The Cabinet of Buckinghamshire Council met on Tuesday 10 February 2026 to discuss a range of significant financial and strategic matters. Key agenda items included the scrutiny of the 2026 Budget, the Medium Term Financial Plan for 2026/27 to 2028/29, and the Capital Programme for 2026/27 to 2029/30. The Cabinet was also scheduled to consider the Capital and Investment Strategy, feedback from the LGA Corporate Peer Challenge, and the draft Local Transport Plan 5 consultation. Additionally, reports on Q3 Budget Management, Q3 Capital Budget Adjustments, and Q3 Corporate Performance were to be presented.

Budget Scrutiny 2026 Report

The Cabinet was scheduled to consider the Budget Scrutiny 2026 Report, which was prepared by the Budget Scrutiny Inquiry Group, chaired by Councillor John Chilver. This report contained recommendations made by the group to the Cabinet. These recommendations included calls for greater transparency around cross-portfolio projects aimed at delivering savings, a review of the work and structure of Community Boards and Opportunity Bucks to explore synergies for cost efficiencies, and a review by the Transport, Environment, Communities and Climate Change Select Committee into the income and cost implications of proposed parking enforcement outsourcing. The report also recommended identifying and securing funding for future community safety activities following the abolition of the Police & Crime Commissioner role in 2028, commissioning a feasibility study for a new leisure centre in North Buckinghamshire, assessing the initial findings of the Casey Commission into social care reforms, monitoring the impact of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 on the temporary accommodation market, ensuring Disabled Facilities Grants meet the needs of an ageing population, lobbying government on funding for infrastructure to meet new housing targets and clarifying the timetable for the Community Infrastructure Levy in the former Aylesbury Vale District, ensuring s106 monies are used effectively, undertaking an options appraisal for the Energy from Waste facility at Calvert, and lobbying government on the impact of Ofsted delays in registering new children's homes.

Medium Term Financial Plan 2026/27 to 2028/29 and Capital Programme 2026/27 to 2029/30

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the draft Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) and Capital Programme. The Council is legally required to publish a balanced budget annually. The MTFP highlighted challenging financial pressures due to demand growth, particularly in social care, home to school transport, temporary accommodation, and SEND-related services, alongside national funding reforms. Buckinghamshire Council was projected to lose £44.4 million in funding by 2028/29 due to the Fair Funding Review, with its Core Spending Power increasing by only half the national average, largely driven by Council Tax increases. The draft budget proposed a 4.99% increase in Council Tax, comprising a 2.99% increase in the basic element and a 2% increase for the Adult Social Care Precept.

The Capital Programme for 2026/27 to 2029/30 was presented with a total of £628 million in projects, with 76% externally funded. Key investments include over £220 million in transport and highways, £49.7 million for SEND provision, and £108 million for schools. The report also noted a proposed delegation to Cabinet to add up to £100 million worth of new capital schemes funded through prudential borrowing, subject to robust business cases. The Cabinet was asked to approve recommendations to Council regarding the Draft Revenue Budget and Capital Programme, the outcome of the Budget Consultation, the Schedule of Fees & Charges, current risks, delegation for new capital schemes, and the formal Council Tax Resolution.

Capital and Investment Strategy

The Cabinet was asked to approve the draft Capital and Investment Strategy, with a recommendation for Full Council to approve it. The strategy provides the framework for how the Council will maximise the impact of its capital resources to deliver its aims and priorities, considering future investment needs, funding sources, and risks. Minor amendments were proposed to update the document, including strengthening key messages on economic growth and regeneration, expanding references to Growth Board investment, aligning with current governance, updating housing and population statistics, and referencing the MTFP process and the Council's Corporate Landlord function.

LGA Corporate Peer Challenge Feedback Report

The Cabinet was asked to note the feedback report from the Local Government Association's Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) which took place in October 2025. The report highlighted significant strengths, including strong political and officer leadership, digital innovation, effective partnerships, and robust financial management. Recommendations for improvement included aligning the corporate plan with the financial plan and risks, empowering communities, addressing SEND and temporary accommodation demand, and shaping devolution across wider geographies. The report also noted the need for the council to adjust to operating with a minority administration and recommended further member development.

Draft Local Transport Plan 5 (LTP5) Consultation

The Cabinet was invited to approve the draft Local Transport Plan 5 (LTP5) and supporting documents for public consultation. The LTP5 outlines the vision, objectives, and policies for transport in Buckinghamshire until 2045, aiming to make travel easier, safer, and more accessible while reducing transport emissions and creating high-quality places. The draft plan includes policies on active travel, public transport, safety, place-shaping, highway network management, motor vehicles, innovation, freight and logistics, and delivery. A draft Freight and Logistics Strategy was also presented for consultation. The consultation aimed to gather feedback on the draft LTP5 and supporting documents, with a six-week public consultation period planned for February 2026.

Q3 Budget Management Report 2025-26 and Q3 Capital Budget Adjustments and Reprofiling

The Cabinet received reports detailing the Council's financial position as at Quarter 3 of the 2025-26 financial year. The Revenue forecast indicated a balanced position overall, despite pressures in Children's Social Care Provider Services and Temporary Accommodation, which were offset by favourable variances in other areas and corporate budgets. The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) budget showed a deficit, managed under a statutory override. The Capital Programme forecast indicated a £13.2 million rephasing against the budget, with significant spend remaining on key projects like SEALR, Highways maintenance, and Children's Homes.

Q3 Corporate Performance Report

The Cabinet was presented with the Q3 Corporate Performance Report, detailing the performance of key performance measures across Finance, Customer Service, Performance, and Human Resources indicators. The report indicated that 69% of indicators were performing at or better than target (Green), 8% were Amber, and 23% were Red, showing a slight improvement from Q2.

Other Agenda Items

The meeting also included agenda items for apologies, the approval of minutes from the previous meeting, declarations of interest, hot topics, question time, and the date of the next meeting. An item on the exclusion of the public was also listed, indicating the potential for discussion of exempt information.