This week in Worcestershire:

Council Grapples with £95 Million Schools Funding Deficit

Worcestershire County Council is facing a significant financial challenge with a projected £95.3 million overspend in high needs funding within the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). This was revealed at the Economy Overview and Scrutiny Panel meeting, where budget monitoring for Quarter 2 was discussed. The forecast deficit is expected to balloon to £193.7 million by March 2026, despite a statutory override¹ being in place to extend the deficit recovery period until March 2028. Read the full meeting details.

• The overspend is driven by a 20% increase in children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), leading to higher transport costs.
• The council is requesting a transfer of £6.5 million of uncommitted reserves to the risk reserve to mitigate financial pressures.
• The situation raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services in Worcestershire.

The panel also heard that the council is forecasting to break even overall, but only after using £11.3 million of reserves and £33.6 million of exceptional financial support. This reliance on reserves and external funding highlights the precarious financial position of the council.

One Worcestershire Unitary Plan Faces Final Hurdle

The Cabinet considered the One Worcestershire proposal for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), a plan to create a single unitary council for the county. The finalized business case is intended for submission to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) by 28 November 2025, after which the government will consider it following a public consultation. View the full meeting.

• The proposal aims to create a financially sustainable council by 2030/31 through strong partnerships, community engagement, and technological empowerment.
• A key element is the establishment of local neighbourhood committees (LNCs) to empower communities.
• The plan emphasizes maintaining existing county boundaries and preserving key services like social care and education within a single organization.

The Cabinet also reviewed feedback from the MHCLG, which requested more robust evidence and justification for the proposal, particularly regarding population size alignment, service impact, and transition costs. The report pack included a joint impact assessment, including equality impact assessments (EIAs), to evidence any potential disproportionate impact by organisational changes due to peoples protected characteristics.

Fostering Services to Undergo Transformation Amidst Rising Demand

The Corporate Parenting Board discussed a new approach to fostering in Worcestershire, aiming to address increasing pressures on fostering services. The Worcestershire Fostering: A New Approach briefing presentation highlighted rising demand for kinship care², recruitment and retention challenges, financial pressures, and concerns about quality and consistency. See the full details of the meeting.

• The proposed restructure aims to strengthen recruitment, assessment, and support functions for both mainstream fostering and kinship care.
• Key changes include introducing a fostering no-detriment policy, uplifting fostering fees, and launching a targeted recruitment drive.
• The changes are intended to reduce reliance on high-cost external placements and build resilience within fostering teams.

Councillor Justin Bowen, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Children and Families, emphasized the importance of the changes, stating:

Everything works together, and it all flows from this initial investment. The reality is we can't afford not to make these changes.

Other Matters

• The Cabinet received the Worcestershire Adults Safeguarding Board (WSAB) Annual Report 2024-25, which provided an overview of the board's activities, including safeguarding activity and safeguarding adults reviews (SARs).
• The Cabinet received a mid-year update on treasury management activities, noting that the Council held £50.9 million of investments at 30 September 2025, with an investment portfolio yield of 4.41%.
• The Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board discussed the 'One Worcestershire' Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) proposal, emphasizing the need for robust evidence and justification for the final proposals.
• The Health and Wellbeing Board discussed annual reports from the Worcestershire Safeguarding Adults Board and the Worcestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership, as well as an annual summary of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment.
• The Pension Board reviewed the Pension Fund Annual Report, the Business Plan, and the Risk Register, as well as updates on governance, compliance, and training.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a summary of upcoming meetings:

• Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel on Monday 01 December 2025.
• Adult Care and Well Being Overview and Scrutiny Panel on Thursday 04 December 2025.
• Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Panel on Thursday 27 November 2025.
• Pension Investment Sub-Committee on Friday 28 November 2025.
• Corporate and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel on Monday 24 November 2025.

This week in Worcestershire:

Integrated Care Board Faces Cost Cuts Amidst National Reforms

The Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Monday to discuss the implications of national reforms to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), including a requirement to reduce running costs by an average of 50% by the end of 2025/26. For the NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care Board (HWICB), this translates to a 43% reduction, equivalent to approximately £12 million. Read the full meeting details.

