The Corporate Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 17 February 2026 to review the council's financial performance for the third quarter of 2025/26, and to consider the draft Annual Delivery Plan and Key Enabling Strategies. The committee approved recommendations for the Finance and Performance report, noted the Draft Annual Delivery Plan and Key Enabling Strategies, and noted the Corporate Scrutiny Work Plan.

Finance and Performance 2025/26 - Q3

The committee reviewed the council's financial and performance position at Quarter 3 of the 2025/26 financial year. It was reported that the General Fund was forecasting an overspend of £15.4 million, the Housing Revenue Account was forecasting an underspend of £702,000, and the Dedicated Schools Grant was forecasting an in-year deficit increase of £4.36 million.

Members raised concerns about the proportion of the General Fund overspend that was structural, the continued cost pressures in Home to School Transport, and the accounting treatment of the Dedicated Schools Grant deficit. A request was made for a detailed update on Home to School Transport transformation to be brought to a future meeting. The committee also resolved to arrange a joint scrutiny session to review highways maintenance and the highways contract.

The committee resolved to note the Quarter 3 Finance and Performance report, receive a detailed briefing on Home to School Transport transformation, arrange a joint scrutiny session on highways maintenance, and receive a written briefing note on the accounting treatment and financial impact of the Dedicated Schools Grant deficit.

Draft Annual Delivery Plan and Draft Key Enabling Strategies

The committee received a presentation on the draft Annual Delivery Plan and draft 'One Council' enabling strategies. It was explained that the Annual Delivery Plan bridges the gap between the four-year Corporate Plan and annual service plans, aiming to increase transparency and focus on the council's activities. The enabling strategies cover Workforce, Technology and Digital, Customer Experience, Communications, and Finance, all aimed at fostering a 'One Council' culture.

A public speaker welcomed the introduction of the Annual Delivery Plan and offered observations on its content, including opportunities relating to retirement villages, youth strategy, evaluation of Local Area Partnerships, and the interpretation of parks and green spaces.

Members discussed the importance of the Annual Delivery Plan clearly translating Corporate Plan priorities into deliverable actions and ensuring all councillors were informed of delivery progress. The relationship between the Annual Delivery Plan, service plans, and staff performance objectives was also discussed, alongside the significance of transformation work.

Officers clarified that the Annual Delivery Plan was designed to bridge the gap between strategy and operational delivery, with executive member involvement in its shaping. They also noted that work was underway to review the transformation landscape to identify priorities and rationalise existing programmes.

The committee resolved to note the Draft Annual Delivery Plan and Draft Key Enabling Strategies.

Corporate Scrutiny Work Plan

The committee noted the Corporate Scrutiny Work Plan.

The meeting concluded at 8:55 PM.