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Cabinet - Wednesday, 10 June 2026 - 10.30 am
June 10, 2026 at 10:30 am Cabinet View on council websiteSummary
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The Cabinet of Shropshire Council met on Wednesday 10 June 2026, discussing a range of important issues including the financial outturn for the previous year, the future of day services for learning disabled and older people, and reforms to children's services. Key decisions included approving the closure of Helena Lane Older People's Day Service in Ludlow, agreeing to transfer the Aquamira Learning Disability Day Service to the Abbots Wood Site, and endorsing a comprehensive Children's Services Reform Programme.
Financial Outturn 2025/26
The Cabinet received a detailed report on Shropshire Council's financial outturn for the 2025/26 financial year. The report highlighted a significant adverse variation of £49.428 million against the General Fund budget. This overspend was largely attributed to ambitious savings targets that proved unachievable and under-budgeted demand pressures within social care services. To manage this deficit, £19.637 million was funded by Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) from the government, leaving £29.278 million to be funded from the General Fund reserves and balances. Consequently, the General Fund Balance was reduced to £5 million, a level considered below what is normally appropriate for a council of Shropshire's size. The report also noted an increase in Earmarked Reserves and Provisions, bringing their total to £29.812 million, and that £17.722 million of savings were delivered over the year. The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) reported a surplus of £1.372 million, while the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) had an overspend of £28.029 million, resulting in a deficit reserve of £45.655 million. The capital programme saw net budget variations of £26.932 million, with re-profiled budgets for the coming years. Cabinet noted these figures and agreed to the proposed actions to restore balances over time, including further requests for EFS.
Aquamira Learning Disability Day Service and Helena Lane Older People's Day Service
The Cabinet agreed to transfer the Aquamira Day Service to the Abbots Wood site and close the current Aquamira building. This decision was made despite significant opposition from service users and carers during the public consultation, who expressed concerns about the loss of the hydrotherapy pool and the specialist, calm environment. The primary driver for the change was the high and rising cost of the Aquamira building and the operational demands of the hydrotherapy pool, which are not statutory services the Council is required to provide. The transfer aims to address the structural cost driver while maintaining a specialist day service offer from an alternative venue. The Council will continue to meet eligible needs through Care Act assessments and individual transition plans.
In a separate but related decision, Cabinet approved the closure of the Helena Lane Older People's Day Service in Ludlow. This decision was also made in the context of sustained low utilisation and high unit costs, with an indicative average net cost of £332.82 per attendance day. While consultation feedback showed strong opposition, particularly from unpaid carers and families concerned about the loss of respite, assisted bathing, and dementia-specific supervision, Cabinet concluded that the current in-house model represented poor value for money. Eligible needs will continue to be met through reassessment, care planning, and alternative support arrangements, with specific mitigation measures for those affected, including those relying on respite and facing rural transport barriers.
Children's Services Reforms
Cabinet endorsed a comprehensive, integrated approach to deliver national children's services reforms through a single Children's Transformation Programme. This programme aligns with the Council's Corporate Plan and Improvement Plan, aiming to rebalance services towards earlier intervention and prevention. Key elements include the development of three Best Start in Life (BSIL) Family Hubs in Shrewsbury, Oswestry, and Ludlow, along with additional multi-disciplinary team bases in Highley, Market Drayton, and South Shrewsbury. The programme will also progress the Families First Partnership operating models for Family Help, Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams (MACPT), and Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) to drive earlier intervention. Cabinet noted the investment requirements of up to £8 million over four years, anticipated to deliver £21 million in savings, and instructed the Director for Children's Services and Section 151 Officer to include these estimates in the Medium Term Financial Plan. Authority was delegated for approving the final BSIL Delivery Plan and exploring premises options.
Other Decisions
The Cabinet also approved the adoption of two Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs): the 'Design of New Dwellings SPD' and the 'Design of Residential Extensions and Alterations SPD'. These documents provide guidance on applying Development Plan policies and will form material considerations in planning application decisions. Additionally, approval was given for the Hills Ford Stages Rally to proceed on 19–20 September 2026, with the necessary Motor Race Order and Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders to facilitate the event. The Cabinet also declared St Andrews, Shifnal, surplus to requirements and approved its disposal as a non-core asset, delegating authority for the disposal process to the Head of Property and Development. Finally, Cabinet noted the Q4 Performance Report for 2025/26 and approved the proposed Corporate Plan 2026-2030 Performance Management Framework, delegating authority for final amendments to KPIs and delivery commitments to the Service Director (Strategy & Change) in consultation with the Leader of the Council.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Improvement Plan - Progress Report
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)The Cabinet decided to approve recommendations regarding the Improvement Plan progress report on 10/06/2026. The Cabinet noted the report and provided guidance on continued improvement and financial sustainability.
