Here is a summary of the items scheduled for discussion at the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Cabinet meeting on 30 September 2025.

The Cabinet is scheduled to discuss the Financial Improvement & Sustainability Board, the Month 3 Budget Monitoring Report, the Q1 2025/26 Quarterly Assurance Report, the Berkshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy, the future of Flexible Home Improvement Loans Ltd, outdoor advertising, the council's approach to Heathrow, and draft supplementary planning documents for Maidenhead Town Centre shopfronts and parking.

Financial Performance and Strategy

Month 3 Budget Monitoring Report

The cabinet is scheduled to note the Month 3 Budget Monitoring Report, which includes the forecast revenue and capital budget outturn for the 2025/26 financial year. The report indicates a forecast overspend of £3.203m on service budgets, which is planned to be covered by drawing from the contingency budget. This represents an increase of £1.511m from the previous month's contingency draw. A forecast overspend of £0.380m is also expected on non-service budgets, which can also be contained by drawing on the contingency budget. The report also covers progress on revenue savings, identified risks to the revenue outturn, and the 2024/25 Treasury Outturn report. The cabinet is to consider approving one new capital project for £0.094m, which is described as self-financing, and budget virements¹. The report notes financial challenges in 2025/26, particularly in social care and temporary accommodation, and stresses the need for services to seek efficiencies, as exceptional financial support is not a sustainable solution . The report also highlights that the council has secured exceptional financial support², and that significant growth has been included in this year's budget.

Financial Improvement & Sustainability Board (FISB) update

The cabinet is scheduled to discuss the independent report from the Financial Improvement & Sustainability Board (FISB). The report sets out the board's initial views on the council's financial recovery and their areas of focus. Councillor Simon Werner, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Community Partnerships & Maidenhead, and Councillor Lynne Jones, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance, are scheduled to present the report. The FISB was established to provide independent support and challenge to the council's financial and organisational recovery. The terms of reference of the FISB include providing advice, constructive challenge, and support to the council on its improvement activities, monitoring progress against key targets, and ensuring key decisions consider financial implications. The report was drafted by Gavin Jones CBE, chair of the FISB, with input from other independent board members. The report provides an opportunity for the cabinet to understand and explore the views of the board on the council's recovery to date.

Q1 2025/26 Quarterly Assurance Report

The cabinet is scheduled to review and comment on the Q1 2025/26 Quarterly Assurance Report. The report sets out progress against performance indicators, the risk register, internal audit recommendations, workforce data, and progress of the Future Shape RBWM corporate transformation programme. The report notes that 83% of indicators are meeting or close to target, and 72% of deliverables are completed or on track. The report also highlights key successes and challenges in different directorates, such as exceeding targets for council tax and business rates collection, the launch of the Living Well Together transformation programme in Adult Social Care & Health, the go-live of the LiquidLogic case management system in Children's Services & Education, and the establishment of capital governance boards in Place. The report identifies challenges such as high OT waiting times, delays in the Shared Lives scheme, and rising temporary accommodation demand. The report also provides updates on the Dedicated Schools Grant deficit and the extension of the national statutory override.

Environment and Planning

Berkshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy

The cabinet is scheduled to consider the Berkshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy. Councillor Karen Davies, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Biodiversity and Windsor Town Council, is expected to present the strategy for approval prior to publication. The strategy sets out priorities for nature recovery and proposes actions across the county, detailing important habitats and priority species. The council has undertaken engagement events to gather input for the strategy. The report notes that the strategy has obtained the support of all Supporting Authorities of Berkshire, and that the council received a letter of support from representatives of Natural England, the Forestry Commission and the Environment Agency.

Draft Maidenhead Town Centre Shopfront Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

The cabinet is scheduled to consider the draft Maidenhead Town Centre Shopfront Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). Councillor Adam Bermange, Cabinet Member for Planning, Governance & Asset Management, is expected to present the document. The SPD provides detailed guidance for new and replacement shopfronts within the Maidenhead Town Centre Strategic Placemaking Area, as defined in Policy QP1a of the Borough Local Plan. The document is intended to update guidance from the existing 'Maidenhead Business & Shop Front Design Guide', dated August 2013. The cabinet is to consider approving the publication of the draft SPD for public consultation and delegating authority to the Assistant Director of Planning to approve minor changes prior to publication. Following public consultation, the final version of the SPD will be taken back to Cabinet for a decision on whether it should be adopted.

Draft Parking Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

The cabinet is scheduled to consider the Draft Parking Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). Councillor Adam Bermange, Cabinet Member for Planning, Governance & Asset Management, and Councillor Geoff Hill, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport & Customer Service Centre, are expected to present the document. The SPD provides guidance on parking provision and design for new developments in the borough. The document is intended to supersede the guidance on parking standards within the 2004 Parking Strategy. The cabinet is to consider approving the publication of the draft SPD for public consultation and delegating authority to the Assistant Director of Planning to approve minor changes prior to publication. Following public consultation, the final version of the SPD will be taken back to Cabinet for a decision on whether it should be adopted.

Other Business

Council Approach to Heathrow

The cabinet is scheduled to consider the council's approach to Heathrow Airport. Councillor Richard Coe, Cabinet Member for Household and Regulatory Services, is expected to present the report. The report proposes priority areas to guide engagement with Heathrow and other promoters, and reconfirms the council's opposition to a third runway at Heathrow. The proposed priority areas focus on controlling noise nuisance, ensuring sustainable development, and securing a fair deal for local communities.

Flexible Home Improvement Loans Ltd - Future of the company

The cabinet is scheduled to consider the future of Flexible Home Improvement Loans Ltd (FHIL). Councillor Catherine del Campo, Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health & Housing Services, is expected to present the report. The report recommends that local authority members form a consortium outside of FHIL to retain control over loan scheme funds, procure an FCA regulated provider for loan administration services, and wind down FHIL once the net assets have been transferred. The report also delegates authority to the Assistant Director for Housing and Public Protection to oversee the associated workstreams and agree any binding contracts on behalf of the council.

Outdoor Advertising - Bus Stops, Streets and Car Parks

The cabinet is scheduled to consider a report on outdoor advertising at bus stops, streets and car parks. Councillor Geoff Hill, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport & Customer Service Centre, is expected to present the report. The report recommends delegating authority to the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways & Transport, and Customer Service Centre, to approve the award of the resulting contract(s). The proposed contract term is anticipated to commence in January 2026 and will be for 7 years with potential extensions of up to a further 3 years. The report notes that the decision will ensure that the council will receive an increased income, which supports the commitment to taking immediate action to address the budget gap. The report also notes that advertising on both bus shelters and car parks, will feed into the Council's Plan in relation to strategic priorities, help to put the Council on a strong financial footing by maximising the income received through commercialisation. The report also notes that any income generated will initially be used to secure efficient maintenance/repairs for the entire borough's bus stop infrastructure and surplus will contribute to contract savings efficiencies. The report also notes that the council will prioritise, where possible, the reduction of embodied carbon resulting from the upgrading of bus shelters through this contract. The report also notes that the council intends to work with prospective contractors to ensure sustainable construction and renewable energy use is embedded in the contract and any additional sustainability concerns or implications are addressed at the tender stage. The report also notes that all council owned assets are powered by a green tariff from EDF, guaranteeing that RBWM has the highest proportion of renewable sources for its energy that EDF can supply.