• The HWICB is exploring a clustering arrangement with NHS Coventry and Warwickshire ICB (CWICB) to achieve the required cost reductions.
• The committee was informed that the establishment of the cluster does not constitute a merger, and both ICBs remain legally separate entities.
• The reforms raise concerns about the potential impact on local health services and the ability of the HWICB to address health inequalities in Worcestershire.

The report stated that the six ICBs in the West Midlands appointed Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) to undertake a detailed option appraisal to identify the most effective way to achieve the required cost reductions. The review identified that the strongest option was for three clusters of ICBs across the West Midlands, each grouping two existing ICBs.

The report clarified that the establishment of the cluster does not constitute a merger, and both ICBs remain legally separate entities, each with its own statutory duties and local accountability arrangements.

The Cluster Strategy is being developed to ensure that local focus remains at the core of the ICB operating model, focusing on:

• Developing local care collaboratives built around upper tier local government structures, with the County Council's members and staff having a pivotal role in the establishment and refinement of these collaboratives, building on the work that has been undertaken to date through the Worcestershire Place Partnership.
• A focus on Neighbourhood Health, with a neighbourhood health plan drawn up by local government, the NHS and its partners at single or upper tier authority level under the leadership of the Health and Wellbeing Board, incorporating public health, social care and the Better Care Fund. ## Neurological Conditions in Focus: Parkinson's and Dementia Services Scrutinized

The Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee also received an overview of common neurological conditions, focusing on Parkinson's and dementia. The report highlighted the challenges faced by individuals living with these conditions and the services available in Worcestershire. View the full meeting.

• There are approximately 1,300 people living with Parkinson's and more than 9,000 people living with dementia in Worcestershire.
• Waiting times for an initial appointment with a Consultant Neurologist are typically 20 weeks.
• A revised ICB Dementia Strategy will be published in early 2026, setting out improvements for the next five years.

Community support for Parkinson's patients is provided by the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care Trust's Parkinson's Clinical Specialist Nursing Service. The team maximises functional independence by promoting selfmanagement, with the overall aim to enhance the individuals' quality of life. The HWHCT Specialist Community Nursing Team currently receive between 20 25 new referrals every month, and has a caseload of more than 1,300 patients.

Dementia services in Worcestershire are provided by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust (HWHCT). It is estimated that there are 9604 people living with dementia in Worcestershire. The following services are offered to patients in Worcestershire: Early Intervention Dementia Services (EIDS), Older Adult Community Mental Health Teams (OACMHT), Admiral Nurses, Hospital at Home Team, and Specialist Inpatient Wards.

Malvern Hills National Landscape Grapples with Solar Development and Water Pollution

The Malvern Hills National Landscape Joint Advisory Committee met to discuss planning matters, water quality monitoring, and woodland management in the Malvern Hills National Landscape. The committee expressed concerns about the impact of solar developments on the landscape and the ongoing water pollution incident. See the full details of the meeting.

• The committee objected to several solar development proposals due to their scale and potential impact on the landscape.
• Water quality data revealed that 85% of water courses and water bodies in the Malvern Hills National Landscape were in moderate condition, 3.3% were in poor condition, and 11.7% were in bad condition.
• The committee discussed a water pollution incident in the area, with concerns raised about the Environment Agency's resources and prioritisation methods.

The committee was scheduled to discuss an increase in ground-mounted solar proposals around the Malvern Hills National Landscape, including applications for:

• A solar farm and battery energy storage system at Chapel Hill/Monksfield Farm, spanning approximately 124 ha. The Malvern Hills National Landscape Team objected to the proposed scheme based on its scale, underscoped Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA)¹, and underplayed effects on views from the Malvern Hills.
• A microgrid array of solar panels at Grove Farm, Pendock to serve a housing development. The Malvern Hills National Landscape Team issued a holding objection pending further information due to inadequacies with the applicant's Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA).
• A solar development covering nearly 40 ha at Sinton's End Farm, Acton Beauchamp. The Malvern Hills National Landscape Team objected based on a lack of information and evidence. The application was refused in early October 2025 due to insufficient information.

