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Cabinet - Wednesday, 9 September 2026 - 10.30 am
September 9, 2026 at 10:30 am Cabinet View on council websiteSummary
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The Cabinet of Shropshire Council met on Wednesday 09 September 2026, approving a series of financial and policy updates. Key decisions included the approval of the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan, the structured closure of Cornovii Developments Ltd, and changes to fostering payment arrangements.
Exceptional Financial Support: External Assurance Review
Cabinet noted and agreed the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the CIPFA External Assurance Review. Many of these recommendations align with existing priorities within the Council's Improvement Plan and Financial Sustainability and Recovery Strategy. Progress against these recommendations will be reported quarterly to Cabinet.
Annual Customer Feedback Report 2025/26
The Cabinet considered and agreed the recommendations and actions outlined in the Annual Customer Feedback Report 2025/26. The report aims to support and improve customer feedback performance within Shropshire Council.
Financial Monitoring Report Quarter 1 2026/27
Cabinet noted the financial position for the first quarter of 2026/27, which forecasts a favourable variation of £2.291 million against the General Fund budget. The report highlighted that the s151 Officer is working with directorates to ensure expenditure remains within budget and to take mitigating actions where forecasts exceed budget. Risks identified as at 30 June 2026, including potential impacts on the Council's financial sustainability, were also noted. The continued use of the Budget, Transformation and Change Panel and the Workforce Review Board to control spending and authorise projects was highlighted, with approvals totalling £3.127 million for 2026/27 and £3.507 million for 2027/28. Cabinet also noted the forecast savings achieved to date of £5.238 million against a target of £5 million, with a further £523k expected by the end of the financial year. The capital programme and forecast outturn position as at quarter 1 were noted, as was the forecast General Fund Balance of £15 million at 31 March 2027, aligning with the Financial Sustainability and Recovery Strategy. The reduced call for Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) in 2026/27 to £90 million from £121 million was also noted, in line with the revised Medium Term Financial Plan. Cabinet will receive quarterly financial updates, with the Quarter 2 report scheduled for November 2026. Cabinet also approved capital and revenue budget virements as detailed in Appendices 3 and 5.
Q1 Performance Report
Cabinet reviewed performance at quarter 1, confirming areas that require action. Feedback was provided on the report to improve its format, and emerging topics or issues were proposed for consideration by the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Treasury Management Update Quarter 1 2026/27
Cabinet noted the summary of the wider economic environment and the Council's borrowings and investments, as well as the performance within prudential indicators for quarter 1, 2026/27.
Business Rate Relief and Council Tax Discretionary Discount Policy
Cabinet approved the existing policy for business rates discretionary rate relief and noted the updated Rural Settlement List. Authority was delegated to the Revenues and Benefits Service Manager for the awarding of Hardship Relief, Discretionary Business Rate Relief, and Part Occupied Relief, with appeals to the Section 151 Officer. A separate policy document for Council Tax Discretionary Discounts was also approved. The Council will continue to offer council tax discretionary discounts to care leavers up to the age of 25 and will introduce a new policy to support residents whose homes are affected by an uninsured 'Act of God'. Decisions on council tax discretionary discount awards were delegated to the Revenues and Benefits Service Manager, with appeals to the Section 151 Officer. The s151 Officer was instructed to plan for a Council Tax Discretionary Discount Hardship Fund. Both policies will be reviewed in 2029/30.
Council Tax Support Scheme
Cabinet noted the proposed changes to the Council Tax Support Scheme, which will be subject to a formal six-week consultation from September to October 2026. The proposed adjustments include disregarding Child Benefit as income, retaining the current 20% minimum payment, maintaining protections for vulnerable groups, and continuing support for those impacted by the minimum payment through the Crisis Resilience Fund with increasing top-up amounts from 2026-27 to 2028-29.
Cornovii Developments Ltd
Cabinet noted the financial circumstances of both the Council and Cornovii Developments Ltd (CDL), acknowledging the need for the Council to act to maintain CDL's solvency. Cabinet approved the structured closure of CDL to minimise financial exposure and seek best consideration from property and land disposals. This decision aligns with the Financial Sustainability and Recovery Strategy. The s151 Officer, with support from the Monitoring Officer, was authorised to formally notify the CDL Board of Directors. These officers were also instructed to establish a governance structure with CDL to ensure an orderly closure and future management of land and property. Funding was approved for CDL to complete planning applications for London Road Phase 2 and SUE West sites to maximise their future value. The s151 Officer was authorised to ensure CDL has sufficient funding to remain solvent during this process. Cabinet noted the estimated costs arising from the closure, which will be included in the next Medium Term Financial Plan. Officers were instructed to secure additional professional support and advice, and to consult with CDL's Board of Directors regarding tenant communication.
Housing Revenue Account Business Plan
Cabinet approved the HRA Policy and delegated authority to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the relevant Service Director, to make minor amendments for implementation and alignment with the approved HRA Business Plan. The 30-year HRA Business Plan 2026 was also approved, including its financial strategy, investment programme, and statutory compliance measures. Cabinet noted that provision has been made within the HRA Business Plan to support potential applications for Government grant funding, but this does not constitute approval to submit a bid, with a further detailed report to follow.
Whitchurch Civic Centre & Library - Asset Decision
Cabinet declared the Whitchurch Civic Centre and Library site surplus to operational requirements. Approval was given for its in-principle disposal, subject to due diligence, financial and policy requirements, and legal and statutory obligations. Authority was delegated to the Service Director for Place Shaping, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and Portfolio Holders for Finance and Assets, to determine and implement the disposal strategy and secure the best consideration. Officers and the Portfolio Holder will continue to engage with local Members, Whitchurch Town Council, and other interested parties.
