Shropshire Council's Cabinet convened to address critical financial challenges, approve a new Autism Strategy, and set the council tax taxbase for the upcoming year. Key decisions included approving actions to address a projected £50.746m overspend, applying for Exceptional Financial Support, and adopting the All Age Autism Strategy 2025-2030. The Cabinet also agreed to consult on the future of the School Library Service.

Financial Emergency

The Cabinet addressed the council's dire financial situation, which includes a projected overspend of £50.746 million. They approved a series of measures to address the crisis, including:

• Enhanced scrutiny of all spending and income generation.
• Continued use of Operations Boards to challenge in-year spending.
• Application for Exceptional Financial Support¹ of £71.361 million from the government. This includes £21.466 million for revenue monitoring pressures, up to £10 million for transformation activity, and up to £38.895 million for North West Relief Road² (NWRR) write-off costs.
• Support for a minimum General Fund Balance of £5 million and the ringfencing of a Contingency Fund of £5.478 million.

The decision on the final application for Exceptional Financial Support will be made by James Walton, Executive Director (S151), in consultation with Councillor Roger Evans, Portfolio Holder for Finance.

Council Tax Taxbase 2026/27

The Cabinet agreed to recommend to full Council the council tax taxbase for 2026/27, which is calculated as 121,852.37 Band D equivalents³. This figure takes into account several factors, including:

• Localised Council Tax Support (CTS), which excludes 7,950.74 Band D equivalents from the taxbase.
• Discretionary Council Tax discount policies, including those related to vacant dwellings and second homes.
  • Continuation of a policy to not award a discount in respect of vacant dwellings undergoing major repair.
  • Continuation of a discount of 100% for one month for vacant dwellings.
  • Continuation of the six week rule in respect of vacant dwellings.
  • Levying a Council Tax premium of 100% in relation to dwellings which have been unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for more than one year (but less than five years).
  • Levying a Council Tax premium of 200% in relation to dwellings which have been unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for more than five years (but less than ten years).
  • Levying a Council Tax premium of 300% in relation to dwellings which have been unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for more than ten years.
  • Levying a Council Tax premium of 100% in relation to second homes (other than those that retain a 50% discount through regulation as a result of job-related protection).
• A collection rate for the year 2026/27 of 98.0%.

The Cabinet also agreed that the Council Tax Support policy and other similar policies would be reviewed and consulted upon over 2026, with a view to implementing any revisions by Financial Year 2027/28 at the latest.

All Age Autism Strategy 2025-2030

The Cabinet approved the Shropshire All-Age Autism Strategy 2025-2030, a plan designed to improve the lives of autistic people in the region. The council also committed to becoming a neuroinclusive employer. Councillor Ruth Houghton, Portfolio Holder for Social Care, will oversee the development of a delivery plan to embed the strategy's recommendations. Progress and implementation will be reviewed at People Scrutiny in December 2026.

School Library Service

The Cabinet approved a proposal to cease the operation of the Schools Library Service (SLS) by the council. However, before closing the service altogether, David Shaw, Director of Children's Services, in consultation with Councillor Andy Hall, Portfolio Holder for Children and Education, will lead an engagement process to explore the possibility of the service being maintained by a Multi-Academy Trust, Federation, town or parish council, or other third-party organisation. If no viable interest is identified, the service will be closed.

Annual Infrastructure Funding Statement 2025

The Cabinet agreed to publish the Annual Infrastructure Funding Statement for 2025. Councillor David Walker, Portfolio Holder for Planning, and Eddie West, Planning Policy and Strategy Manager, were delegated the responsibility to make any necessary amendments before publication.

People Plan

The Cabinet reviewed and recommended to full Council the approval of the draft People Plan. They also agreed to the governance arrangements, aims, and values set out in the plan, and that the capacity and resources necessary to support the delivery of organisational change and development, as outlined in this plan, are aligned with the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) to ensure effective and sustainable implementation.

Fees and Charges Pricing Policy

The Cabinet considered the Fees and Charges Policy and recommended to Council its approval and adoption for 2026/27. They also recommended its incorporation into the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and budget setting process in February 2026.

Children's Services Annual Reports 2024-25

The Cabinet acknowledged the content of the Children's Services Annual Reports 2024-25 and the positive impact and outcomes that services are achieving for children and young people. They also acknowledged the breadth of statutory requirements being successfully delivered and achieving good outcomes for the children and young people in Shropshire. The Cabinet recommended to Council that it receive the Annual Report and resolve that Childrens Safeguarding training becomes a mandatory requirement for all elected Members.

Treasury Management

The Cabinet received an update on treasury management activities in the second quarter of 2025/26, and agreed the Treasury Strategy activity as set out in the report.