The Cabinet of Worcestershire Council met on Thursday, 20 November 2025, to discuss the Worcestershire Adults Safeguarding Board Annual Report 2024-2025, the Adult Social Care Local Account for 2024-2025, and a proposal for Local Government Reorganisation titled 'One Worcestershire'. The meeting also included a review of the Council's budget monitoring for Month 6 (30 September) of the 2025/26 financial year and a mid-year update on Treasury Management activities as of 30 September 2025.

Adults Safeguarding Board Annual Report 2024-2025

The Cabinet was scheduled to receive and consider the Worcestershire Safeguarding Adults Board (WSAB) Annual Report for 2024-2025. The WSAB is an independent board tasked with promoting wellbeing and reducing the risk of harm for individuals with care and support needs. The report was expected to provide an overview of the Board's activities during the year, including safeguarding activity undertaken to protect vulnerable adults in Worcestershire. It was also anticipated to detail Safeguarding Adults Reviews (SARs) completed during the year, progress on the Board's objectives, and the functioning of the Complex Adults Risk Management Framework (CARM). The report was to highlight activity data, including a slight decrease in reported safeguarding concerns and enquiries, and provide comparisons with national rates. The recommendation was for the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Adult Social Care to recommend that Cabinet receives and considers the report and any resulting actions.

Adult Social Care Local Account 2024-2025

The Cabinet was scheduled to consider the Adult Social Care Local Account for 2024-2025. This annual account is a requirement for Adult Social Care services to publish a summary of their activities, outlining priorities, improvements made, areas needing development, and feedback from service users. The report was expected to cover the last financial year, detailing the council's performance as both a provider and commissioner of services. It was also to include future developments within the Adults and Communities Directorate and set out priorities aimed at promoting independence and supporting positive outcomes for users of adult social care. The recommendation was for the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Adult Social Care to recommend that Cabinet approves and endorses the improvements detailed in the Local Account for publication.

Local Government Reorganisation – 'One Worcestershire' Proposal

A significant item on the agenda was the proposal for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) under the title 'One Worcestershire'. This proposal details the plan for the establishment of a single unitary council for Worcestershire, with a business case scheduled for submission to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) by 28 November 2025, aiming for vesting day on 1 April 2028. The report outlined the background to this proposal, referencing the English Devolution White Paper and the shift towards creating new unitary authorities. It detailed the development of the business case, including engagement with the public, voluntary sector, statutory bodies, local businesses, and district and parish councils. The proposal aimed to create a financially sustainable, partnership-driven, community-engaged, evidence-focused, technologically empowered, and flexible organisation. The report also addressed the potential benefits of a single unitary council, including simplified service access, maintained consistency and quality, integrated services, operational and financial efficiency, and an empowered workforce. It also highlighted the strategic and operational risks associated with disaggregating services into two unitary authorities, drawing on research regarding the impact of scale on people-based services. The proposal sought Cabinet approval to submit the 'One Worcestershire' plan to MHCLG.

Resources Report – Budget Monitoring - Month 6 (30 September) 2025/2026

The Cabinet was to receive the second budget monitoring report of the financial year, detailing the forecast outturn for the Council's £495.6 million net revenue budget as at 30 September 2025. The report was expected to outline the forecast year-end position, progress on savings plans approved in February 2025, and the use of reserves. It was also to provide an update on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficit, outstanding debt, and the Capital Programme. The report highlighted the ongoing financial challenges faced by local government, particularly the impact of demand for services and placement availability in Adults and Children's Social Care. The forecast indicated a breakeven position after the use of reserves and Exceptional Financial Support (EFS). The report also detailed the significant and worsening deficit in the DSG High Needs budget and the implications of the expiry of the statutory override in March 2028. Recommendations included noting the forecast year-end position, progress on savings, the DSG deficit, outstanding debt, the use of reserves, and approving variations to the Capital Programme.

Treasury Management Mid-Year Update to 30 September 2025

The Cabinet was scheduled to receive a mid-year report on the Council's Treasury Management activities as of 30 September 2025. This report, prepared in compliance with CIPFA's Code of Practice, was to provide an economic update for the first half of the financial year, a review of the Council's investment portfolio, and its borrowing strategy. It was also to review compliance with Treasury and Prudential Limits for 2025/26. The report was expected to detail the Council's investment portfolio, highlighting that security of funds is the priority, and that all investments to date have been repaid with full interest. It was to summarise borrowing activity, noting the Council's reliance on the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) but also considering cheaper alternative sources of borrowing. The report was to confirm that the Council is operating within its approved Treasury Management Strategy and that treasury management activities continue to be cost-effective. Compliance with Treasury and Prudential Limits was to be confirmed, showing the Council to be well within limits for outstanding debt. The recommendations were for the Cabinet to note the report and endorse the conclusion that treasury management activities remain cost-effective.