The Warwickshire County Council Cabinet met for its first meeting of the new administration, addressing key financial reports, education capital programme additions, and procurement approvals. The Cabinet endorsed the Treasury Management and Investment Outturn reports, approved the Financial Outturn Report with a plan to address overspending, and approved additions to the Education Capital Programme for 2025/26.

Financial Performance and Strategy

Treasury Management and Investment Outturn

Councillor Stephen Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property, presented the Treasury Management and Investment Outturn Reports for 2024/25. The report highlighted that treasury investments ended the year at £285 million, with an interest rate of 4.69%, slightly above the benchmark. This additional income helped support the council's financial position. The report also noted investments in local businesses via the Coventry and Warwickshire Investment Trust (CWRT) and approvals for Warwickshire Property and Development Group's (WPDG) developments at Trent Road and Fusers Way.

Councillor Keith Kondakor raised concerns about borrowing money to lend to the property joint venture, WPDG, and requested a risk analysis of the housing market. Councillor Shaw agreed to consult with officers and provide a response.

The Cabinet endorsed the Treasury Management and Investment Outturn reports for 2024/25.

Financial Outturn Report 2024-25

Councillor Stephen Shaw also presented the Financial Outturn Report for 2024-25. The report indicated a gross overspend of £24.753 million against an approved net budget of £402 million, resulting in a net overspend of £1.983 million (0.49% of the approved budget). This overspend will be funded by the short-term financial risk reserve, leaving a remaining balance of £12.394 million in that reserve.

Key areas of overspend included:

• Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) High Needs Block: A £44.698 million deficit, with a cumulative deficit of £87 million.
• Environment, Planning and Transport: A £6.5 million overspend due to increased demand for home-to-school transport.
• Social Care and Support: A £15 million overspend due to rising unit costs and increased demand.
• Children and Families: A £7.5 million overspend, mainly due to high prices for children's placements.

The report also highlighted that £9.908 million of savings were achieved against a target of £16.177 million.

Councillor Jonathan Chilvers sought assurances that the council would not adopt approaches similar to those of Kent County Council in implementing savings, referring to blanket threats and misconduct to staff. Councillor Shaw responded that Warwickshire would implement savings in a fair way, without harming anyone.

Councillor Keith Kondakor raised concerns about the high costs of children's placements and supported the idea of increasing in-house provision. Councillor Shaw confirmed that the council was exploring ways to save money, keep services local, and review external contracts.

The Cabinet approved the recommendations in the Financial Outturn Report, including the use of £2.234 million from Earmarked Reserves to fund the 2024-25 revenue position and the reprofiling of £53.007 million of services' capital spend into future years.

Education Capital Programme

Additions to the Education Capital Programme 2025/26

Councillor Wayne Briggs, Portfolio Holder for Education, presented the report requesting approval for additions to the Education Capital Programme for 2025/26. The proposals included establishing specialist resourced provisions (SRPs) at Thomas Jolyffe Primary School, Birchwood Primary School, and Tysoe CofE Primary School. These SRPs aim to support children with special educational needs (SEN) in mainstream schools.

The report also sought approval to increase SRP places at Welford-on-Avon Primary School and to allocate £157,000 of developer funding to improve preschool facilities at Woodloes Primary School.

The Cabinet approved the recommendations, authorising the Executive Director for Children and Young People to proceed with the projects.

Approval to Procure Services for Young People's Participation

Councillor Wayne Briggs also presented a report seeking approval to retender services to monitor and support young people's participation in post-16 education, employment, or training. The current contract is due to expire in March 2026, and procurement regulations prevent further extension.

The report proposed a joint procurement process with Coventry City Council, with Warwickshire County Council acting as the lead authority. This joint approach is expected to provide efficiencies and attract a wider range of providers.

The Cabinet approved the recommendations, authorising the joint procurement process with Coventry City Council.

Waste Management

Approval to Procure Contracts for Garden Waste Composting

Councillor Rob Howard presented a report, on behalf of Councillor Darren Cheshire, requesting approval to procure and award contracts for garden waste composting. The council requires new contracts to be in place by April 2026 for garden waste collected at household waste and recycling centres and through kerbside collections.

The report noted that preliminary market engagement had been carried out and that the contracts would be for up to 10 years, with a maximum value of £25 million.

Councillor Keith Kondakor raised concerns about the lack of a joined-up approach with district councils and suggested exploring a waste authority or agreement to achieve cost savings. Councillor Howard responded that the cost of composting units would be compared to alternative collection methods and that the points would be taken up with the relevant officers.

The Cabinet approved the commencement of procurement activity for garden waste composting contracts.

Council Plan Performance

Council Plan 2022-2027 Year End Integrated Performance Report

Councillor Michael Bannister presented the Council Plan 2022-2027 Year End Integrated Performance Report, summarising the council's performance against strategic priorities. The report highlighted that 84% of agreed deliverables were on track, with 5% completed and 6% at risk.

Key performance indicators showed strong performance in growing businesses but challenges in the cost of SEND home-to-school transport and a decline in apprenticeship opportunities. Absence levels among the workforce were also a concern.

Councillor Sarah Boad raised concerns about fire and rescue measures not being on track and requested more detailed statistics on arrival times. Councillor Bannister agreed to provide the information.

Councillor Jonathan Chilvers asked for assurances that tree-planting targets would be met, and Councillor Keith Kondakor emphasised the need to measure the survival rate of planted trees and address road safety issues.

The Cabinet referred the report to the Overview and Scrutiny Committees for detailed consideration.

Exclusion of Public and Press

The Cabinet resolved to exclude members of the public from the meeting for the consideration of exempt information, as defined in the Local Government Act 1972.

The exempt minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 10 April 2025 were agreed as an accurate record.