The Shropshire Council Cabinet met on 10 September 2025 and declared a financial emergency, directing the Chief Executive to implement emergency measures to reduce non-essential spending and to create a sustainable corporate plan. They also approved a consultation on the Shrewsbury Town Centre Design Code, along with residential design guidance, and agreed to allocate funds for improvements to Bishop's Castle Arts and Leisure Centre.

Here's a breakdown of the key topics discussed:

• Financial Emergency
• Ofsted Report on Children's Social Care
• Shrewsbury Town Centre Design Guide
• Residential Design Supplementary Planning Documents
• Bishop’s Castle Arts and Leisure Centre
• West Felton Neighbourhood Area
• Skateboard Facility and Pump Track Petition
• Sale of Former St Marys School, Shawbury
• Treasury Management Update
• Performance Monitoring Report

Financial Emergency

The Cabinet declared a financial emergency and directed the Chief Executive, working with the Council Leader, Councillor Heather Kidd, to take immediate action to cut non-essential spending between September and March. This decision was made in response to the Period 4 Financial Monitoring Report, which projected a £35.169 million overspend. The Chief Executive was also instructed to collaborate with the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Council Leader to establish an independently chaired Improvement Board, following a recommendation from a recent LGA Corporate Peer Challenge.

The approved recommendations included:

• Noting that Operations Boards have been in place since August 2025 to challenge all in-year spending.
• Noting that the Period 4 position forecasts indicative savings delivery of £34.012 million (57%).
• Noting that the projected General Fund Balance is now negative (£0.899 million), indicating a potentially illegal financial position by the end of the financial year if no further action is taken.
• Directing the Chief Executive to bring forward a sustainable corporate plan for the authority to Council in December, reflected in a medium term financial strategy that sets out an approach to deliver a sustainable financial position within a timeframe of no more than three years.

The Financial Monitoring Report Quarter 1 2025/26 was also discussed, which highlighted the significant financial pressures facing the council, with a forecasted £33.544 million overspend. The report noted that the council's General Fund Balance was only marginally more than the central forecast variation. The Cabinet directed the Chief Executive to instruct all officers to urgently take the necessary actions to improve the Quarter 1 forecast of a projected spend over budget of £33.544 million (30th June 2025), by year end, predominantly focussing on remaining savings or mitigating actions to be delivered in 2025/26.

Ofsted Report on Children's Social Care

The Cabinet acknowledged the 'outstanding' rating received in the recent Ofsted report on Children's Social Care. They also recognised the commitment required to sustain and embed this achievement, and the preventative benefits it would bring to children, young people, and families. The report will be shared with the Full Council on 25 September 2025.

Shrewsbury Town Centre Design Guide

The Cabinet approved a minimum six-week public consultation on the draft Shrewsbury Town Centre Design Guide. The guide aims to enhance the character and appearance of Shrewsbury town centre by providing guidance for businesses, investors, developers, and council officers on good design. It sets out design coding structured around eight themes: movement, nature, built form, identity, public space, uses, homes, and resources. A self-assessment checklist is included to aid in the design and planning application process. Authority was delegated to the Service Director for Legal, Governance and Planning, Tim Collard, to make minor changes to the draft before the consultation.

Residential Design Supplementary Planning Documents

The Cabinet approved a minimum six-week public consultation on two draft Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs): the Design of New Dwellings SPD and the Design of Residential Extensions and Alterations SPD. These SPDs provide guidance to support the understanding and application of design policies in the adopted Development Plan. The Design of New Dwellings SPD offers both high-level and technical guidance for new dwellings, while the Design of Residential Extensions and Alterations SPD provides guidance on key design considerations for residential extensions and alterations. Tim Collard, the Service Director for Legal, Governance and Planning, was authorised to make minor changes to the drafts before the consultations.

Bishop’s Castle Arts and Leisure Centre

The Cabinet agreed to allocate £680,000 of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds to the Bishop’s Castle Arts and Leisure Centre pool refurbishment project. This includes £300,000 from the Bishop’s Castle local CIL fund and £380,000 from the Strategic County wide CIL Fund. The Cabinet also recommended that the Council approve both the Bishop’s Castle Pool Refurbishment Project and the Bishop’s Castle Decarbonisation Project for inclusion in the Capital Programme. Authority was delegated to the Service Director for Commissioning, Laura Tyler, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Leisure, Councillor James Owen, to procure, negotiate, and agree the terms of any agreements and contracts necessary to proceed with the delivery of both projects.

West Felton Neighbourhood Area

The Cabinet agreed to designate the Parish of West Felton as a Neighbourhood Area, following an application by West Felton Parish Council. This designation allows the Parish Council to develop a Neighbourhood Development Plan.

Skateboard Facility and Pump Track Petition

The Cabinet discussed a recommendation from the Economy and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding a petition for a skateboard facility and pump track in Oswestry. The Cabinet resolved that the relevant Portfolio Holders, with officer support, explore the possibility of transferring land to Oswestry Town Council for this purpose and report back to Cabinet on 15 October.

Sale of Former St Marys School, Shawbury

The Cabinet approved the recommendations for the proposed sale of the former St Marys Church of England Primary School, located on Dawsons Rough, Wem Road, Shawbury. Due to the commercially sensitive nature of this item, the press and public were excluded from the meeting during its discussion.

Treasury Management Update

The Cabinet reviewed the Treasury Management Update for Quarter 1 2025/26, noting the wider economic environment and the Council’s borrowings and investments, as well as the performance within prudential indicators.

Performance Monitoring Report

The Cabinet noted progress in achieving the outcomes of The Shropshire Plan (TSP) and confirmed that the KPIs currently agreed remain the same for 2025/2026 until aligned to the refresh of The Shropshire Plan in 2025/26. They also noted the new draft Local Government Outcomes Framework and agreed to provide feedback and consider these metrics when reviewing the KPIs for the new corporate plan.