The Cabinet of Buckinghamshire Council met on Tuesday 28 July 2026, approving significant investments in economic growth, endorsing key strategies for public health and adult social care, and noting the council's financial position. Key decisions included the approval of the Buckinghamshire Better Lives Strategy 2026-2031, the endorsement of the Buckinghamshire Youth Justice Plan 2026-2029, and the allocation of £4.25 million from the Buckinghamshire Growth Fund to support the National Autonomy & Drone Innovation Centre (NADIC) and the Robert Bosch Centre for Innovation and Excellence.

The Buckinghamshire Director of Public Health Annual Report 2026

Cabinet noted and endorsed the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2026, titled Buckinghamshire's Building Blocks: A Blueprint for Better Health & Wellbeing. ¹ The report, presented by Director of Public Health David Munday, outlines seven key areas – Building Blocks of Health – that influence residents' wellbeing, including surroundings, housing, money and resources, food, education and skills, transport, and community connections. The report emphasizes a preventative approach to health, acknowledging that approximately 80% of health outcomes are determined by factors outside of clinical NHS services. Councillor Isobel Darby, Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing, highlighted the report's relevance to the council's corporate plan and its alignment with national initiatives like Neighbourhood Health and Best Start in Life Family Hubs. The report aims to reframe the understanding of health, exploring how these building blocks impact residents and what can be done collectively to improve health and wellbeing across Buckinghamshire.

Buckinghamshire Better Lives Strategy

The Cabinet approved the Buckinghamshire Better Lives Strategy 2026-2031, which provides a strategic framework for improving outcomes, promoting independence, and ensuring sustainable adult social care and support across the county. Councillor Isobel Darby, Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing, introduced the updated strategy, which builds on the existing framework introduced in 2018 and last refreshed in 2022. The strategy is structured around three core pillars: Living Independently, Regaining Independence, and Living with Support. It emphasizes a person-centred approach, aiming for residents to live well in their communities with minimal reliance on long-term care, greater choice and control, and strong community networks. The strategy also reiterates the council's commitment to supporting unpaid carers and ensuring the sustainability of adult social care services, projecting significant savings through its preventative approach.

Buckinghamshire Youth Justice Plan 2026-2029

Cabinet endorsed the Buckinghamshire Youth Justice Plan 2026-2029 and recommended its adoption by the Council. Councillor Carl Jackson, Cabinet Member for Education & Children's Services, presented the plan, which is a statutory requirement detailing how youth justice services will be provided, funded, and operated in the county. The plan was developed in collaboration with children, parents, carers, and victims supported by the service. It outlines priorities for the next three years, including reducing first-time entrants to the youth justice system, reducing re-offending, and minimizing the use of custody. Recent performance data shows a reduction in first-time entrants from 89 to 60 children, low re-offending rates significantly lower than comparable areas, and a decrease in custodial sentences. The plan emphasizes prevention, early intervention, and restorative justice for victims.

Q1 Budget Management Report 2026-27

The Cabinet noted the Q1 Budget Management Report for 2026-27, which indicated a balanced revenue position overall, despite pressures in key services like Adult Social Care and Children's Social Care. Councillor Robert Carington, Cabinet Member for Resources, presented the report, highlighting adverse variances of £4.9 million in portfolio budgets, offset by favourable variances in corporate and funding budgets. Significant pressures were noted in Children's Social Care (£6.7m) due to the cost and complexity of looked-after children, and in Adult Social Care (£2.0m). These were offset by favourable variances in Home to School Transport and additional income in planning. The report recommended approving one-off investments totalling £5.2 million: £3 million reallocated to Children's Services for improvement initiatives and £2.2 million for the regeneration programme to accelerate town centre investment. A £10.1 million allowance was also set aside for risk management. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) budget showed an improved position, with a forecast closing balance of £73.3 million on the deficit reserve.

Q1 Capital Budget Adjustments and Reprofiling

Cabinet approved recommended changes to the Council's Capital Programme for 2026/27 to 2029/30, revising the total programme to £655.542 million. Councillor Robert Carington, Cabinet Member for Resources, explained that since the February budget approval, slippage of £18.163 million from 2025-26 had rolled forward, and new government funding had been added. The approved changes included £10.794 million in additions funded by ringfenced grants and Section 106 agreements, £4.116 million in removals due to project completion or underspend, a £0.037 million transfer to capital contingency, and the release of £0.115 million from contingency to fund overspends. A significant reprofiling of £30.707 million from 2026/27 into future years was also approved to align with updated delivery plans. Councillor Thomas Broom, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Transport, highlighted accelerated spending on highways infrastructure, including strategic maintenance and road resurfacing.

Strategic Asset Management Plan

Cabinet approved the first Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP) since the council's formation in 2020. Councillor Robert Carington, Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the plan, which defines how the council will manage its physical assets to achieve strategic objectives and support long-term financial stability. The SAMP categorizes the council's extensive property portfolio into three portfolios: Investment (income-generating assets), Operational (assets for service delivery), and Infrastructure (roads, vehicles, equipment). The plan aligns with the Corporate Plan 2026-2031 and establishes guiding principles for each portfolio, emphasizing revenue generation, opportunity creation, value for money, and risk management. The corporate landlord model will centralize estate management, aiming for greater efficiency and strategic alignment.

Buckinghamshire Growth Fund – BOSCH and NADIC Funding

Cabinet endorsed recommendations to invest £4.25 million from the Buckinghamshire Growth Fund into two key projects: £2.25 million for the National Autonomy & Drone Innovation Centre (NADIC) at Westcott, and £2 million for the Robert Bosch Centre for Innovation and Excellence at Denham. Councillor Steven Broadbent, Leader, presented the proposal, highlighting that these projects are strategically significant, investment-ready, and align with the Buckinghamshire Economic Growth Plan. NADIC aims to strengthen Buckinghamshire's position in the autonomous systems and drone technology sectors, while the Robert Bosch Centre will serve as a hub for technical training and innovation, reinforcing the company's presence in Denham. Authority was delegated to the Service Director for Economy, Investment & Regeneration, in consultation with the Leader, to sign the funding agreements.