Liverpool City Council's cabinet met on 16 September 2025, and agreed to a number of measures including: an extension to the Culture and Arts Investment Programme, the award of contracts for ice cream and refreshment vendors in parks, and proceeding with a developer appointment for Festival Gardens. The cabinet also approved a contract variation to the all-age, integrated drug and alcohol treatment and recovery service.

Here's a breakdown of the key discussion points:

• Revenue and Capital Finance Exception Report 2025/26
• Future of Millvina House and Brushwood Care Homes
• Festival Gardens Development
• Quality Improvement Support Service for Early Years Providers
• Lease of Land to Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Limited
• Contract Variation for Drug and Alcohol Treatment Service
• Cultural Arts Investment Programme
• Ice Cream and Refreshment Concessions in Parks
• Hosting of Major Event and Bidding to host Major Event 2030

Revenue and Capital Finance Exception Report

The cabinet reviewed the Revenue and Capital Finance Exception Report 2025/26 (Month 5), noting budgetary control actions to reduce overspending. The report highlighted a potential overspend of £29.601m in demand-led services, despite a significant budget growth of £52.311m. The council acknowledged a risk around the delivery of £17.681m of planned savings. The report also noted that the council's low level of reserves reduced its ability to manage continuing financial challenges.

The cabinet approved:

• allocation of funding for new capital projects
• capital financing swaps
• resolving historic liabilities in Liverpool Street Scene Limited (LSSL) through acquisition of additional share capital
• acceptance of grants from the Department for Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS), the Department for Education (DfE) and the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA).

The report noted that a range of budgetary controls were implemented which contributed to an improved financial position in 2024/25 and which continue in 2025/26. These controls include:

• Directorate level budget controls
• One-off mitigations
• Accelerated income recovery and debt collection
• Prioritisation of Council Tax and Business Rates arrears recovery

The report also noted that the council is:

• Implementing a range of workforce policy measures
• Undertaking a review of fees and charges including tracking performance, undertaking further benchmarking and deep dive trading services with a view to implementing increases from 1st January 2026 where applicable.

The report highlighted continuing financial pressures in adult social care, children's social care, and homelessness services.

Future of Millvina House and Brushwood Care Homes

The cabinet approved the recommendation for the council to continue operating Millvina House and Brushwood Care Homes with contracted qualified nursing provision. The decision was made in light of challenges in the care home market, including the loss of 187 beds in the past two years, and the need to maintain high-quality and sustainable nursing care capacity in the city. Councillor Angela Coleman, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services, said that for the past year of operating Brushwood and Millvina House care homes in collaboration with Health has demonstrated that it has been possible to achieve improvements in care quality, residents and families satisfaction, better conditions for staff, and better control of capacity.

The report noted that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) ratings of the two care homes under the previous operator prior to the Council taking control were Inadequate and Requires Improvement .

Festival Gardens Development

The cabinet approved the award of an overarching development agreement to Urban Splash Developments Limited and PFP-Igloo Limited Partnership as joint developers for the development of Festival Gardens. The decision followed a competitive dialogue procurement process and aims to deliver approximately 800 new homes, a minimum of 20% of which will be affordable, and create high-quality public realm. The development will be delivered in three phases and will include a mix of housing types and tenures, including extra care, co-housing, and retirement living. The cabinet also delegated authority to the Corporate Director for City Development to finalise the terms and authorise the execution of the agreement and each phase disposal, and approved the use of £680,000 from the existing capital budget to support project monitoring and associated fees.

Elliot Duffell and Councillor Peter Norris addressed the meeting in relation to this item.

Quality Improvement Support Service for Early Years Providers

The cabinet approved the award of a two-year contract (with an option to extend for up to a further 2 years) for the provision of a Quality Improvement Support Services to the successful bidder named in exempt Appendix 3 of the Cabinet report for Contract award for Quality Improvement Support Service for Early Years Providers. The service will provide on-site coaching and advisory visits to early years providers in Liverpool, with a focus on strengthening leadership, curriculum, inclusive practice, and communication skills. The contract aims to improve the quality of early years provision and narrow the attainment gap for children in the city.

Lease of Land to Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Limited

The cabinet approved the grant of a lease to Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Limited for the siting of a new communications mast and ancillary equipment on land between Clough Road and Speke Boulevard. The decision is subject to the outcome of the statutory advertisement of the disposal of public open space. The cabinet also delegated authority to the Corporate Director for City Development to review any objections and finalise the terms of the lease and any necessary wayleaves. The new mast is intended to enhance 3G, 4G, and 5G coverage in the area.

Contract Variation for Drug and Alcohol Treatment Service

The cabinet approved a contract variation to the all-age, integrated drug and alcohol treatment and recovery service contract with Change Grow Live Services Ltd for up to £6,470,503.45 (excluding VAT). The variation entails the distribution of three separate central government revenue grant funding streams to enhance the quality and capacity of the service. The funding will support drug and alcohol treatment and recovery, individual placement support, and dependency and recovery services for people on probation.

Cultural Arts Investment Programme

The cabinet approved the extension of the current Cultural Arts Investment Programme (CAIP) for a further 12 months, from April 2026 to March 2027. The decision is subject to Full Council approving the project budget as part of its annual budget setting process. The extension will allow for early planning and stability in the cultural sector, align with the Medium-Term Financial Plan, and coordinate with Arts Council England's National Portfolio Organisation funding timeline.

Ice Cream and Refreshment Concessions in Parks

The cabinet approved the award of contracts to the highest-scoring bidders for the provision of ice creams and refreshments at 6 park locations in the city. The contracts are expected to generate a revenue income for the council and support animation and accessibility of parks and greenspaces.

Hosting of Major Event and Bidding to host Major Event 2030

The details of these discussions are exempt from publication.