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 3 December 2025.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2025 be approved as 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 15 January 2026.

To receive any questions from Members of the Council. Deadline for notification is not later than 12 noon on Thursday 15 January 2026.

Lead Member – Councillor Roger Evans, Portfolio Holder for Finance

Lead Officer – James Walton, Executive Director (S151)

REPORT TO FOLLOW

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.     Work with Officers during Q4 in the current year and into 2026/27 to develop a Financial Sustainability Strategy and transformation and change programme which will deliver savings and generate income, in order to reduce the duration of time for which EFS (exceptional financial support) is required across the medium-term financial period.  

2.     Work with Officers during Q4 in the current year and into 2026/27 through the establishment of a joint working group to develop and progress an approach to business and budget planning.  

3.     Ask Officers to continue to work with MHCLG in support of its application for exceptional financial support and actions required to return to financial stability. 

Lead Member – Councillor Roger Evans, Portfolio Holder for Finance

Lead Officer – Cheryl Sedgely, Head of Financial Management and Reporting

REPORT TO FOLLOW

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:  

1.     Approved progression of next steps as identified in Appendix A for Council funded capital schemes within the Capital Programme.  

2.     Approved progression of next steps as identified in Appendix B for Priority schemes within the Capital Strategy.  

3.     To commence work in Quarter 1 of 2026/27 on an accelerated review of all Council owned and leased land and building assets, in order to inform a refreshed Capital Strategy for the next 5 years which is aligned to enabling financial stability for the Council. 

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

Lead Officer – Andy Wilde, Service Director - Infrastructure

RESOLVED:

1.     That Cabinet formally approve on behalf of Shropshire Council the new Shropshire Hills National Landscape Management Plan 2025-2030. 

2.     That Cabinet formally approve on behalf of Shropshire Council the Terms of Reference for the new Shropshire Hills National Landscape Advisory Committee. 

Lead Member – Councillor David Walker, Portfolio Holder for Planning

Lead Officer – Eddie West, Planning Policy and Strategy Manager

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agreed the designation of the proposed Neighbourhood Area identified on the map in Appendix B, covering the Parish of Baschurch as an appropriate basis for the development of a Neighbourhood Development Plan and notifies Baschurch Parish Council accordingly.  

Lead Member – Councillor David Walker, Portfolio Holder for Planning

Lead Officer – Eddie West, Planning Policy and Strategy Manager

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agreed:  

1.     The Much Wenlock Neighbourhood Plan Review meets the ‘Basic Conditions’ and all the other legal requirements as summarised in the Independent Examiner’s Report, subject to the modifications proposed in the Schedule of Modifications (Appendix 2) 

2.     The required modifications be agreed, and that the final ‘referendum’ version of Much Wenlock Neighbourhood Plan Review (Appendix 3) proceed to local referendum.  

3.     The referendum area be that as defined as the designated area to which the Much Wenlock Neighbourhood Plan Review relates. 

Lead Member – Councillor Ruth Houghton, Portfolio Holder for Social Care

Lead Officer – Natalie McFall, Service Director – Care and Wellbeing

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

(i)              agreed public consultation for 8 weeks on the future of Helena Lane Day Service, including the potential option to close the service. New admissions should be paused during the consultation period to avoid further impact.  

(ii)             agreed public consultation for 8 weeks on the potential transfer of the Aquamira day service to the Abbots Wood site.  

(iii)           endorsed public engagement for 8 weeks on the reprovision of the remaining InHouse Day Services Provision.  

Following the period of consultation, final recommendations will be presented to Cabinet for determination. 

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

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

Lead Officer – Laura Tyler, Service Director - Commissioning

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet agreed the recommendations contained within the report.

To note that the next meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 11 February 2026.