The report pack noted that the National Landscape team had spent time on a water pollution incident in the area. Data collected by local volunteers showed that a brook in the Malvern Hills National Landscape was polluted at the beginning of June 2025, and continued to be polluted as the report was written. The report stated that the water stank, was visibly polluted, and livestock would not drink from it, and that the presumed source was agricultural. The National Landscape team was lobbied by concerned parishioners to get the Environment Agency (EA) to visit. The report pack observed that the Environment Agency appears to be short staffed, that the EA use a prioritisation method that takes no account of protected landscape status, and that there is no shortage of data on water quality, just a shortage of resources to make any difference and a very poor reporting system.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a summary of upcoming meetings:

• Economy Overview and Scrutiny Panel on Wednesday 19 November 2025.
• Cabinet on Thursday 20 November 2025.
• Corporate Parenting Board on Wednesday 19 November 2025.
• Health and Wellbeing Board on Tuesday 18 November 2025.
• Pension Board on Tuesday 18 November 2025.
• Corporate and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel on Monday 24 November 2025.
• Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Panel on Thursday 27 November 2025.
• Pension Investment Sub-Committee on Friday 28 November 2025.
• Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board on Monday 17 November 2025.

This week in Worcestershire:

One Worcestershire Plan Sparks Debate Over Council Tax and Local Representation

Worcestershire County Council debated the One Worcestershire Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) proposal, a plan to create a single unitary authority for the county. While proponents argue it will streamline services and improve efficiency, concerns linger about potential council tax increases and the impact on local representation. Councillor David Taylor, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for One Worcestershire, presented the proposal, aiming for submission to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) by 28 November 2025. Read the full meeting details.

• The plan aims to create a single unitary council, arguing it's more sustainable than dividing the county.
• Critics worry about the lack of public consultation and potential loss of local voice.
• A leaked presentation suggested potential council tax hikes, fueling public anxiety.

The council considered the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board (OSPB) from its 16 October meeting, which requested that the final plan provide detailed analysis and assumptions, ensure clarity regarding local decision-making, and include details of the council's communication plan to residents.

The One Worcestershire Business Case proposes a single unitary authority, retaining the current county boundary and supporting cooperation with statutory, private sector, and voluntary partners. It focuses on providing the best possible outcomes and value for money for residents and businesses through simpler service access, a community-focused delivery model, and strategic leadership.

The proposal also includes the creation of local neighbourhood committees (LNCs) to strengthen community empowerment and ensure local communities are involved in decision-making.

The council recognised that local government in Worcestershire faces significant financial challenges and that the One Worcestershire proposal is based on a clear and deliverable financial plan, aiming for financial sustainability by 2030/31.

The council considered the risks of dividing the county into two smaller unitary authorities, including the potential for service fragmentation, unbalanced funding, and complications in partnership arrangements.

The council noted that the One Worcestershire proposal has not been subject to a public consultation to date, but that an engagement campaign for residents commenced in October 2025 to raise awareness and support understanding of the proposal.

The council also reviewed a joint impact assessment, including equality impact assessments (EIAs), to evidence any potential disproportionate impact by organisational changes due to peoples protected characteristics.

Police Face £27.7 Million Savings Target Amidst Rising Crime Concerns

The West Mercia Police and Crime Panel discussed the financial challenges facing West Mercia Police, including a £27.7 million savings target for 2025/26. This comes as the panel reviewed performance indicators showing increases in total recorded crime and violent crime. View the full meeting.

• The savings plan is scheduled to be delivered across three tranches, impacting staffing and investment.
• The panel questioned the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) about the impact of cuts on frontline services and the management of risk.
• Rural crime and partnership working with organizations like the National Farmers Union (NFU) were also discussed.

Councillor Liz Harvey questioned the PCC about the impact of the in-year savings, stating that over 300 members of staff have lost their jobs over the summer and that as a consequence of that, warranted officers are actually having to undertake a lot more of the admin and paperwork.

