The Corporate Resources & Infrastructure Select Committee met on Thursday 5 March 2026 to discuss the Council's financial position, digital strategy, housing acquisitions, and building safety. Key decisions included noting the budget monitoring position, progress on the digital strategy, and updates on the fire safety policy and building safety programme.

Budget and Spend Report

The Committee received an update on the Council's financial position, noting the Month 9 (December 2025) budget monitoring report. The Council was forecasting a net overspend of £35.9 million, attributed to service pressures, challenges in delivering savings, and corporate funding assumptions, partially offset by contingencies and management interventions. Within the Committee's remit, a projected overspend of £5.5 million was reported, with favourable movements noted across several directorates since Month 7.

Members expressed concern about the deferral of £4 million in savings into 2026/27 and sought assurance on the achievability of these savings and the effectiveness of performance management at levels below Corporate Director. It was acknowledged that challenges for 2026/27 had been recognised, and a more robust approach to savings delivery was being applied, with strengthened processes for accountability. The Committee agreed that all major savings should be underpinned by clear delivery plans, monitored against defined milestones, and recorded within a single dataset with monitoring at individual manager level.

Concerns were also raised about the potential impact of the conflict in the Middle East on energy and interest costs, and whether sensitivity analysis had been undertaken. Officers confirmed that energy costs for the current financial year were protected, and all borrowing was at fixed interest rates.

The Committee resolved to note the budget monitoring position as at December 2025 for both the Council and the services within its remit.

Digital Strategy

The Committee noted the progress made in delivering the Digital Strategy 2024–2027. Key achievements included the launch of the new Council website, the expansion of business intelligence dashboards, modernisation of ICT infrastructure, and continued work on digital inclusion and Technology Enabled Care. The next steps agreed by Cabinet in December 2025 were also noted, focusing on accelerating digital transformation, strengthening digital inclusion, embedding technology in adult social care, and enhancing strategic partnerships.

Members discussed the importance of staff utilising the available technology and noted that progress was being made through internal communications, training via the Digital Academy, and the development of digital champions. The Clean Streets app was highlighted as a positive example of streamlining business processes and providing useful analytics.

Concerns were raised about potential gaps between customer reporting systems and internal council processes, particularly regarding response times, with highways identified as a particular challenge. The Committee resolved to note the progress made in delivering the Digital Strategy and the next steps agreed by Cabinet.

Right to Buy Backs

The Committee received an update on residential property acquisitions for 2025/26, covering the performance of both the in-house acquisitions team and the Madison Brook Residential Property Acquisitions contract. While the Madison Brook contract had supported delivery, its use would be reduced or closed in 2026/27 due to improvements in in-house processes. Members noted that refurbishment costs with Madison Brook had been higher than anticipated, and these cost differences were being reviewed to identify best practices for a more efficient in-house approach. The primary purpose of the acquisitions programme was to rebuild and expand the Council's social rented housing stock, with refurbished properties meeting modern and energy efficiency requirements. The Committee resolved to note the performance of both the in-house acquisitions team and the Madison Brook contract.

Building Safety Strategy – Fire Safety Policy Update 2026

The Committee noted the updated Fire Safety Policy (2026), which incorporates changes in legislation and regulatory requirements for housing, operational, and commercial buildings. The Council's strategic approach to managing fire risk, including governance, assurance, performance reporting, and resident engagement, was highlighted. Members acknowledged the critical importance of fire safety and noted that residents were being supported through engagement activities. Fire risks were assessed and rated, with mitigation managed through regular inspections. The Committee resolved to note the content and purpose of the updated Fire Safety Policy, support the Council's strategic approach to fire risk management, and endorse the continued development of performance reporting and resident engagement arrangements.

Building Safety Programme - Fire Safety in Private Sector Mid and High-Rise Blocks of Flats

An update was provided on the Building Safety Programme concerning fire safety in private sector mid- and high-rise blocks of flats, established in response to national requirements following the Grenfell tragedy. Progress in data collection, risk prioritisation, investigations, and enforcement activity was reported. High-rise buildings had been assessed and categorised, with enforcement action taken where necessary. Work on mid-rise buildings had been deferred due to funding and resource constraints. The programme, funded until April 2026, was contributing to improved fire safety standards. Members discussed this matter further in Part II due to live enforcement cases. The Committee resolved to note the update on the Fire Safety Programme.

Forward Plan

The Committee noted the Cabinet's Forward Plan, which outlines key decisions to be taken by the Cabinet and Cabinet Members. The Committee's role in monitoring this plan and providing comments on relevant items within its remit was reiterated.

Work Programme

The Committee noted the Multi-Year Work Programme for 2022-2026, including upcoming meeting dates and planned topics for the current municipal year.