The Business and Finance Scrutiny Committee of Telford and Wrekin Council met on 17 September 2025 to discuss financial monitoring and the committee's work programme. The meeting was also scheduled to include a chair's update from Councillor Nathan England, Chair of the Business and Finance Scrutiny Committee, and a review of the minutes from the previous meeting.

Financial Monitoring 2025/26

The committee was scheduled to receive a report on the council's financial monitoring position for 2025/26. The Financial Monitoring 2025/26 report noted that councils nationally were facing unprecedented pressures driven by high costs and high demand for services . It also noted that the government had committed to reforming the Local Government Finance System, with the intention that 2026/27 would be the first year of a new funding regime for local authorities.

The report stated that the council was projecting to be within budget at year end, without having to use the Budget Strategy or General Fund reserves, but that additional investment was required in Adult Social Care to meet the needs of the most vulnerable residents.

The report also included the following recommendations for noting:

• The 2025/26 revenue budget position.
• The position in relation to capital spend.
• The collection rates for NNDR¹, council tax and sales ledger.

The report also recommended that the Full Council approve changes to the Capital programme detailed in Appendix C of the Public Reports Pack and all associated changes to the Medium Term Financial Strategy, including Treasury and Prudential Indicators.

Appendix A of the report summarised the projected variations to the 2025/26 revenue budget. Appendix B detailed revenue variations over £50,000. Appendix C detailed capital approvals.

Work Programme Review

The committee was scheduled to review the updated Work Programme for the Business and Finance Scrutiny Committee.

The Public Reports Pack included a table describing the issues scheduled to be discussed by the committee at future meetings. These included:

• The Terms of Reference for the committee.
• The Housing Investment Programme.
• The Growth Fund.
• The Medium Term Financial Strategy (Budget).
• The Telford Land Deal.
• A review of leisure services.
• The Pride in Our High Street programme.
• The Wellington Market regeneration.

The Public Reports Pack noted that the Telford Land Deal item was scheduled to be removed from the work programme due to the conclusion of its 10 year term.