The Cabinet of Warwickshire Council met on Thursday 16 April 2026, making decisions on the 2026-27 revenue budget, capital programme, and the adoption of the Warwickshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy. The meeting also addressed the closure of Great Alne Primary School and the establishment of a cross-party working group to review the Councillor's Grant Fund.

2026-27 Service Budget Estimates

The Cabinet approved the detailed 2026-27 revenue budget, the budget reduction plan, and the capital programme for each service. This included approving movements between service revenue budgets since the budget was set on 17 February 2026 and noting the details of the new adult social care allocation for Warwickshire. The report highlighted significant financial pressures expected in 2025-26 and 2026-27, necessitating agility in financial management. To address these pressures, an additional £3.5 million was allocated to children's social care and £1.5 million to adult social care. Councillor Warwick raised concerns about coping with additional in-year pressures due to inflation and interest rates, to which Councillor Shaw responded that the council works closely with officers on a weekly basis to monitor allocations and ensure value for money. Councillor Cowher expressed confidence in achieving budget reductions and delivering the capital programme, despite inflationary pressures. Councillor Condicott noted that the 4.4% council tax rise provided more reserves than the initially considered 3.8% and suggested increasing income from street works, while also questioning the accuracy of forecasts given higher interest rates and lower migration. Councillor Stevens sought clarification on the impact of permanent and one-off transfers to address the funding gap and the adequacy of the £11 million allocated for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) transition, including potential redundancy and recruitment costs. Councillor Shaw confirmed the £11 million was based on a single unitary authority model and was split with the county council, with further review needed if two unitaries were established.

Warwickshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy

The Cabinet adopted the Warwickshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), a framework designed to reverse biodiversity loss, restore habitats, and strengthen the natural environment across the county. Councillor Darren Cheshire, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Heritage and Culture, presented the strategy, emphasizing its practical, locally grounded approach and the broad support received during consultation. The strategy focuses on habitat restoration, species recovery, water resilience, improving green and blue spaces, and fostering community connections with nature. Councillor Stephens inquired about the receipt of the £135,000 financial burden grant for 2025-26, to which Councillor Cheshire confirmed it had been received and a similar grant was expected for subsequent years. Councillor Condicott stressed the importance of implementing the strategy in urban areas like Nuneaton and Bedworth, highlighting issues with river pollution and development impacting nature. Councillor Warwick welcomed the strategy and mentioned the work of volunteers and officer David Lowe in managing a wetland reserve in Wolvey. Councillor Cheshire acknowledged the concerns raised about river quality and pollutants. Councillor Feeney commended the Borough Council's partnership with the University of Birmingham on a river champions scheme. Councillor Dixon questioned the extent to which HS2 and its contractors were involved in formulating the strategy, and Councillor Cheshire stated that HS2 had been part of the original conversation and details of their participation would be sought.

Great Alne Primary School

The Cabinet made the final decision to close Great Alne Primary School on School Road in Great Alne, Ulster, from 31 August 2026, subject to the revocation of the current Direct Academy Order. Councillor Wayne Briggs, Portfolio Holder for Education, acknowledged the significance of the decision and assured that no child would be left without a school place. Councillor Norris argued against the closure, highlighting that other primary schools in Ulster are full, Great Alne is the only school with spare capacity, and the next closest school is six miles away. He also pointed out that the school was full only four or five years ago and suggested a reprieve to assess the impact of the South Yorkshire local plan, which may include significant new housing in the Wilmcote area. Councillor Briggs responded that pupil numbers were falling before the Ofsted rating improved and that the Stratford plan's potential development was uncertain. He also stated that a decision was needed to provide support to the nine children and four teachers at the school. Councillor Norris sought a commitment that the school site would be retained for educational or community use in Ulster and Great Holm, but Councillor Briggs could not provide a definitive commitment due to legal reasons and the need for a decision before further planning could occur.

