At a meeting of Buckinghamshire Council's cabinet, members noted the progress of the Opportunity Bucks programme, the Shareholder Committee, and the first quarter budget management, and approved changes to the capital programme and fees and charges.

The cabinet discussed a range of issues, including the Opportunity Bucks programme, the council's shareholder committee, budget management, and capital budget adjustments. Councillor Robin Stutchbury asked a question about speech therapy and language support for children.

Opportunity Bucks Progress

The cabinet received an update on the Opportunity Bucks programme, a local partnership approach to levelling up in the 14 electoral wards experiencing the most hardship. Councillor Steve Bowles, Cabinet Member for Communities, said the programme aims to address long-standing challenges and provide opportunities for everyone to succeed.

The report highlighted several achievements:

• Outcomes for young people in college have increased by 19%.
• Over £760,000 of costs have been avoided by preventing or reducing rough sleeping.
• Over 360 homes have received targeted support from the Energy Doctor team.
• Over 180 residents with severe mental illness have received physical health checks.
• Over 1,500 residents have engaged through Community Action Days.

Councillor Isobel Darby, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said the programme was improving the health and wellbeing of the most deprived residents. Councillor Carl Jackson, Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate Change & Waste, thanked the team working on Opportunity Bucks. Councillor Mark Winn, Cabinet Member for Housing and Regulatory Services, highlighted the impact of the Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM) team on supporting rough sleepers.

Councillor Cowell-Heath asked about the Health on the High Street initiative in Aylesbury, and was told that it would be extended to High Wycombe. Rachel, Chief Executive, recognised the support from the NHS, particularly from Neil MacDonald, Chief Executive of Buckinghamshire Hospital Trust.

Councillor Steven Broadbent, Leader, asked how the council ensures that successful initiatives from Opportunity Bucks wards are replicated in other areas, and how the council determines what to do in each ward. Matt Everett, Service Director for Business Intelligence and Community Support, explained that ward partnerships, led by local councillors, gather information from residents and stakeholders to identify specific challenges and develop solutions.

The cabinet noted the progress of the Opportunity Bucks programme.

Shareholder Committee Annual Report

The cabinet considered the Buckinghamshire Shareholder Committee Annual Report 2024/25. Councillor Robert Carington, Cabinet Member for Resources, explained that the committee ensures that the council's companies and limited liability partnerships act in the interest of the council as shareholder. He noted that Councillor John Chilver was the chairman of the committee for 2024/25.

The committee focuses on Aylesbury Vale Estates, Buckinghamshire Advantage, and Consilio Property Limited. The key work undertaken included reviewing risk registers, director appointments, business plans, and financial accounts.

Councillor Broadbent asked for confirmation that there is sufficient oversight on the risk registers and that shareholder committee members will receive the same level of training as previous members. Councillor Carington confirmed that training would continue.

David Skinner, Service Director for Finance, added that the financial standing of the companies is closely monitored, and lessons learned from other authorities are addressed.

The cabinet noted the annual report of the Buckinghamshire Shareholder Committee.

Budget Management Report

The cabinet reviewed the Quarter 1 Budget Management Report 2025-26. Councillor Robert Carington, Cabinet Member for Resources, said that the forecast revenue outturn is a balanced position, but there are pressures of £5.5 million in children's social care, home to school transport, and temporary accommodation. He noted a favourable position within corporate budgets of £5.5 million, mainly from additional interest income.

The high need block budget within the dedicated schools grant¹ (DSG) was set with a deficit of £22.9 million, and the forecast is in line with the budget. The statutory override, which allows the council to hold a negative reserve, has been extended to 31 March 2028. The council has a savings target of £76.9 million, and is currently delivering £0.5 million above target.

Councillor Broadbent expressed his disappointment that the government had not put the DSG on a sustainable footing. He said that the deficit will continue to grow, and that the situation needs to be fixed.

Councillor Thomas Broom, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Transport, said that the largest component of the adverse movement in transport is in home to school transport. He said that demand is rising relentlessly, and that the government is requiring the council to provide services without providing funding.

Councillor Adekunle Osibogun, Cabinet Member for Education & Children's Services, said that the adverse impact on the education portfolio is mainly due to external residential placements. He said that the council is trying to improve foster care and is opening new SEND units within schools.

The cabinet noted the report and agreed to changes to fees and charges as outlined in appendix three of the Public reports pack.

Capital Budget Adjustments and Reprofiling

The cabinet considered the Quarter 1 Capital Budget Adjustments and Reprofiling report. Councillor Robert Carington, Cabinet Member for Resources, said that changes to the published capital programme require cabinet approval. He said that there was a slight slippage of £38 million from last year, which has now been brought forward into this financial year.

Councillor Broadbent clarified that the term removals refers to the closeout of projects being delivered, not a removal from the capital programme.

Councillor Isobel Darby asked for clarification on where money from projects that come in under budget is reallocated. She was told that it depends on the terms of the section 106 agreement².

The cabinet approved the recommended changes to the capital programme.

Question Time

Councillor Robin Stutchbury asked Councillor Adekunle Osibogun how the local authority can address concerns raised by the Care Quality Commission³ and Ofsted⁴ regarding the identification and support for children needing speech and language therapy in Buckinghamshire, particularly focusing on long waiting times for autism assessments and the need for improved pathways to ensure quality care and successful outcomes for children with ADHD.

Councillor Osibogun said that autistic spectrum disorder and speech language and communication needs account for more than half of the EHCPs⁵ in place in Buckinghamshire. He said that most of the actions in the written statement of action have now been completed, and that Ofsted confirmed in July 2024 that sufficient progress had been made in two of the three areas. He added that the therapy service was recommissioned in 2024, and that waiting times for therapy service have improved.