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St. Andrews, Shifnal – Asset Decision
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)Shropshire Cabinet approved the declaration of St. Andrews, Shifnal as surplus to requirements and authorised its disposal as a non-core asset on 10/06/2026. The Cabinet delegated authority to the Head of Property and Development, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, to progress the disposal, including title resolution and determining the disposal strategy.
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Helena Lane Older Peoples Day Service
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)The Cabinet decided to approve the closure of Helena Lane Older People's Day Service. This decision was made on 10th June 2026. The approval includes delegating authority to the Director of Adult Services to implement closure through a managed transition, including Care Act assessment and/or review for individuals and carers to secure alternative arrangements.
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Children's Services Reforms
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)The Cabinet decided to approve recommendations regarding Children's Services Reforms on 10 June 2026. This included approving the proposed locations for three Best Start in Life Family Hubs in Shrewsbury, Oswestry, and Ludlow, and additional multi-disciplinary team bases. The decision also delegated authority to the Director for Children's Services to approve the final Best Start in Life Family Hubs Delivery Plan and explore premises options.
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Commissioning and Procurement Strategy
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)Shropshire Council's Cabinet approved the Commissioning and Procurement Strategy on 10th June 2026. The strategy sets out how the council will plan, procure, and manage goods, services, works, and concessions from 2026 to 2029. Authority was delegated to the Service Director Commissioning, in consultation with the Portfolio holder for Finance, to update the strategy annually.
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Shropshire Housing Authority Enforcement & Civil Penalty Policies
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)The Cabinet approved the Shropshire Housing Authority Enforcement Policy and Civil Penalty Policy. The Cabinet delegated to the Service Director Communities and Customer the authority to make required updates to these policies. The Cabinet also directed that a formal review of the policies should be presented in June 2027.
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Local Transport Plan - Consultation
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)Shropshire Council's Cabinet approved the draft Local Transport Plan for public consultation on 10/06/2026. The decision allows for the publication of the draft plan and supporting documents for a six-week consultation period commencing in September 2026. This includes developing an engagement and consultation strategy and associated programme of activities.
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Treasury Management Update Quarter 4 2025/26
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)The Cabinet decided to approve the Treasury Management Update for Quarter 4 2025/26 on 10/06/2026. The update noted new borrowing of £100m for the General Fund, including £61.8m for Exceptional Financial Support, which was £9.6m less than approved, reducing future revenue costs.
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Financial Outturn 2025/26
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)Shropshire Council's Cabinet approved the financial outturn for 2025/26 on 10th June 2026. The Cabinet noted the revenue budget outturn variance of £49.428m above budget and approved retaining a balance of capital receipts set aside of £22.309m. The Cabinet also noted the £28.029m overspend for the Dedicated Schools Grant.
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Q4 Performance Report
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)Shropshire Council's Cabinet approved the proposed Corporate Plan 2026-2030 Performance Management Framework on 10th June 2026. The Cabinet also noted the progress and position against the outcomes of The Shropshire Plan. Authority was delegated to the Service Director (Strategy & Change) in consultation with the Leader of the Council to make final amendments to KPIs and delivery commitments.
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Hills Ford Rally
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)The Cabinet decided to approve the Motor Race Order and Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders for the Hills Ford Stages Rally on 10 June 2026. The decision was to authorise the TTROs and operational arrangements.
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Adoption of Design of New Dwellings and Design of Residential Extensions and Alterations Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs)
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)The Cabinet decided to approve the adoption of the Design of New Dwellings SPD and the Design of Residential Extensions and Alterations SPD on 10/06/2026. These documents will provide guidance for planning applications and form material considerations in decision-making. The decision included approving amendments to the draft SPDs informed by public consultation.
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Aquamira Learning Disability Day Service
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)The Cabinet decided to approve the transfer of Aquamira Learning Disability Day Service to the Abbots Wood site and the closure of the Aquamira building. This decision was made on 10th June 2026. The Cabinet delegated practical arrangements to the Director (DASS) in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Public Health.
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Minutes
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Shropshire Council decided to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 15 April 2026. They also recommended the draft Corporate Plan 2026-30 to Council for approval. Additionally, the Cabinet agreed the Shropshire Domestic Abuse Partnership Strategy 2026-2029 and recommended its approval to Full Council.
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