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 10 September 2025.

MINUTES TO FOLLOW

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 September were a correct 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 9 October 2025.

To receive any questions from Members of the Council. Deadline for notification is not later than 12 noon on Thursday 9 October 2025.

Further to the recommendations from the Economy and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee which were presented at the meeting held on 10 September 2025, members are asked to consider a report setting out the findings of the Portfolio Holder.

Lead Member – Cllr James Owen, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Leisure

Lead Officer – Claire Braddock, Overview and Scrutiny Officer

REPORT TO FOLLOW

RESOLVED:

3.1     that Cabinet accepts the need, demand and benefit of a skatepark and BMX Pump

Track in Oswestry and will work to deliver a new facility in an appropriate location in

partnership with Oswestry Town Council (contingent on the Town Council’s support

and funding.)  

3.2  to instruct the Head of Property and Development  to complete an options appraisal of available sites within the Council's ownership, considering the most

appropriate and beneficial location, and bring back a report to a future Cabinet meeting with a final recommendation.

3.3     to instruct the Head of Property and Development that the work is to be undertaken rapidly with a report on the options appraisal brought back to the Cabinet meeting on 19 November 2025.

To receive a verbal report from Councillor Dawn Husemann, Chair of the Strategic Partnership Task and Finish Group.

Lead Member – Cllr Heather Kidd, Leader

Lead Officer – Tanya Miles, Interim Chief Executive

REPORT TO FOLLOW

RESOLVED:

To agree the CPC action plan and the plan’s integration into the overarching improvement plan as the first section of the Council’s Strategic Plan.

Lead Member – Cllr Roger Evans, Portfolio Holder for Finance

Lead Officer – James Walton, Executive Director (S151 Officer)

RESOLVED:

that Cabinet Members:

A. Ensure emergency action is continued by all Officers between October and March to improve the forecast position (currently a projected spend over budget at Period 5 of £35.531m). Such action should predominantly focus on reducing spend, increasing income, delivering remaining savings and significant mitigating actions to control in-year spending pressures.

B. Note that Operations Boards, which have been in place from August 2025, continue to challenge all in-year spending.

C. Note that the Period 5 position (as at the end of August) forecasts indicative level of savings delivery of £33.981m (57%),

D. Note the projected General Fund Balance is now negative (£1.251m), indicating a potentially illegal financial position by the end of the financial year if proposed action does not improve this position.

E. Note that, in light of the Council’s current financial position and ongoing engagement with MHCLG, active discussions regarding Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) have commenced

Lead Member – Cllr Roger Evans, Portfolio Holder for Finance

Lead Officer – James Walton, Executive Director (S151 Officer)

REPORT TO FOLLOW

RESOLVED:

3.1 That Cabinet discuss the emerging pressures for the coming year and in the context of the new direction for Shropshire Council work alongside officers to identify and agree the decisions necessary to achieve a legal budget for 2026/27 and a balanced financial position across the medium term.

3.2. That Cabinet requires Officers to continue work to; • Reduce all non-essential spend for 2025/26 and review identified pressures • Prepare savings options for the coming year, to secure a balanced budget for approval by Council in February 2026. • Work with MHCLG to actively pursue options for Exceptional Financial Support over the MTFS Period

Lead Member – Cllr Alex Wagner, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Communities

Lead Officer – Tim Collard, Service Director – Legal, Governance and Planning

RESOLVED:

3.1 That Cabinet support the application of the Code from 1st April 2026, focusing on compliance whilst acknowledging that resource challenges may lead to some practical challenges and delays and noting that action may be taken by the Ombudsman in respect of any failures to implement the Code in full from the new financial year.

3.2 That Cabinet acknowledges that collective effort will be required across the Council to ensure that complaints are prioritised appropriately.

3.3 That Cabinet support the requirement within the Code for Oversight and Scrutiny of the complaints handling processes and annual reporting to Elected Members (to include the Ombudsman’s annual letter and performance data).

To resolve that, in accordance with the provisions of schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and Paragraph 10.4 [3] of the Council’s Access to Information Rules, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items

RESOLVED:

That, in accordance with the provisions of schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and Paragraph 10.4 [3] of the Council’s Access to Information Rules, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items

Lead Member – Cllr Ed Potter and Cllr Sam Walmsley

Lead Officer – Claire Braddock, Overview and Scrutiny Officer

RESOLVED:

To consider and take into account the recommendations set out in the report to inform decisions regarding the highways future operating model. 

Lead Member – Cllr David Vasmer, Portfolio Holder for Highways and Environment

Lead Officer – Andy Wilde, Service Director – Infrastructure

REPORT TO FOLLOW

RESOLVED:

To agree recommendations 3.1 – 3.4 set out in the report.

To note that the next meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 19 November 2025.