Members are reminded that they must declare their disclosable pecuniary interests and other registrable or non-registrable interests in any matter being considered at the meeting as set out in Appendix B of the Members’ Code of Conduct and consider if they should leave the room prior to the item being considered. Further advice can be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 11 February 2026.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 February 2026 be confirmed as an accurate record.

To receive any questions from members of the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14. Deadline for notification is not later than 12 noon on Thursday 5 March 2026.

To receive any questions from Members of the Council. Deadline for notification is not later than 12 noon on Thursday 5 March 2026.

Lead Member: Councillor Roger Evans – Portfolio Holder for Finance

Lead Officer: Duncan Whitfield – Interim Executive Director (S151)

REPORT TO FOLLOW

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

A.    Confirmed that the s151 Officer continues to ensure that actions taken by other senior officers under the declared Financial Emergency to reduce the variation from budget at outturn are continued to include the updated Budget, Transformation and Change

B.    Noted the continued use of the Budget, Transformation and Change Panel (formerly the Operations Board) and the Workforce Review Board with a view to enhancing the control of spend and authorisation of projects.

C.    Noted the forecast overspend at Period 10 of £49.944m.

D.    Noted the forecast level of savings to be delivered by the end of the financial year at Period 10 of £17.730m (29.61%).

E.    Noted the forecast General Fund Balance of £5.000m.

Lead Member: Councillor Roger Evans – Portfolio Holder for Finance

Lead Officer: Duncan Whitfield – Interim Executive Director (S151)

REPORT TO FOLLOW

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet considered the position presented in this report and including the following actions:

·       Agreed that the Section 151 officer will prepare a proposal for the 2027/28 budget to create a corporate fraud team, dependent on an appropriate budget being identified.

·       Noted the current arrangements for the management of counter fraud activity and fraud related investigations

Lead Member: Councillor David Walker - Portfolio Holder for Planning

Lead Officer: Matt Farmer - Public Health, Biodiversity and Emergency Planning Manager

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

a.     Noted the work of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) Steering Group and stakeholders in supporting co-ordinated biodiversity action, to enable nature recovery across Shropshire.

b.     Approved the LNRS Strategy (subject to parallel approval by Telford and Wrekin Council) and delegated to the Service Director for Strategy & Change, the authority to make minor amendments to the Strategy, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, prior to publication and notification to the Secretary of State as required.

Lead Member: Councillor David Walker – Portfolio Holder for Planning

Lead Officer: Eddie West - Planning Policy and Strategy Manager

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.     Approved the submission of the response to the Government’s consultation on reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and associated reforms to the planning system, as set out in Appendix 1 to this report.

2.     Delegated authority to the Service Director for Legal, Governance and Planning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning to agree any minor additional changes to the Council’s response to the consultation ahead of its submission to the Government before 12th March 2026.

Lead Member: David Vasmer - Portfolio Holder for Highways and Environment

Lead Officer: Andy Wilde – Service Director – Infrastructure

REPORT TO FOLLOW

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.     Approved continued engagement with the Department for Transport (DfT) to draw down the LEVI Fund Capital and Capability funding.

2.     Approved the continued delivery of Shropshire’s LEVI Fund programme, including preparatory work for the necessary procurement.

3.     Delegated authority for all matters relating to the LEVI Fund to the Service Director for Infrastructure, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Highways & Environment / Transport & Economic Growth, enabling procurement and contracting with a suitable Charge Point Operator.

4.     Delegated authority for all matters relating to the EV Pavement Channels Grant to the Service Director for Infrastructure, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Highways & Environment / Transport & Economic Growth, enabling procurement and contracting with an appropriate hardware and installation provider.

Lead Member: Councillor Rob Wilson - Portfolio Holder for Transport & Economic Growth

Lead Officer: Hayleigh Deighton – Strategic Partnerships Manager

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agreed to:

1.     Delegate to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holders for both Planning and Transport and Economic Growth, responsibility to respond to the Government consultation on SDS geographies by 26th March with a preferred proposal for Shropshire.

2.     Delegate to the Chief Executive, and, once appointed, the Executive Director for Communities, Growth & Partnerships, responsibility for undertaking proactive strategic partnership engagement with neighbouring local authorities within England to understand SDS proposals.

3.     Delegate to the Chief Executive, and, once appointed, the Executive Director for Communities, Growth & Partnerships, responsibility to undertake proactive strategic partnership engagement with infrastructure providers via formation of a Strategic Infrastructure Forum.

4.     Delegate to the Chief Executive, and, once appointed, the Executive Director for Communities, Growth & Partnerships, in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holders for Planning and Transport and Economic Growth, responsibility for taking forward work on the preparation of an SDS, including but not limited to building a strategic planning team to lead the SDS and work alongside the team preparing Shropshire’s Local Plan, in accordance with government requirements and regulations.

To note that the next meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 15 April 2026.