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County Council - Tuesday 16 December 2025 10.00 am
December 16, 2025 County Council View on council websiteSummary
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Warwickshire County Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 16 December 2025 to discuss a range of topics, including the annual governance statement, additions to the education capital programme, and the appointment of an independent person. Councillors will also consider motions on school road safety, statutory walking distances for free school transport, and tackling child poverty. Additionally, the council is expected to review the external auditor's annual report, the council's statement of accounts, the Warwickshire Pension Fund accounts, a developer funded scheme in Nuneaton, the youth justice plan, and walking and cycling schemes.
School Road Safety
A joint motion from Councillor Nicki Scott and Councillor Scott Cameron calls for the council to explore the feasibility of several measures to improve road safety for pupils. These include providing school crossing patrols outside all educational establishments where needed, funding safe crossings and traffic calming measures outside new schools, considering developer contributions for safe crossings near schools for developments larger than 8 dwellings, introducing 20mph limits or advisory speed limits near schools during peak times, and working with the Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership to explore the further introduction of average speed cameras.
Access to Education and Statutory Walking Distances
A Conservative motion, proposed by Councillor Jan Matecki and seconded by Councillor Adrian Warwick, expresses concern over a letter sent by Councillor George Finch, Leader of the Council, to the Secretary of State for Education, requesting delegated authority to change the statutory walking distance required for children to qualify for free school transport. The motion seeks to reaffirm the council's commitment to safeguarding children's access to education and ensuring no child is disadvantaged due to geography or financial constraints, and requests that Councillor George Finch withdraw the letter.
Tackling Child Poverty
A Liberal Democrat motion, proposed by Councillor Jerry Roodhouse and seconded by Councillor Jennifer McAllister, calls for the development of a comprehensive Warwickshire Child Poverty Reduction Strategy (2026–2030) with measurable targets, the establishment of a cross-party Child Poverty Commission, and the requirement of an annual Child Poverty Impact Assessment on all major council decisions and budget proposals.
External Auditor's Annual Audit Report
The council will be presented with the External Auditor's Annual Audit Report 2024/25, which includes a commentary on the council's arrangements for securing value for money. Councillors will be asked to request that the Audit and Standards Committee monitor the delivery of management actions in response to the key recommendation in the report, which relates to Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficit management. The report states that the council should:
continue to deliver its planned mitigations and current governance arrangements of monitoring and reporting on deficit within established processes.
Due to the immediate impact on cash flow the Council should continue to implement enhanced cashflow and treasury monitoring.
Warwickshire County Council Statement of Accounts 2024/25
The council will be asked to approve the Warwickshire County Council Statement of Accounts 2024/25. The statement includes the statement of responsibilities for the accounts, a narrative statement by the Executive Director for Resources, the core financial statements, the statement of accounting policies, the notes to the core financial statements, and the Firefighters' Pension Fund statement.
Warwickshire Pension Fund Accounts 2024/25
The council will also be asked to approve the Warwickshire Pension Fund Accounts 2024/25. The statement includes the Warwickshire Pension Fund Account, the Net Assets Statement, and notes to the accounts.
Additions to the Education Capital Programme 2025/26
The council will be asked to approve additions to the capital programme for schemes at Whitestone Infant School, Chetwynd Junior School and Avon Valley School. These additions, which total £39.745 million, will be funded by developer contributions and education capital funding.
Section 278 Developer Funded Scheme - C11 Higham Lane/Peake Avenue
The council will be asked to approve the addition of £2,110,400 to the Capital Programme for 2025/2026 for highway improvements at the C11 Higham Lane/Peake Avenue junction in Nuneaton. The scheme, which will be fully funded by the developer, involves the introduction of a 4-arm roundabout, including associated signage, relocated bus stops, footways, and cycle infrastructure, to be used as an access route to the approved development at Top Farm.
Youth Justice Plan 2025/26
The council will be asked to approve the Youth Justice Plan 2526 for 2025/2026. The plan sets out the vision for the Warwickshire Youth Justice Partnership to deliver great services, and builds on the progress made in 2024/25. The plan's key local priorities are serious youth violence interventions, children's physical health, and victims.
