The Cabinet of Warwickshire County Council met on Thursday 4 September 2025, approving a new flag policy, a £18.669 million Better Care Fund Plan for 2025/26, and a £730,000 allocation for Artificial Intelligence projects. The meeting also reviewed the Quarter 1 Integrated Performance Report and discussed the Council's financial monitoring.

Quarter 1 Integrated Performance Report 2025/26

The Cabinet considered the organisational performance for the first quarter of 2025/26, which covers April to June 2025. The report highlighted areas of good performance in Waste Management and Recycling, the Fire & Rescue Service, Digital Connectivity, and apprenticeships. However, it also identified key performance issues including data on Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs), increased costs for Home to School Transport, sickness absence rates, and delays in Digital Transformation programmes. Councillor Michael Bannister, Portfolio Holder for Customer and Localities, outlined the work underway to address these challenges. The Cabinet agreed to refer the report to Overview and Scrutiny Committees for detailed review and requested officers to support the refresh of the Council's Performance Management Framework ahead of 2026/27, incorporating the new Local Government Outcomes Framework.

2025-26 Financial Monitoring - Forecast Position at Quarter 1

Councillor Stephen Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property, presented the Council's financial performance at the end of Quarter 1. The Council is forecasting a £1.642 million overspend, which is within tolerance limits. While 90% of the £22 million in savings is projected to be delivered, the main challenges lie within Home to School Transport and Children and Families services. The report also detailed the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) overspend and the statutory override, which is expected to end by March 2028. The Cabinet noted that the Schools White Paper and provisional Local Government Finance Settlement regarding SEND reform are still awaited. Spending controls will continue across all services, and the Value for Money programme, discussed later, will explore further efficiency opportunities. Councillor Jerry Roodhouse proposed a cross-party letter to the government regarding the financial pressures on local authorities.

Value for Money Programme

To enhance the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) refresh and identify potential savings, the Cabinet approved the establishment of a Council Value for Money programme. Councillor Stephen Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property, explained that this two-year programme will use data and insights to find new savings opportunities. The programme will be overseen by Councillor Shaw, with regular reports to the Resources and Fire and Rescue Overview and Scrutiny Committee. A public consultation on budget priorities will run from 12 September to 10 October to gather views on spending priorities and potential savings. Concerns were raised by councillors about potential cuts to services like Fire and Rescue and libraries, but Councillor Shaw assured that the programme aims for efficiency rather than cuts, exploring options such as bringing services in-house and reviewing contracts.

Developing a Programme of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Projects

The Cabinet endorsed the principle of exploring Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions for service operating models, provided they are appropriate, safe, ethical, and cost-effective. Councillor Michael Bannister, Portfolio Holder for Customer and Localities, presented proposals for the careful and ethical introduction of AI tools, seeking approval to deliver a pipeline of AI projects using the Council's Investment Fund. The Council will allocate up to £730,000 from its Revenue Investment Fund for this initiative. All projects funded by this allocation are expected to deliver financial savings contributing to the Medium-Term Financial Strategy. Concerns were raised regarding the control of AI technology, accountability, transparency, and potential staff losses. The Cabinet agreed to explore the potential for a cross-party working group and requested demonstrations of AI.

Additions to the Education Capital Programme 2025/26

Councillor Wayne Briggs, Portfolio Holder for Education, presented a report seeking approval for five schemes to be added to the Education Capital Programme. These schemes aim to provide additional SEND and Early Years capacity to meet the Council's Education Sufficiency duty. Funding will be used for an eight-place Resourced Provision at St Gabriel's Church of England Primary Academy in Rugby, and for four other schemes that will create an additional 80 early years places in North Warwickshire and Rugby, funded by the Department for Education Early Years Capital Grant and developer contributions.

