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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 9 September 2026 to discuss a range of financial, operational, and policy matters. Key decisions included the approval of changes to fostering payment arrangements, the structured closure of Cornovii Developments Ltd, and the declaration of the Whitchurch Civic Centre and Library site as surplus to operational requirements, paving the way for its disposal.
Financial Monitoring and Support
The Cabinet noted the positive financial monitoring report for Quarter 1 of 2026/27, which forecasted a favourable variation of £2.291m against the General Fund budget. This was achieved despite significant pressures within Children's Services, which reported an overspend of £3.285m. The Cabinet also noted the findings of the CIPFA External Assurance Review, which assessed the Council's financial resilience and governance arrangements. Many of the review's recommendations were found to align with existing priorities within the Council's Improvement Plan and Financial Sustainability and Recovery Strategy. Progress against these recommendations will be reported quarterly.
Housing and Asset Management
A significant decision was made regarding Cornovii Developments Ltd (CDL), the Council's wholly-owned housing development company. Cabinet approved the structured closure of CDL over a period of time, aiming to minimise financial exposure to the Council and seek the best consideration from property and land disposals. This decision was driven by the Council's financial emergency and limitations on borrowing due to Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) commitments. Funding was approved for CDL to complete planning applications for the London Road Phase 2 and SUE West sites to maximise their future value.
The Cabinet also declared the Whitchurch Civic Centre and Library site surplus to operational requirements, approving its in-principle disposal. This decision was made due to the significant costs associated with RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) remediation, estimated at around £4 million, and the Council's inability to fund these works under the current financial emergency. The disposal strategy will aim to secure the best consideration reasonably obtainable, while continuing engagement with the Whitchurch Town Council and other interested parties.
The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan 2026 was approved, providing a 30-year financial and operational framework for the Council's housing stock. This plan includes significant investment in existing homes, aims to meet regulatory standards such as the Decent Homes Standard and EPC C by 2030, and makes provision for potential government grant funding applications to increase HRA stock capacity.
Support for Vulnerable Groups and Families
The Cabinet approved changes to the Fostering Payment Arrangement Policy aimed at improving foster carer recruitment and retention. These changes include a 5% uplift to Skills Payments, an increase in mileage rates, the removal of mileage deductions from 2027, and the introduction of a new Belonging and Stable Homes Scheme
to incentivise foster carers to support children transitioning from residential care. Additionally, proposals for annual National Trust memberships for fostering households and free parking at council venues for foster carers were approved.
Changes to the Council Tax Support Scheme were also noted, which will be subject to public consultation. These proposed changes include disregarding Child Benefit as income for low-income families, retaining the current 20% minimum payment, and continuing support for vulnerable groups through the Crisis Resilience Fund, with increased top-up amounts planned for future years.
The Business Rate Relief and Council Tax Discretionary Discount Policy was approved, continuing existing arrangements for business rates relief and introducing a new policy to support residents whose homes are uninhabitable due to an uninsured 'Act of God'. Decisions concerning council tax discretionary discounts were delegated to the Revenues and Benefits Service Manager, with appeals to the Section 151 Officer. A new Council Tax Discretionary Discount Hardship Fund will also be planned.
Performance and Operational Updates
The Annual Customer Feedback Report 2025/26 was considered, highlighting an increase in complaint volumes but noting that Shropshire Council's Ombudsman upheld rates remained below the average for comparable authorities. Cabinet agreed to the recommendations and actions within the report to improve customer feedback performance.
Cabinet also reviewed the Q1 Performance Report, which indicated that delivery of commitments was largely on track. Members discussed key performance indicators across various service areas and welcomed improvements in reporting formats.
A Treasury Management Update for Quarter 1 2026/27 was noted, confirming that borrowing, investments, and cash management activities were conducted in line with the approved strategy. The report highlighted that the Council had secured temporary borrowing from other local authorities to minimise exposure to increased borrowing costs.
Other Matters
The minutes of the previous meeting held on 5 August 2026 were confirmed as an accurate record. Councillor Andy Hall declared an interest in the Whitchurch Civic Centre & Library - Asset Decision item due to his membership of Whitchurch Town Council, which currently leases the building. He left the meeting for the duration of this discussion.
The meeting also included Member Question Time and Public Question Time, where residents raised concerns on various issues including Meole Brace Park and Ride, S106 and CiL receipts, and the Whitchurch Civic Centre.
The next meeting of the Cabinet was scheduled for Wednesday 14 October 2026.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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