The Cabinet of Worcestershire Council met on Thursday, 24 September 2026, to discuss a range of important issues, including the adoption of an Advertising and Sponsorship Policy, the Local Transport Grant Delivery Plan, the recommissioning of NHS Health Checks, and a comprehensive review of the Council's resources and budget monitoring. Key decisions were made to approve the new advertising policy, secure significant transport funding, enhance the NHS Health Check programme, and address the Council's challenging financial position.

Adoption of an Advertising and Sponsorship Policy

The Cabinet approved a new Advertising and Sponsorship Policy designed to streamline decision-making and generate income from suitable opportunities across the Council's assets. The policy aims to accept advertising and sponsorship unless it is unlawful, misleading, harmful, or poses a significant reputational, financial, or legal risk. Excluded categories include tobacco, gambling, payday loans, and less healthy food and drink. Decisions will be made by authorised officers, with complex cases escalated. Existing arrangements will be reviewed upon renewal.

Local Transport Grant Delivery Plan

A significant multi-year investment in transport and highways across Worcestershire was approved through the Local Transport Grant Delivery Plan. This plan outlines the expenditure of the Integrated Transport Fund, totalling millions of pounds over several years, and will be submitted to the Department for Transport. The funding is ring-fenced for transport purposes and will support crucial projects including repairs to landslips on the A4440 Southern Link Road and the A449 near British Camp, capacity improvements, road maintenance, public transport enhancements, and active travel measures. Members welcomed the investment, discussing concerns about congestion, road safety, the impact of road closures on local businesses, and the need for investment in rural roads and public transport infrastructure.

Recommissioning NHS Health Checks

The Cabinet approved changes to the commissioning arrangements for the NHS Health Check programme, aiming to improve access for residents in deprived communities. Currently, approximately 22,000 checks are delivered annually, with only 9% reaching residents in the most deprived areas. The new model will involve individual contracts with Primary Care Networks (PCNs), requiring them to offer checks to at least 20% of their eligible population annually. An additional 25% budget increase, from £1.1 million to £1.37 million, funded by the Public Health Grant, will support targeted outreach and community-based delivery. The contracts, running from April 2027 to March 2032, will operate on a payment-by-results basis, with enhanced payments for checks in deprived areas. Members highlighted the importance of prevention, early intervention, and reaching underserved populations.

Resources Report - Budget Monitoring - Month 3 Quarter 1 2026/27

A comprehensive review of the Council's financial position was presented, forecasting a net overspend of £8 million for the year. This pressure is primarily concentrated in Adult Social Care (£12.8 million overspend) and Children's Services (£6.8 million overspend), reflecting rising demand and placement costs. The report detailed the utilisation of the £12 million corporate contingency budget and the significant financial risk associated with the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficit, which is projected to reach £122.2 million by March 2027, even after accounting for an anticipated £162.7 million High Needs Stability Grant.

Cabinet noted the Council's reliance on Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) and borrowing to balance the budget, highlighting the unsustainability of this approach. While positive progress was reported in Home to School Transport and overall savings targets, the scale of the deficit in social care and SEND services requires urgent attention. Members stressed the need for continued lobbying of the government for sustainable funding and reform in these critical areas. The report also outlined the Capital Programme, totalling £574 million, and proposed adjustments to Treasury Management maturity limits. The Cabinet approved the recommendations, including noting the forecast outturn, approving the use of reserves, recommending variations to the Capital Programme and Capital Strategy to Full Council, and approving changes to Treasury Management limits. The updated budget-setting timetable for 2027/28 was also noted.