Councillor Dale Keeling was elected as the new Chair of Warwickshire County Council, securing 26 votes. The council also discussed and debated the 2026/27 budget and the 2026-31 Medium Term Financial Strategy, with various amendments proposed by different political groups. Ultimately, no group's budget proposal was approved, and the meeting was adjourned to 17 February 2026.

Appointment of Chair

The meeting began with the appointment of a new Chair due to a vacancy. Councillor Dale Keeling was nominated and elected as the new Chair of the County Council, receiving 26 votes. Councillor George Coucher received 18 votes, and Councillor Keith Kondakor received 5 votes.

Budget Debate and Medium Term Financial Strategy

The main item of discussion was the 2026/27 budget and the 2026-31 Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS). Several amendments were proposed by the Liberal Democrat, Conservative, Green, and Labour groups, each outlining alternative priorities and financial approaches.

The Reform UK group, led by Councillor Stephen Shaw, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property, proposed a budget that included a 3.89% council tax rise, equivalent to £1.39 per week for a Band D dwelling. This proposal aimed to keep council tax as low as possible while maintaining critical services and investing in areas such as adult social care (£37.8 million increase), children's social care (£10.3 million increase), and home to school transport (£11.2 million increase). The budget also included significant capital investment provisions and planned savings of £103 million over five years.

The Liberal Democrats, led by Councillor Jerry Roodhouse, proposed an amendment that included a 4.99% council tax increase. Their budget focused on investing in prevention, particularly in early intervention for the next generation, tackling child poverty and neglect, and addressing climate resilience. They also proposed significant capital funding for highways and home to school transport.

The Conservative group, led by Councillor Adrian Warwick, also proposed an amendment, advocating for a 4.89% council tax increase. They expressed concerns about proposed cuts to the community TB service, the pre-school autism diagnostic service, and youth services, calling for these to be retained or extended. They also proposed additional funding for gully cleaning, an intervention fund for the closure of the Warwickshire Rural Community Council (WRCC), and an upgrade to the Stockton Road A426 Crossroads.

The Green group, led by Councillor Jonathan Chilvers, proposed a budget that protected grants for youth clubs and children's centres, invested in walking and cycling infrastructure, and focused on climate resilience. They also highlighted their commitment to financial resilience, keeping allowable pressures at a recommended level.

The Labour group, led by Councillor Sarah Feeney, argued that there was no such thing as a perfect budget and that council tax increases were unavoidable to maintain services. They emphasised the importance of council tax in supporting vulnerable individuals and communities. Their budget focused on protecting services for vulnerable women and children and did not support speculative value for money cuts that could burden future authorities. They also welcomed the administration's recognition of the parking scheme's issues and proposed no changes to its price.

Following extensive debate and the presentation of multiple amendments, a recorded vote was held on the substantive motion proposed by the Reform UK group. This motion was lost by 16 votes to 33.

A joint amendment from the Liberal Democrat and Green groups was then proposed, aiming to find a compromise. This amendment also failed to pass, with 23 votes in favour and 25 against.

Subsequently, a motion to adjourn the meeting was proposed by Councillor Adrian Warwick and seconded by Councillor Michael Bannister. This motion was carried by a vote of 25 to 23, and the meeting was adjourned until 17 February 2026, with all outstanding items to be carried forward to that date.

Other Matters Discussed

Prior to the budget debate, the council formally acknowledged the departure of Nigel Means, Executive Director for Children and Young People, with several councillors expressing their thanks for his significant contributions and wishing him well in his future endeavours. Apologies for absence were also noted from several councillors.

The meeting also included discussions on:

• Minutes of the previous meeting: The minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2025 were confirmed.
• Public Speaking: There were no public speakers at this meeting.
• Treasury Management Strategy and Investment Strategy: This item was deferred due to the adjournment of the meeting.
• Any Other Items of Urgent Business: None were raised.
• Exclusion of Press and Public: This was considered for exempt minutes of the previous meeting, but the meeting was adjourned before this could be fully addressed.

The adjournment means that the council will reconvene on 17 February 2026 to continue its business, including the crucial budget decisions.