The panel also received an update on key performance indicators (KPIs). These metrics focus on crimes that have the greatest impact on communities, including traditional police and crime measures, neighbourhood crime, serious violence, domestic abuse and criminal justice outcomes for victims; as well as metrics that enable robust financial management.

Some of the performance indicators that are scheduled to be discussed include:

• Total recorded crime
• Violent crime
• Rape offences
• Robbery offences
• Residential burglary
• Vehicle crime
• Domestic abuse
• Call handling
• Public confidence
• Emergency response times
• Victim satisfaction
• Financial Outturn
• Reducing the carbon footprint associated with policing

Council Approves Capital Programme Changes, Scraps Newtown Road School

Worcestershire County Council approved variations to its capital programme, including the removal of funding for a new secondary school at Newtown Road in Worcester. This decision raises concerns about the council's ability to meet the growing demand for school places in the city. See the full details of the meeting.

The recommendations included:

• approving the current capital programme
• approving additional variations to the capital programme
• approving the use of Social Care Capacity Grant for funding the costs of refurbishing Greenhill Lodge
• approving reductions in expenditure funded by borrowing for various schemes
• approving a change in funding for the Hampton Bridge scheme
• approving a reduction in expenditure funded by borrowing relating to the Local Members Highways Fund
• approving a reduction in expenditure funded by borrowing relating to the small infrastructure fund
• approving a reduction in expenditure funded by borrowing relating to the Structural Carriageway works
• approving the removal of funding from the capital programme for the new secondary school at Newtown Road, Worcester

The council noted that since the approval of the capital programme in July 2025, several re-cashflows, receipt of additional grant funding and minor amendments have taken place.

The council also noted that a review of the current overall capital programme has been undertaken, with a particular focus on those schemes funded by borrowing, and that the total impact of the reductions is a decrease in expenditure required to be funded by council borrowing of £29.585 million over the period of the capital programme.

The council was informed that work on the Redditch Railway Station scheme be stopped, and that the £12 million borrowing is requested to be removed from the budget and replaced with a £1 million scheme potentially funded by the 2026/27 Local Transport Grant allocation.

Other Matters

• The council considered the Interim External Auditors Annual Report 2024/25 from Grant Thornton, including a statutory recommendation to address the increasing Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficit¹.
• The council considered an amendment to the LGPS Central Shareholder Representative Delegation, and a number of notices of motion.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a summary of upcoming meetings:

• Corporate Parenting Board on Wednesday 19 November 2025.
• Economy Overview and Scrutiny Panel on Wednesday 19 November 2025.
• Health and Wellbeing Board on Tuesday 18 November 2025.
• Pension Board on Tuesday 18 November 2025.
• Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board on Monday 17 November 2025.
• Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Monday 10 November 2025.
• Cabinet on Thursday 20 November 2025.
• Malvern Hills National Landscape Joint Advisory Committee on Friday 14 November 2025.

This week in Worcestershire:

Pension Fund Investments Under Scrutiny Amidst Confidential Discussions

The Worcestershire Council's Pension Investment Sub-Committee met to discuss the Investment Strategy and Asset Allocation for 2025. The Pension Investment Sub-Committee also considered excluding the public and press from a portion of the meeting, citing the need to discuss exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person .

• The sub-committee was scheduled to review a 62-page report on the Investment Strategy and Asset Allocation for 2025.
• The potential exclusion of the public raises questions about transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.
• The specific details of the investment strategy and asset allocation remain confidential, making it difficult for residents to assess the potential risks and benefits.

The decision to potentially exclude the public from discussions about the Pension Fund's investments raises concerns about transparency and the public's right to know how their money is being managed. This is particularly important given the significant financial pressures facing the council, as highlighted in previous meetings where overspends in adult and children's social care were discussed.

Other Matters

• The Pension Investment Sub-Committee also addressed apologies for absence, declarations of interest, public participation, and confirmation of minutes from previous meetings.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a summary of upcoming meetings:

• West Mercia Police and Crime Panel on Wednesday 05 November 2025.
• Council on Thursday 06 November 2025.
• Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Monday 10 November 2025.
• Malvern Hills National Landscape Joint Advisory Committee on Friday 14 November 2025.