The Shropshire Council Cabinet met on Wednesday 3 December 2025 to discuss a range of important financial and service-related matters. Key decisions included the approval of the draft Improvement Plan and People Plan, which aim to enhance the council's financial stability, operational efficiency, and workforce development. The Cabinet also reviewed the Treasury Management Strategy and Fees and Charges Pricing Policy, and received updates on Children's Services annual reports and the School Library Service.

Financial Monitoring and Improvement Plans

The Cabinet received a concerning update on the council's financial position, with the Quarter 2 Financial Monitoring Report revealing a worsening overspend and depleted reserves. Councillor Roger Evans, Portfolio Holder for Finance, presented the report, highlighting a projected year-end overspend of £47.1 million. This was attributed to a more realistic review of finances, with previously assumed savings proving undeliverable and delivery plans for some savings not being in place. The council is taking urgent action to control spending, including the establishment of financial boards and ongoing discussions with the government for exceptional financial support (EFS) of £15 million. Reserves are critically low, with a projected balance of £2.2 million by March, leaving little room for unforeseen costs.

In response to these financial challenges and recommendations from the Local Government Association (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge, the Cabinet considered the draft Shropshire Council Improvement Plan¹. This plan, which aims to address immediate financial issues while focusing on the council's future operational model, is structured around three key aims: financial stability and sustainability, clear priorities and purpose, and supporting the workforce to excel. The plan outlines nine priority programmes of action, including financial stability, a financial sustainability strategy, strengthening financial management, developing the Corporate Plan 2026-30, shaping the future council, reviewing the transformation programme, implementing the People Plan, strengthening governance and compliance, and a digital programme.

Councillor Heather Kidd, Leader of Shropshire Council, presented the People Plan², a roadmap for developing a high-performing, inclusive, and sustainable workforce. This plan is central to the council's future vision and aims to foster a culture where staff feel valued, supported, and empowered. It is structured around five interconnected aims: Culture, Leadership & Talent, Capability & Capacity, Performance, and Systems & Establishment. The plan includes actions such as embedding the council's values, developing a comprehensive communications and engagement strategy, updating the Equity, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EEDIB) Plan, conducting workforce skills audits, and introducing a new performance management framework.

Both the Improvement Plan and the People Plan were recommended for approval by the full Council.

Service Updates and Strategies

The Cabinet received updates on several key service areas:

All Age Autism Strategy 2025 - 2030

Councillor Ruth Houghton, Portfolio Holder for Social Care, presented the All Age Autism Strategy 2025-2030³. This strategy aims to create a Shropshire where autistic people of all ages are understood, supported, and empowered to thrive. It acknowledges autism as a lifelong condition and proposes a shift towards needs-led support, prevention, and early intervention. Key priorities include improving access to services, empowering families, developing the workforce, and fostering inclusion. The strategy was approved for recommendation to full Council.

Treasury Management and Financial Policies

Councillor Roger Evans, Portfolio Holder for Finance, presented several reports related to the council's financial management:

• Treasury Management Update Quarter 2 2025/26⁴: This report provided an update on the council's treasury management activities during the second quarter of the financial year. It highlighted the economic environment, the council's borrowings and investments, and confirmed compliance with the Treasury Management Strategy and prudential indicators. The report noted that the internal treasury team achieved a return of 4.11% on cash balances, marginally lower than the benchmark.
• Treasury Strategy 2025/26 Mid-Year Review⁵: This report confirmed compliance with Treasury and Prudential limits agreed by Full Council and provided an economic update. It noted that the Bank of England had reduced interest rates from 4.50% to 4.00% over the period.
• Fees and Charges Pricing Policy⁶: This new corporate policy aims to ensure effective and consistent management of discretionary service charges across the council. The core objective is to move towards Full Cost Recovery as the default position for discretionary services to enhance financial sustainability. The policy was recommended for approval and adoption for 2026/27.

Council Tax Taxbase for 2026/27

Councillor Roger Evans also presented the report on Setting the Council Tax Taxbase for 2026/27⁷. The report detailed the calculation of the taxbase, which is projected to be 121,852.37 Band D equivalents, an increase of 0.39% from the previous year. The report outlined the council's localised Council Tax Support scheme, discretionary discount policies for vacant properties and second homes, and the estimated collection rate of 98.0% for 2026/27. The Cabinet recommended these figures and policies to Full Council for approval.

Children's Services Annual Reports 2024-25

Councillor Andy Hall, Portfolio Holder for Children and Education, presented the Children's Services Annual Reports 2024-25⁸. The report summarised the work undertaken by various teams within Children's Social Care and Safeguarding Services, including Early Help, the Local Offer, Compass & Assessment, TREES (child exploitation and missing children), Court and PLO, Parenting Team, Stepping Stones, Corporate Parenting, Independent Reviewing Unit, Quality Assurance, Children's Workforce, Principal Social Worker, Shropshire Virtual School, Fostering Service, T4C (Adoption), and Residential Services. Cabinet acknowledged the positive impact and outcomes achieved for children and young people, and recommended that Children's Safeguarding training become a mandatory requirement for all elected Members to equip them for their role as corporate parents.

Update on the School Library Service (SLS)

Councillor Andy Hall also presented an update on the School Library Service (SLS)⁹. The Cabinet resolved to approve the proposal to cease the operation of the SLS by the Council. However, before closing the service entirely, the Director of Children's Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Children and Education, was delegated the responsibility to implement an engagement process to ascertain the viability of the service being maintained by a Multi-Academy Trust, Federation, town or parish council, or other third-party organisation. If this engagement is unsuccessful in identifying a viable interest, the service will be closed.

Annual Infrastructure Funding Statement 2025

Councillor David Walker, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regulatory Services, presented the Annual Infrastructure Funding Statement 2025¹⁰. This statement outlines the infrastructure funding secured by the council. Cabinet agreed to publish the statement before the end of 2025 and delegated responsibility for agreeing any necessary amendments to the Service Director – Legal, Governance and Planning, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regulatory Services.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The Cabinet resolved to exclude the press and public from the meeting during the consideration of specific exempt items, in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972.

The meeting concluded with noting the date of the next meeting, scheduled for Wednesday 21 January 2026.