The Cabinet - Shareholder Group of Wiltshire Council was scheduled to discuss the Stone Circle 2026/27 Business Plan and Financial Model. The meeting was also set to review the minutes of previous meetings and consider any urgent items or announcements from the Leader.

Stone Circle 2026/27 Business Plan and Financial Model

The main item scheduled for discussion was the Stone Circle 2026/27 Business Plan and Financial Model. This report was to be presented to the Shareholder Group for their consideration.

The previous meeting of the Cabinet - Shareholder Group on 16 December 2025 had discussed proposals related to Stone Circle. At that meeting, it was noted that the Shareholder Group had reviewed the outcome of a commissioned review concerning Registered Provider status for Stone Circle. The group had also approved proposals for Stone Circle to acquire an established Registered Provider. Furthermore, a request was made for Stone Circle to update its Business Plan to include a financial assessment of a move to an affordable rent of 80% of market rate for properties let after April 2026. The previous meeting also saw the Shareholder Group agree that £5 million plus a £1 million contingency should be added to the Capital Programme for 2026/2027 to pursue the proposal to purchase 1 and 2-bedroom flats. An additional £1 million was also agreed for Stone Circle Development Company for 2026/2027.

The report pack for the 20 January 2026 meeting indicated that the Shareholder Group would consider the Stone Circle 2026/27 Business Plan and Financial Model. This would include strategic proposals for Stone Circle Housing Company, such as continuing discussions regarding the Tisbury site with local stakeholders and a prospective registered social landlord, subject to procurement advice. The company was also scheduled to review costs incurred for the Marlborough site to facilitate its divestment. Additionally, Stone Circle Housing Company was to update the Housing section of its business plan with further details on the proposal to purchase 1 and 2-bedroom flats, with a maximum budget of £5 million. The Supported Housing section of the business plan was also to be updated to include estimated costs for acquiring an existing registered provider.

The meeting was also scheduled to review the quarterly performance reports provided by the Stone Circle Housing Company and the Stone Circle Development Company. This aligns with a recommendation from a governance review in September 2021, which established the Shareholder Group to undertake reserved matters for the Council and stipulated quarterly performance reporting by the companies.

Previous Minutes and Declarations of Interest

The agenda also included the confirmation of the minutes from the previous Cabinet - Shareholder Group meeting held on 16 December 2025. During the previous meeting, Councillor Adrian Foster declared an interest in agenda item 9, Stone Circle Development Company - Update, as his wife is a Board Member of White Horse Housing Association, which is party to a site in Tisbury. Councillor Foster stated he would not be involved in the debate or vote on that item. The minutes of the 16 December 2025 meeting were to be confirmed as a true and correct record.

Leader's Announcement and Public Participation

The agenda allowed for any announcements from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Thorn. There was also a provision for public participation, where members of the public could ask questions or make statements, provided they were submitted by a specified deadline.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

A resolution was to be considered to exclude the press and public from the meeting for specific agenda items (Items 7 to 10). This was proposed on the grounds that it was likely that exempt information, relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person, would be disclosed. The public interest in withholding this information was considered to outweigh the public interest in disclosing it.