Crisis Resilience Fund

The Cabinet authorised the commencement of a procurement process to commission the delivery of crisis payment, housing payment, resilience services, and community coordination strands for the period 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029, funded through the ring-fenced Crisis Resilience Fund. Councillor Michael Bannister, Portfolio Holder for Customer and Localities, explained that this fund replaces the Household Support Fund and has different criteria, with an emphasis on resilience. He noted the tight timetable imposed by the government and the need for the voluntary sector to be involved. Councillor Jonathan Chilvers welcomed the emphasis on resilience but echoed concerns about the short timescale, suggesting a small grant process for local community groups for the current year to support initiatives like warm hubs. Councillor Bannister indicated that past funded groups would be considered and that the interim period would be covered by existing funds. Councillor Warwick highlighted Warwickshire's identification as an oil-dependent county and the additional grant this would bring, noting the significant cost increases for households using oil for heating. Councillor Stevens inquired about plans for a collective buying scheme for heating oil for residents. Councillor Dixon raised concerns that the tendering process might favour larger national providers over local organisations with demonstrable local relationships and trust. Councillor Bannister assured that efforts would be made to ensure the tender specifications favoured local providers. Councillor Curtis added that the fuel crisis also affects bottled gas and solid fuel users. Councillor Condicott suggested exploring opportunities for residents to transition to renewable heating systems to reduce future dependence on fossil fuels.

Establishing a cross-party working group to review Councillors' Grant Fund priorities

The Cabinet approved the establishment of a cross-party member working group to review the Councillor's Grant Fund. Councillor Michael Bannister explained that the fund, which has limited resources, often receives more applications than available funding, leading to difficult decisions and significant administrative costs. He noted that some organisations have made multiple applications, moving away from the fund's original purpose. The working group will review the fund's fairness, accessibility, and value for money, with a view to implementing changes quickly to support summer applications. Councillor Boad supported the review, emphasizing the challenges faced by new councillors in making decisions about unfamiliar organisations and the potential for multiple rounds of funding. Councillor Chilvers suggested minor administrative tweaks, such as moving to one round of funding and limiting multiple applications. Councillor Warwick welcomed the review, highlighting the significant impact of small grants on enabling community initiatives. Councillor Feeney commended the work of officers in supporting the fund and suggested maintaining the model of area groups cooperating to fund bids.

Performance Management Framework 2026-27

The Cabinet reviewed and commented on the Key Business Measures (KBMs) for the 2026-27 Performance Management Framework and agreed in principle for their inclusion. The framework will replace Warwickshire's outcome measures with the national Local Outcomes Framework. Councillor Michael Bannister presented the updated framework, which contains 98 KBMs, an increase from the previous 66. Councillor McAllister questioned the accuracy of the reported numbers of KBMs, stating they did not add up. Councillor Bannister acknowledged a potential counting issue and stated it would be addressed. Councillor Condicott raised concerns about the geographical distribution of performance measures, such as electric charging points, and the lack of data on road safety casualties, advocating for more granular data and a focus on reducing deaths and serious injuries. Councillor Stevens sought visibility on the benchmarks and targets against which performance would be measured. Councillor Feeney confirmed that Warwickshire is not the collecting authority for housing statistics from lower-tier authorities but welcomed the inclusion of KBMs measuring outcomes for young children. Councillor Boad reiterated concerns about the numerical discrepancies and the need for geographically based data. Councillor Curtis echoed the call for KBMs focused on actual accident and injury reductions. Councillor Dixon asked which KBMs would specifically track progress in addressing child poverty, and Councillor Bannister directed him to measures under happy, healthy and safe children on page 68. Councillor Edwards raised concerns about KBMs being worked to rather than the underlying problem, and the need to capture qualitative information.

Other Business

The meeting concluded with the exclusion of the press and public for items containing exempt or confidential information, including the exempt minutes of the previous Cabinet meeting and a site-specific business case for the Warwickshire Property & Development Group.