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Summary
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The Slough Council cabinet met to discuss several key issues, including the financial situation, the Future Works development, and the Destination Farnham Road scheme. The cabinet approved actions relating to energy contracts, mental health accommodation, and debt write-offs, while also reviewing reports on budget management and the children's services.
Budget Management and Financial Recovery
The cabinet addressed the council's financial challenges, with a report on the provisional forecast for the first quarter of 2025/26. The report noted a net overspend of £20.729m, with initial mitigations of £7m identified by the Corporate Leadership Team. The cabinet noted the sixth instruction from the government-appointed commissioners1 and approved several measures, including:
- Incorporating additional and amended schemes into the Capital Programme totalling £0.782m.
- Reprofiling of capital budgets totalling £12.753m from 2025/26 to later years.
- Drawing down £1.373m from the budget smoothing reserve to support the Finance Improvement Programme.
The cabinet also requested a comprehensive update in October on issues relating to temporary accommodation and potential mitigations from the Executive Director of Regeneration, Housing and Environment.
Future Energy Contracts
The cabinet approved a new Future Energy Contracts Strategy that sets out the strategic direction for purchasing the council’s gas and electricity. This included:
- Signing a Customer Access Agreement with the Crown Commercial Service (CCS).
- Direct awards of contracts under CCS Framework RM6251 to EDF Energy Limited for electricity and TotalEnergies Gas & Power Limited for gas, both covering 1 April 2026 to 20 March 2027.
- Delegating authority to the Executive Director of Regeneration, Housing and Environment, in consultation with the lead member for Assets, Finance and Transformation and the Section 151 Officer2, to sign future direct awards under future CCS Frameworks for electricity and gas supply contracts beyond 20 March 2027. ## Mental Health Supported Accommodation
To ensure continuity of services, the cabinet approved the procurement of an interim short-term contract for block-contracted mental health supported accommodation, as the existing contracts expire on 30 June 2026. The interim contract will run for 12 months from 1 July 2026, with a possible 12-month extension. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Adult Social Care to award the contract and finalise implementation arrangements.
Destination Farnham Road
The cabinet approved the direct award of contract for the Destination Farnham Road construction works to VolkerFitzpatrick, up to a value of £9,000,000. This project aims to revitalise the Farnham Road corridor, prioritising walking and cycling and improving bus priority.
Dissolution of Future Works Agreement
The cabinet approved the dissolution of the development management agreement between Land Securities and the council, as recommended in Confidential Appendix C. This decision will allow the council to recognise significant funds in FY 25/26 without adjustment or offset and potentially unlock investment in the remaining phases of the Future Works development. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Regeneration, Housing & Environment, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and the Section 151 Officer, to dissolve the agreement without material adjustment to the recommended financial position or timing.
Debt Write-Offs
The cabinet authorised the write-off of uncollectable rent debts exceeding £15,000, as identified in Appendix 1 of the report.
Slough Children First (SCF) Annual Report
The cabinet received the annual report of Slough Children First (SCF) for 2024/25, along with a review by Mutual Ventures. SCF delivers statutory children's services on behalf of the council. The cabinet noted the report and approved the next steps outlined in paragraph 2.10 of the Report.
Improvement and Recovery Action Plan
The cabinet received an update on the delivery of the Improvement and Recovery Action Plan, designed to support the council's journey to becoming a Best Value Council. The cabinet noted the update and agreed to take the report to Full Council for further discussion. A further update will be provided in January 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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Destination Farnham Road Contract Award
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)...the direct award of contract for the Destination Farnham Road construction works to VolkerFitzpatrick was approved, enabling the delivery of the works up to a value of £9,000,000.
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Future Energy Contracts Strategy
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)...to secure the Council's future energy supply, the Cabinet approved signing a Crown Commercial Service (CCS) agreement, directly awarding electricity and gas contracts to EDF Energy Limited and TotalEnergies Gas & Power Limited respectively for the period of April 2026 to March 2027, and delegating authority for future contract awards beyond 2027.
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Dissolution of Future Works Agreement - Appendices
Recommendations Approved -
Approval to write-off individual property related debts greater than £15,000
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)...to authorise the write-off of £170,147.61 in uncollectable individual commercial rent debts exceeding £15,000, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.
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Budget Management Report Q1 2025/26
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)...Cabinet noted the Q1 2025/26 budget management report, highlighting a projected £20.729m overspend with £7m in potential mitigations, approved additional capital program schemes of £0.782m, reprofiled £12.753m in capital budgets, and authorized a £1.373m drawdown from the budget smoothing reserve for the Finance Improvement Programme.
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Dissolution of Future Works Agreement
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)...to facilitate the continued regeneration of Slough's town centre and allow the Council to recognise significant funds, the Cabinet approved the dissolution of the Development Management agreement between Land Securities and the Council, based on the financial analysis in Confidential Appendix C, and delegated authority to relevant officers to finalize the dissolution without material changes to the recommended financial position or timing.
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SCF Annual Report
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)...to note the Slough Children First Annual Report for 2024/25, note the review by Mutual Ventures, and approve the next steps set out in the report.
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Recommissioning of Mental Health Supported Accommodation
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)...the Cabinet of Slough approved the procurement of an interim short-term contract for mental health supported accommodation services to ensure continuity of care when the current contracts expire on June 30, 2026, with the new contract running for 12 months from July 1, 2026, and a possible 12-month extension.
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