Developer Funded Section 278 - D1915 B4113 Pickards Way Wilson Lane LILO and B4113 Longford Road Roundabout, Exhall Coventry

The Cabinet recommended to the County Council the addition of £6,411,400 to the Capital Programme for 2025/2026. This funding is for highway improvements at the B4113 Pickard’s Way / Wilsons Lane Left In Left Out (LILO) Junction and Longford Road Roundabout in Exhall, Coventry, which will be fully funded by the developer. The scheme is necessary to enable a previously granted planning consent for development in Exhall to be implemented. Councillor Keith Kondakor raised concerns about road safety and requested road safety audits.

Proposed Partnership Funding Contribution to Shipston Link

A £0.100 million partnership contribution was approved for Shipston Link towards the cost of a new, fully accessible minibus. This funding will come from Warwickshire Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) Capital Funding for 2025-26. The current minibus has travelled over 125,000 miles, and maintenance costs are increasing. The new vehicle will ensure the continuation of vital rural transport for elderly residents, helping to combat social isolation and enabling access to essential services.

Approval to Tender - Dementia Information and Advice Service

The Cabinet approved the commencement of a procurement process for a Dementia Information and Advice Service. Councillor Anne-Marie Sonko, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health, stated that the current contract for the Dementia Navigator Service ends on 31 March 2026. The new contract, expected to last five years and funded by the Better Care Grant, will provide a team of Warwickshire specialist Dementia Advisors to support individuals and their families affected by dementia, offering post-diagnosis support to promote independence.

Better Care Fund Plan 2025/26

The Cabinet approved the proposed pooled contribution of £18.669 million to the Better Care Fund Plan for 2025/26, known as the Better Together programme plan. This approval allows Warwickshire County Council to enter into a section 75 agreement with Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) for the delivery of the plan. The Council will continue as the pooled budget holder. Authorisation was also given to review and update the existing section 75 agreement relating to Discharge to Assess services. Councillor Jerry Roodhouse raised concerns about the lack of an inflationary increase in funding and its impact on residents in Rugby, to which Councillor Sonko responded that future health plans for Rugby would be presented at the next Health and Wellbeing Board.

Wheat Street/ Leicester Road Nuneaton – Compulsory Purchase Order

The Cabinet authorised the Executive Director for Resources to acquire land or rights for the construction of Wheat Street and Leicester Road in Nuneaton, either by agreement or through a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO). This acquisition is subject to planning permission being granted and funding being secured. The schemes are part of Nuneaton's integrated transport strategy, aiming to improve pedestrian facilities, accessibility, and traffic flow. Councillor Keith Kondakor questioned the necessity of the Wheat Street section and suggested alternative uses for the funds, but the Leader, Councillor Finch, referred to a previous Cabinet decision from 2020.

Flag Policy

A new Flag Policy for Warwickshire County Council buildings was approved. Councillor Michael Bannister, Portfolio Holder for Customer and Localities, explained that the policy formalises the approach to flying flags, with the Union flag, the Cross of St George, and the County flag to be flown as standard. The Armed Forces Covenant flag will be flown during Armed Forces week. The policy establishes a clear and fair mechanism for other organisations to apply to have their flags flown. The policy aims to restore respect for national and county symbols and promote community unity.

Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman – Annual Review and Summary of Upheld Complaints

The Cabinet received and commented on the annual review and summary of upheld complaints from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman for the financial year 2024/25. Councillor Michael Bannister reported that the Council performed similarly to or better than the average for comparable authorities. The upheld complaints related to Education, Children & Families, and Social Care and Support services. The Ombudsman noted that these service areas typically receive the most upheld complaints against county councils in England.

Consideration of Public Interest Report

The Cabinet endorsed the recommendations of a Public Interest Report issued by the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman concerning the phase transfer process for children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans. Councillor Michael Bannister explained that the report followed a complaint from a parent regarding the Council's decision not to issue an amended EHCP. The Ombudsman found the Council at fault and issued recommendations to address the issues, which the Council has agreed to implement. The Executive Director for Children and Young People is authorised to respond to the Ombudsman detailing the steps being taken.