Buckinghamshire Council's Cabinet met on Tuesday 28 July 2026 to discuss a range of important issues, including the Director of Public Health's annual report, the Better Lives Strategy, the Youth Justice Plan, and the council's budget and capital programme. Key decisions were made regarding investments in town centre regeneration and children's services, as well as the approval of the Better Lives Strategy and the Youth Justice Plan.

Hot Topics

Cabinet members used the Hot Topics session to highlight key initiatives within their portfolios. Councillor Thomas Broom, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Transport, noted the ongoing progress of the council's £120 million road improvement programme. Councillor Steve Bowles, Cabinet Member for Communities, shared details of the Aging Well initiative by the East Bucks Community Board, which has led to the creation of the community-led project Brews Company . Councillor Peter Brazier, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, announced the rollout of Ripple, a digital suicide and self-harm prevention tool, across Buckinghamshire libraries. Councillor Isobel Darby, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, provided updates on the Move Together physical activity programme, a county-wide communications campaign to promote school readiness, and the expansion of meningitis B vaccinations for Year 13 pupils and those entering halls of residence. Councillor Carl Jackson, Cabinet Member for Education and Children's Services, reported significant positive transformation in the delivery of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) as part of a two-year recovery plan, with the number of EHCPs issued increasing from 240 in the first half of last year to 1,000 in the same period this year.

Question Time

Councillor Larisa Townsend questioned Councillor Thomas Broom regarding the reallocation of £3 million from home-to-school transport to children's services, seeking assurance that the transport forecast fully reflects the anticipated pace of EHCP backlog clearance and any resulting increase in eligible passengers. Councillor Broom confirmed that the forecast includes anticipated growth and that funding is available to manage risks. Councillor Maru Mormina asked Councillor Adekunle Osibogun, Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate Change and Waste, about the financial and environmental benefits of REGO-backed electricity tariffs compared to Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Councillor Thomas Broom responded, explaining the council's approach to renewable energy procurement and the recognised benefits of both REGOs and PPAs, stating that the council will continue to review developments in renewable energy procurement.

Forward Plan (28 Day Notice)

The Cabinet noted the Forward Plan, which provides a snapshot of future work coming before the committee.

The Buckinghamshire Director of Public Health Annual Report 2026

Councillor Isobel Darby, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, introduced the Director of Public Health's Annual Report 2026, titled Buckinghamshire's Building Blocks: A Blueprint for Better Health & Wellbeing. David Munday, Director of Public Health, outlined the report's focus on seven building blocks of health – surroundings, housing, money and resources, food, education and skills, transport, and community – and how these factors influence health outcomes and drive inequalities. The report aims to support a preventative approach to health and wellbeing, aligning with the council's corporate plan and wider efforts to improve outcomes and reduce inequalities. Cabinet members noted and endorsed the report.

Buckinghamshire Better Lives Strategy

Councillor Isobel Darby, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, presented the Buckinghamshire Better Lives Strategy 2026-2031. The strategy outlines the council's vision for enabling people to live as independently as possible in their communities, focusing on three pillars: Living Independently, Regaining Independence, and Living with Support. The strategy also emphasises support for unpaid carers and safeguarding. Cabinet approved the Better Lives Strategy for the next five years.

Buckinghamshire Youth Justice Plan 2026-2029

Councillor Carl Jackson, Cabinet Member for Education and Children's Services, presented the Buckinghamshire Youth Justice Plan 2026-2029. The plan details how youth justice services will be provided, funded, and operated in the county, with three key objectives: reducing first-time entrants into the youth justice system, reducing re-offending, and reducing the use of custody. The plan highlights recent performance improvements, including a reduction in first-time entrants from 89 to 60, a low re-offending rate, and a decrease in custodial sentences. Cabinet endorsed the Youth Justice Plan and recommended its adoption by the Council.

Q1 Budget Management Report 2026-27

Councillor Robert Carington, Cabinet Member for Resources, presented the Quarter 1 Budget Management Report for 2026-27. The report indicated a balanced revenue budget, despite pressures in children's social care, temporary accommodation, and high needs budgets. Favourable variances in home-to-school transport, planning income, and treasury management offset adverse variances in portfolio budgets. Cabinet noted the report and approved three one-off investment proposals: £3 million reallocated to children's services improvements, £2.2 million for town centre regeneration, and £10.1 million set aside for future risks. Cabinet also noted the capital outturn position and approved minor changes to fees and charges and grant budgets.

Q1 Capital Budget Adjustments and Reprofiling

Councillor Robert Carington, Cabinet Member for Resources, presented the Q1 Capital Budget Adjustments and Reprofiling report. The report detailed changes to the capital programme since its approval in February 2026, resulting in a revised total programme of £655.542 million. Cabinet approved additions to the programme funded by ringfenced grants and s106 contributions, reductions due to project completion or underspend, transfers to capital contingency, technical adjustments for overspends, and the reprofiling of £30.707 million from 2026/27 into future years.

Strategic Asset Management Plan

Councillor Robert Carington, Cabinet Member for Resources, presented the Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP). The SAMP sets out a framework for managing the council's property and land to support strategic priorities such as regeneration, housing, and economic growth. It categorises assets into three portfolios: Investment, Operational, and Infrastructure. Cabinet approved the SAMP.

Buckinghamshire Growth Fund – BOSCH and NADIC (National Autonomy & Drone Innovation Centre) Funding

Councillor Steven Broadbent, Leader of the Council, presented proposals for investment from the Buckinghamshire Growth Fund into two projects: the National Autonomy & Drone Innovation Centre (NADIC) at Westcott, seeking £2.25 million, and the Robert Bosch Centre for Innovation and Excellence at Denham, seeking £2 million. Both projects align with the Buckinghamshire Economic Growth Plan and aim to foster innovation, create skilled jobs, and attract investment. Cabinet endorsed the recommendations to invest in both projects and delegated authority to the Service Director for Economy, Investment and Regeneration, in consultation with the Leader, to finalise funding agreements.

Date of Next Meeting

The date of the next Cabinet meeting was confirmed as 15 September 2026 at 10 am. There will be no Cabinet meeting in August.