, which supports the integration of health, adult social care, and housing services. The plan, approved by the Health and Wellbeing Board and submitted to NHS England, aims to achieve shared outcomes through pooled and aligned budgets. Authority was delegated to the Director of Health and Care to approve necessary legal agreements to implement the BCF plans for 2026/27 and 2027/28. Furthermore, the Director of Health and Care, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Health and Care, was delegated authority to procure and award contracts for care services at Beacon Park, Daisy Haye, and Mill Rise extra care schemes if savings can be confirmed. Councillor Martin Rogerson, Cabinet Member for Health and Care, stated that the BCF continues to support people to remain in their own homes by integrating health and adult social care services.
Financial Performance and Treasury Management
The Cabinet received the Integrated Performance Report for Quarter 1, 2026/27, which provided an overview of the council's delivery progress, performance, and financial position. The report indicated that 82% of delivery projects were on track, with positive progress across all priority areas. However, it also highlighted financial pressures, particularly within children's services, with a forecast revenue outturn overspend of £19.8 million. Councillor Sean Bagguley, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, acknowledged these pressures, stating, financial pressures remain, particularly in children's services and we will take action to address the in-year overspend.
The Treasury Management Report for the year ended 31 March 2026 was also noted and approved. The report detailed the council's prudent and low-risk approach to treasury management, focusing on security and liquidity of funds. The council repaid £30.5 million of external loans during the period, avoiding additional interest payments by using cash reserves. The council achieved a return on investments of 4.29%, higher than the agreed benchmark of 3.52%. The use of the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) for the year was noted and approved at £19.254 million.
Procurement of Demolition Services Framework
Approval was given to proceed with the procurement of a framework agreement for the provision of Demolition and Associated Services. This framework will be for a period of four years, with an option to extend by a further 24 months. Councillor Bagguley emphasised that this agreement will save time and money in the long run and deliver best value for Staffordshire residents.
The framework is expected to streamline the process of demolishing council buildings and land, ensuring value for money and compliance with the Procurement Act 2023.
Forward Plan of Key Decisions
The Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 19 August to 16 December 2026 was approved, outlining upcoming key decisions for the Cabinet. This included items such as the Protection of Highway Alignments, an Artificial Intelligence Business Case, and the Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2027-2032.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Modification to IA2616 Community Learning Framework
Recommendations ApprovedStaffordshire Cabinet approved the extension of the IA2616 Community Learning Framework on 15/07/2026. The framework will be extended for up to two years from 1 August 2027 to 31 July 2029. Authority is delegated to the Assistant Director for Skills and Employability to approve call-off contracts.
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School-based Nursery Capital Grant 2027 to 2030
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet decided to approve Staffordshire County Council's participation in the School-based Nursery Capital Grant 2027-2030 programme (Phase 3) on 15/07/2026. Authority was delegated to the Director for Children and Families to make all necessary operational, financial, and contractual decisions for the programme. This includes decisions on submitting applications, receiving grant funding, and arranging for the further defrayal of grants to individual schools.
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Leader's Update
Recommendations Approved -
High Needs Provision Capital Allocations (HNPCA) - Development of New All Age Special School and Alternative Provision
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet decided to approve the allocation of £28,583,394 of High Needs Provision Capital Allocations funding. This decision was made on 15/07/2026 to deliver an all-age special school in Rugeley and a new primary pupil referral unit in Stafford. The Cabinet also delegated authority to the Director for Children and Families to approve final project costs and to the Director of Finance & Resources to enter into necessary contracts.
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Forward Plan of Key Decisions
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Staffordshire Council approved recommendations on 15 July 2026. This decision relates to the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for August to December 2026. The plan outlines upcoming decisions on topics including highway alignments, artificial intelligence, highways design, tarmacadam agreements, highway asset management, winter service, street lighting contracts, nature recovery strategies, performance reports, unregistered placements, access roads, cycling and walking infrastructure, and the medium-term financial strategy.
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Minutes of the meeting of the Property Sub-Committee held on 17 June 2026
Recommendations ApprovedThe Property Sub-Committee of Staffordshire Council decided on 17 June 2026 to approve the freehold transfer of school buildings and playing fields and the acquisition of former school buildings. The Assistant Director for Commercial and Assets was delegated to finalise the details of these transactions.
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Staffordshire Means Business
Recommendations Approved -
Treasury Management Report for the Year Ended 31 March 2026
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet decided to approve the Treasury Management Report for the year ended 31 March 2026 on 15/07/2026. The report noted treasury management activities and approved the use of Minimum Revenue Provision of £19.254 million.
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Integrated Performance Report - Quarter 1, 2026/27
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet decided to approve recommendations regarding the Integrated Performance Report for Quarter 1, 2026/27 on 15/07/2026. The report noted and challenged performance and advised on further information and actions required.
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Procurement of a Framework Agreement for the Provision of Demolition and Associated Services
Recommendations ApprovedStaffordshire Cabinet approved undertaking a procurement exercise for a Demolition and Associated Services Framework Agreement on 15/07/2026. Cabinet delegated authority to the Director of Finance & Resources to approve the award of the Framework Agreement and any extensions. The framework will be for four years, with an option to extend by 24 months, and will appoint three suppliers.
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Staffordshire Better Care Fund 2026-27
Recommendations ApprovedStaffordshire Cabinet approved recommendations on 15/07/2026 regarding the Better Care Fund 2026-27. Authority was delegated to the Director of Health and Care to approve legal agreements for BCF plans and to procure and award contracts for care services at Beacon Park, Daisy Haye, and Mill Rise if savings are confirmed.
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W2R Deed of Variation
Recommendations ApprovedStaffordshire Cabinet approved recommendations for the W2R Deed of Variation on 15 July 2026. The deed introduces improvements to financial accuracy, transparency, and governance.
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