Fostering Payment Arrangement Policy
Cabinet approved an uplift to fostering Skills Payments of 5% effective from 01/04/26. An increase in the mileage rate paid to internal foster carers from £0.45 to £0.55 per mile from 01/04/26 was also approved. Consideration was given to increasing the amount of mileage that can be claimed, removing the requirement for foster carers to deduct the first 30-70 miles weekly, to commence from 01/04/27. Approval was also given for the Belonging and Stable Homes Scheme, which includes an additional Skills payment of £250 per week for the first 12 months for approved carers supporting children transitioning from residential care. The proposal to pay annual National Trust Membership for up to 100 fostering households was approved, and consideration was given to offering free parking to Shropshire Foster Carers at all council-operated car parks.
Exempt Minutes
Cabinet confirmed the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 5 August 2026 as an accurate record.
Minutes
Cabinet confirmed the minutes of the meeting held on 5 August 2026 as an accurate record.
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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Minutes
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Shropshire Council decided to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 5 August 2026. They also approved the Digital Roadmap 2026–2030 and delegated authority to the Service Director for Enabling Services and the Head of Service – Automation and Technology to make amendments to the roadmap. Additionally, they approved recommendations regarding the Oswestry SUE Corner Site and the Mixed Economy Contract Extension.
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Exempt Minutes
Recommendations Approved -
Annual Customer Feedback Report 2025/26
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet approved the recommendations and actions in the Annual Customer Feedback Report 2025/26. This decision was made on 09/09/2026. The report includes an overview of formal customer feedback received, covering complaints, compliments, and comments, alongside data from the Local Government Ombudsman and information on compliance with the Complaint Handling Code.
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Fostering Payment Arrangement Policy
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Shropshire Council decided on 09/09/2026 to approve an uplift to fostering Skills Payment by 5% effective from 01/04/2026. They also approved increasing the mileage rate paid to internal foster carers from £0.45 to £0.55 per mile from 01/04/2026. Additionally, the Cabinet approved increasing the amount of mileage that can be claimed by removing the requirement for foster carers to deduct the first 30-70 miles weekly, to commence from 01/04/2027. They further approved paying approved carers beyond the Care Plus rate with an additional Skills payment of £250 per week for the first 12 months as part of the Belonging and Stable Homes Scheme, and approved paying annual National Trust Membership for up to 100 fostering households. Finally, the Cabinet approved offering free parking to Shropshire Foster Carers at all council parking venues.
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Council Tax Support Scheme
Recommendations ApprovedShropshire Council's Cabinet decided on 09/09/2026 to approve recommendations for the Council Tax Support Scheme, subject to call-in. The scheme will retain its tapered structure with adjustments including disregarding Child Benefit as income, maintaining the 20% minimum payment, and continuing support for vulnerable groups via the Crisis Resilience Fund. The Cabinet noted proposed changes for formal consultation from September to October 2026.
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Treasury Management Update Quarter 1 2026/27
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet decided to approve recommendations regarding the Treasury Management Update for Quarter 1 2026/27 on 09/09/2026. The decision included noting the economic environment, the council's borrowings and investments, and performance within prudential indicators.
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Financial Monitoring Report Quarter 1 2026/27
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Shropshire Council approved the Financial Monitoring Report Quarter 1 2026/27 on 09/09/2026. The Cabinet noted the forecast favourable variation of £2.291m against the General Fund budget and approved capital and revenue budget virements. The Cabinet noted that the s151 Officer continues to work with directorates to ensure expenditure is contained within budgets and to take appropriate mitigating actions, and noted the continued use of the Budget, Transformation and Change Panel and the Workforce Review Board.
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Housing Revenue Account Business Plan
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet decided to approve the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan and Policy on 09/09/2026. This included approving the 30-year HRA Business Plan and its financial strategy, investment programme, and statutory compliance measures. The decision also delegated authority to the Section 151 Officer to make minor amendments to the HRA Policy.
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Whitchurch Civic Centre & Library - Asset Decision
Recommendations ApprovedShropshire Council's Cabinet decided to approve recommendations for the Whitchurch Civic Centre and Library asset decision on 09/09/2026. The Cabinet approved declaring the site surplus to operational requirements and approved its in-principle disposal. Authority was delegated to the Service Director for Place Shaping to determine and implement the disposal strategy.
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Cornovii Developments Ltd
Recommendations ApprovedShropshire Council's Cabinet approved the structured closure of Cornovii Developments Ltd on 09 September 2026. The Cabinet authorised the s151 Officer to ensure CDL has sufficient funding to remain solvent while completing planning applications for London Road Phase 2 and SUE West sites, and to manage property and land disposals. The Cabinet also instructed officers to establish a governance structure for orderly closure and ensure tenants are kept informed.
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Q1 Performance Report
Recommendations ApprovedShropshire Council's Cabinet reviewed the Q1 performance report and approved recommendations on 09/09/2026. The Cabinet confirmed areas needing action, provided feedback on the report format, and proposed emerging topics for Overview and Scrutiny Committees.
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Exceptional Financial Support: External Assurance Review
Recommendations ApprovedShropshire Council's Cabinet approved the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the CIPFA External Assurance Review on 09/09/2026. The Cabinet noted that many recommendations align with existing priorities and will be reported quarterly. Progress against recommendations will be reported quarterly to Cabinet as part of overall Improvement Plan update reports.
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Business Rate Relief and Council Tax Discretionary Discount Policy
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet decided to approve the existing business rates discretionary rate relief policy and a new policy for Council Tax discretionary discounts. They also delegated the awarding of Hardship Relief, Discretionary Business Rate Relief, and Part Occupied Relief to the Revenues and Benefits Service Manager.
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