Annual Governance Statement 2024/25
The council will be asked to approve the Annual Governance Statement 2024/25, which provides assurance of the way the council meets the highest standards required of public office. The statement sets out the council's approach to governance, the key challenges, changes, and achievements in 2024/25, and compliance with the seven principles of governance.
Walking and Cycling Schemes
The council will be asked to note the approach taken to assessing and establishing the value for money of walking and cycling schemes with internal or external funding, and to endorse the delivery of schemes which contribute to the development of a holistic network of routes as set out in the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan, subject to the identification of available funding.
Appointment of Independent Persons
The council will be asked to approve the appointment of Mr Prodromos Mavridis to the Panel of Independent Persons required by the Localism Act 2011, from the date of the council meeting to 30 September 2029.
A46 Stoneleigh Junction
A report regarding the A46 Stoneleigh Junction is included in the reports pack, but is marked as restricted, and will be discussed after the exclusion of press and public.
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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Annual Governance Statement 2024/25
Recommendations Approved...that Council approved the Annual Governance Statement for 2024/25.
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Warwickshire County Council Statement of Accounts 2024/25
Recommendations Approved...that Council approved the Warwickshire County Council Statement of Accounts for 2024/25, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.
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Liberal Democrat Motion: Tackling Child Poverty Across Warwickshire
Recommendations Approved -
Appointment of Independent Persons
Recommendations ApprovedThe County Council approved the appointment of Mr Prodromos Mavridis to the Panel of Independent Persons on 16/12/2025. Mr Mavridis will serve from the date of the council meeting until 30 September 2029. An induction programme will be undertaken with Mr Mavridis and refresher training provided for the current panel.
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Youth Justice Plan 2025/26
Recommendations ApprovedThe County Council approved the Warwickshire Youth Justice Plan 2025/2026 on 16 December 2025. The plan outlines the service's strategic priorities and is a requirement for receiving grant funding. The Warwickshire Youth Justice Chief Officer Board will track and monitor the actions associated with the plan.
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A46 Stoneleigh Junction
Recommendations Approved...to determine the next steps regarding the A46 Stoneleigh Junction scheme.
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Warwickshire Community Safety Agreement 2025-29
Recommendations ApprovedThe County Council approved the Warwickshire Community Safety Agreement 2025-29 on 16 December 2025. This agreement outlines how partner agencies will work together to implement shared community safety priorities.
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Conservative Motion: Protecting Children's Access to Education by Opposing any Extension to Statutory Walking Distances
Recommendations Approved...to request the Leader withdraw a letter to the Secretary of State for Education seeking delegated authority to change statutory walking distances for free school transport, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding children's access to education.
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Joint Motion: School Road Safety
Recommendations Approved -
External Auditors' Annual Audit Report 2024/25
Recommendations ApprovedThe County Council noted the External Auditor's Annual Report on 16/12/2025. The Council requested that the Audit and Standards Committee monitor the delivery of management actions in response to the key recommendation. The report contained a key recommendation regarding the management of the Dedicated Schools Grant deficit.
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Warwickshire Pension Fund Accounts 2024/25
Recommendations ApprovedThe County Council approved the 2024/25 Warwickshire Pension Fund Statement of Accounts on 16 December 2025. The decision was made by the County Council. The approved accounts include the Warwickshire Pension Fund Account, Net Assets Statement, and supporting notes.
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Walking and Cycling Schemes with internal or external funding
Recommendations ApprovedThe County Council noted the approach to assessing value for money for walking, wheeling, and cycling schemes on 16 December 2025. It endorsed the delivery of schemes contributing to a holistic network, subject to funding identification.
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S278 Developer Funded Scheme - C11 Higham Lane/Peake Avenue - middle junction 4 arms roundabout
Recommendations approvedThe Council, County Council on 16/12/2025 approved the addition of £2,110,400 to the Capital Programme for 2025/2026 for the C11 Higham Lane/Peake Avenue roundabout scheme. The Council will explore design changes for pedestrian crossings and traffic routing with the developer, and investigate a walking and cycling route. The Executive Director for Communities is authorised to commence procurement for the scheme.
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