Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bernie Bentick and Duncan Borrowman

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

Councillor Mark Owen informed the meeting that with regard to Item 7 he was a member of the board of STAR Housing

Members are asked to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 8 June 2026.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 8 June 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 Tuesday 1 September 2026.

Two public questions had been received:

John Palmer, in relation to the disposal of council assets.

Andrew Sceats, in relation to Cornovii.  In response to a supplementary question the Chair noted that the current report focused on future options rather than the company’s history but agreed the points raised should inform any retrospective review.  It was agreed that the Interim S151 Officer would provide a fuller response to the points raised outside of the meeting

The full questions and responses can be found on Response to Public Questions - 7 September 2026.pdf

To receive any questions from Members of the Council. Deadline for notification is not later than 12 noon on Tuesday 1 September 2026.

There were no questions from Members

To share the report of an ‘Assurance Review’ undertaken by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) as part of the arrangements associated with the Council receiving Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) from the Government.

Contact – Duncan Whitfield, Interim Executive Director (S151)

This item is a recent addition to the agenda and with the permission of the Chairman, the report will follow

The Committee considered the Exceptional Financial Support: External Assurance Review   report which shared the report of an ‘Assurance Review’ undertaken by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) in April 2026 as part of the arrangements associated with the Council receiving Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) from the Government, identified significant challenges facing the Council, and made a series of recommendations intended to support financial recovery and long-term sustainability.

Members welcomed progress but remained concerned that the council still lacked a clear, financially credible route to close the long-term budget gap. Particular concern was expressed about the need to move beyond process and demonstrate measurable delivery, sustainable savings, and transparent public assurance.

The committee broadly supported the report and agreed that recommendations to Cabinet should include strengthening the finance function, receiving a concise traffic-light summary of progress against the CIPFA recommendations, and improving the public accountability of the Improvement Board.

To receive a paper that considers options for the Council’s future relationships with Cornovii Developments Ltd (CDL).

Contact – Duncan Whitfield, Interim Executive Director (S151)

The Chairman has given permission for the report to follow to ensure the most up to date information is available to the Committee

The Committee considered the Cornovii Developments Ltd report which set out options for the Council’s future relationship with Cornovii Developments Ltd (CDL). The report recognised that the company had delivered high-quality homes on difficult sites but concluded that its business model depended on council borrowing that was no longer affordable in the context of the financial emergency and exceptional financial support and it was recommended that Option 6, a structured closure over a managed period, was the least disadvantageous and lowest-cost option.

Members generally supported this approach, while stressing the need to protect tenants and to understand the full financial implications for taxpayers. The committee asked that Cabinet consider a member-led mechanism to review the history of Cornovii and capture lessons learned, while minimising additional cost and officer resource demands.

To consider the Quarter 1 Financial Monitoring Report update on the Council’s financial position for the current financial year 2026/27 and identify any recommendations or observations to share with Cabinet, and any topics to be considered or adding to the Committee’s work programme or to be referred to another committee.

Contact – Duncan Whitfield, Interim Executive Director (S151)

The Chairman has given permission for the report to follow to ensure the most up to date information is available to the Committee

The Committee received the Financial Monitoring Report for Quarter 1 of the 2026/27 financial year. Officers described the position as cautiously positive, with the council broadly tracking the budget set for the year but emphasised that this was an early position and that risks remained, particularly around demand-led services and the need for stronger accountability and forecasting.

Members raised issues including the treatment of parish and town council contributions to services, recruitment difficulties across key professional areas, the need for clearer transformation business cases, and the overspend risk in children’s services. The Chair proposed that these issues be reflected in recommendations or follow-up requests to Cabinet.

To consider the Quarter 1 Corporate Plan Performance Report and identify any recommendations or observations to share with Cabinet, and any topics to be considered or adding to the Committee’s work programme or to be referred to another committee.

Contacts: Paul Clarke, Service Director – Strategy & Change; Tom Dodds, Strategy & Scrutiny Manager

The Chairman has given permission for the report to follow to ensure the most up to date information is available to the Committee

The committee received the Q1 Performance report.  They welcomed the revised performance reporting format, which brought together delivery commitments, traffic-light ratings and key performance indicators. Members felt the report was a significant improvement and provided a better basis for assessing progress against the corporate plan.

Some concern was expressed that the tone of the financial sustainability section might appear more positive than the position felt in scrutiny discussions, given the continuing scale of the council’s financial challenge.

To receive a briefing on the scope and nature of Shropshire Council's Assets, as well as Asset Management to help develop understanding of the topic and inform whether there are specific areas that the committee would like to include in their work programme or within their planned work.

Contacts: Kassandra Polyzoides, Interim Service Director – Place Shaping; Steve Law, Head of Property & Development

A presentation will accompany this item.  The Chairman has agreed that due to staff absence and workload the presentation will follow the agenda. 

The committee agreed that members needed a clearer understanding of the council’s asset base before scrutinising asset disposal strategy. Members requested more accessible information on the categories, scale, value and use of council assets, as well as the criteria and governance arrangements for identifying disposals.

It was agreed that a revised briefing should be prepared, potentially for an all-member session or a future scrutiny meeting, with greater granularity and clearer definitions of asset categories and terminology.

To consider proposals for the Committee’s work programme 2026 – 2027 attached

Contact: Claire Braddock, Scrutiny Officer

The Committee considered its future work programme and potential areas for further

development.

The Scrutiny Officer suggested that instead of having 2 meetings in November a meeting be held in October to look at items such as Adult Social Care Transformation, the Devolution of Strategic Partnerships paper and possibly the Assets briefing.

The next meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday 16 November 2026, but it is proposed to bring this forward to 12^th October 2026.

Members were advised that the next scheduled meeting was due to take place on Monday 16^th November but that this may be brought forward to October and that they would be advised of the new date as soon as it was to hand.